The piano Perfect for playing... jolly songs to fill the dark days before the invention of recorded music Loudspeakers? No, but Mama couldn't half belt out a good folk song round the parlour fireplace Did kids play them on buses?No, they'd never have been able to lug one aboard a horse-drawn omnibus
The phonograph/gramophone/record player Perfect for playing... your favourite 3 minute vinyl disc over and over and over again Loudspeakers? Oh yes - a great big horn for the repeated blaring of that aforementioned tune Did kids play them on buses?No chance - the needle would jump
The wireless/radio Perfect for playing... somebody else's choice of good music Loudspeakers? Integral to the design Did kids play them on buses?No, even a transistor radio was too far big to fit in a pocket
The hi-fi Perfect for playing... that stack of vinyl and CDs clogging up six shelves in your living room Loudspeakers? Wooh, yeah, I can turn Pink Floyd right up to 10 and make the neighbours vibrate Did kids play them on buses?No, never - there are no power points on buses
The ghetto blaster Perfect for... hiphop C90 mixtapes you spent ages compiling in your bedroom Loudspeakers? Oh yes, it's a mighty pounding beatbox! Did kids play them on buses?No, far too cumbersome (better suited to blaring in the park)
The Walkman Perfect for playing... that Dire Straits album you bought on cassette from Our Price Loudspeakers? No, just a couple of tinny headphones Did kids play them on buses? If they did, we never heard them (that's the joy of a "personal stereo")
The iPod Perfect for playing... some low quality mp3 file you downloaded for 79p Loudspeakers? No, just some very obvious, very nickable, slightly nerdy white headphones Did kids play them on buses?No, much too expensive for your average spotty teenager
The mobile phone Perfect for playing... some mindless rap gibberish or a bloody annoying R&B ringtone Loudspeakers? Yes - alas this is the default option (no headphones here) Do kids play them out loud on buses?Yes, because, for the first time, they can. Damn.
The piano
