I notice compared to 80s, 90s and early 00s pop today's mainstream music sounds harsher, louder and less catchy. I feel like it's almost taboo or a novelty to be super catchy these days. People like Meghan Trainor and One Direction don't really exemplify the current sound, they stick out as being "very pop". More typical of music now is stuff like the Arctic Monkeys, Calvin Harris and Drake, all of whom are far more indie than bubblegum.

I like it this way....every genre seems to be aiming at its core audience. The only downside is that it makes Pop radio seem kinda bland, but I don't care much about Pop radio anymore (I'm getting too old to)

I think the 2004-2007 period had the least amount of catchy music ever. It was largely noise to me.

I think the 2004-2007 period had the least amount of catchy music ever. It was largely noise to me.


I think 1991-93, 2004-07 and 2013-present have probably the most boring music of any recent times.

What I don't like about most mainstream music these days is that a lot of it either sounds too weird, or too childish. All of it (the music that I don't like) sounds super gay. I hate it! I feel the LGBT community has ruined mainstream pop culture. There isn't much out there that is "straight". It's way too gaudy and flamboyant, which is not my style.

I've noticed that in recent years, ADHD diagnosis have gone through the roof among kids. I've had ADHD since I was extremely little, before it was "cool". Teenagers also have lower attention spans, due to internet trends such as social media, mobile games, and YouTube. This means they can't enjoy anything slower paced. Music has taken advantage of this, starting in 2011, possibly as early as 2009. It started to slow down a lot in 2014, but it still has a grip on mainstream music even in 2015. It was the late 2000s that gay culture went mainstream. This is also when ADHD started becoming more common. What does this mean? LGBT Culture is harmful to the brain's development.

This is why I like the '90s and very early '00s, the pop culture was very heterosexual and African-American. '90s culture was chiller and took itself more seriously. It actually knew what it wanted to do. They knew they were awesome. They were proud to be the '90s. It had a different vibe going on. They proudly proclaimed "We Are The '90s!". While no one thinks "We Are The 2010s!", because people still think it's the 2000s which is extremely frustrating. Speaking of which, the '00s weren't proud to the the 2000s either. I don't remember the '90s at all btw, it's just the attitude that the pop culture emits.

If you look at my 2015: The Year In Music page, you will see that every song that I uploaded, are the songs that I actually like from this year. I do have hope that it will get better, but I'm frustrated by the lack of change in the music industry. People are totally unwilling to let go of the bad trends.

And for anyone who thinks my post is hateful, go away. You express your opinions, now I can express mine.

What I don't like about most mainstream music these days is that a lot of it either sounds too weird, or too childish.

or probably have some drug and sex references.

I think it was catchier and "gayer" in the early '10s when artists like Lady Gaga and Ke$ha were popular than it is today.

Today, pop music is primarily targeted towards pre-teen females.  That is who likes Jessie J, Icona Pop, and Ariana Grande. It is NOT targeted towards guys, the LGBT community, or twentysomethings as much as it was a few years ago.  So far, 2015 has seen somewhat of a resurgence in good hip-hop which is a nice alternative to the bubble-gum on Top 40.

What I don't like about most mainstream music these days is that a lot of it either sounds too weird, or too childish. All of it (the music that I don't like) sounds super gay. I hate it! I feel the LGBT community has ruined mainstream pop culture. There isn't much out there that is "straight". It's way too gaudy and flamboyant, which is not my style.

I've noticed that in recent years, ADHD diagnosis have gone through the roof among kids. I've had ADHD since I was extremely little, before it was "cool". Teenagers also have lower attention spans, due to internet trends such as social media, mobile games, and YouTube. This means they can't enjoy anything slower paced. Music has taken advantage of this, starting in 2011, possibly as early as 2009. It started to slow down a lot in 2014, but it still has a grip on mainstream music even in 2015. It was the late 2000s that gay culture went mainstream. This is also when ADHD started becoming more common. What does this mean? LGBT Culture is harmful to the brain's development.

This is why I like the '90s and very early '00s, the pop culture was very heterosexual and African-American. '90s culture was chiller and took itself more seriously. It actually knew what it wanted to do. They knew they were awesome. They were proud to be the '90s. It had a different vibe going on. They proudly proclaimed "We Are The '90s!". While no one thinks "We Are The 2010s!", because people still think it's the 2000s which is extremely frustrating. Speaking of which, the '00s weren't proud to the the 2000s either. I don't remember the '90s at all btw, it's just the attitude that the pop culture emits.

If you look at my 2015: The Year In Music page, you will see that every song that I uploaded, are the songs that I actually like from this year. I do have hope that it will get better, but I'm frustrated by the lack of change in the music industry. People are totally unwilling to let go of the bad trends.

And for anyone who thinks my post is hateful, go away. You express your opinions, now I can express mine.


What is this?? You can't blame gays for this xD
Most people are lazy and don't want difficult stuff so they end with "pop";
furthermore, taste is so individually fragmented that different audiences almost
don't exist anymore, except from homogenous groups large enough, like "lazy" teenage girls;
they, being also quite easy to influence with shallow music/images, are a main target for the industry.

