Are songs today simplistic & repetitive because of dumbed down audiences or dumbed down musicians?

[Jersey2]

Over and over and over again

More because of the audience

More because of the musicians

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So, did you answer, did you answer, did you answer…

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+1 y

With today’s streaming technology, I think the audience that allows dumbed down artists to thrive. The audience can stream anything they want and yet it is the simplistic music that gets made popular. No wonder why so many others turn to hits from 40 years ago.

It was a hard choice but as I thought through it, it comes down to the choices of the audience. There must be artists today with lyrics that have deeper meaning or at least not jingos.

[Nikki1989]

Most modern music is made using software for auto-tune, pitch correction, samples and so on. There is very little musicianship going on, but sadly younger people don't know any better, or they simply don't care that they are being scammed.

Look the amount of people that pay crazy amounts of money to see their favourite pop star mime to a backing track and not think anything of it.

[Jersey2]

Great points

[Anonymous]

It's what makes them commercial. Every single aspect of a song is measured and tested before it's released.

[Jersey2]

With today’s technology and easy access to hundreds of millions of people on platforms like youtube, it should be less controlled than 40 years ago in the past. With less control, it should in theory be more artistic and even less controlled by those looking only for commercial value.

[Sonorous]

It's the audience. And it is for this reason why you might see artists who aren't very talented take the main stages. They wouldn't be there if the audiences valued more intricate music.

However I will say that even the smartest humans like repetition. And though I listen to very intricate instrumentals I always appreciate when they repeat a certain part I like.

[Sonorous]

What's an example of a song you feel is intricate?

[Jersey2]

The song that sparked this thought was “Sympathy for the Devil”. Even the title is unique. Bohemian Rhapsody is one that is often sited in this type of discussion. Something as catchy as “Spill the Wine” is another but rather basic example. The Day The Music Died is full of intriguing lyrics. So many to chose from just off the top of my head. Even a simplistic song such as Penny Lane paints a story. Many songs have a big message, many refer to history, many are about deep thoughts, many paint a picture like an Impressionist painter. There have always been both types, basic repetitive and complex thought provoking but the balance has switched to having far too many basic and simplistic.

[Jamie05rhs]

Both.

[Jersey2]

But it leans one way or the other.

[Jamie05rhs]

But who is the chicken and who is the egg?

[Jersey2]

I think in the end, the audience decides given that with today’s technology they can listen to anything they want. In the past, it could be said that it was music executives, and maybe it was but they did a great job I think.

The audience today makes the star, nit the music executive. I think the audience is dumbed down and it shows as to what they listen to on youtube.

[Jamie05rhs]

@Jersey2 Fair point.
I guess the same concept applies to television, then, as well?

[Jersey2]

TV today isn’t controlled by three networks. Its a host of streaming services. But the audience is bifurcating with some watching shows such as Stranger Things which is more complex and those who primarily enjoy memes.

Video games are a new genre which are quite different than a simple Atari. So perhaps its a trade in that video games are more complex and sophisticated but music is dumbed down. Even Fall Out 4 had a fair bit of history ingrained in it vs Missile Command.

[Jamie05rhs]

@Jersey2 Solid thoughts there.
I will just add that streaming services are still relatively new, so we don't yet know what their full effects will be on the industry. The biggest change in television came from reality TV, and that was a negative one. I would be interested to see if streaming services can be successful in reversing that trend.

[Jersey2]

True. I think the new reality TV is the gaming streamer on Twitch. They talk, play the game, say stupid things and are the new popcorn entertainment.

[Jamie05rhs]

@Jersey2 Yeah- lol. That sounds about right.

[Jamie05rhs]

Thanks for the MHO, man!

[TheSpaceGnome]

Today you don't need to be popular to make it big. You can flop and still be famous.

It used to be that recording studios and agents decided if you made the cut, now even unpopular genres of music get widespread publicity thanks to streaming platforms, digital storefronts, and online video/audio hosting sites. So even stuff that sounds like garbage to any kind of majority, is still going to have its audience reached.

[Jersey2]

Fair points

[Astarlessnightsky]

Pop music was alway simplistic and repetetive. Thats how the majority of people kind of likes it.

[Jersey2]

Some pop music yes. But not nearly all. So many complex and interesting songs. I though of this questions when “Sympathy for the Devil” came on the radio the other day. First off the title is so unique and amazing, then the lyrics, which aren't even as complex as other major hits, require some thought and understanding of history.

Then many other’s such as Bohemian Rhapsody and hundreds if not thousands of other songs with interesting lyrics. Even songs like “Spill the Wine” which has a catchy chorus is unique:

www.songfacts.com/lyrics/war/spill-the-wine

[Astarlessnightsky]

Those aren't pop songs, those are rock songs or even metal songs.

[Jersey2]

I haven’t looked them up on the charts but I bet they are Top 40 which is pop.

[Astarlessnightsky]

Charts are just how much a single has been sold.

You can have any gernre of music sell really well, but Metallica doesn't become a Pop music band just because their album sells well.

And a Pop music group still makes pop music when their music doesn't sell.

[Jersey2]

I didn’t read the whole thing but the first 2 paragraphs clearly support what I said.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pop_music

[Jersey2]

I didn’t reference Metallica but I guess you selected them to make your point. Anyway, it is interesting that they made the literal pop charts along with the rock charts. Not a fan though.

https://playback.fm/artist/metallica-top-songs

[Huntingnfishin]

While I don't have a lot of respect for the artists themselves. I'd say it's more the audience. People like dumb songs they're catchy and you don't have to think. Just sing along in your car and it's stuck in your head the rest of the day

[AngryCarl2]

Everyone I talk to hates modern music. It's down to the industry and the artists they promote.

[Anonymous]

A little of both

[Jersey2]

It is but it has to lean one way or the other. Its a chicken and egg type scenario.

[Opinion Owner]

Then it's definitely a little bit more towards the musicians than the audience.