The Sorry State of Popular Music

[3(C)+me]

Paul Joseph Watson
My apologies to all the Coldplay lovers

Source: https://youtube.com/watch?v=IP0wuwJBdMI

See Bill I can start a thread but this is going to be a rare event.
.........(smile)...........................

[lucidity]

excellent. No quibbles there.
I sincerely hope we see more of him.

[Sueanne47]

I'd like to sink simon cowell/kanye west/katie perry/rihanna/gaga or any other illuminati tripe ~ 6 miles down in the pacific...like nuclear waste, never to be seen again.

[Verdilac]

The moment I saw Kanye west singing mama I've just killed a song is a moment I could have done without seeing .

As for coldplay , no apologies needed at this end bro.

Oh no..... not coldplay again.

[TrumanCash]

Excellent video and analysis by Paul Joseph Watson!

As a songwriter who yearns for the return of creative, meaningful songs like those of the late 60s thru early 70s and also is moved by the music of Mozart that goes way beyond the five senses, I can certainly relate to the significant points that PJW makes. When I write a song I intentionally try to find new chord changes and sounds that I've never heard before and the challenge to write creative, meaningful lyrics that flow easily off the tongue and yet are synchronized flawlessly into the rhythm (while avoiding cliches) can be a great challenge.

The video is especially interesting to me because I am totally unaware of what today's pop music is like. At least until I watched this video. Seriously, I don't listen to modern music (or watch TV) and have no idea what it is like. I didn't know it was that bad. And it is.

Now I know why I don't listen to it!

[thepainterdoug]

S p o t o n

[greybeard]

As a bass guitarist having played in rock style bands since the 60s I have to agree with the original post.
Many of the female singers set a bad (in my opinion) set a bad example to young girls--soft porn sells records and influences greatly

However there is a lot of good musicians and music to be heard that does not even try to get into the charts.
Adele is an exception and there are many.

Things do evolve---the vocal range and voice quality seems to have improved in many.
Bass guitar playing has improved greatly --as has the quality and power of amplifiers.
Much and all as I loved 60s music it has evolved beyond 3 chords. Queen set a high bar.
I love Crowded House, they became less popular as their music got more complex
These band are not of this era but I am sure there are bands of the same caliber out there now.

Problem is that its very much a music industry --artists are disposable--they have to be the full package.
Roy Orbison would not have lasted now as he just stood there and sang.

Who in the charts right now will still pull in an audience in twenty years time, or even five?

Enjoy what turns you, lifts you, on leave the rest alone.

Chris

[Bill Ryan]

.
Hilarious and profound. Always a good combination.

I received a credible, anonymous e-mail nearly three years ago which stated that the world's youth were being programmed by music, all carefully planned and strategically orchestrated at the very highest level. I had no problems believing it.

[Ewan]

Laughed at the splice of Freddie Mercury looking amused at the rendition by whomever.

Coldplay weren't always bad were they? There's a relatively early song of theirs called Clocks (about 2003 I think) which I liked very much and still do. I confess I'm not aware of any of their other songs though, and sounds as though that is just as well.

The earlier comment from Chris regarding setting a bad example to young girls was 100% spot on imo. Although Pink can hardly be held up as a counterpoint I always enjoyed her 'Stupid Girls' as a song that ripped that whole concept to shreds, despite the face she was capitalizing off it and some of her other songs are pretty much the opposite.

We all want plastic Barbie girls, on their knees. Erm, no, we don't.

In 1986 I was touring Australia (2 years) with a backpack and remember seeing a guy, meeting his girlfriend's parents, wearing a t-shirt that said something akin to "The Perfect Girl" and depicted thereon was a cartoon of a buxom nymph kneeling in front of a guy who was playing darts, his beer resting on her flattish head whilst she was obviously engaged in fellatio. If I'd have been the girls father I'd have probably punched him in the mouth and dragged my daughter back home for a series of lectures. (Likely having the opposite effect to intended :rollseyes: )

[Baby Steps]

Hang on-this is a free market, the young download music according to what appeals to THEM, so as well as the trivialisation and dumbing down we see in the corporate music world we need to consider how the youth are thinking themselves.

As a 49 year old I remember the rebellion, defiance , dynamism, creativity and bottom up nature of the industry in years gone by. The corporate people struggled to control the cultural surges. As time goes on, you got artists signing huge multi album deals that basically mortgaged the first few against a gigantic promo budget. The corporate investors naturally controlled, sanitised content to protect their investment.

Now we are in a new world where so many make a recording career from virtually nothing, with you tube and self published albums. So it is not that the youth are challenging the status quo ( but are stuck and controlled).


Its something about THEIR mentality. Maybe a factor is that their parents are the rebel generation and that, to their offspring, is old hat.

Yet here we are in the throws of revolutionary paradigm shift.

For me, it is baffling and depressing when you see an artist so shallow, lacking in talent, and un creative, attracting so many of the youth. These fans appear to want to listen to the music because they want to be that person.

These youth, or some of them, ARE this paradigm shift.

Maybe music is not the medium that attracts them, not sure, but I do have great regard for them and what they will be manifesting.

