"I don't like pop music"

[Bri-namite]

OK..

Why do people always seem to want to categorise music?

Like I always see people saying "Oh I don't like pop music", and that's fair enough, but pop is such a wide ranging genre of music.

By definition, pop is "popular music" right? So surely music that sells well is (to a greater or lesser degree) pop? Like Coldplay, David Gray, Radiohead etc all sell well, but they aren't all necessarily pure pop music, are they?

I know there's an alternative scene and that's slightly different, but when people say "I don't like pop music", it's all kinda a bit weird, because pop music can mean different things to different people, and it covers a lot of different types of music.

Personally, if I hear a tune that I like, then I'll listen to it, whatever type of music it is. I dunno how widely held that view is?

Discuss.

[From The Block]

Originally posted by Bri-namite


Personally, if I hear a tune that I like, then I'll listen to it, whatever type of music it is.

Ditto!

[*hellie*]

Originally posted by Bri-namite
Personally, if I hear a tune that I like, then I'll listen to it, whatever type of music it is. I dunno how widely held that view is?



Yeah, I'm exactly the same! I either like it or I don't, couldn't care less what "genre" it is.

[Bri-namite]

Originally posted by *hellie*
Yeah, I'm exactly the same! I either like it or I don't, couldn't care less what "genre" it is.

:thumb:

What I don't get is, if the music the people I'm talking about became popular, would they a) stop listening to it, or b) decide they like pop after all?

Hmmmm

[Neil]

Although genres give a rough idea of what you like, I would much rather quote Bri-namite.

[lazybstard]

the music entitled "pop" has been given this name because it is the more popular type of music within the population.
there is no other name ton catogires (sp?) this type of music, they should have another name for it but they dont.

[Tim the Enchanter]

I think, on the whole, pop music is made up of almost all genres of music that have been watered down so they appeal to the most number of people.

For example, Good Charlotte would be considered watered down punk that appeals to a wide base of people who wouldn't necessarily like punk.

In a sense pop isn't an actual genre but more a collection of genres.

[Shogun]

Pop music is "popular" music but when most people say i dont like pop music, they more than likely mean music like britney spears,blue,any of that type of music. The people who most likely say this as well are rockers who dress very gothy and refer to i hate pop music, pop music is fucking shit,etc,etc.
I prefer any type of music,whatever song it is, like it ,dont like it, who gives a fuck what type of music it is, as long as it sounds good, thats all what matters.

[Zero II]

Originally posted by Tim the Enchanter
I think, on the whole, pop music is made up of almost all genres of music that have been watered down so they appeal to the most number of people.

I'd never really thought of that before but that's as good a description as any. In a sense, it's music that is intended to shift units. Just a shame there's so many suckers buying into it...

Having said that, there is some good "pop", like some of Sugababes' and (hold your breath) Girls Aloud's stuff.

[Kiezo]

Originally posted by Bri-namite

Why do people always seem to want to categorise music?

Uh...'cause we kinda need to? For instance, if someone asks you what kinda music you like, are you meant to list all the bands you like instead of the genres they fall into?

Try walking into Virgin or HMV and finding a CD when they aren't catagorised, it might take a while :p

I know there's an alternative scene and that's slightly different, but when people say "I don't like pop music", it's all kinda a bit weird, because pop music can mean different things to different people, and it covers a lot of different types of music.

When I say 'I don't like pop music', or anyone else for that matter, they know it's along the lines of Britney Spears, Atomic Kitten, Steps, all boy bands, and basically any lowest common denominator rock/dance/punk/whatever bullshit.

Personally, if I hear a tune that I like, then I'll listen to it, whatever type of music it is. I dunno how widely held that view is?

Yeah, but that's kinda shying away from the point. Yeah, if I like a song, I'll listen to it, but that doesn't change the fact that I don't like pop.

What I don't get is, if the music the people I'm talking about became popular, would they a) stop listening to it, or b) decide they like pop after all?

Or c) like that one song, which is hardly enough to warrant saying you like the whole pop genre :/

[strawberrychild]

Originally posted by Bri-namite

Personally, if I hear a tune that I like, then I'll listen to it, whatever type of music it is. I dunno how widely held that view is?


Same.

But music is about emotions etc. There is a story behind every song, maybe one of love, hate, tradgedy. Behind pop songs, its money for the producer. I.e. Pete Waterman and co.

Also, the reason why its so catergorised is that there's alot of 'pretending to be someone who there're really not'. This is done in the pop industry, (for money again...) and why does it work? Because young teenagers/children can't tell the difference.

Who are we talking about? Yep, you've guess it...Avril Lavinge is one. There are lots too.

That's why everyone 'starts off' on pop, before realising its shit, and going on to like music with meaning...rap. hip hop, soul, classical, rock...etc...

[BumbleBee]

When I say I don't like pop music people known fine well what I mean.

I would never say I don't like popular music, because anything I deemed popular would only be popular amongst my peers - those who listen to the same kinda stuff I do.