Some music these days I hear is basically noise, there's not much catchiness to it. And this is coming from an old school guy like me over 40.

furthermore, taste is so individually fragmented that different audiences almost
don't exist anymore, except from homogenous groups large enough, like "lazy" teenage girls;
they, being also quite easy to influence with shallow music/images, are a main target for the industry.


I never said teenage girls are lazy. The music industry is. They're playing it too safe. I want target demographics to change; be more gender flexible. To aim at both genders in their late teens/early twenties. But it's not going to happen by itself. A train just doesn't start running on it's own. Someone has to start it. If the industry were to actually try to aim at this demographic, then they would be rewarded. Here are the artists that are not so kiddie-ish:

Ed Sheeran
Ella Henderson
Calvin Harris (I actually like some of his new songs, but not everything)
Rihanna (new single)
Bruno Mars
Sam Smith (I'm not a fan, but my brother and my mom like him and I do think he's talented)
Pitbull

Yeah, a bunch of foreign artists. I would love a British invasion similar to that of the 1960's and 1990's. '80s too, if you count new wave.

But in the '90s, look at all these videos:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vrPsOUcJ1Ow

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LaI1_rqR-lU

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XwJJtQWso2I

See the audience? These people are clearly not teenagers, perhaps 18 at the youngest. Most of them look in the 20-24 range though, which proves that pop culture can definitely aim at non-high schoolers. And I'm not just talking about music. I'm thinking the music industry though is right now aiming at people who are "peaking in high school" (aka the future losers who never have a fulfilling or fun life once they graduate). I hope it's just a fad.

Yup, plenty of talented artists. Indeed they somehow don't want to take the risk..
I know many of my age listen to dance music or to indie music and it is all so fragmented,
but anyone has his own iPod  or streams his own music. Me too; the Top 40 in my country
has a few good thing (among which artists you mention), though it is filled with weird
electro-house stuff and other crappy EDM-remixes like they try too hard to sound artistic..
The early-mid 00s were cool; with symphonic metal, lots of alternative/indie rock,
pop which was doable, (though I disliked hiphop of every kind); it had some kind of dark vibe
over it which I miss. But of course, I live in Europe and they always come back with the dance music,
which is always dominant but well, that's how it is.

I like EDM type music and also trap which is weird cuz I was never into that type of music. I have no problem with pop tbh

I feel like music is getting better. Not rapidly, but it's happening. Has anyone heard "The Blacker the Berry" by Kendrick Lamar? I like it. I think it's better than his last hit single "i", even though I liked that one too. Ed Sheeran is supposed to release a new song from his album x called "Bloodstream", which is a pleasant song. I hope he releases "The Man" as his next single. I don't like Taylor Swift's new album much at all, but I really enjoy the promo single "New Romantics" and I hope she releases it as an actual single.

If anyone has listened to the Furious 7 soundtrack, I think "Ride Out" and "My Angel" are the best songs. "Ride Out" is totally badass and sounds straight out of 2005. "Go Hard or Go Home" was good until Iggy Azalea ruined it. Literally, the beat and melody changed when she started rapping. It sounded so much worse. I think that style is the way she likes it, because every song that features her has that rapid clapping and annoying synths. Ugh! I also hate Carly Rae Jepsen's new song "I Really Like You". It sounds so stupid! I will seriously question the sexuality of any guy who likes that song!

There are more songs which I could mention, but it's better if I don't. Overall, I think 2015 is going to be a fun year for music.

I no longer bother with the music charts and consider the music of the last 25 years to be complete crap. I'm not denying anyone the right to like it, that is your choice and I respect that. It's just not for me. Apart from artists I already like, the current music scene is boring and I cannot relate to it. Or is it because of my age?  :P

I no longer bother with the music charts and consider the music of the last 25 years to be complete crap. I'm not denying anyone the right to like it, that is your choice and I respect that. It's just not for me. Apart from artists I already like, the current music scene is boring and I cannot relate to it. Or is it because of my age?  :P


I agree with you and I'm over 40 so I can relate. Today's music is pure garbage! :P

I'm over 50!

I'm over 50!


and you prefer older music?

Naturally, Howard. It's what I was raised with.

I firmly believe that not one song from the 1990s or the 21st century so far will be regarded as a 'classic'. They will not be spoken of with the same respect or remembered so fondly as the likes of 'Hey Jude', 'Whiter Shade Of Pale', 'House Of The Rising Sun', 'He Ain't Heavy He's My Brother', 'Bohemian Rhapsody', 'Dancing Queen', 'Let It Be', 'The Winner Takes It All' and 'The Living Years'.

Naturally, Howard. It's what I was raised with.

