I wanted to touch on the topic we discussed in class the other day about pop music. I feel like many people especially in current today are not fully understanding pop music. This type of music is generational, so there are older generations right now that don’t get the point of it and fall into the generalization that it is stupid, dumb, and bad music. I get why this happens because they are not used to this form of music and many people aren’t great with change, but the music industry is constantly evolving just like many other things as time progresses. So, I foresee in thirty-five years when my generation, which is Generation Z, are the mid-aged adults and their offspring are the youngest generation then pop music will finally be understood. It is important for this music to be understood and that goes for any music because there are messages and lessons to learn from music, and most importantly it is a form of art. The significance of art is essential to human life because it keeps us grounded, preserves our history, and gives us a purpose. Pop music has created such a huge industry; worth hundreds millions of dollars. There is no reason to exile pop music and in fact I would hope the older generations would see that there are benefits to it. It certainly wouldn’t be doing well if it wasn’t producing this much money. Music has therapeutic benefits and is a source of entertainment, but more importantly it can make people happy which is the most overlooked thing about pop music.
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5 replies on “Pop Music”
Music tastes and trends will always be a very complex and subjective matter. Like how rock was deemed to be too loud and unruly by the generation before our parents, pop in today’s world will not be appealing to all audiences. Some people will prefer other types of music regardless of what is popular. On top of this, it is not likely that a generation already set in their ways will be willing to fully accept a new type of music. Despite all the negative publicity that pop music sees, people need to be reminded that pop music does exist to make people happy and allow them to enjoy themselves, like any other music genre. It should not be looked down upon for being too young or modern for all people, but rather accepted for what it is: a method for people to come together under a common interest and be happy.
I totally agree with you both here. Music is evolving very fast, especially since technology is growing too. I agree that it does allow for people to come together under a common interest and be happy, it to ground us, preserve our history and gives us purpose. Music also allows for people to speak their mind completely, even if they are not comfortable with it in everyday life and communication. It allows for listeners to listen, relate and feel comfort in a different world or universe with the artist. At this day and age, anybody can be an artist and they have many opportunities for people all around the world to listen to it. It is a very big industry that is opened in all aspects to anybody. If it serves a positive purpose for somebody, other people should not frown upon it. Like I said, the industry is evolving at a rapid pace and like Charlie said, many people are not fully understanding pop music.
I agree with your ideas on pop music, particularly how it is generational. As you mention, this occurs because older generations may not understand or connect nearly as much with this music as younger generations. In fact, this probably occurred with different types of music and with older generations, as new types of music are often not accepted right away especially if they sound different than what people are used to. Personally, I really enjoy pop music for reasons you mention and it is clearly very successful. However, like many others, I enjoy it because it provides entertainment as well as therapeutic benefits. Since art, especially music, is so important to many people’s lives, I too believe that older generations should still respect it even if they do not listen or enjoy it.
I agree with the fact that you describe pop music as generational. A main reason past generations might not understand current pop music is because of the development of technology. Beats become more electronic sounding and references to technology and common pop culture are made that older people might not understand. These factors usually lead to them automatically deeming this new music as trash and uncultured. This is an unfair attitude to hold without giving the new styles a change because music is an industry that is constantly changing.
I definitely support your opinions on this matter, while Popular music, in general, is not for everyone, it makes many people happy and it gives them a connection to others through the classic cultural medium of sound. The music of the current generation like that of those before it are driven by cultural norms and popular expressions, while rap might not be music in a traditional sense for everyone many people find this as there best form of expression and ideas. I would encourage everyone to explore music outside of their comfort zone in general as it might gain some significance to you and you never know what you might like in the future.