To be honest, I don't have a clue about pop music. I don't listen to the radio or watch popular chart shows so I don't hear it. I wouldn't know a Justin Timberlake song if I heard it right now, I've never heard him. I've never heard a Girls Aloud song. I once heard Busted song when I was in the Asda cafe..... that was a bad experience let me tell you! :p

[TempleOfDreams]

I'm with Bri-namite. I listen to what I like, whether it be Flip n Fill, Busted, Girls Aloud, Coldplay, David Gray, New Found Glory, Stone Roses, The Ataris, Britney Spears, etc etc etc...

[Kiezo]

Originally posted by TempleOfDreams
I'm with Bri-namite. I listen to what I like, whether it be Flip n Fill, Busted, Girls Aloud, Coldplay, David Gray, New Found Glory, Stone Roses, The Ataris, Britney Spears, etc etc etc...

Ah, but it's moving away from his original point!

I listen to what I like as well, it just so happens I don't like pop.

[TempleOfDreams]

Originally posted by Kiezo
Ah, but it's moving away from his original point!

I listen to what I like as well, it just so happens I don't like pop.

Yeah, I know what you mean. I also know what people mean when they say they don't like 'pop'. Yes, 'pop' does mean 'popular music' or it did... it's more of it's own unspoken genre now - everyone can recognise 'pop' music...

Ahh, it makes no sense... lol

[jacaranda]

I think you may well have a point there you are surely right about pop being any music that is in fashion among people today

I'm all for experimentation the only genre I don't tend to touch at all is classic except for Vanessa Mae and Bond. My favourite genre being pop/rock such as Bon Jovi and Guns n Roses

[Seven_VII]

pop music has a wide genre now. Busted r supposedly pop rock, when they r neither both, because the use guitars and whatnot, but they mime.

[Mz Stonedalot]

Popular music has changed very much over the years, for example pop music used to dominate the charts but now urban music is becoming more popular as well as other genres and can be seen reaching high chart positions. Therefore I feel that pop music is now a genre of its own, it isn't simply based on what is popular and genres are now more defined.

If you hear a dance track which goes to number 1 in the charts it would not then change its genre from dance to pop would it! it doesn't work which shows genre has changed it can't be applied to anything unless there are clear factors and features within a song that cause it to be classed as a certain genre.

So pop music is no longer simply whatever is in the charts, it is as a whole a genre on its own! :yes: and on that basis I can say I don't like pop music!! :p

[Kiezo]

Originally posted by Mz Stonedalot


If you hear a dance track which goes to number 1 in the charts it would not then change its genre from dance to pop would it!

The dance music that apears in the charts isn't proper dance music, it's lowest common denominator, cheesy shite. Or in other words, pop :p

[urban]

..people catagorise stuff cause if you dont then its vague and stupid ..pop music is chart stuff ....and usually done by some kid whos been payed to slut themselves off to the camera then tour for 2 years ,then is dumped cause they are no longer pop

[Bri-namite]

Originally posted by Kiezo
The dance music that apears in the charts isn't proper dance music, it's lowest common denominator, cheesy shite. Or in other words, pop :p

Mmmm yeah, but if hardcore doosh doosh doosh music was filling up the Top 10, then you'd soon change your mind :p

But even you have to admit, there are a million miles between something like Sugababes and something like the Cheeky Girls and Steps. I take the point about pop being watered down versions of other genres, and let's face it, the music is designed to sell. Which is what pop is all about.

And then you get "proper" artists like Madonna, Sting, Elton John, Paul McCartney. They're pop, but they aren't cheesy, they're respected musicians. I'd mention that someone of them have been honoured by the Queen, but that'd open a whole new kettle of fish, eh Murtagh :p

Edited to add: - Didn't that Delirium - Silence song that we had a huge argument about in IRC go really high in the charts :p

[Dreamer3k]

aren't we all forgetting the fact that most things refered to as "pop" music, is a cheezy descendant of old school "BritRock" (you know, after country/western and what not, but before Rock'n'Roll) way back in the early 60s. bands like the beatles and other british bands inspired the formation of the monkeys, and indirectly modern boy bands, which lead to the spice girls, then the whole girl power revloution that followed.

now, if the chart started filling with hardcore rap, or took a left turn and ended up in R'n'B land, (without being watered doen over time) and this trend continued for a substantial period, then that would be considered my the masses as "Pop" since pop culture would have embraced it.

that would leave the cheezy stuff thats around today, right? wrong! acts like britney, christina, those sloppy cross genre bridges like big brovaz, good charlotte etc out in the cold, so "pop" music as we know it would disappear.

for the record, "i don't like pop music", but if hard rock and metal ever came back into fashion ( :lol: ) then i'll gladly stand up and be counted!

[schizophrenia]

i STRONGLY agree with kiezo.

the charts is mostly filled with pop music. pop music contains stuff like dj sammy and timberlake, busted and j lo. its all 'pop', just different types.

