Soulflower

I was actually in the process of doing that after I responded to Wpnfire

Soulflower

Did you actually read what I posted?

A member asked me to give more details and I said that I did not have a problem in doing that.

So what point are you trying to make by saying this?

You haven't offered any factual or any informative opinions on this topic either.

I have supported facts with some of my opinions in this thread. I haven't just made mindless thoughtless statements. Once again I do not mind giving more details but just saying.


How?

If you are going to disagree with me you need to give specific detail reasoning for why you disagree ESPECIALLY if you expect for me to do the same


Hun we are not talking about Indie music, we are talking about POP music and POP music can still have depth and creativity.

How do I know?

Because we have past decades worth of popular music that demonstrates that.

I never said that.

My favorite artist is the King of Pop.

If you actually read my posts I said the CURRENT mainstream scene.

I never insisted the entire popular genre as a whole was bad.

Most of my favorite artists are pop artists.

No. I actually think you misinterpreted what I said or just did not read it at all because I specifically said this CURRENT mainstream scene and I also even stated within the current mainstream scene it is not ALL bad.

No... and how is this relevant to THIS discussion?

I will freely post in whatever thread I choose to. I am not going in circles. I thought the person made an interesting thread and I simply responded and I will do so to any thread I want to.

Scarlett O'Hara

You say you have gone in depth but I so far don't see that. You have repeated your statements. You are telling me to back up what I'm saying but I'm trying to explain to you what debating requires. I don't see any facts? You said you gave some but I see nothing in the entire thread.

What happened in the last decade? What does it have to do with music? You say a lot happened in the last decade but you again give no examples. It's like you have this idea about what you think happened in the last decade but your thoughts are so vague that you can't really give any details. What has been demonstrated? I'm not trying to be mean but if you're going to share your opinion, give a few examples of what you experience growing up with music.

This topic about the state of mainstream music has been debated in many threads. I think you might be able to get a better understanding of it by reading what experienced members have contributed.

I know we are talking about pop music currently. But before you were saying about the last decade. Make up your mind. They are not the same.

I'm am saying that if you want music with "substance" check out some Indie labels. You're saying that not all pop music is substantial but you can't have listened to every single song of current pop artists. Instead, you make the same comment and continue to generalise pop music by using words like "most" and "majority". Do you have any sources to back this up? You say I am not reading your posts but here is why I'm saying this to you:


What is a "real artist" then? That doesn't even make sense!

Examples? What pop stars talk about raping and prostitution? Are you meaning rappers? Be more specific. What are the examples of negative themes? Now you are saying music is influential? Influential how?

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Soulflower

Did you skip over the part where I mention in our current society we still experience social turmoil and injustice and I even listed current factual incidents that supports that?

We still live in a society that experiences alot of social and political turmoil. This did not stop in the 60s or 70's. So if popular artists wanted to make more music that discussed social issues that affect today's society they could.

I insisted that I could give more details when a member asked me to go into more details but no I am not going to say I have not given NO details what so ever in this thread because I have.

Every time you reply to me you keep insisting that I need to give more details but you never give me the opportunity to present my argument.


You're trying to explain to me what debating requires but you clearly misinterpreted my opinion and you definitely was not specific and detailed yourself when you originally challenged my post. I know how to support an opinion as well as debate.

Why don't you wait for me to present the facts/my argument instead of going in circles with this lecture that I need to give more details when I already insisted to another member I would do that


I'm glad that you have finally given detail questions as far as what you are looking for because you definitely did not do that originally.

I will respond to your questions and support my argument accordingly in a future post.

Scarlett O'Hara

You've had plenty of opportunities in this thread and so far no argument other than the social issues with no examples. I will wait and see if you can come up with something.

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RoxyRollah

Sorry girl nap time lasted like three days... OK Here we go...

I am not saying we don't live in a time of social unrest either. We do. But again, the mentality is completely different. In the 60's you had a group mentality. Because so many teenagers, and young adults at that particular time frame, were fed up with the old ways. The old ways no longer worked for them, and they bonded on that basic premiss.

In the 60's that premiss became a movement, a spiritual movement, a movement to change injustice, a movement that was out for the grater good of humanity. And anytime you have progression in history it's bloody.The music of that time couldn't help but reflect the energy in the air. There is still one thing that this time doesn't have that the 60's did.

