Why is popular music always seen as garbage?

I hear people all the time saying how "underground" music is better simply because not many have heard of it. Just because something is popular doesnt make it atrocious. Music can be bad (and is) whether mainstream or underground. It all depends on taste. Im just wondering why any music mainstream is always ragged on simply because its just that....in the public eye.

Because it sucks.

Everybody has his/her own taste.

It's cool to hate mainstream stuff....and popular music is popular because it was created to try to appeal to everyone. It's often simplistic and it's often merely "catchy."t3hrubikscube

Because it sucks.

Assassin1349

It's cool to hate mainstream stuff....and popular music is popular because it was created to try to appeal to everyone. It's often simplistic and it's often merely "catchy."t3hrubikscube

[QUOTE="Assassin1349"]

Because it sucks.

KrunkMastaX

cuz dumb people like it and people that arent dumb are scared of being grouped with those peopleMTVjams

[QUOTE="t3hrubikscube"]It's cool to hate mainstream stuff....and popular music is popular because it was created to try to appeal to everyone. It's often simplistic and it's often merely "catchy."KrunkMastaX

99% of music is the same 4 chords. It's simply insane when you start to see it. Same chords, different keys. All in all, same music.MetallicaKings

Popular music is meant (almost by definition) to appeal to the lowest common denominator.spazzx625

cuz dumb people like it and people that arent dumb are scared of being grouped with those peopleMTVjams

[QUOTE="t3hrubikscube"]It's cool to hate mainstream stuff....and popular music is popular because it was created to try to appeal to everyone. It's often simplistic and it's often merely "catchy."Assassin1349

Because it sucks.

[QUOTE="KrunkMastaX"][QUOTE="t3hrubikscube"]It's cool to hate mainstream stuff....and popular music is popular because it was created to try to appeal to everyone. It's often simplistic and it's often merely "catchy."MetallicaKings

So by default all underground music is good then?KrunkMastaX

[QUOTE="t3hrubikscube"]It's cool to hate mainstream stuff....and popular music is popular because it was created to try to appeal to everyone. It's often simplistic and it's often merely "catchy."KrunkMastaX

[QUOTE="Assassin1349"][QUOTE="KrunkMastaX"] Nice rebuttal there.KrunkMastaX

I think that mainstream music is frowned upon because of many reasons. First, it has a negative image for many people. The word "Mainstream" is often associated with Disney, boy bands, and lip-synching. Some people also think that simple music = bad, which is far from the truth. I, myself, don't care about any media labels. If I like how it sounds then I listen to it. It's as simple as that, but some people even abandon their favorite bands if they are exposed to the mainstream audience. To each their own, I guess.

[QUOTE="t3hrubikscube"]It's cool to hate mainstream stuff....and popular music is popular because it was created to try to appeal to everyone. It's often simplistic and it's often merely "catchy."KrunkMastaX

I think that mainstream music is frowned upon because of many reasons. First, it has a negative image for many people. The word "Mainstream" is often associated with Disney, boy bands, and lip-synching. Some people also think that simple music = bad, which is far from the truth. I, myself, don't care about any media labels. If I like how it sounds then I listen to it. It's as simple as that, but some people even abandon their favorite bands if they are exposed to the mainstream audience. To each their own, I guess.

DaBlastaMasta

[QUOTE="MetallicaKings"] [QUOTE="spazzx625"]Popular music is meant (almost by definition) to appeal to the lowest common denominator.KrunkMastaX

cuz dumb people like it and people that arent dumb are scared of being grouped with those peopleMTVjams

No. Do you like putting words into other peoples mouths? Most of the bands I listen to I wouldn't even consider "underground". Assassin1349

So these bands you listen to. Are they mainstream or not?

