Ladies and gentleman, our iPods have been in sorry shape and they're in for a world of pain.When did things go so terribly wrong? When did we become so forgiving and so loose with our music money? I don't know all the answers but allow me to try to pinpoint it.
1) Why the 90s reunions? Spice Girls, New Kids, Backstreet Boys - I'm bracing myself for a Eiffel 65 or Lou Bega comeback for crying out loud. Not only has Christina Aguilera just released a best hits collection...but so has Hilary Duff. HILARY DUFF. Do you even know how wrong that is??
Honestly, were the nineties so long ago that we already need to be reminded of their greatness? At best, the nineties were a watered-down version of the previous decades. Nobody wants or needs to crack out their Tommy Hilfiger overalls again. Believe me.
2) There is absolutely no reason for Madonna to still be releasing albums.
3) Why are people releasing songs with the exact same titles as other songs? Is it so hard to choose a different title? Presumably your song has more than one strong phrase to it. It's an epidemic these days! Let's look at the facts.
Flo Rida - Elevator
Pussycat Dolls - Elevator
Pussycat Dolls - Halo
Beyoncé - Halo
Beyoncé - Hello (I included this because I think she's so arrogant that she would only knock off her own songs by changing two letters in the title)
Kelly Clarkson - Sober (skip to 3:30 - she's incredible. We are in love)
Pink - Sober
Kelly Clarkson - Miss Independent
Neyo - Miss Independent
Kelly Clarkson - Since U Been Gone
Keyshia Chanté - Since U Been Gone (later changed to just 'Been Gone')
Seriously? I love Kelly Clarkson as much as the next, but is she really the dream person to steal song titles from? Mind-blowing. Consider your eyes opened to a world of artists ripping off the products of American Idol. That is dismal indeed.
P.S. I'll beat you if you hate on Kelly Clarkson.
4) Not everything Rihanna releases is genius. Actually, it's debatable if any of them were really all that mind-blowing. Catchy? Absolutely. But I sure as hell am not still rocking out to Shut Up and Drive. Plus, to reach the ultimate level of awesomeness with me, you need to be able to sing live. Yes, your legs go on for miles but please, please, just close your mouth, Rihanna.
5) Someone tell the Disney channel to stop creating stars please? I want my stars the old fashioned way, all grittied up with cocaine dust on their upper lip, smelling like hairspray and stale sex to prove that they worked hard to get their record deals. None of this virginal, matching sibling, Miley Jonas Effron garbage...
That being said, The Midway State, Joshua Radin and Kings of Leon are helping me get balance out the mainstreamorama. As much as I love me some hard-hitting pop, I need music by those artists to save some brain cells so I have some to lose when Britney's new album drops.
Say the last bit quickly.
F.U.C.K. Me.
Yeah. We're going to need some serious help in the ear department.
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65 comments:
I totally agree with this. Top 40 is awesome but when you're listening to the same songs on rotation on a radio, well that can make my ears hurty after a while.
I love indie bands because it's almost like they are a treasure that not everyone has found. Like you're the "only one" listening to their songs.
I can't stand this epidemic either. YUCK.
I bet I can think of 50 other examples of people ripping off other people's song titles...
but I won't because I'm tired and 50 was just a round number that I pulled out of nowhere, so I'm not that sure I can back up my claim with evidence...
Everything you've listed is pretty much the reason that I've given up on the charts.
Last.fm & Pandora do wonders for the soul. :)
BEN. The Backstreet Boys did not have a reunion they have been going for FIFTEEN YEARS! They were NEVER GONE! (notice the album reference)
As for the rest of it I completely agree. I caught on to "4 Minutes" for a little while, but other than I was very disappointed with Madonna's album.
Kelly Clarkson IS amazing-- can't wait till she comes out with another album.
I have no idea if this comment has any point. Oh well-- I will end this by saying Christina Aguilera can suck a donkey. I can't stand her anymore. Vomit.
And now I sound like a 13 year old. Great.
Top 40 is my guilty pleasure, I cannot deny it. Just last night I spent a good, solid twenty minutes trying to sell the guy I was out with on the virtues of Justin and Beyonce. Now, this wouldn't be so ironic if the guy hadn't been the lead singer of a hardcore band... a band that, as a teenager, I used to go see at basement punk shows.
He doesn't listen to Beyonce. Pfft.
Also, agree 100% on #4. I actually kind of hate "Disturbia". Or maybe I just hate that they play it every hour on The Bounce. I listen to The Bounce?
Apparently people are saying Xtina (remember that?) is stealing her style and music from Lady GaGa.
I can't say anything bad about Britney. I have a soft spot. But Madonna. The only songs I have ever liked were released in the eighties. She's got to give it up and slow down on the gym.
My undying love for Radiohead makes me feel less guilty about my unhealthy love for pop music.
kelly clarkson is my soul sister. no one can mess with her when i'm around, no one.
shut up and drive is the worst song ever - it's like death to my ears.
p.s. i'm impressed with your song title research. but then again i wouldn't expect anything less.
"At best, the nineties were a watered-down version of the previous decades."
