Is it just me, or is the notion of ‘Popular song’ stuck on a trend towards ever-decreasing skill and talent?
Here’s the progression as I see it, simplified.
Cole Porter was a great songwriter. When he produced a song, he delivered an original idea or thematic notion (e.g. the singer catalogues things which others may get a ‘kick’ out of, but which to him seem boring compared to the joy of seeing his lover again); an elegant piano score (approaching the richness of a classical composer’s work); a melody, a harmonic structure and an arrangement; and lyrics that had wit, plus an underlying and appropriate structure in terms of rhyme and scansion.
Early ‘rock’n’roll’. Simpler ideas, condensed into airplay-friendly choruses or ‘hooks’. Simpler music and arrangements, chiefly based around guitar blues progressions. Simpler, more direct and repetitive lyrics, but still with an underlying structure of sorts.
Punk. Basic ‘idea’ for a song at best. Reduction of melody and arrangement to extremely simplified chords, and a certain ‘pride’ in not bothering to play them in tune or well. Lyrics - attitude more important than anything else. Any elements of rhyme or scansion an atypical bonus. Some wit and flair in the execution.
Rap. Forget melody altogether - just talk over the beat. Forget ‘music’, instrumental harmony, chord prgoression, modulation etc. Just get a market-friendly beat out of a drum machine and you’re done.
Rap + sampling. Now you don’t even have to worry about inventing any music, not even programming the drum machine to get the sunds yu want. Just hear something else you like, such as a great track by Stevie Wonder, showcasing his gift for melody and harmony, and sample that. Then talk over it.
The rise of the DJ cult. Can’t even do the talking-rhythmically bit, so sample a vocal hook as well. Then play with studio machines to produce the afore-mentioned market-friendly beat. Yes, some skill in operating this machnery and producing a commercially successful sound. But a far cry from ‘musicianship’.
I hope this thread gives rise to some enlightening discussion. I am not just slagging off types of music I happen to dislike, and that’s not what this thread is about. If you want to vent spleen, please do so at the Pit provided.
My question is this. Given that we can’t blame the music industry - which simply produces whatever product we will buy - are we collectively, and in general, intent on becoming less discriminating, less appreciative of talent, and increasingly lazy in our acceptance of what each preceding generation would have dismissed as mediocre?
And what is the future: one person talking atonally over a single repetitive bass drum?