Pop: Why all the hate?

[Gildan Bladeborn]

I wasn't necessarily referring to only the radio stuff, I was curious about people who actually hated all conceivable forms of pop (some metalheads and classical music junkies), but mostly people just wanna talk about the radio stuff, which I suppose is what enters most people's minds when they hear the word "pop".

And that ties right back into the issue of genre definition - if you start classifying singer/songwriter, low-key indie, or alternative rock fare as Pop due to the broad stylistic points of similarity they might share, where exactly do you draw the line when deciding what isn't Pop? Sure, there's a point when something is obviously not pop (atonal experimental rock for instance), but there's just so much wiggle room along the way - you pretty much have to narrow things down to just a certain band of "Pop music" when you want to critically examine it (like you've done by expressing your definition of pop as "simple and electronic"), or there's no telling what people might think you're actually criticizing; as genres go Pop is almost a meaningless descriptor.

[small]According to some sources on the internet, this is a Pop song.[/small]​

 

[luckycharms8282]

Most of it is recycled garbage.



The problem is that, for the most part, the shittiest stuff is played the most.

Your first statement could be applied to any genre of music. They are i the same genre, so of course they are going to sound similar to a degree.

I agree with your second statement. It always seems like that one song that you really hate is played at every social gathering and every radio station multiple times.

 

[Woodsey]

Plus I find her strangely hot....please don't judge me

Too late.

OT: ...

Yeah, fuck it, I'm posting this song AGAIN and I don't even have a real reason to:


Anyway, I'll listen to most of the stuff that's in the top 40, and a lot of other shit.

Not metal though, drives me insane. And the names make it impossible for me to take them seriously.

 

[KalosCast]

Your first statement could be applied to any genre of music. They are i the same genre, so of course they are going to sound similar to a degree.

There's a difference between "similar genre" and "all using the exact same chord structure and progression."

The amount of songs that fall into the latter is why I dislike a lot of pop. It sounds nearly identical to the songs that were popular last year. And the year before that. And the ones that will be popular next year.

 

[Ohhi]

I dont hate pop music but american pop music that is so generic and bland that i cant stand it that is what I hate but other pop like J-pop and Netherlands pop those are the kind of pop I like.

 

[Grabbin Keelz]

Pop is usually applied to as both popular and new. Whether it's good or not depends how good it is at the time. Most pop I really don't care for but I'm sure there's some that I would like.

 

[MisterGobbles]

I wasn't necessarily referring to only the radio stuff, I was curious about people who actually hated all conceivable forms of pop (some metalheads and classical music junkies), but mostly people just wanna talk about the radio stuff, which I suppose is what enters most people's minds when they hear the word "pop".

And that ties right back into the issue of genre definition - if you start classifying singer/songwriter, low-key indie, or alternative rock fare as Pop due to the broad stylistic points of similarity they might share, where exactly do you draw the line when deciding what isn't Pop? Sure, there's a point when something is obviously not pop (atonal experimental rock for instance), but there's just so much wiggle room along the way - you pretty much have to narrow things down to just a certain band of "Pop music" when you want to critically examine it (like you've done by expressing your definition of pop as "simple and electronic"), or there's no telling what people might think you're actually criticizing; as genres go Pop is almost a meaningless descriptor.]

I updated the original post to more reflect that I mainly meant the electronic pop stuff (I mentioned it in the first sentence but I don't think put enough emphasis on it). I also realize that there's probably a lot of wiggle room there also, but I don't think anyone is going to interpret that as ridiculously broad.

Wikipedia says "pop music (a term that originally derives from an abbreviation of "popular") is usually understood to be commercially recorded music, often oriented towards a youth market, usually consisting of relatively short, simple songs utilizing technological innovations to produce new variations on existing themes", but they've been wrong before. I thought Hurricane Katrina was the name of the Nazi flag for the longest time

 

[TheRightToArmBears]

Because people overcomplicate music taste. If you like the tune then good for you, but if you hate it there's no way it's going to hurt anyone and you're a prick if you look down on people who like it simply because they like it. It's rather unfortunate that this kind of overly judgemental attitude is really common amongst people who share my love of metal.

 

[Canid117]

Because if you need a robot to do it for you then you aren't really a singer.

 

[KuwaSanjuro]

If it's good then it's good. I like a lot of bands from the 60's but I love some stuff from now. I think Rihana is actually really good as well as Lady Gaga, and also my favourite album that I have listened to in the last few years is My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy by Kanye West (shameless plug, but people should really listen to it.) The only album in ages that every track on it I love. Like I said if it's good no matter if its folk, blues, reggae or pop, it's good and I'll most likely like it.

 

[Torrasque]

I hate pop because:

1. Most of the "singers" that sing in pop cannot sing
2. The rhythms and tunes are re-used a trillion times over
3. The actual meaning behind the vocals is usually stupid
4. Most of the music is doctored to seem better than it should (for reference, see: this "perfect" metal band [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DragonForce]
5. The culture behind pop is just really sickening as a whole

In metal, electronic/trance, classical, etc. whenever you try to auto-tune something, it is usually for effect, and not the whole fucking song. And you know it is there, because they use it ironically for a phrase, or the music/singing suddenly changes. Metal bands that use auto-tune sound terrible, and most singers that are worth their salt can actually sing (for reference, see: this band where the singers are actually extremely talented [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Linkin_Park].
The biggest difference between electronic/trance and pop, is in electronic/trance, it is made by one person, and they don't try to pass off other people's work as their own. The nature of electronic/trance is to cut up an existing sound, change it, and re-purpose it to sound awesome. Pop just cuts up an existing sound, insert catchy rhythm, and put vocals over it so people don't hopefully notice.

I like listening to music that requires skill to make, not a reckless abuse of auto-tune and drum machines.

Edit: That being said, there are a few pop bands I enjoy. Lady Gaga is awesome, and technically not pop. Her sound is her sound, and only falls into pop because thats what people think of it. I used to enjoy Lights until I found out every single song is about god. I enjoy a couple Katy Perry songs, but I enjoy their metal re-makes more.