'pop' doesn't mean 'popular' any more. it only means the sorts of music that is filling the charts. the type of music that teenage girls buy. the charts do not represent the most popular music in the country, or the most talented. im sure many more people in the country would rather listen to a red hot chilli peppers album than an ashanti one.

we do need to categorise music to an extent, but it really doesn't go well for me. i listen to aphex twin (suposedly considered to be 'drill and bass'), massive attack (trip-hop), jurassic 5 (rap), prodigy (dance?!?!.......), ratm, (rap/metal), leftfield.....(find a genre for them, i dare you), and dj shadow (supposed to be trip hop, although its nothing like massive attack).

all the songs i listen to find into various genres and subgenres, but i dont take any notice of them.

(go to www.allmusic.com to see what i mean)

i know there is pop such as elton john, madonna, etc etc...and i do respect them as musicians, but i still do not like the music much. i can tollerate it more than i can with ja rule, and busted, but its still only a ballard or summat, and that just isnt to my musical taste. i think justin timberlake and the sugababes are very talented, but i have no musical respect for dj sammy or the cheeky girls.

brinamite, you like pop. thats fine.. whatever. it doesnt matter to me. but your views on music and how music is made are obviously heavily influenced by the whole 'pop' scene.

you do get the odd tune that appeals to pop fans and 'proper' music fans, such as foo fighters, red hot chillis, prodigy (firestarter ring a bell 6 years ago?), but it doesnt prove that pop music is good.

[ElysiumUnknown]

Originally posted by schizophrenia
i STRONGLY agree with kiezo.

the charts is mostly filled with pop music. pop music contains stuff like dj sammy and timberlake, busted and j lo. its all 'pop', just different types.

'pop' doesn't mean 'popular' any more. it only means the sorts of music that is filling the charts. the type of music that teenage girls buy. the charts do not represent the most popular music in the country, or the most talented. im sure many more people in the country would rather listen to a red hot chilli peppers album than an ashanti one.

we do need to categorise music to an extent, but it really doesn't go well for me. i listen to aphex twin (suposedly considered to be 'drill and bass'), massive attack (trip-hop), jurassic 5 (rap), prodigy (dance?!?!.......), ratm, (rap/metal), leftfield.....(find a genre for them, i dare you), and dj shadow (supposed to be trip hop, although its nothing like massive attack).

all the songs i listen to find into various genres and subgenres, but i dont take any notice of them.

(go to www.allmusic.com to see what i mean)

i know there is pop such as elton john, madonna, etc etc...and i do respect them as musicians, but i still do not like the music much. i can tollerate it more than i can with ja rule, and busted, but its still only a ballard or summat, and that just isnt to my musical taste. i think justin timberlake and the sugababes are very talented, but i have no musical respect for dj sammy or the cheeky girls.

brinamite, you like pop. thats fine.. whatever. it doesnt matter to me. but your views on music and how music is made are obviously heavily influenced by the whole 'pop' scene.

you do get the odd tune that appeals to pop fans and 'proper' music fans, such as foo fighters, red hot chillis, prodigy (firestarter ring a bell 6 years ago?), but it doesnt prove that pop music is good.

Completely agree with you there. Personally I think there is a schism between "decent pop" and "cheesy bollox". The former selling more albums and the latter hopefully only being bought on the premise of novelty value. I would agree that Sugababes and Justin are examples of decent pop. I like Sugababes (Except for Round Round) and Justin is cool but my little brother has developed an unhealthy obsession with him (One minute he's listening to Iron Maiden, the next dancing to Rock your Body.).

One thing I can't stand is when people have a pretentious and superior attitude about music. Yes, we all know that there are some pop songs that are crap. But the rest are down to a person's own choices. Anyone who says "Oh I don't listen to the radio or any commercial music. I hate it all." is just being pedantic and pathetic; having good choice in music is about being open-minded. Although to find the best music (well of my own opinion), you need to go further than commercial radio.

Schizophrenia - I must say you have wicked taste in music. Rage, massive attack, prodigy and Jurassic 5 are a few of my faves. I also love DJ Shadow - but I have a problem in downloading as I can never seem to get full versions...have you got any suggestions of specific songs I should be downloading? I went on the website, but the format made me impatient. Any Aphex twin suggestions too? I've only heard stuff through two vids I've seen - which I hasten to add scared the shit out of me when I was drunk at 3am.

[strawberrychild]

Originally posted by jacaranda
My favourite genre being pop/rock such as Bon Jovi and Guns n Roses

G'N'R, Bon Jovi pop rock???? your fav genre???

You've got no clue have you?

[paperBprincess]

when i say i dont like pop i mean bubblegum pop like s club brats and britneys old stuff, i think thats what most people mean
i wouldnt stop liking someone just cos they got popular. i like some stuff thats 'pop' ie pink and even some j-lo and destinys child but its more r'n'b than pop
i dont like chart music much cos theres not much there i like, simple as.