Only the second half of the 90's. The first have saw grunge come in and kill off glam-metal with Nirvana's "Smells Like Teen Spirit". Take them, Pearl Jam, Alice In Chains, Soundgarden etc, and you actually had bands that could play AND sing AND write decent songs. All the while they didn't really care about their image like today's rock artists.
So I wouldn't call the first half of the 90's watered down. Instead, in terms of rock, its been the best era of music in the last 30 years.
I think I have to disagree with you about 90's music. It rocked, and it rocked hard. And I might be slightly biased because I just caught the top hour of 100 Best Songs of the 90's last night on VH1.
Rihanna bothers me. Almost every song feels like a splinter that I can't get out. It hurts, get rid of it!
I'm getting sick of Beyoncé but can't seem to let go.
Ditto for Christina.
But for some reason I have all of Britney's cds. Wow, I judge me.
You've hit the nail on the head. All of these? Valid points. And while I love a good pop song once in a while, that's another reason why I listen to older music, musicals and indies.
Oh my goodness. Tommy Hilfiger overalls were probably the one item of clothing I coveted the most during the first half of the 90s. At best, my mom bought me a pair of lavender overall-shorts that I loved, but quickly ruined by failing to remove my wax crayons from the chest pocket before they were shoved into the dryer.
Other than that, yes, you're dead on with the music garbage these days. I think that's why I chose to regress into 1960s and 1970s music from here on out. Call me in 20 years and maybe I'll consider updating my taste in music .
Well, add to the list that Madonna (whom you said should not record anymore) had a song on Bedtime Stories called "Forbidden Love," and then turned around on Confessions on a Dance Floor with another song entitled "Forbidden Love," which thankfully had no influence from Babyface. (though no mention of the other Madonna/Babyface collaboration "Take a Bow" and Rhianna!) :)
See, nerdlinger, you're not the only one!
As for the rest of my musical tastes, I fell asleep to Puccini's Turandot last night, but I loved listening to "Womanizer" this morning (though Kelly Clarkson's Breakaway is on my Yahoo Jukebox right now). I'd rather listen to new stuff than dwell in the 80s, and I also listen to a wide variety of jazz and alt rock (PJ Harvey...loves her). So, I feel well rounded, eclectic, and schizophrenic...
AGREED.
I was listening to Donna Summer the other day (I was raised by a disco loving mother, listening to Donna Summer is like drinking water - it's ingrained in my head to do it) and realized that we need more talent in the world. I mean, seriously. Have you heard the new Brittany Spears song? It's all electronic! Is she actually singing?
And Hillary Duff has enough songs to have a greatest hits?
Bah.
There is also no reason for Madonna to be wearing leotards. Just because you *can* still wear a leotard, does not mean that you *should* wear one.
Oh, and now Shut Up and Drive is going to be stuck in my head for the rest of the day.
P.S. When you reach a certain age, complaining about the current state of anything is really akin to "Back in my day..." Next stop is "You kids get off my lawn!"
Just sayin...
Ah! But Lou Bega is just so damned catchy. A little bit of... But yes. I agree with you on all of the other points.
Excellent Eiffel 65 reference. Shut Up and Drive is a horrible song that only became famous because people assume Rihanna only makes good music. The song doesn't even make sense. It sounds like it was written for a Chevy commercial.
And people wonder why I stick to Radiohead and Sinatra.
i'm holding out for a harvey danger reunion.
the new radicals could open
I thought I was the only one seriously disturbed by the number of "Greatest Hits" albums being released by people I listened to at 13...I know I'm not that old, yet. Eeep. I'm glad yours was the first blog I read today.
haha yes, I balance out my super pop loving self with my Jets to Brazil, Engine Down and Denali (my current rotation) because I will lose my shit when Circus drops.
I freaking love Britney.
I keep telling my boyfriend that we're due for big changes in pop music. Isn't that the plus side to hard times? Some group of musicians lose their day jobs and get really depressed and start doing hard drugs, and BAM! New musical genre?
Maybe that's just wishful thinking...
Essentially: Absolutely! Even though I was incredibly late on the draw, I spelt very special listening to Joshua Radin for the first time.
Kez: Oh c'mon! I'd love to hear how many you could come up with!
Astharis: I love Pandora. I was so sad when it disappeared for a while there.
Maxie: Oh give it a rest, fangirl.... :) BSB never 'came back'. And please, we all liked 4 minutes because of JT. Kelly has an album coming out in the next six months I think. It was supposed to be December but it's not looking like it.
Aine: Beyoncé's new album isn't as good as her last two. Some gems on there though! Being able to find enjoyment through the mainstream is really a life skill.
Amanda: They're kinda interchangeable these days, huh? Madonna's Like A Prayer is still a favourite of mine.
Deutlich: I fail at liking Radiohead. I don't know any of their songs.
Alexa: I'd marry Kelly Clarkson with a prenup saying I'd get nothing. I just want to be around her all the time.
Mega: Ah see? I don't know much about rock so I'll consider you my expert on that.
Stacy: hahaha your description of Rihanna is astoundingly insightful.
EP: I've been regressing too. I'm okay with it.
