Why Does Pop Music Suck?
Why Does Pop Music Suck? It’s a question that has been asked since the dawn of time. And it’s a question that still plagues us to this day.
The History of Pop Music
Pop music has its roots in the 1950s with artists like Elvis Presley and Chuck Berry. The genre then exploded in the 1960s with the Beatles and the Beach Boys. However, since then, pop music has become increasingly bland and watered-down. In this article, we’ll explore the history of pop music and try to understand why it has become so terrible.
Early Pop music
The term “pop music” was first used in 1926, to describe music made by amateur bands and performers who sold single records. The popularity of these artists and their records led to the first use of the term “popular music.” In the 1930s, the phrase “popular song” was used to describe songs that were being played on the radio.
During the 1940s, pop music was dominated by a handful of genres, including swing, big band, and crooner music. By the 1950s, however, a new type of pop music had emerged: rock and roll. This new genre quickly became popular with both teenagers and adults, and it remains one of the most popular genres of pop music today.
In the 1960s, a number of different styles of pop music arose, including folk-rock, blues-rock, psychedelic rock, Motown, British Invasion, and country-rock. These new genres were often influenced by rock and roll, but they each had their own unique sound.
The 1970s saw the rise of disco and punk rock; both genres were short-lived but had a significant impact on pop music. The 1980s were dominated by synth-pop and hair metal bands; this decade also saw the rise of hip hop. The 1990s saw a return to more traditional pop sounds as well as the emergence of alternative rock.
Today, pop music is as varied as ever, with subgenres that include everything from dance-pop and teen pop to indie pop and K-pop. There is no single sound that characterize all of pop music; instead, each artist or band has their own unique style.
The Beatles and the British Invasion
In the late 1950s and early 1960s, British rock and roll bands such as the Beatles, the Rolling Stones, and the Animals became popular in the United States and elsewhere. These groups, along with others such as the Kinks and the Who, were part of what was known as the “British Invasion” of rock music. The Beatles in particular became extremely popular, with their albums becoming best-sellers in the US.
The birth of MTV
In 1981, a new kind of music television channel launched that would change the landscape of pop music forever. MTV (Music Television) began broadcasting on August 1st, 1981 with the videos for two popular songs: “Video Killed the Radio Star” by The Buggles and “You Better Run” by Pat Benatar.
MTV quickly became a cultural phenomenon, helping to launch the careers of many famous musicians and bands. The channel also had a profound effect on the way that music was made and marketed. Prior to MTV, most music videos were simple performance footage or promotional tools that were shown on television shows or in movie theaters. But MTV changed all that, providing a dedicated platform for music videos that allowed artists to express their creativity in new and innovative ways.
The impact of MTV on pop music cannot be overstated. The channel helped to make music videos an integral part of the musical experience, and artists began to produce videos that were as entertaining as they were musical. Today, MTV is no longer the dominant force in pop music that it once was, but its legacy can still be seen in the way that contemporary artists use visuals to enhance their music.
The Decline of Pop Music
There was a time when pop music was fresh and new, and everyone loved it. But now, it seems like every song on the radio is the same old recycled garbage. What happened to the good old days of pop music? Let’s take a look at the decline of pop music.
The Death of MTV
The beginning of the end for Pop music was the day MTV stopped being about music. It’s no coincidence that this coincided with the rise of reality television, which has now completely taken over the network. While MTV started out as a way to showcase new music videos, it gradually began to include more and more “reality” programming, such as The Real World and Jersey Shore. And as reality TV took over, music videos became less and less frequent.
But MTV isn’t the only one to blame for the decline of Pop music. The industry itself is partly responsible. In recent years, there has been a trend of artists making music that is more concerned with making money than with making good art. This has led to a lot of cookie-cutter pop songs that all sound the same.
another factor in the decline of Pop music is the fact that there are simply not as many good pop songs being released as there used to be. This is likely due to the fact that the industry is now focused on quantity over quality. With so many songs being released, it’s inevitable that some of them are going to be mediocre at best.
It’s also worth noting that Pop music has become increasingly reliant on auto-tune and other digital enhancements in recent years. This has made it harder for listeners to connect with the artists, as they often sound more like robots than humans.
All in all, there are a number of factors that have contributed to the decline of Pop music. MTV’s shift away from music videos, the industry’s focus on profit over artistry, and the increased use of auto-tune are just a few of them. As a result, good pop songs have become increasingly rare, and it’s getting harder and harder to find them amongst all the mediocrity.