THE USE OF LSD, as form spiritual enlightenment, and people were experimenting with it and all the views the come along with a psychedelic trip. You don't have this now at all. You have a few parties, and festivals that you find it in abundance, or you don't. But it is not nearly the catalyst like it was back in the day. Thus influencing a grater amount of musicians and inspiring them to use their celebrity in a positive way.

( He will always say what I am thinking about this topic better then I do. )

...

Because of the lack of lsd readily available, and the lack of desire to expand our consciousness now a days you won't see the prominence of important messages in music like you did back then. I don't think this is the fault of the record companies babe. I think this is the fault of the times we live in. The messages that are out there, are not the same as they were back then, and the commonality is lost. Now you may find a handful of artists that are talking about issues that are important to them specifically. Which will in no way ever dominate history as the music of the 60's because most of the artists of that time, were on the same wave length.

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YorkeDaddy

Damn it, now I really want some LSD

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http://cloudcover1.bandcamp.com/
http://daydreamsociety.bandcamp.com/

9-Time Winner of MusicBanter's "Most Qualified to be a Moderator" Award

RoxyRollah

I know right. Ha!

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Black Francis

Ive never taken LSD but ive heard countless stories about how it inspired creativity in their users.

Not just musicians, i remember seeing a Bill hick documentary and them saying how LSD influenced his brand of comedy.

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"Hey Kids you got to meet the MIGHTY PIXIES!"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JbRbCtIgW3A

Soulflower

I think it is fair to compare the more popular songs from each of the past era's since this discussion is questioning the popular music scene of today.

All of these songs were Hot 100 Billboard hits. I also gave a brief description to support why I chose these songs. Also, I did not go into great detail with composition (I can) but some of these songs are also not important just because of their lyrics but also their musical composition as well.

I am going to start with the 60's first.

1. Sittin On The Dock of The Bay- Otis Redding- 1968
This song is about Otis reflecting on his entire life. This song was actually written before his death in 1968. He reflects on his childhood, early beginnings to stardom and his current life. It is a eerie, haunting and retrospective song.

2. The Rolling Stones- Gimme Shelter- 1969

The song reflected the current times of war and tension. The song primarily was influenced by the Vietnam War and race riots. However, Mick Jagger, the songwriter, insisted that the song is about the world coming to an end and it is possible the song is a metaphor for other social catastrophes.


3. The Who- My Generation- 1965
This song focuses on childhood memories, never growing old and being a teenager


4. The Band- The Weight-1968
This is considered one of the greatest songs of all time. When I research more on why this song is so regarded I was amazed.

Conception and Information about song lyrics
From Wikipedia:
"The traveler begins "The Weight" by giving the impression that he is visiting the Holy Land. The traveler is weary from his long journey (e.g., "feelin' 'bout half past dead"), and is looking for a place to stay and sleep, as in the New Testament Gospel of Luke story of Joseph and Mary prior to the birth of Jesus of Nazareth in Bethlehem. In the town, the traveler encounters people with names taken from Biblical characters – the Devil, Miss Moses, and Luke. The traveler encounters others, including Carmen walking with the Devil, whom the traveler meets while trying to find a place to sleep. The traveler asks Carmen to go downtown with him. She responds by telling the traveler that she has something else to do but the Devil "can stick around" with him. The traveler meets Crazy Chester, who offers to provide him with a bed (e.g., "fix his rack") if the traveler will take his dog, Jack. The chorus and last verse mention Miss Fanny (not intended to be sung as "Annie"[14]), who had charged the traveler the responsibility (e.g., "The Weight" or "load") for giving "her regards to everyone" in the town. In the final verse, the traveler leaves Nazareth, dispirited by his experiences (e.g. "my bag is sinking low"). The traveler catches a "cannon ball" (i.e., a train, as in the American folk song "Wabash Cannonball") to go back to see Miss Fanny"


5. Pink Floyd- See Emily Play- 1967

This song focuses on a girl named "Emily". There are many reports and stories behind who this Emily character really is. Some have alluded Emily is a metaphor for a "psychedelic drug" since the song is heavily fused with a psychedelic vibe. Others have insisted that Emily is the daughter of a famous politician or possibly a "hallucination". The song tells the truth on who Emily really is.