I firmly believe that not one song from the 1990s or the 21st century so far will be regarded as a 'classic'. They will not be spoken of with the same respect or remembered so fondly as the likes of 'Hey Jude', 'Whiter Shade Of Pale', 'House Of The Rising Sun', 'He Ain't Heavy He's My Brother', 'Bohemian Rhapsody', 'Dancing Queen', 'Let It Be', 'The Winner Takes It All' and 'The Living Years'.
Written in 2002, by Secret Garden's Rolf Løvland and the lyrics by Brendan Graham, for the funeral of Løvland's mother, "You Raised Me Up" has become a pop classic, sung as a contemporary hymn in church services.

Gordon Bennett, Philip, you're right! But that's about the only one.

I think the 2004-2007 period had the least amount of catchy music ever. It was largely noise to me.

Oddly enough those years had the catchiest music, and the biggest melodies.

This is why I like the '90s and very early '00s, the pop culture was very heterosexual and African-American. '90s culture was chiller and took itself more seriously. It actually knew what it wanted to do. They knew they were awesome. They were proud to be the '90s. It had a different vibe going on. They proudly proclaimed "We Are The '90s!". While no one thinks "We Are The 2010s!", because people still think it's the 2000s which is extremely frustrating. Speaking of which, the '00s weren't proud to the the 2000s either. I don't remember the '90s at all btw, it's just the attitude that the pop culture emits.

Much of the 00s had what you listed aswell, thats why its one of my fave decades.

I think diversity is whats lacking. SImilar to the 80s, there are only maybe 3 noises coming from the radio. Even hiphop has declined in prevalence this decade.

http://www.reddit.com/r/lewronggeneration/

I think diversity is whats lacking. SImilar to the 80s, there are only maybe 3 noises coming from the radio. Even hiphop has declined in prevalence this decade.


Maybe right now on Top 40, but if you look at the iTunes Charts popular music is gradually starting to diversify.

Electronic music is really dying. Music is starting to go in different directions. If you look at hip-hop, the old school sound is starting to come back. Just listen to "The Blacker the Berry" by Kendrick Lamar. More organic music is starting to come in. Things such as orchestras, acoustic guitars, pianos, organs, and the likes are starting to creep in. If you listen to Ciara's "I Bet", you can hear the prominently featured acoustic guitars. Rihanna's song "FourFiveSeconds" is also acoustic, but with no beat. The Weeknd's "Earned It" features an orchestra. Blue-Eyed Soul is starting to come back with British artists such as Ed Sheeran, Ella Henderson, and Sam Smith.

In the alternative scene, R&B is starting to sound very Motown-y. It has a very late '60s/early '70s vibe. I would love for it to become the next big thing, but it probably won't. Oh well, I still enjoy it though.

Definitely no diversity. All music sounds the same to me. I stopped listening in 1994.

Naturally, Howard. It's what I was raised with.

My Parents was raised on Doo-Wop and Rock And Roll music as for I grew up listening to 80's music.

Even hiphop has declined in prevalence this decade.

I remember when Hip-Hop was all about fun and going out to parties.

I remember when Hip-Hop was all about fun and going out to parties.


Then it shifted, and it was all about big screen TV's, blunts, forties, and bimbos.  ::)

Then it shifted, and it was all about big screen TV's, blunts, forties, and bimbos.  ::)


oral and anal sex too.

Did you hear Carly Rae Jepsens new song? It's pretty darn catchy. So is uptown Funk. But I agree most of the songs on the chart really suck.

Did you hear Carly Rae Jepsens new song? It's pretty darn catchy. So is uptown Funk. But I agree most of the songs on the chart really suck.


I do not like Carly Rae Jepsen's new song. It's so bland, and I'm ready to move on from that type of music. It's not as good as "Call Me Maybe", which itself was extremely irritating by fall 2012. "Uptown Funk" is good, but is overplayed. I don't want people to hate the song, but I think they already do.

Did you hear Carly Rae Jepsens new song? It's pretty darn catchy. So is uptown Funk. But I agree most of the songs on the chart really suck.


Uptown Funk does sound a bit catchy.

Personally, I think today's music is decently catchy.  That said, I do think the music of 2011 to mid-2013 was definitely way catchier.  2014 was honestly a really bland year for music, so here's hoping 2015 is better.  It's already showing some real promise in the hip-hop and r&b scene, so with any luck that promise will spread throughout the rest of the music landscape.

Personally, I think today's music is decently catchy.  That said, I do think the music of 2011 to mid-2013 was definitely way catchier.  2014 was honestly a really bland year for music, so here's hoping 2015 is better.  It's already showing some real promise in the hip-hop and r&b scene, so with any luck that promise will spread throughout the rest of the music landscape.


I think you lost interest in music in 2014 because you turned 25 and were no longer part of the target audience. I think 2011 through 2013 sucked, I barely paid any attention to current mainstream music. I mean, LMFAO and Hot Chelle Rae? Seriously? Ever since 2014 I've been paying way more attention to the music scene, although I still disliked most of the songs that were popular then. Lately as of 2015 I've been paying more attention to the alternative music as well.

