Is Pop Music Really So Simple?

starrynight · 08-09-2011, 07:29 AM

I'm sure there is quite a lot of music that is too complex for most people on this board. Although complex really just means a style that people aren't willing to understand and make an effort with. Music isn't about complexity/simpilicity, it's just about communication. Music is as complex/simple as you make it.

Surell · 08-09-2011, 11:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ska Lagos Jew Sun Ra

Yes, Pop is VERY simple. I mean, with few exceptions like Led Zeppelin. Even then, there is such thing as music that is flat too complex for a mainstream audience.

Zeppelin, pop? Sure they were popular but they weren't pop music.

But then again, that definition seems so elusive.

Ska Lagos Jew Sun Ra · 08-09-2011, 02:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by starrynight

I'm sure there is quite a lot of music that is too complex for most people on this board. Although complex really just means a style that people aren't willing to understand and make an effort with. Music isn't about complexity/simpilicity, it's just about communication. Music is as complex/simple as you make it.

Yes, but sometimes if the language is written with too much intricacy, or sophistication, it's ignored due to the effort required to interpret the message. Which doesn't make the message any less valid because complex melodic topics can't really be told in simple melodic language.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Surell

Zeppelin, pop? Sure they were popular but they weren't pop music.

But then again, that definition seems so elusive.

Mainstream Rock is definitely a variation of pop. Even if Led Zeppelin protested the radio, they definitely shaped their music around popular format.

starrynight · 08-09-2011, 02:43 PM

But quite a lot of rock isn't complex, there can be some very simple productions and melodies. All that should really matter is how creative the music is whatever genre someone wants to put it in.

Ska Lagos Jew Sun Ra · 08-09-2011, 02:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by starrynight

But quite a lot of rock isn't complex, there can be some very simple productions and melodies. All that should really matter is how creative the music is whatever genre someone wants to put it in.

Well, that's what I mean, though. Rock is largely a pop form(in fact compare pre-1950s popular music to rock, and to pop, and you'll find rock is much closer to pop which is just a slightly more minimalist form).

When I say too complicated for pop access I mean things like this:

Notice the lack of attempt to create a hook. As the parts are dispersed in smaller more slightly progressing melodies.

Not better, just a tad subtle to be pop.

Neapolitan · 08-09-2011, 04:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Surell

Zeppelin, pop? Sure they were popular but they weren't pop music.

But then again, that definition seems so elusive.

Led Zeppelin were one of the most popular and successful bands for their time as far as albums and concert sales (& radio airplay except Top 40), but they really weren't a band that released singles (except for an editted version of Whole Lotta Love) in hopes topping the Pop Charts eg Billboard like Pop acts do.

blastingas10 · 08-09-2011, 09:21 PM

I dont see how you can define pop music as anything else besides what is popular. Unfortunately pop music sucks today, but it use to be good.

starrynight · 08-10-2011, 03:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blastingas10

I dont see how you can define pop music as anything else besides what is popular. Unfortunately pop music sucks today, but it use to be good.

There is some good pop still but people call it indie now instead of pop.

Surell · 08-10-2011, 02:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ska Lagos Jew Sun Ra

Mainstream Rock is definitely a variation of pop. Even if Led Zeppelin protested the radio, they definitely shaped their music around popular format.

What defines a popular format? Punk is incredibly simple but i don't know a lot of real hardcore stuff that was made for radio play. And there's pop inspired stuff, such as Animal Collective and LCD Soundsystem, that i wouldn't imagine getting radioplay at least in my parts.

GuitarBizarre · 08-10-2011, 06:37 PM

Verse
Chorus
Verse
Chorus
Middle eight
Verse (Usually in a higher key)
Chorus (Usually in a higher key)

Behold, almost every pop song ever.

08-09-2011, 07:29 AM	#51 (permalink)
starrynight Music Addict Join Date: Mar 2011 Posts: 937	I'm sure there is quite a lot of music that is too complex for most people on this board. Although complex really just means a style that people aren't willing to understand and make an effort with. Music isn't about complexity/simpilicity, it's just about communication. Music is as complex/simple as you make it. __________________ non-cliquey member of every music forum I participate on

08-09-2011, 02:43 PM	#54 (permalink)
starrynight Music Addict Join Date: Mar 2011 Posts: 937	But quite a lot of rock isn't complex, there can be some very simple productions and melodies. All that should really matter is how creative the music is whatever genre someone wants to put it in. __________________ non-cliquey member of every music forum I participate on

08-09-2011, 09:21 PM	#57 (permalink)
blastingas10 Music Addict Join Date: Aug 2011 Posts: 2,126	I dont see how you can define pop music as anything else besides what is popular. Unfortunately pop music sucks today, but it use to be good.