Why does old music equal superiority?

[DesiPrinceX09]

It seems to me that whenever somebody listens to music (especially rock and metal music) from the 60's, 70's, and 80's they feel the need to be condescending towards people who don't listen to that type of music and say that if they don't listen to it then they "don't know good music". I am not trying to point fingers and I am quite sure not everybody with this music taste is like this but I have seen it a lot including around here to and don't try saying things like "really? I don't see that at all, maybe it's just you".

And maybe it is just me since I am one of those practically inhuman freaks who will "never know good music" since I don't like 60's, 70's, or 80's rock. And I have listened to it and I tried to conform and I tried to like it, I really did. But the truth is I just can't stand any kind of rock music, it's just bland noise with words to me but that's just my opinion just as liking this kind of music is also some other person's opinion but it's treated as fact by a lot of fans who generally identify themselves as nonconformists since they prefer old stuff to new stuff like pop music and rap music which is why it seemed stupid for me to conform to a music taste identified as being "nonconformist".

And I respect those opinions just as I respect anyone's opinion to not have a religion but just like with having no religion, I have trouble respecting those opinions sometimes since they get shoved in my face and treated as fact and if I don't share it then I am inferior which is hypocritical since as a person with religion I am accused of shoving my opinions and beliefs in their face (and I never have and never will).

But anyways, I was just using that as an example; the topic is music taste here so lets not get into religion (there's another place for that). My question is why is it that fans of old music feel the need to act superior based solely on music taste?

EDIT: And I know this might get asked: What is my music taste? The answer is I don't really have any specific taste but I can't stand rock music and metal. Although I would take rock over country music anytime. I don't listen to music much but when I do I might listen to some Indian, Arabic, Persian, or Turkish music. I am of Indian descent and my father listened to it so I picked up on it a bit. I like that music because it's very beautiful, poetic, has good rhythm (I love good rhythm), and tends to even tell stories sometimes. So I guess you could say I like Middle Eastern, Indian, and tribal kind of music (I did grow up in Africa after all), but again I don't listen to music much.

And to add discussion, what is your music taste?

EDIT 2: I am glad to see people presenting good reasons for their arguments, this is what I hoped to see.

 

[insaneHoshi]

Because most 'Music' Today is manufactured, auto-tuned crap

 

[BlastedTheWorm]

I wouldn't say that the fact that it's old is an automatic qualifier, but it does seem that older music is looked upon more fondly. Personally, I listen to a mixture.

 

[black_omega2]

Most kinds of Techno, Electronic music, whatever you want to call it. I don't really care about what is it as long as it has a good beat but techno is just my preference.

 

[Blue_vision]

Behind all the shit that exists in the pop scene, I'll go out and say that today's music is better than older stuff on most fronts. There's still some good old stuff and I don't begrudge anyone that listens to old music, but I just don't see it comparing.

 

[IamQ]

Yeah, I know that. It's mostly because they feel like they're unique and not "mainstream".

I wouldn't call me mainstream exactly, I mostly listen to orchestral music, but I don't go rubbing it into peoples faces.

 

[Bon_Clay]

Two reasons, one legitimate and one not. Music today is a lot more manufactured as control by the record companies increased over the years.

Second is that its what people grew up with, so their opinion is it is better since other stuff from today that isn't crap doesn't have the nostalgia factor. And then others who didn't grow up in this time period are also influenced by this opinion, or are trying to be counter-culture by staying away from what is currently popular.

 

[knhirt]

I'll list some of my most beloved bands:
Air, The Beatles, The Black Mages, Devo, The Dukes of Stratosphear, Hermigervill, Mr. Bungle, Pink Floyd, Pixies, Powerglove, Quarashi, Queen, The Residents, The Smiths, Talking Heads, Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers, Traveling Wilburys and XTC.

Also a lot of jazz, blues, classical, electronica and video game soundtracks, small-name artists and solo careers of the aforementioned bands.

-

Here's a little thought: The amount of music that can be classified as "oldies" is far greater than what is "new" at this moment. Older bands have also had a longer time to gather followers and spread musical inspiration and influence. It's a no-brainer that the best of the old stuff should be so vehemently defended and stuck to.