I think you lost interest in music in 2014 because you turned 25 and were no longer part of the target audience. I think 2011 through 2013 sucked, I barely paid any attention to current mainstream music. I mean, LMFAO and Hot Chelle Rae? Seriously? Ever since 2014 I've been paying way more attention to the music scene, although I still disliked most of the songs that were popular then. Lately as of 2015 I've been paying more attention to the alternative music as well.


Yeah I really didn't like the music of 2013 and 2014, with 2013 being the worst.  So far 2015 has been an improvement with better hip-hop but I am still ready to move on from the Carly Rae Jepsen and Ariana Grande style of music.  LMFAO and Hot Chelle Rae didn't bother me in 2011. 

I thought 2012-2013 as good, less over the top than 2011. Gotye, fun., Adele, Bruno Mars, some chill music. And than 2014 came and though Pharrell and John Legend were ok, things like trap music and Iggy Azalea are creeping in, which I don't like, and rock seems to have disappeared again, which I find sad. And loads of weird EDM remixes in the Top 40 where I live. At least we have Uptown Funk :D

Yeah I really didn't like the music of 2013 and 2014, with 2013 being the worst.  So far 2015 has been an improvement with better hip-hop but I am still ready to move on from the Carly Rae Jepsen and Ariana Grande style of music.  LMFAO and Hot Chelle Rae didn't bother me in 2011.

I liked 2013 the best in terms of music because there was the most variety and most of the songs were actually good quality. But 2014 I found super bland and all the songs sounded the same.

I liked 2013 the best in terms of music because there was the most variety and most of the songs were actually good quality. But 2014 I found super bland and all the songs sounded the same.


2012 was the last year that I liked a majority of what was coming on Top 40.  Then again, I moved to a small town in late 2012 that has a terrible top 40 station and I am sure that may have warped my perspective.  The station here is still playing "Usher - Yeah" a few times per day.

I think music should just go back to playing REAL instruments.

Dead right, it should, Howard. Today's music is a load of crap.

Dead right, it should, Howard. Today's music is a load of crap.


It's just noise. :P

I'd like to see Southern Rock have a revival.  And I am not talking about that "Florida Georgia Line" crap.

I'd like to see Southern Rock have a revival.  And I am not talking about that "Florida Georgia Line" crap.


Me too! I want something along the lines of Lynyrd Skynyrd and Sister Hazel and Gin Blossoms!

Me too! I want something along the lines of Lynyrd Skynyrd and Sister Hazel and Gin Blossoms!


or maybe someone earlier than that, How about The Stampeders? :)

Dead right, it should, Howard. Today's music is a load of crap.


You're right. And if I may add this; music over the last 20 years has been a load of crap.

or maybe someone earlier than that, How about The Stampeders? :)


I'm thinking the Allman Brothers or the Atlanta Rhythm Section.  8)

What I don't like about most mainstream music these days is that a lot of it either sounds too weird, or too childish. All of it (the music that I don't like) sounds super gay. I hate it! I feel the LGBT community has ruined mainstream pop culture. There isn't much out there that is "straight". It's way too gaudy and flamboyant, which is not my style.

I've noticed that in recent years, ADHD diagnosis have gone through the roof among kids. I've had ADHD since I was extremely little, before it was "cool". Teenagers also have lower attention spans, due to internet trends such as social media, mobile games, and YouTube. This means they can't enjoy anything slower paced. Music has taken advantage of this, starting in 2011, possibly as early as 2009. It started to slow down a lot in 2014, but it still has a grip on mainstream music even in 2015. It was the late 2000s that gay culture went mainstream. This is also when ADHD started becoming more common. What does this mean? LGBT Culture is harmful to the brain's development.

This is why I like the '90s and very early '00s, the pop culture was very heterosexual and African-American. '90s culture was chiller and took itself more seriously. It actually knew what it wanted to do. They knew they were awesome. They were proud to be the '90s. It had a different vibe going on. They proudly proclaimed "We Are The '90s!". While no one thinks "We Are The 2010s!", because people still think it's the 2000s which is extremely frustrating. Speaking of which, the '00s weren't proud to the the 2000s either. I don't remember the '90s at all btw, it's just the attitude that the pop culture emits.

If you look at my 2015: The Year In Music page, you will see that every song that I uploaded, are the songs that I actually like from this year. I do have hope that it will get better, but I'm frustrated by the lack of change in the music industry. People are totally unwilling to let go of the bad trends.

And for anyone who thinks my post is hateful, go away. You express your opinions, now I can express mine.

this whole post makes no sense. i know what you mean about music becoming more flamboyant, but most of the artists singing the songs aren't even gay. 1980s culture was also flamboyant.

and then you tried to link homosexuality to ADHD??? WTF

this whole post makes no sense. i know what you mean about music becoming more flamboyant, but most of the artists singing the songs aren't even gay. 1980s culture was also flamboyant.

and then you tried to link homosexuality to ADHD??? WTF


This is exactly what I mean. You don't agree with my post, so you say that it makes no sense. You're the one lacking basic grammar skills. You have nothing to contribute to this thread.