Source: https://youtube.com/watch?v=CHk5SWVO4p8

This , by 'the 1975' is liked by my nieces. Its good music. But I don't pick up on any passion, challenge or rebellion. I think these youth today see life as a struggle that they have to engage with and get through. It is tougher for them than previous generations. At the same time I find they are more receptive to alternative paradigm thinking than older people.

Maybe , for them, the Music is a comfortable place to escape from a tough life!

Hey now call it a split 'cause you know that you will
Oh you bite your friends like chocolate
You say, we'll go where nobody knows, with guns hidden under our petticoat
No we're never gunna' quit it, no we're never gunna' quit it no
Now we run run away from the boys in the blue, and my car smells like chocolate
Hey now think about what to do, think about what to say, think about how to think
Pause it play, pause it play, pause it
Oh we'll go where nobody knows, with guns hidden under our petticoats
No we're never gunna' quit it, no we're never gunna' quit it no
Yeah we're dressed in black from head to toe, we've got guns hidden under our petticoats
No we're never gunna' quit it. no we're never gunna' quit it no
Now you're never gunna' quit it, now you're never gunna' quit it, now you're never gunna' quit it
If you don't start smoking it, that's what she said
She said we're dressed in black, from head to toe, with guns hidden under our petticoats
No we're never gunna' quit it, no we're never gunna' quit it no
Hey now we're building up speed as we're approaching the hill
Oh my hair smells like chocolate
Hey now you say you're gunna' quit it but you're never gunna' quit it
Gotta get it, gotta get it, gotta get it, gotta get it, go!
And play it cool
Oh and you said we'll go where nobody knows, with guns hidden under our petticoats
No we're never gunna' quit it, no we're never gunna' quit it no
Yeah we're dressed in black, from head to toe, we've got guns hidden under our petticoats
We're never gunna' quit it, no we're never gunna' quit it no
Well I think we better go, seriously better go
Said the feds are here you know
Seriously better go, oh oh, well I think we better go
Said the feds are here you know
Said Rebecca better know
Seriously better go
We'll go where nobody knows, with guns hidden under our petticoats
No we're never gunna' quit it, no we're never gunna' quit it no
Yeah we're dressed in black, head to toe, guns hidden under our petticoats
No we're never gunna' quit it. no we're never gunna' quit it no
No no no
Well I think we better go, seriously better go
Said the feds are here you know
Seriously better go, oh oh, well I think we better go
Said the feds are here you know
Said Rebecca better know
Seriously better go

[Sueanne47]

I think that these days we should be hearing something NEW! instrumental music could be improved. I remember when Tubular Bells - Mike Oldfield came out..people loved it.

[joeecho]

The tentacles of the PTB extend well into music theory which does find it's way into popular music. What ever media finds it's way into the most minds and particularly the youth's mind one will find said tentacles.

[3(C)+me]

I childhood friend of mine told me she saw Madonna some time back she said she was great. She had dancers, a bunch of costume changes, lots if sexual acts (got have the lots of sex stuff right), knowing her she was either dressed as baphoment or danced with it. According to my friend she was wonderful.
You want to go and see her again with me I can get some tickets.
I told her you know she is a Satanist right?
Blank look on her face.
She doesn't really write her own songs right?
Silence.
Doesn't play any instrument well.
Silence
She has to have all those dancers and props and goings on stage cuz she has very little talent.
You could hear a pin drop.

[Sueanne47]

I didnt believe it when I saw an illuminati video on music that The Beach Boys had sold themselves to the devil..along with the Rolling Stones & the Beatles

[3(C)+me]

Source: https://youtube.com/watch?v=JcS8YhtFKRI

[greybeard]

Posted by Sueanne47 (here)
I didnt believe it when I saw an illuminati video on music that The Beach Boys had sold themselves to the devil..along with the Rolling Stones & the Beatles

I find that the Beatles sold their souls to the devil somewhat hard to believe Sueanne.
Cant say much about the others.

The Batles music too uplifting --the song writing superb.
George Harrison was as far as I can see a very spiritual person.

I can see why some one would want to devalue them in a negative and not truthful way.
Thats Illuminati strategy---defame the good.
Its easy to knock people via video on u tube or else where.
You cant fight back against that kind of accusation.

Chris

[Ewan]

Posted by Baby Steps (here)
Hang on-this is a free market, the young download music according to what appeals to THEM, so as well as the trivialisation and dumbing down we see in the corporate music world we need to consider how the youth are thinking themselves.

As a 49 year old I remember the rebellion, defiance , dynamism, creativity and bottom up nature of the industry in years gone by. The corporate people struggled to control the cultural surges. As time goes on, you got artists signing huge multi album deals that basically mortgaged the first few against a gigantic promo budget. The corporate investors naturally controlled, sanitised content to protect their investment.

Back in the 60's TPTB may have been genuinely horrified by music almost prompting a shift in conciousness. I would go out on a limb and say they put steps in place to make sure it would never happen again.

From the 40's its been known how to manipulate public thinking, (Edward Bernays), not a stretch to suggest the youth choose that music because it is almost all they ever hear, being forced upon them with few alternatives. Perhaps the appeal has been manufactured.

