Ah, music. There is nothing better than putting in your headphones and listening to your favorite jam. With a wide variety of songs, artists, albums, and genres to choose from, music may just be one the hardest thing to discuss. Not only does everyone have their own opinion on music, but there are so many choices, that it's almost impossible to find someone with the exact same musical interest as you. For example, you may be like me and enjoy the melodious lyrics and catchy tunes of alternative, indie rock, and electro-pop with some European inspired instrumentals thrown in. Or perhaps you're an advocate of rap, R&B, and some bluesy jazz. Whatever your favorite genre, music is one of America's best cultural aspects in my opinion. It allows for self expression, entertainment, and a great way to socialize with others. Who could hate any of that? Besides, if we didn't have music we wouldn't have dances, or rhythm, and a lot less art (music is a huge influence on artwork). A world without music would just be plain sad. Actually, a world wihtout music wouldn't really be a world at all.
Since this blog was designed to talk about pop culture, I figure I best describe the "pop" music first. Typically the most popular music is a combination or rap, electronic, and R&B all mixed together. For example, as of right now the top ten songs on the radio are:
1. Born This Way: Lady Gaga
2. Forget You: Cee Lo Green
3. Grenade: Bruno Mars
4. I Need a Doctor: Dr. Dre
5. F'ing Perfect: Pink
If you haven't noticed, or are just unfamiliar with pop music, the majority of this music has a large dose of profanity, predictable themes, and glorify behaviors such as alcoholism and drug usage. I am not saying that all pop music is like that, but a large percentage it. My favorite example of this contrasting pop music pickle is the artist Ke$ha. Her most popular songs have been Blah, Blah, Blah, Tik Tok, Take it Off, and Your Love is My Drug. With the exception of Your Love is My Drug, these songs idolize drinking, clubbing, and promiscuous behavior. However, if you find yourself looking at some of her other music, you'll discover she typical lyrics about love and heart break, such as her song Stephen. So, in conclusion; pop music can be pretty edgy in terms of material, but if you take a closer look you may find that underneath it all there is some good music there.
To wrap this up, I would like to leave you with a list of music that I personally enjoy. It is different, but I think it's pretty awesome. So If you haven't heard of these bands or songs, take a minute and do some musical education. You may find you like some it!
Artist- Title
Beirut- Postcards from Italy
The Black Keys- Tighten Up, Howlin' For You
The Broken Bells- The High Road
the Dear Hunter- Smiling Swine (to be honest I haven't heard a song of theirs I disliked)
JET- Lazy Gun
Electric Light Orchestra: Turn to Stone, Sweet Talkin' Woman (old band, but still good )
If you find yourself liking any of this and wanting more please ask and I will give you as much info and suggestions as possible. Happy Listening!
This is a video, so you can listen NOW! (Good Gone Girl- Mika)
top charing music list found at: http://www.billboard.com/charts/hot-100#/charts/hot-100
I'm with you ma cherie. It's always interesting to me as a musician what ends up being popular. For instance, you know the violin solo at the beginning of Alejandro by Lady Gaga? It's from a Schubert (?) symphony (the name escapes me at the moment) and it's stunning. Her use of the solo in the song appealed to me as a classically trained musician, which Lady Gaga happens to be as well. My iPod is nothing more than musical junxtaposition. Most recently played?
ReplyDelete1) For a Pessimist, I'm Pretty Optimistic (Paramore)
2) Weightless (All Time Low)
3) Drops Of Jupiter (Train)
4) Marriage of Figaro (Mozart)
5) Rhosymedre (Vaugn Williams)
6)Not Like the Movies (Katy Perry)
7) Fantasia on the Daragason from The Second Suite in F, Fourth Movement (Holst)
8) Count on Me (Bruno Mars)
9) So What (P!nk)
10) Nessun Dorma (from Turandot, an Italian opera)
Odd mix right?
Love Drops of Jupiter by Train! Such a good song! I like how you picked up on the classical violin. That is my favorite part of that song. I really like classical music.
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