Define Goth Meaning

I won’t reiterate what others have said about true Goths. However, I will say this. There is one thing I do disagree with that so far I have read in every entry. It is the music. Why do Goths have to listen to certain genres? I thought true Goths are open minded. So why so close minded for the matter of music?

Granted, Marilyn Manson and Simple Plan are not goth, nor punk. That does not mean they can’t be listened to by a goth.

Suggestive of a dark, morbid outlook on life, but not without a sense of humor. Often associated with vampires, cemeteries, and other trappings of death and isolation. An outgrowth of the post-punk New Romantic movement that spawned such musical groups as Bauhaus, Siouxsie and the Banshees and the Cure. The controversy rages about what "is" goth and what it isn't, as various members of the subculture jockey for credibility. Basically, if you have to ask someone if you're a goth, you probably aren't, and no one person is the ultimate judge of who and what is or is not goth. Except maybe Robert Smith.

A word that has so many definitions no-one really knows what the fuck it means now.

Initially a musical genre that emerged in the late 70s post punk era, Goth evolved into a full-blown sub culture a few years later with the evolution of Gothic fashion and imagery. A movement with a seemingly infinite ability to re-invent itself Goth has survived over 2 decades and has continued to evolve and grow in this time. However this propensity to re-invent itself has lead to a form of “identity crisis of Goth” in which even its most fervent adherents can no longer agree on a definitive answer to the question “What is Goth”.

In recent years the music industry has applied the term “Goth” rather broadly to various musical styles, which they seem unable to categorise, resulting in some confusion between various genres and the fans thereof. Unlike many of the subcultures than went before Goth does not seek to rebel against society, highlight its flaws (as was the case with the punks of the 70s) or define itself in terms of opposition to other sub cultural groupings (as was the case with the mods and the rockers of the 60s). As press interest in the genre continues, other sections of society have begun to define normality as “that which is opposed to Goth,” a common mainstream reaction faced by all subcultures at one time or another.

Ah, the widely controversial "goth" label. I say label because for most, that's all it is. A simple category for putting people into little, clearly-marked boxes. It can mean as little as a stereoptype or as much as a way of life. What any person's view is on the Gothic culture depends mostly on their experience with it, their past experiences in general, their susceptibility to outside influences, and their attitude on the strange and the unknown.

The term "Gothic" has had many definitions over the course of history. I believe other definitions have about covered the origins, so I'll instead focus on the most contemporary incarnation.

Common "Gothic" Myths:
1) All goths are suicidal: If you yourself believe this, give yourself a good slap upside the head with a dictionary. The majority of Goths are fun-loving, happy people who view suicidal people as somewhat disgusting and do not include them in their definition of what is goth.
2) All goths wear black: Again, slap yourself upside the head with a dictionary if you firmly believe this. Any true goth will admit that they like wearing color on occasion. In particular, cybergoths enjoy very much the brightest colors known to the human mind.
3) All goths listen to marilyn manson: Sigh. Look, kids. Whether manson is goth or not I don't care to discuss, as there are valid arguments on both sides, but the fact is, a good chunk of true goths don't even LIKE manson. Some goths don't even like rock/metal/hardcore music. GASP!

Moreover, Gothic cultue is simply a very deep connection to the darker side of life, an acknowledgement that everything is not "peachy," and that things like sadness and grief are very real and must be dealt with in order to maintain a healthy mind and body.

There are two definitions

1) a person who likes to dress and act differently to the other people in society, normally in black but some like much brighter colours. They tend to be thinkers and more often than not quite creative. They have a satyrical sense of humour, and are able to laugh at both themselves and other people. This type of goth originated in the late 80's with the "death" of punk; goths back then liked the style and the "protection" it offered and so emulated it in their own style. They listen to and appreciate all sorts of good music. They can be gay/depressed/weird/mentally disturbed, but more often than not they are just normal people.

2) an offshoot of the nu-metal clique who think that to *really* piss off their parents they'll dress all in black and talk about death and suicide whilst listening to Limp Bizkit, Linkin Park and Slipknot because it's "cool". They tend to have very little idea of the other type of goths (or anything else other than themselves for that matter) and will probably change their fashion once it becomes "uncool" again. Thank god.

A lifestyle of walking the boundary between darkness and light. True goths love being alive and accept the challenges of being alive. They are often very deep thinkers, creative artists, and great friends. At some point in their life, a true goth has been in some way scarred. Whatever event or events have altered this person, it has only made them stronger. Posers will say their life sucks for the smallest, most insignificant reasons, solely for the sake of attention. A true goth has experienced pain of the heart and bears the scar, but they can further enjoy life because their pain is behind them.

I am proud to wear the scars of my past and have found healing through my arts and the ones I love. The ache is still there, but through expressing my true self I have been able to let go of the hurt. I am a goth and I love my life. I have torn down my walls. I'm not ready to die. I will not change until I have hurt someone. I will always be on the line of light and dark. And when my time comes to pass on, I will remain in the hearts of those who loved me.

Goth was originally a term used to describe people with a taste for certain bands eg: Bauhaus, Sisters of Mercy, The Cure, etc. in the '80s when punk started to fade out, and with wardrobes predominantly black.
In the 90s and early 2000s the goth subculture seemed to change to include bands such as Nirvana, Linkin Park, Slipknot, Cradle of Filth, etc.

Many goths have a cynical outlook on society and have an evolved sense of humor which has gone beyond the "Ya ma" as an insult and will laugh at others, and at themselves in a healthy way. Goths don't usually care what other people think of them, and don't care if they don't fit in. Goths don't care, either what sexuality, religion, etc. other goths are, and we don't take the piss out of gays because we aren't homophobes.

If you shout insults after a bunch of goths, alot of the time, they might not be offended, but take pride that people are realising that they're individuals.

I don't know anymore. There are so many definitions of goth nowdays, especially music. For example:

There's classic goth music, like the Sisters Of Mercy (including the greatest 80's pop song ever made, This Corrosion) and Bauhaus. There's Victorian-style goth, but that's rare. The only good example I can think of is Rasputina. (Their song "Transylvanian Concubine" was on a Buffy soundtrack.) There's electrogoth, like Switchblade Symphony and Faith and The Muse.

After this, things get fuzzy.

Symphonic metal, like Within Temptation and Lacuna Coil, is sometimes considered gothic metal. Industrial music, like Nine Inch Nails, occcasionally mixes with gothic music. Electrogoth and electropop sometimes overlap, an example being Ladytron and Depeche Mode. There's pagan rock, like Inkubus Sukkubus, but the only reason that has a gothic following is because many goths follow a Pagan or Wiccan path.

In conclusion, no one knows what goth is anymore, because it's forked so many times. However, it is agreeded upon that Marilyn Manson is not goth.

A word that needs to stop being defined.