Pop music often gets a bad rap for being shallow. However, it is important to acknowledge that there is good pop music out there such as Dua Lipa who have made their mark by working closely with producers and writing original material themselves.
There are also many songwriters taking risks and pushing boundaries who deserve recognition for their efforts.
It’s shallow
Pop music often gets mischaracterized as superficial. This perception only compounded when its genre was often depicted negatively in films and TV series such as A Star is Born remake featuring an artist switching genres, yet being accused of less genuineness by audiences; such portrayals only serve to further damage credibility of pop music as an artform overall.
Pop music remains immensely popular and its influence can be felt everywhere; selling more records than any other sound ever. Pop musicians have sold billions of records worldwide and helped create new genres that resonate with many listeners.
Rock music has long been celebrated and revered. Hip-hop and country are following suit; yet pop is rarely recognized for what it can offer. Though some pop songs may seem superficial or shallow, many carry deep meanings and artistic significance – just because a tune or production might make it easy listening doesn’t mean it doesn’t deserve a second listen!
Pop music has long been criticized for being overly commercial and repetitive. However, it should be remembered that similar criticism can also be levelled at other genres of music; from The Beach Boys’ Pet Sounds to Joni Mitchell’s Court and Spark there has been an extensive history of critically acclaimed pop albums such as these.
Pop music remains immensely popular despite its negative reputation. Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper’s success with “Shallow” at the 91st Academy Awards is proof that pop remains relevant – in addition to becoming one of the most streamed songs ever and earning multiple nominations this year.
It’s a business
Pop music is a business, and as with any business, people demand top quality. Therefore, artists must ensure that their songs are as great as possible to attract as many listeners as possible – hence why many popular stars make public appearances frequently to gain as many new fans as possible.
It can lead to some undesirable outcomes, including child exploitation. Many are unhappy about this and pushing back against it; however, many do not realize that pop music is a business and that artists are products.
Pop music has always been big business, but recent years have seen its financial value only increase further. Pop music has now become an endless stream of consumerism and materialism; once used to express ideas and feelings freely; now its main function is making money by exploiting an audience’s wallets.
Some of the greatest pop songs have explored materialism. Tracy Chapman’s “Mountains of Things” is an iconic example, featuring not only its criticisms of capitalism but also its spiritual emptiness in American culture. Although pop culture can sometimes be filled with cynicism and materialism, some artists are standing against these trends.
Pop music remains the most beloved form of music today, growing its fan base during post-World War II years when disposable income and consumer goods exploded, signaling freedom, choice and individualism through shopping. Pop music’s appeal only continues to expand thanks to technological innovations; most pop songs nowadays are composed on computers before being edited for maximum effect.
Although some music enthusiasts may criticize popular music, it’s important to remember that its quality depends on its production and marketing – not its composer’s talent alone. Even an untalented composer must know how to effectively market his or her work to reach its intended target audience.
It’s a fad
People often view pop music as being on its way out, but that is simply not the case. People will always love catchy and popular tunes. Unfortunately, many pop songs today lack substance and meaning and tend to repeat themselves over and over. This could be caused by many pop artists not writing their own material and using synths as writing tools; giving their songs a generic sound which may not appeal to many listeners.
Pop music in the 2010s became more influenced by dance music as dance music’s influence spread, leading to its increased popularity and songs sounding increasingly alike. Club radio was replaced by social media platforms that enabled users to share music in new ways; these enabled a wave of remixes and mashups which rendered songs repetitive.
These trends are part of a broader movement to revolutionize how we listen to music. Gone is the era of solo pianists sitting alone at pianos while smoking an ashtray; now teams of digital production specialists and subspecialists collaborate together on songs with similar sounds and styles called track-and-hook production methods. This process has produced songs with consistent styles across genres.
Pop music is often criticised for its sexualized appeal and perceived non-authenticity, leading many to dismiss its creators and consumers alike as not authentic musicians. Such criticism is unfair to these musicians who invest both time and resources to produce songs which appeal to a large number of listeners; moreover, such claims misrepresent music history and its usage and consumption today.
Pop is an important cultural phenomenon that should be appreciated, not disparaged. Enjoying pop music does not diminish anyone; appreciating pop is no cause of shame! Insulting those who like pop could turn them away from music altogether and cause them to cease listening altogether.
It’s elitist
Music is a global language enjoyed by people of all cultures. It helps express feelings and signal calls to action while often reflecting society in which it was created; therefore it’s crucial to respect musical traditions from different cultures. Some musicians can be perceived as cultural snobbery when only appreciating popular genres; this form of elitism should be condemned.
Some music enthusiasts refuse to listen to pop music as it is “easy.” They believe that only classical music conveys deep messages, and anything less does not merit their consideration. Such attitudes are absurd as it prevents fans from exploring genres they might genuinely enjoy and act as forms of discrimination against different age, gender and culture groups.
Pop is an umbrella term encompassing any music that appeals to a mass audience, which has long been an established genre. But some fans view pop as inferior; their taste only values creations relevant to a narrowly-defined group based on privilege and culture.
Whoever denounces pop music as “easy” is unaware that it requires careful listening skills to identify all of its complexities, something most don’t possess – making it unfair and unfairly judgemental of those who enjoy this form of entertainment as having no taste.
There are many great artists who have been overlooked by mainstream music, but that doesn’t mean other musicians should disapprove of them. Casting judgement upon other musicians for enjoying more accessible music only robs themselves of its pleasure while at the same time insulting the skills and hard work put in by those performing it.
Pop music may not always be easy listening, but it has its charms. The melodies and lyrics can linger long after they leave your ears; its catchy melodies and lyrics often catch people off guard; its expressive power extends well beyond genre boundaries; plus, pop is one of the only forms that reaches as wide an audience as possible.