You're right. And if I may add this; music over the last 20 years has been a load of crap.


Very true, Carrie. In fact, may I go even further and say that the music of the last 30 years has been crap, apart from a very few.

Very true, Carrie. In fact, may I go even further and say that the music of the last 30 years has been crap, apart from a very few.


I'd extend the era of crapdom out to 40 years.

The last decent hit to make the Top 40 was "Pick Up the Pieces" by the Average White Band.  8)

You're right. And if I may add this; music over the last 20 years has been a load of crap.


Where did music go wrong over the past 20 years?

I'd extend the era of crapdom out to 40 years.

The last decent hit to make the Top 40 was "Pick Up the Pieces" by the Average White Band.  8)


But that was 40 years ago.

This is exactly what I mean. You don't agree with my post, so you say that it makes no sense. You're the one lacking basic grammar skills. You have nothing to contribute to this thread.

Sure I guess everyone is still entitled to their baseless opinions

Where did music go wrong over the past 20 years?


Where did music go wrong, Howard? This is where - it went from having decent lyrics and melody to just being banal, boring dance/trance/house noise or metal noise I couldn't understand or relate to. And the mainstream 'pop' artists were (and remain) no better. Kylie, Britney, One Direction, Justin Bieber, Olly Murs, Beyoncé, Lily Allen, Adele and their ilk can go away and stay away (although Adele does at least seem to be genuinely all about the music). All boring egotists.

I do have a sneaking admiration and respect for Lady Gaga though as she does her own thing and refuses to be stereotyped.

And there are no classics being written either (apart from 'The Living Years' and 'You Raise Me Up'). Where are today's equivalents of 'Whiter Shade Of Pale', 'He Ain't Heavy He's My Brother', 'Bohemian Rhapsody', 'Bridge Over Troubled Water', 'The Winner Takes It All' and similar?

But that was 40 years ago.


That's my point.

Where are today's equivalents of 'Whiter Shade Of Pale', 'He Ain't Heavy He's My Brother', 'Bohemian Rhapsody', 'Bridge Over Troubled Water', 'The Winner Takes It All' and similar?


These days, songs like Boko Haram's "Whiter Shade of Pale" or Queen's "Bohemian Rhapsody" would never make it to the charts.  :-\\

Sure I guess everyone is still entitled to their baseless opinions


"Baseless". You're just brainwashed by the media. You have no mind of your own. Go back to school.

"Baseless". You're just brainwashed by the media. You have no mind of your own. Go back to school.


You claimed a link between ADHD and gay culture. In all neutrality, I don't think there is a proven correlation
between those two subjects and it does not make sense to me to uphold that claim, though you have the freedom to do so in my opinion.

Both things are more visible because of societal changes; I think that ADHD and all other kind of mental varieties are more
noticed these days, because society is increasingly built on succeeding. People need to succeed, to do very many things,
and now that employers demand more and more from their employees (or schools from their pupils), people who can't cope with
that are noticed more quickly, and I know that from my own experience. Loads of people under 30 do have some kind of burn out.

Pop culture in the period 2009-2013 was about the dance music, and neon colours etc. The last thing being a revival from the late 80s/early 90s,
the dance music I think primarily because of the economic crisis. Combined with the presidency of Obama, and a focus on liberal values and change,
it all together was over-the-top pop culture. I live near Amsterdam, and I can say that gay culture has been visible as long as I can remember, but never dominant. Here, all the dance music is connected with rave culture; not primarily with gay culture.

To summarize, I don't agree with you, because I question the fundamental reasoning behind the claim. I do however live in a liberal place, and that means I believe people have the right expressing their opinion, whatever other people think about that. And discussion about opinions is a vital part of that because it allows people to see things from different sides. What I think about your claim, or whatever claim in general, is irrelevant. It is only important that room for discussion about the content is available (but not here, because we're talking about music).

That's all I've got to say about it. It's all food for thought and discussion, but let us leave it now and turn back to the topic about music's catchiness!  :)

I don't know why some people knock gay culture. If anybody knows how to throw a party, it's the gays.  :D

^ ^

;D

It seems that trap music newtaking over... thoughts about it?

These days, songs like Boko Haram's "Whiter Shade of Pale" or Queen's "Bohemian Rhapsody" would never make it to the charts.  :-\\


You are perfectly correct, LyricBoy, as intelligent music has been sacrificed for the sake of a dancey beat or rubbishy repetitive lyrics.

Bloody 'umbrella ella' indeed!

You are perfectly correct, LyricBoy, as intelligent music has been sacrificed for the sake of a dancey beat or rubbishy repetitive lyrics.

Bloody 'umbrella ella' indeed!


Rihanna's music is so bland!  8-P

it went from having decent lyrics and melody to just being banal, boring dance/trance/house noise or metal noise I couldn't understand or relate to

It's weird why kids these days like this junk. :P

Rihanna's music is so bland!  8-P


never liked her music.

