then there's the whole Ms. (first name) or Mr. (lastname) which kind of freaks me out because it seems different for black people and white people. The South is fascinating (for a New Englander) and EVER so fucked up with all this.
It is different, because back in the day black people, no matter their age, were addressed by first name, if they were lucky. If not, it was "boy" or "girl." So it's still a big deal to the older black generation to be called Miss, Mr. Ms. Mrs. I think it's less of a deal for the younger generation, but some are raised to call older people (of any race) with a polite prefix. Sometimes first name, sometimes last name. My trainees called me Miss [firstname], though I told them to call me just Sarah. Us Whiteys never had to fight for that respect, so it wasn't a big deal to go casual over it and call just about everyone by their first name.
I don't like much Marley, due to fratty associations, but I do love "No Woman, No Cry." And ita !, I think you are thinking of the GNR cover of "Knocking on Heaven's Door." Different song.
Other musical heresies I hold dear: Songs by Joy Division AND The Rolling Stones work best when other bands cover them, so they have better vocals.
This is how I feel about Bob Dylan, Dire Straits (Indigo Girls' cover of "Romeo and Juliet," please), and Joni Mitchell. But not Leonard Cohen, oh no. And I'll join you on the Rolling Stones thing.
There's a "GenX" radio station here that plays mostly 90s, and I find that I pretty much hate it. I'm done with "Stone Temple Pearl Cream," as amyth has dubbed the grunge bands she can't distinguish, and can't deal with Spin Doctors and the like.
REO Speedwagon, though? "Can't Fight This Feeling" has been my favorite song of all time since first grade.