The rise of streaming services
The rise of streaming services has had a profound effect on the music industry, and not necessarily in a good way. According to a recent report from the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry (IFPI), global music revenues grew by just 3.9% in 2016, the first year of significant growth since 2011. But despite this modest rebound, the industry is still struggling to adapt to the new reality of the streaming age.
One of the biggest problems facing the music industry is that streaming services like Spotify and Apple Music are mainly used for listening to music, not buying it. In fact, sales of CDs and digital downloads have been declining for years, and now account for just a fraction of total music revenues. This poses a serious challenge for artist who depend on sales of their music to make a living.
Another problem is that many people who use streaming services don’t actually pay for them. Instead, they use the free, ad-supported version which pays artists less than the paid version. This is one reason why many artists are now relying on touring and merchandising to make up for lost revenue from record sales.
It’s clear that the music industry is in a state of flux, and it’s still trying to figure out how to adapt to the changes brought about by streaming services. In the meantime, it’s important to support your favorite artists by buying their music or going to see them live.
The fall of the record labels
In the early 2000s, the music industry was in a state of flux. The internet had made it easy for people to download music for free, and Napster was becoming increasingly popular. This posed a threat to the traditional business model of the record labels, who relied on sales of physical CDs to make money.
In response to this, the record labels tried to sue Napster out of existence. This failed, and only served to alienate the labels’ customers even further. At the same time, Apple was releasing its iPod and iTunes Store, which offered a much easier way to buy and listen to music. The record labels were slow to catch on to this new trend, and by the time they did, it was too late.
As a result of all these factors, the record labels have been in decline ever since. They have been losing money for over a decade, and their once-dominant position in the music industry is now greatly diminished.
The Future of Pop Music
Pop music has always been a controversial topic. Some people love it, some people hate it. But what does the future hold for pop music? Is it doomed to become increasingly generic and bland, or will it evolve and become something new and exciting?
The rise of the independent artist
The future of pop music lies in the hands of the independent artist. With the rise of streaming services and the proliferation of DIY culture, there has never been a better time to be an independent musician.
Independent artists have more control over their careers than ever before. They can release their music on their own terms, promote themselves through social media, and tour without being beholden to a record label. This gives them the freedom to experiment and create music that is truly unique.
As the traditional model of the music industry continues to crumble, independent artists are poised to take over the pop landscape. We can expect to see more niche genres and subcultures being represented in the mainstream, and pop music will become more diverse as a result. So if you’re tired of mindless pop songs, keep your eye on the independents – they’re changing the game.
The return of the album format
Album sales have declined sharply in recent years, as music fans have increasingly turned to streaming services like Spotify and Apple Music. But there are signs that the album format may be making a comeback.
In 2018, vinyl LP sales hit a 25-year high, and CD sales also increased for the first time in four years. This trend could continue in 2019, as more and more music fans rediscover the joys of owning physical copies of their favorite albums.
One reason for the renewed interest in albums is the growing popularity of turntables. Turntables offer a warm, analog sound that many digital-music fans are now crave. And with vinyl records becoming more collectible, owning a turntable is a great way to start or expand your album collection.
If you’re thinking of buying a turntable, be sure to do your research and choose one that fits your budget and musical taste. With so many great options on the market, there’s no excuse not to start building your dream album collection today!
The death of the music video
In the early days of MTV, music videos were all the rage. They were a key part of an artist’s marketing strategy, and a way for fans to connect with their favorite songs. Today, however, music videos are few and far between. Why is this?
There are a few reasons. For one, the cost of making a high-quality music video has gone up significantly. In the 1980s, it was possible to make a decent music video for a few thousand dollars. Today, however, the cost can be upwards of $500,000. This is simply too expensive for most artists, especially those who are just starting out.
Secondly, the rise of digital streaming services has made music videos less essential. In the past, if you wanted to listen to a song, you had to buy the album (or at least the cassette tape or CD). This meant that buying an album was a gamble – you might love all the songs, or you might hate them. With streaming services like Spotify and Apple Music, however, you can listen to any song you want for a small monthly fee. This means that there’s less incentive for people to buy albums – why would they when they can just listen to individual songs?
And finally, let’s not forget that YouTube has made it easier than ever for people to watch music videos for free. In the past, if you wanted to watch a music video, you had to buy it on VHS or DVD (or wait until it came on TV). Today, you can just go on YouTube and watch it whenever you want. This has drastically reduced the demand (and therefore the value) of music videos.
So what does this all mean for the future of pop music? It’s hard to say. It’s possible that music videos will make something of a comeback in the coming years (perhaps as short films that accompany songs), but it’s also possible that they’ll continue to decline in popularity. Only time will tell.
