Once people realise that music serves no higher purpose than to entertain, we can all go about our business listening to whatever we want without being criticised for lack of taste. Music is nothing more than entertainment.
Lets start by dispelling a few myths. Firstly,
"If they wrote their own stuff blah blah blah"
Tell that to Sinatra. Secondly,
"They don't care about the music"
What the hell does caring about the music have to do with anything? Go on a night out, get some S Club playing, and tell me you didn't have a good time. Yes, its about making money, but to do that you have to entertain. Pop music is accessible, lighthearted fun. Finally,
"They're talentless tw*ts blah de blah"
If I could make money out of being a talentless tw*t, someone please tell me how. I haven't figured it out yet.
Music is like any other entertainment. To appreciate some of the more eclectic offerings takes time, effort and training. The more music you listen to, and the more music you look for, the more you yearn for something a bit more complex and involved than the Top 40. Just like film buffs end up watching strange foreign language films. Just like food lovers end up eating foods that, to most poeple, are pretty nasty. Just like book lovers move away from the pickup, throw away, thriller of the week.
In short, it's inevitable that popular music will be simple and catchy. Most people just aren't interested enough to try any different.
Dave
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