I heard Meghan Trainor on the radio today many times. And yesterday. Every day. It's too catchy and I won't mind it when it leaves.

I heard Meghan Trainor on the radio today many times. And yesterday. Every day. It's too catchy and I won't mind it when it leaves.


IN her latest song she has a line that goes "I gave you bass".

What's that supposed to mean? ???

I want mainstream music to go back to the KISS principle. "Keep it simple, stupid." Motown did this in the 1960's, and the Motown Sound is one of the most respected forms of music of all time! I want minimalistic music to become the standard instead of overproduced noise!

I like the four five seconds song from McCartney,  Kanye and Rihanna.  No fuzz.

I like the four five seconds song from McCartney,  Kanye and Rihanna.  No fuzz.


I love that song.

I like Mr McCartney but I no longer listen to music (not current music anyway) and he is performing with Kanye West and Rihanna, neither of whom I particularly rate so I'll never get to hear it.

Glad to know others agree with me on modern music.

I love that song.

Same

never liked her music.


Yay. Someone agrees with me.

I want mainstream music to go back to the KISS principle. "Keep it simple, stupid." Motown did this in the 1960's, and the Motown Sound is one of the most respected forms of music of all time! I want minimalistic music to become the standard instead of overproduced noise!


I agree.

Me too! I want something along the lines of Lynyrd Skynyrd and Sister Hazel and Gin Blossoms!
Yeah I liked them. "Til I Hear It From You" and "Follow You Down" were good songs back in the day.

I think diversity is whats lacking. SImilar to the 80s, there are only maybe 3 noises coming from the radio. Even hiphop has declined in prevalence this decade.
Well Hip-Hop was so popular in the 00's it was due for a downfall in popularity. Its like the theory "what comes up, must come down".

Then it shifted, and it was all about big screen TV's, blunts, forties, and bimbos.  ::)
Yeah I think Hip-Hop went overboard with "materialism" stating in the late 1990's and that trend ending somewhere in 2009. I still like some hip-hop from 1997-mid 2005 because it kinda still sounded authentic but after that the genre went to crap after mid 2005.

I think 1991-93, 2004-07 and 2013-present have probably the most boring music of any recent times.
I guess you are not a rap music fan.

I think the 2004-2007 period had the least amount of catchy music ever. It was largely noise to me.
Well that brand of rap music isn't meant to be catchy that was popular from 2003-mid 2007. I didn't sound like noise though to me but music is in the sound of the beholder!

It's weird why kids these days like this junk. :P
Well the older generation always says how does the younger generation like "this(current) music"? Its a never ending cycle.

So far I would easily say 2015 has been the best year for music since 2011.  2013 and 2014 were probably the worst years for music of my life.

Well Hip-Hop was so popular in the 00's it was due for a downfall in popularity. Its like the theory "what comes up, must come down".


It was so much better in the early 1980's.

Well the older generation always says how does the younger generation like "this(current) music"? Its a never ending cycle.


You're going to have newer generations complain too.

So far I would easily say 2015 has been the best year for music since 2011.  2013 and 2014 were probably the worst years for music of my life.


Yeah, I think Meghan Trainor saved music late last year honestly.

Some music these days don't have singers singing from the soul.

It was so much better in the early 1980's.
Wow that's really way back that you are talking about. Rap really didn't take off till like 1987 maybe 1986 with Run DMC.

Wow that's really way back that you are talking about. Rap really didn't take off till like 1987 maybe 1986 with Run DMC.


I'm older than you, I remember when rap was all about having fun.

Would music sound better today with the real instruments?

Would music sound better today with the real instruments?


Yes.

There was one interesting comment I read on some article about today's mainstream music.

"If I can't whistle it, it ain't music."

Brilliant.

There was one interesting comment I read on some article about today's mainstream music.

Brilliant.
Too true, that is what I have always said of a sign of a good stage musical, if the audience can be heard whistling tunes from the production on their way out of the theatre or on their journey home.

Yes.


and maybe rap would sound a little better.

No, music isn't catchy enough. In the end, only the good stuff matters. The good stuff is the more melodic music and tends to have more modest lyrics. Barely any of that in the past few years.

No, music isn't catchy enough. In the end, only the good stuff matters. The good stuff is the more melodic music and tends to have more modest lyrics. Barely any of that in the past few years.


So what's missing in today's music?

I'm older than you, I remember when rap was all about having fun.
You are 6 years older than me I think.

What I don't like about most mainstream music these days is that a lot of it either sounds too weird, or too childish. All of it (the music that I don't like) sounds super gay. I hate it! I feel the LGBT community has ruined mainstream pop culture. There isn't much out there that is "straight". It's way too gaudy and flamboyant, which is not my style.

I've noticed that in recent years, ADHD diagnosis have gone through the roof among kids. I've had ADHD since I was extremely little, before it was "cool". Teenagers also have lower attention spans, due to internet trends such as social media, mobile games, and YouTube. This means they can't enjoy anything slower paced. Music has taken advantage of this, starting in 2011, possibly as early as 2009. It started to slow down a lot in 2014, but it still has a grip on mainstream music even in 2015. It was the late 2000s that gay culture went mainstream. This is also when ADHD started becoming more common. What does this mean? LGBT Culture is harmful to the brain's development.