He was flashy and above average but not one of the all time great musicians by any stretch of the imagination.iowastate

[QUOTE="KrunkMastaX"][QUOTE="t3hrubikscube"]It's cool to hate mainstream stuff....and popular music is popular because it was created to try to appeal to everyone. It's often simplistic and it's often merely "catchy."t3hrubikscube

[QUOTE="KrunkMastaX"][QUOTE="t3hrubikscube"]It's cool to hate mainstream stuff....and popular music is popular because it was created to try to appeal to everyone. It's often simplistic and it's often merely "catchy."iowastate

[QUOTE="Assassin1349"]No. Do you like putting words into other peoples mouths? Most of the bands I listen to I wouldn't even consider "underground". KrunkMastaX

So these bands you listen to. Are they mainstream or not?

Because usually for something to be popular it has to be simple or catchy to the point where many people can enjoy it. If its too original or unique, then only a certain group will like it. Many people on GS at least like originality and complexity. Not songs like Party in the USA or Single Ladies

Because it usually isn't very good...

He became a legend for a reason. To each their own I guess.KrunkMastaX

[QUOTE="iowastate"][QUOTE="KrunkMastaX"] So Michael Jackson's music isnt good you mean?KrunkMastaX

sure, this could definitely be true. Just music as a whole has become incredibly simple and redundant the past 50 years. Before that, it was classical music, jazz, etc. Things that take years upon years to master. And doing so, your music palette is expanded and you are able to write great, emotional music. Now a days, after blues came, and the beatles, this repeating of basic chords I-V-IV took to mainstream music. Every pop band and rock band use this, which is still ok. Hell, pretty much the foundation of classical music is this. But....they arent really doing anything with it, other then just strumming some chords. Maybe through in a diatonic cliche melody, but still, it all gets very old, very very fast.

MetallicaKings

I can understand your point. You make a good one.

Popular music is meant (almost by definition) to appeal to the lowest common denominator.spazzx625

cuz dumb people like it and people that arent dumb are scared of being grouped with those peopleMTVjams

No. Do you like putting words into other peoples mouths? Most of the bands I listen to I wouldn't even consider "underground". Assassin1349

So these bands you listen to. Are they mainstream or not?

[QUOTE="KrunkMastaX"]He became a legend for a reason. To each their own I guess.t3hrubikscube

of course not. any jazz or classical guitarist could destroy any metal lead guitarist. Same goes with drums and bass. Just since its not mainstream, people have absolutely no idea. They are stuck in a bubble. MetallicaKings

Touche. You win this round. :P

First, once something becomes popular, about 12,000 songs that sound exactly like that song are released. That tends to make the radio sound rather bland/boring.

Second, 90% (or so) of the copycats aren't written by the artist, but by paid songwriters who do the same thing for a large number of bands on that label (or, at least, that used to be the case). This further produces a ridiculous amount of sameness over a period of time.

Next, you have "updated" remakes of popular music from 15-20 years previously. The only "update" seems to be to make the song sound exactly like the 12,000 other songs that you are currently being bored with on the radio.

Finally, the band is either a.) not a "band" but a bank of synthesizers somewhere in the studio, b.) the same session artists that can be heard on 11,990 of the songs you got bored with on the radio, or c.) rejects from one of the underground bands that everyone loves.

Did I leave anything out? ;)

[QUOTE="Assassin1349"][QUOTE="KrunkMastaX"]

So these bands you listen to. Are they mainstream or not?

KrunkMastaX

In a time where everything has been seen and done no one really needs to revolutionize anything to become a legend. Just give people a good time. And Michael did that.KrunkMastaX

Exactly Krunk! On another note it really irks me when people think popular music is crap and that THEY with no producing experience at all think they can do better. Allot of time and hard work goes into almost every song on the radio, how else do you think they got where they are.KittenNipples

Yeah I mean with so many on here bashing musical artists you'd think they were musicians themselves.

Yeah I mean with so many on here bashing musical artists you'd think they were musicians themselves.

Yeah it seems popular music is considered trash but unpopular music is considered really good.

Yeah I mean with so many on here bashing musical artists you'd think they were musicians themselves.

[QUOTE="KrunkMastaX"][QUOTE="iowastate"] He was flashy and above average but not one of the all time great musicians by any stretch of the imagination.MetallicaKings