6. Jackie Wilson- Your Love Keeps Lifting Me Higher-1967

The song focuses on the love a man has for a woman and how this love has changed him for the better. Her love has changed him into a better man. This song is sited as an important song for the decade and is considered a "feel good" song.

7. Jefferson- White Rabbit-1967

The song focuses the epidemic and social experimentation of drugs in the 1960's. The song uses metaphors in words such as "White Rabbit", The Hookah- Smoking Caterpillar and Alice to reference certain drugs such as LSD and mushrooms which were common hallucinatory drugs.

Some lyrics:
One pill makes you larger
And one pill makes you small
And the ones that mother gives you
Don't do anything at all
Go ask Alice, when she's ten feet tall

And if you go chasing rabbits
And you know you're going to fall
Tell 'em a hookah smoking caterpillar
Has given you the call
To call Alice, when she was just small


I actually really like this song.

8. Ben E King- Stand By Me- 1961

This is a soul song that was inspired by gospel hymns. Although this song is referring to a man pleading for a woman to stand by him through trials and tribulations, this song has become a universal hymn that represents perseverance, friendship and social support.

9. The Velvet Underground- Heroin- 1967

The song focuses on the effects of Heroin usage and the abuse of it. It is one of the band's most popular songs.

10. The Four Tops- Reach Out (I'll Be There)- 1966

The song focuses on desperation, loneliness and reaching out to help others that are in need. The song is suppose to raise the esteem of those that have low self esteem and that are depressed about life.

11. Aretha Franklin- Respect- 1967

The song focuses on a woman who demands respect and to be treated with respect by the one that she loves or any man. The song shows that a woman should not give money, give sex or degrade herself in order to get a man to respect her.


12. James Brown- Papa's Got a Brand New Bag- 1965

The song is a funky soulful dance tune. James Brown who is the primary songwriter of the song, sings joyfully about an old man that is courageous to start a new way of living and life. He sings "Papa got a brand new bag".

Brand new bag in this song is a metaphor for, "taste", "new way of doing things" "new interest"

13. Sly and the Family Stone- Everybody is a star- 1969

This song focuses on how everyone is unique in their own way and has the opportunity to be successful and succeed in life. The song insists that people should be true to who they are and that they are loved because they are who they are and should not try to be something they are not.

14. Ike& Tina Turner- River Deep Mountain High- 1966

The song compares a woman's love and loyalty in her relationship to that which a little girl feels for her doll and a puppy has for his/her owner.

15. The Count Five- Psychotic Reaction- 1966
The song focuses on psychosis and being put under hypnosis.

16. Paul Simon & Art Garfunkel- The Sound Of Silence- 1963

This song was released after JFK's assassination. Although the song was not inspired by that, it became instantly popular during this period because the lyrics resonated with many mourners.

Some lyrics:
Hello darkness, my old friend
I've come to talk with you again
Because a vision softly creeping
Left its seeds while I was sleeping
And the vision that was planted in my brain
Still remains
Within the sound of silence

The writer, Paul Simon insisted he did not write the lyrics for deeper meaning and just wrote the song out of growing pains and angst. The song focuses on a conversation with darkness and seeking answers for dreams that have come to mind. Also, disclosing dreams and revelations in the sound of silence.

17. The Impressions- People Get Ready- 1965
The song focuses on the civil rights movement. It is a spiritual calling for people to join the fight for African Americans civil rights and religious salvation.

18. Jackson 5- I Want You Back -1969
The song focuses on a lover pleading for his lover to take him back and give him one more chance.

19. The Beatles- A Day in the Life-1967
The song focuses on many things. The song focuses on current news events such as the death of a young woman, War/tension and other current events. The song also focuses on childhood memories and drug usage.

20. David Bowie- Space Oddity- 1969

The song is about a astronaut, Major Tom who is leaving to go to space in a clear allusion to the moon landing.


These are my first 20 from the 60's. I'll do the 70's, 80's, 90's and 50's although I skipped it. When I am done it should equal a 100 songs.

Side note: All these songs are not talking about social and political issues either but for the most part the subject matter and compositions have some depth and substance to them. These were some of the most popular songs of the 60's.