This is why I like the '90s and very early '00s, the pop culture was very heterosexual and African-American. '90s culture was chiller and took itself more seriously. It actually knew what it wanted to do. They knew they were awesome. They were proud to be the '90s. It had a different vibe going on. They proudly proclaimed "We Are The '90s!". While no one thinks "We Are The 2010s!", because people still think it's the 2000s which is extremely frustrating. Speaking of which, the '00s weren't proud to the the 2000s either. I don't remember the '90s at all btw, it's just the attitude that the pop culture emits.

If you look at my 2015: The Year In Music page, you will see that every song that I uploaded, are the songs that I actually like from this year. I do have hope that it will get better, but I'm frustrated by the lack of change in the music industry. People are totally unwilling to let go of the bad trends.

And for anyone who thinks my post is hateful, go away. You express your opinions, now I can express mine.
Let me reply to the paragraph that I put in bold-

The culture was heterosexual and African-American: Yes, it was heterosexual because the issue of being gay was dismissed and looked down upon on and gay marriage wasn't acceptable. African American-Well yeah urban culture was big in the 90's but its not like the white suburban kids didn't have things to cater to their pop culture tastes either. I do think it was 50/50 between urban and suburban pop culture back in the 90's.

People think its still think its the 2000's-I would disagree with that.

The 00's weren't proud to be themselves either-I think in the long run that the 2003-mid 2007 might look proud of itself. I could be wrong about that though.

The 90's culture attitude-Yes I agree took itself seriously and was proud of itself when the decade was going on.

You are 6 years older than me I think.

howard was born in 74!

I'm older than you, I remember when rap was all about having fun.

Yeah , My parents born in 1959 and 1965 loved rap from 79-83!!

Wow that's really way back that you are talking about. Rap really didn't take off till like 1987 maybe 1986 with Run DMC.

Yep; 1979-1985 is called old school rap era FOR A REASON!! ;D

howard was born in 74!
I was born in '79 but in November 1979.

I'm older than you, I remember when rap was all about having fun.


Yeah. Now it's all about b*tches, hos, smoking blunts, getting high on cough syrup, and big rear ends.  ::)

You are 6 years older than me I think.


I'm 41.

howard was born in 74!


So that would make me 41.

Yeah , My parents born in 1959 and 1965 loved rap from 79-83!!


Do they remember The Sugarhill Gang, Grandmaster Flash and Whodini? ???

Yeah. Now it's all about b*tches, hos, smoking blunts, getting high on cough syrup, and big rear ends.  ::)


Yep, that's today generation, you either like it or lump it!

Do they remember The Sugarhill Gang, Grandmaster Flash and Whodini? ???

YES during my mom's high school years and my dad's college years!! They remember all of those guys when they first came out!!

YES during my mom's high school years and my dad's college years!! They remember all of those guys when they first came out!!


Would they also remember Funky Four + One?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FTJ6RrQoOxU
 

Maybe right now on Top 40, but if you look at the iTunes Charts popular music is gradually starting to diversify.

Electronic music is really dying. Music is starting to go in different directions. If you look at hip-hop, the old school sound is starting to come back.

Old school hip hop revival came in the late 00s and Imo,  rescued the late 00s hip hop scene from the likes of Lil Wayne and a declining Kane West. The early to mid 00s were amazing for hip hop but that magic gradually shifted toward the Indie scene by 2008.

Then it shifted, and it was all about big screen TV's, blunts, forties, and bimbos.  ::)

Those are the top 40 rappers and the talentless glorified pretenders. Listen to Kane's older music as well as some Indie rap like Shad and you'll change your tune.  8)

Yeah I think Hip-Hop went overboard with "materialism" stating in the late 1990's and that trend ending somewhere in 2009. I still like some hip-hop from 1997-mid 2005 because it kinda still sounded authentic but after that the genre went to crap after mid 2005.

The genre went to Indies. The top 40 just consisted of pretenders save for Kid cudi and a very limited few others.

Yep; 1979-1985 is called old school rap era FOR A REASON!! ;D
So Rap Music made from 1986-1991/1992 is "The New School Hip-Hop Era"? I always thought of "Eric B & Rakim" to be "Old School Hip Hop" and they became popular in 1987 I believe.  I don't think 1986-1991/1992 Rap Music Era was about smoking blunts or talking about how much money you have. I don't think "Salt N' Pepa", "Kid N' Play" or "Jazzy Jeff and the Fresh Prince(i.e. Will Smith)" ever talked bout those subjects. I don't even a think a group like "Naughty By Nature" who became popular just in the early 90's even talked about those subjects.

Those are the top 40 rappers and the talentless glorified pretenders. Listen to Kane's older music as well as some Indie rap like Shad and you'll change your tune.