When you're 14 yrs old you will listen to what everyone is talking about. If they're all talking about Bob and Sally who produced a music video in their garage then great. But million dollar production values tend to grab the attention.

Then you can't ignore a side topic of education, and how the population seem to be getting 'dumbed down'. It may all be orchestrated, what resistance to the devious plans of the farmer do sheep and cattle make?

Edit to add: When I read my first sentence back then I had a strange feeling of recognition. I think I may have paraphrased something Bill Ryan said elsewhere.

Also, I know where your coming from Baby Steps. I remember thinking punk was ridiculously raucous anti-music. (I was about 21 when it first came to my attention). When I listened to more of it some was really quite good and all anti-establishment. We, as elders, do often criticise what younger generations do, assuming, perhaps arrogantly, that they don't understand and they haven't lived.

I just hope they get the chance too live and it is not to late.

[Hervé]

Posted by Bill Ryan (here)
[...]
I received a credible, anonymous e-mail nearly three years ago which stated that the world's youth were being programmed by music, all carefully planned and strategically orchestrated at the very highest level. I had no problems believing it.

I suspect a likely direct correlation:


Empathy: Rescuing the oxygen of civilization from extinction

Libby Simon, LSW, PsychCentral Sun, 30 Oct 2016 00:00 UTC

'Some people scarcely move when touched. While some are moved with scarce a touch'- Source Unknown

"What, Me Care? Young are Less Empathetic.".1 Empathy, long considered innate, has been unexpectedly challenged by a U.S. study led by Dr. Sara H. Konrath and published online in Personality and Social Psychology Review. In this self-reported study of 14,000 students, the researchers found empathy levels have declined over the past 30 years.

On the other side of the same coin, another self-reported study carried out by psychologists, Jean M. Twenge with W. Keith Campbell, reported narcissism, a psychological condition characterized by self-preoccupation and a lack of empathy, has reached new heights. Their book, "The Narcissism Epidemic" (2009), explores the rise of narcissism in American culture.2 In a TV interview on the Meredith Vieria Show, Twenge describes the U.S. condition as "suffering from an epidemic of narcissism."3

In addition, drawing on a database of more than 75,000 assessments from 2011-2013, a global sample was created by EQ, an organization dedicated to increasing emotional intelligence around the world. The report, "The State of the Heart," also noted emotional intelligence that encompasses empathy and compassion in young people is declining in comparison with people over 40 years of age. 4

What makes these studies particularly relevant in today's world is their association with known character traits expressed, ranging from schoolyard bullying to heinous violence. The problem is widespread among children and youth and, too often, comes with serious consequences.

In Canada, for example, StatsCan reports that at least one in three adolescent students have reported being bullied; 47% of Canadian parents report having a child victim of bullying; and any participation in bullying increases risk of suicidal ideas in youth.5

Amanda Todd, who committed suicide by hanging herself in October, 2012, left flash cards to tell of her experience.6 It went viral after her death raising worldwide attention.

These findings are very disturbing as they have far-reaching negative consequences. With media screaming news daily of horrific violence exploding in hot spots around the world on any given day, one word comes to mind - EMPATHY. This word that underlies the basis of civilization needs to be rescued from extinction.

So what do we know about empathy? What is undermining its growth and what can be done to reverse this trend?

[...]

Full article: http://pro.psychcentral.com/empathy-...355.html?all=1

Related:
Equality, empathy and psychopathy
Psychopaths are Destroying our World (VIDEO)
Empathy: How do children learn it?
Practical ways to boost empathy

[Ewan]

Quickly off-topic. I have a 12 yr old with more than his share of empathy. Too much i'd venture for one so young. I think he got his brothers, who as yet has none at 6 yrs old.

As that is an American study I would be very interested in seeing similar studies from other countries. I suspect it is another area that America leads the world in.

[blackdog]

Posted by cccme (here)
Paul Joseph Watson
My apologies to all the Coldplay lovers

Source: https://youtube.com/watch?v=IP0wuwJBdMI

I agree, but it is relatively old news, although it has been getting worse and worse. I listen mostly to independent music now, but my favorites are still older bands like Led Zeppelin and Pink Floyd. They dont have groups like this as major mainstream acts anymore. There are some great indie bands, but I think there would be many more if they could benefit from major record company money and promotion.

I disagree with this guy regarding television shows. I think plot lines have become much more complicated, for sure, but sometimes it is to a ridiculous extent. I think they are reaching deeper to create something new, and the shows get wilder and wackier. It is entertainment for entertainment's sake. There is no real message behind any of it. It is soulless. It's not art.

I tried to watch Mr. Robot because the main character is a hacker who hates corporations and the state of the world, much like a conspiracy theorist. Yet, this element of the show dies out quickly, and we end up watching a show about this guy's everyday life and relationships, just like every other show out there.

And movies are awful, as well. Every other movie is one of these comic book stories or a remake of an older movie. There are very few original stories.

I think the state of the entertainment industry is a good example of the failure of capitalism to produce the best possible product through competition. Everything is rigged from the top, just like the political world.