Do they even have a talent?
This may sound shocking to some of you, but I actually believe that people who make their living out of singing (i.e. pop stars), should actually be able to sing considerably better than the average person. This is why I get thoroughly irritated when I observe what kind of people get fame and fortune from singing hideous songs with a voice that can at best be qualified as mediocre. Yes, I understand that these days a good singing voice isn’t everything, but it makes me wonder why not every person with charisma and good looks gets to be a pop star.
There seems to be this general rule in the industry that any lack of an ability to sing must be compensated by a proportional lack of clothing, which brings me to music videos. Just try to turn off the sound of a music video once, it’s actually quite hilarious to see how much meaningless footage you can cram into a few minutes. Not to mention the amount of indecency; I think they should start putting age limits on music videos, as some of them might actually damage young minds.
Just for comparison, think about a classical orchestra for a moment. A full size orchestra usually consists of about 100 players, each with about 20 or more years of education and a work discipline that is superior to that of most people. Now, a musician in a orchestra does not become famous, his salary doesn’t reflect his qualifications, and it’s certainly not even comparable to the one of a pop star. A classical CD, which is made by an orchestra with 100 musicians, can be cheaper than a CD that is made by one pop star whose most prominent qualification is the ability to be cool. Where is the justice in that?
Last, but not least, we have the lyrics. I personally believe that music is a form of expression, and therefore I get worried by the kind of message that is conveyed by many pop songs. They often seem to be about some boy/girl telling another boy or girl in a language that barely qualifies as English that he/she is cool and sexy, and that they should go somewhere and do something indecent, often coupled with alcohol and/or drugs. Apart from having serious problems with the treatment of the English language, these lyrics do not exactly promote the kind of morals we want to teach our children, in my opinion.
So my question is, when you go into a store and buy a CD, do you do it because everyone else does it, because the particular star is cool or popular, or because he/she actually has some special ability or talent? And just for the record, being cool, hot or sexy is not considered a special talent, it just seems to be the requirement for fame these days.
June 1st, 2007 at 3:35 pm
This is weird. For an assignment today we had to do content analysis (about love) on some songs by Justin Timberlake, Fergie and a couple of other singers. We found out that Justin’s and Fergie’s songs were mostly about sexual love and materialistic love.
Not that it has anything much to do with what you posted, but I thought I’d share my findings. Haha.
Although I agree with you that some singers may be average, I have no problems with that. Music is after all a business, the singers just try to sell themselves, and music companies try to sell them. It’s just another business.
June 4th, 2007 at 10:03 am
I really know what you mean. Pop stars nowadays have no talent at all and their CDs are not more than 99% edited.
June 4th, 2007 at 12:49 pm
Ugh, I despise these silly little pop tarts so much!
I personally only listen to music with either amazing lyrics or no lyrics at all. Even though most of the lyrical content of the music I listen to revolves around sex and drugs etc. I’d still differentiate them from the stuff talentless popstars “create”. As in, most of the songs I like don’t really promote indecent actions, but are more like a warning/a statement/whatever.
So I personally have no issues with sex/drugs related lyrics, but I’m old enough to handle that sort of things. What bothers me, is that these Jessica Simpsons and Britneys are mainly marketed to young children without the brain capacity to understand that it is, in fact, very uncool to look and act like a slut
Also, and this might be a bit off topic, but I find it extremely hypocritical that people seem to think that barely legal girls, wearing practically nothing and shaking their behinds in music videos is OK, while some artist have to remove songs from their albums because of a few “indecent” words. I understand bleeping music played on radio/TV, but albums should remain untouched.
June 5th, 2007 at 2:21 am
You know what, I actually disagree. There is a difference between a “singer” and a “popstar.” A singer’s focus is about music and about their talent.
A popstar’s focus is not really about singing. It’s about presentation, acting a part, giving the audience “what it wants.” And apparently, that’s what the majority does want.
June 5th, 2007 at 11:33 pm
And just for the record, being cool, hot or sexy is not considered a special talent, it just seems to be the requirement for fame these days.
I agree with this statement, but fame = entertainment. Music like any of the arts is purely about taste. I think the idea of “instant fame” equaling talent is disappointing, but that’s what is popular. It’s just that - pop. Pop music = popular culture. And to slightly answer your question: I don’t buy CDs at all now, unless I really want them and they’re from artists that already have at least 5 of their albums in my collection.