I'd rather listen to Kurtis Blow and The Sugarhill Gang.

I don't think "Salt N' Pepa", "Kid N' Play" or "Jazzy Jeff and the Fresh Prince(i.e. Will Smith)" ever talked bout those subjects

Salt N Pepa sang about sex or about the introduction to sex.

So Rap Music made from 1986-1991/1992 is "The New School Hip-Hop Era"? I always thought of "Eric B & Rakim" to be "Old School Hip Hop" and they became popular in 1987 I believe.  I don't think 1986-1991/1992 Rap Music Era was about smoking blunts or talking about how much money you have. I don't think "Salt N' Pepa", "Kid N' Play" or "Jazzy Jeff and the Fresh Prince(i.e. Will Smith)" ever talked bout those subjects. I don't even a think a group like "Naughty By Nature" who became popular just in the early 90's even talked about those subjects.

Many people have said that the golden age of rap was from 1986-1993, 1986-1996, or 1986-1999!! It's crazy!!

Many people have said that the golden age of rap was from 1986-1993, 1986-1996, or 1986-1999!! It's crazy!!

The real golden age of hip-hop was between 1980-1985.

Salt N Pepa sang about sex or about the introduction to sex.


"Push It" sure wasn't about how to use a push lawn mower.  :P

"Yo, yo, yo, yo, baby-pop
Yeah, you come here, gimme a kiss
Better make it fast or else I'm gonna get pissed
Can't you hear the music's pumpin' hard like I wish you would?
Now push it
Push it good
Push it real good"

"Push It" sure wasn't about how to use a push lawn mower.

So you've seen the video?

So you've seen the video?
Push it real good?

An article made in 2014 from the New York Times: http://www.nytimes.com/2014/04/06/magazine/the-pernicious-rise-of-poptimism.html?ref=magazine&_r=0

"Poptimism is a studied reaction to the musical past. It is, to paraphrase a summary offered by Kelefa Sanneh some years ago in The New York Times in an article on the perils of “rockism”: disco, not punk; pop, not rock; synthesizers, not guitars; the music video, not the live show."

"Rosen is describing poptimism as a reaction to what I think of as “Rolling Stone disease,” whereby Bob Dylan and Bruce Springsteen were treated as geniuses and the likes of Marvin Gaye and Madonna as mere pop singers."

"But now the reaction has swamped the initial problem and created a wildly distorted version of the music world in 2014, as reflected in the way it’s covered."

"Poptimism now not only demands devotion to pop idols; it has instigated an increasingly shrill shouting match with those who might not be equally enamored of pop music."

Important One Below!!
"No matter the field, a critic’s job is to argue and plead for the underappreciated, not just to cheer on the winners."

"But should gainfully employed adults whose job is to listen to music thoughtfully really agree so regularly with the taste of 13-year-olds?"

Important One Below!!
"Music is now effectively free. Music criticism’s former priority — telling consumers what to purchase — has been rendered null and void for most fans. In its stead, I believe, many critics have become cheerleaders for pop stars."

"Once, we learned about new music by listening to the radio, reading Spin or watching MTV. Today MTV is largely a reality-TV channel, and most people prefer their iPods or Spotify playlists or Pandora stations to fusty radio programming."

"In this way, poptimism embraces the familiar as a means of keeping music criticism relevant... But criticism is supposed to challenge readers on occasion, not only provide seals of approval."

"In this light, poptimism can be seen as an attempt to resuscitate the unified cultural experience of the past, when we were all, at least in theory, listening together to 'Sgt. Pepper’s' or 'Thriller.'"

Important One Below!!
"But the splintering of tastes should be celebrated, not treated as further cause for doubling down on our focus on a few familiar stars or sounds."

"In the guise of open-mindedness and inclusivity, poptimism gives critics — and by extension, fans — carte blanche to be less adventurous... And so jazz and world music and regional American genres are shunted off to specialized reviewers, or entirely ignored."

"Criticism matters because its virtues are profoundly human ones: honesty, curiosity, diligence, pluralism. We should never sacrifice any of those in the name of an artificial consensus."



For anyone who wants to reply to these statements remove the quote boxes.

The real golden age of hip-hop was between 1980-1985.

Every rap fan has called those years old school hip hop, not golden age!! I Know it's weird!!

Every rap fan has called those years old school hip hop, not golden age!! I Know it's weird!!


Back when rap was all about fun and going to parties, You had groups like:
http://2012books.lardbucket.org/books/culture-and-media/section_09/4590f34f1e21a78168464d20e53200ea.jpg RUN DMC

http://imj.ulximg.com/image/620x412/gallery/1409693243_9b2164b20737a63a68196772d1f4927a.jpg/20fd3ad2dc487dc7ea812e3d3fd140bd/1409693243_grandmaster_flash_50.jpg Grandmaster Flash And The Furious Five

https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/236x/9f/0b/da/9f0bda32569cf2468367f57912d2145f.jpg
Kurtis Blow