I seriously doubt that utter dismissal of all modern music is as prevalent as you imply. Musical history is long, and the crap of the past has fallen into the shadow of the shining gems.

-

By the way: You should have someone take a look at your run-on sentences.

 

[Jamboxdotcom]

the one thing i can say in defense of those fans of oldies is that their music has held up over time. not everything on the radio today will be on the radio 10, 20, 30+ years from now. e.g. when's the last time you heard any New Kids on the Block? hmmm? by the same token, 10 years from now, people will ask, "Justin Beaver {sic}? Never heard of him." also, not every kind of music even from the 60s/70s/80s is remembered today.

 

[ThorUK]

The problem with techno/house/hardcore/rap/hiphop or most modern pop (basically noise with people shouting over it about how they want to run over prostitutes in their gold-plated Chryslers) is that it's playing in record shops and clubs. Music is now solely used for backing TV documentaries and elevators.

 

[PhoenixKing]

Well, I find the majority, not all of, today's music to be autotuned crap about having sex with woman, or geting high, etc. There are respectable artists out there in every genre, whether it be Slick Rick from the rap genre for his brilliant lyrics and flow, or Five for Fighting, for their beautiful instrumentals and lyrics, there is good music that isn't autotuned to hell out there, and I'm disappointed people don't listen to that.
To shorten this rant, lyrical value and talent has mostly been replaced by bitches and hoe's as well as autotune.
Also, I don't condone people for listening to music that I consider crap, as there is no set good or bad music, but come on guys, listen to something lyrically nice.

 

[silver wolf009]

2 main reasons

1: Because the argument can be made that music today is autotuned, lacking any real creativitiy and originality

2: Because for some people, nostalgia isn't just a filter, its a thick blanket

And I am a proud member of the Metal Milita.

As well as a bit of a follower of Scatman and Pink Floyd.

 

[Megalodon]

Theory I've heard as to why "old" music has is regarded as better than current. It has survived, in the 70's or whenever, a lot of complete crap was made, just like now, but only the worthwhile stuff has survived in popularity and is well known today.

 

[Naheal]

The only reason why the older music is considered good is because most of the shit music that was made in those days has been filtered out by now. Give it about five years and you'll see that happen to the pop scene today.

 

[Glaive_21842]

Nobody knows good music because everybody hates every other form of music.

 

[Rewdalf]

In my opinion, "music" today isn't music. It's manufactured more than played.
This is just my opinion though.

Yes, I'm one of those people who listens to old rock and criticizes those who don't enjoy it. I have a good reason though, because those people who mind their own business and simply don't prefer my tastes are doing nothing wrong. It's the people who speak out and talk about how new music is much better.
Basically, if you're criticizing me for my tastes, I'll criticize you for yours. You're perfectly fine if you just don't enjoy certain music. In fact, you're better off with your own opinions than trying to "conform" with certain groups of people. The music you like shouldn't be a status symbol. True, most of my friends like the same music as I do, but I'd rather have someone truthfully say they don't quite enjoy rock rather than have someone pretend to like it just to be cool...

Also, OP if you're trying to get into some good rock, have you tried Iron Maiden? They just came to mind as I was typing up this post, and I just enjoy the sound of their music.
Otherwise, stick with your likes and quit being self concious of them.

 

[MGlBlaze]

The only reason why the older music is considered good is because most of the shit music that was made in those days has been filtered out by now. Give it about five years and you'll see that happen to the pop scene today.

It's nostalgia, basically.

I know some awesome (subjective, of course) songs released just recently. The Infection by Disturbed comes to mind.

 

[Jaxtor]

For me, at least, rock music of that era stirs something that current pop just never could.
I absolutely adore the melodies and chord progressions laid down by some of the greatest rock musicians through time.

That's not to say that all rock music is great, there's some truly dreadful stuff out there too, like with all music genres.
Don't get me wrong, I can enjoy a good pop song, but it'll never be memorable to me the same way a great rock song is.

Ultimately it's about taste, but I doubt that you'll remember any of the current pop music in 40 or even 50 years.

EDIT: clarification