American Pop Music: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly
American Pop Music: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly. You can’t have one without the other.
The Good
American pop music has produced some truly great artists and songs over the years. From the early days of jazz and blues to the rise of rock and roll, soul, and R&B, there have been many genres and styles that have captured the imagination of the American public. While some may argue that pop music reached its peak in the 1960s or 1970s, there have been many great artists and songs produced in recent years. In this article, we will take a look at some of the best American pop music from different eras.
The Good:
Some of the best American pop music has come from African American artists. In the 1920s and 1930s, jazz was the dominant genre, with Louis Armstrong, Duke Ellington, and other greats creating classics that are still appreciated today. In the 1950s, rock and roll took over, thanks in part to Elvis Presley. But it was in the 1960s that African American artists really made their mark on pop music with Motown becoming a major force. Artists like Marvin Gaye, Smokey Robinson, Diana Ross, and Stevie Wonder created some of the most memorable songs of that decade. In more recent years, hip hop and R&B have also become popular genres thanks to artists like Beyonce, Jay-Z, Usher, and Rihanna.
There have also been many great white American pop artists over the years. One of the earliest was George Gershwin, who wrote classics like “Rhapsody in Blue” in 1924. In the 1940s and 1950s, crooners like Frank Sinatra and Tony Bennett were popular with adults while teenage girls swooned over singers like Pat Boone and Ricky Nelson. In more recent decades white artists like Madonna, Michael Jackson (RIP), Lady Gaga, Taylor Swift, Bruno Mars ,and Justin Bieber have all topped the charts with their catchy tunes.
The Bad
There is no denying that American pop music has had a profound impact on the world. It’s catchy, it’s often provocative, and it always seems to be at the forefront of popular culture. But not all American pop music is good. In fact, some of it is downright terrible. Here are three examples of the worst American pop music has to offer:
1. “Baby” by Justin Bieber
This song is an earworm of the worst kind. It’s catchy in a completely annoying way, and Bieber’s voice is grating and auto-tuned to oblivion. There’s just nothing redeeming about this song whatsoever.
2. “Gangnam Style” by PSY
This song was popular for about five minutes, and then everyone realized how mind-numbingly repetitive it was. It’s just a bunch of nonsense syllables set to a thumping beat, and it will likely drive you insane if you try to listen to it for more than a few seconds.
3. “Watch Me (Whip/Nae Nae)” by Silento
This song is just plain dumb. It’s about as deep as a puddle, and the only thing remotely redeeming about it is the fact that it might get you up on your feet and moving – but even that’s debatable.
The Ugly
American pop music is not without its share of problems. From the way it is produced to the messages it sends, there is plenty of room for improvement.
The biggest issue with American pop music is the way it is produced. In most cases, songs are written by professional songwriters and then recorded by artists who may or may not have any input into the creative process. This can lead to a disconnect between the artist and the music, and it often shows in the final product.
The messages sent by American pop music can also be problematic. Most songs focus on topics like love and relationships, but there are also a fair amount of songs that objectify women or promote unhealthy messages about body image. There are also a number of songs that glorify drug use and violence.
All in all, American pop music has its good points and its bad points. It can be fun and upbeat, but it can also be shallow and offensive. It’s up to each individual to decide what they want to listen to.