BelleEcrivaine: I never had anything by Tommy. I was lucky to get a columbia jacket in high school.
FitnessNerd: Nice catch! I don't know Madonna's catalogue as well as most, I'm afraid. And yes, I'm painfully aware of my aging mentality. Thank you for pointing it out though haha.
Lauren: Um....I loved Donna Summer's new song, Stamp Your Feet. I couldn't fight it.
Belle: Find me one non-gymnast who can pull off a leotard. JUST ONE.
Elizabeth: Mambo No 5 was my jam in junior high haha.
Wishmewell: Keep that dream alive!
Bethany: That's just it. Come back in 20 years Xtina.
Jamie: Hahahaha me too....I've been trying to find a downloadable leak rather than the youtube streams. I also have you to thank for Yelle.
Jane: I'll be wishful with you!
I'm taking a break from the radio. Really. I can't take it right now.
A-fucking-men.
That's all.
"That being said, The Midway State, Joshua Radin and Kings of Leon are helping me get balance out the mainstreamorama."
Ok. I know you have no clue who Josh Ritter is, because when I was all like, OH MAN! JOSH RITTER IS PLAYING IN HALIFAX! You were all like, "who??" So please. Please. Do me a solid and listen to some Josh Ritter ASAP. Let me make this easy for you. http://www.myspace.com/joshritter
Girl in the War. Listen to it. Love it. Then, when you are done swooning, listen to the other four songs on his myspace. You're welcome. :*
We should totally be best friends and listen to Michael Bolton and Celine together. Trust me.
And is it safe to admit Lou and Eiffel are on my ipod, too?
Music has been really BAD for too long. And Kings of Leon are also one of the bands getting me through this time.
Hot Hot Heat also has a song called Elevator...much better than the aforementioned one by the way.
I bet you Beyond will come out with one titled Hello in every language now. I hate her a little.
Sadly, I have never heard of the Midway State but seeing as how you fell in love with Josh on my page I may just return the favor. After all Ben, you can do no wrong :-)
YESSS LOU BEGA!!!
I agree music today has gone the way of crapola. And it's only things like Kings of Leon, and mixed soundtracks (Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist sndtrk is REALLY good) that keep me going. And since my boyfriend runs a local music scene, I get to listen to all the new local bands, and the good ones are what fill my ipod.
ummm i totally own Breakaway by Kelly Clarkson....you are not alone...oh gosh i suddenly had visions of michael jackson and lisa marie presley making out....GROSS.
I also want to add a more obscure "Elevator" to that list -- Tabi Bonney. He's kind of an indie hip hop guy from DC who is actually really awesome. His "Elevator" puts the others to shame. And brings all the boys to the yard too. ;)
Don't hate me, but I actually kind of love Lou Bega. Can I Tico Tico You? Yeah, you know what Lou, why not? Go right ahead and Tico Tico me...whatever that means.
Wow.
cue Darla from the Little Rascals movie:
"Alfalfa...this is a side of you I've never seen before."
Kate: Me neither. It's driving me to the edge. Of MTV.
Renee: Nod.
Mermanda: I will do this. And I will email follow-up.
NicotineQueen: Okay! How can we be lovers if we can't be friend?
Coconut: I should be a DJ. For you guys only.
Jossie: I like their Bandages song but I haven't listened to any others. I'll give it a shot! Get Never Again. I love it despite being ANOTHER Kelly Clarkson knock-off hahaha.
Lacey: Ah yes. Alternative movies really are bringing the tunes these days! Good observation!
DMB: I own all of Kelly's CDs. And still listen to them. Weekly. For serious.
ARW: I will try him out although I may not be cool enough to get it. I promise I will try.
Stealthnerd: He's tricky, tricky. Get it? Yeah you do.
Saratogajean: This is a fair assessment. I am a music fiend.
1) I love 90s songs. Maybe because it was what I grew up listening to. If I was older than 5 when the 80s ended I would probably like 80s music... but I wasn't and I sure as hell don't like the majority of 80s music. But that's just me.
Oh, and Hillary Duff should not be included in the 90s... ever.
2) Probably not.
3) Not sure I understand the problem with this. Check your iTunes and alphabetize all the song titles. There are a lot of repeats from different artists. It happens. Though I think Since U Been Gone is a silly thing to copy... as is replacing You with U.
4) Agreed. I also have heard she can't sing live. A lot of pop artists struggle with that, sadly.
5) Arg. I hate Disney stars. I mean, it's good for the kiddies because they need good musical role models and whatever... but you'll never catch me listening to the Jonas Brothers or Miley.
Oh Brit Brit... just go away. Congrats on being hot again... but go away.
I'm going to work hard to try and forgive you for using the sacred name of Christina Aguilera in the same sentence as (gulp) Hillary Duff.
I don't understand, don't you love Disney's pale, watered down humans, robots are so the future, like dude, you are so totally old and like, out of it...
Give me a good overdose anyday, Disney kids are like store mannequins, I just want to poke them and see if they feel...freaks.
P.S.
I am secretly obsessed with the Jonas Brothers...I don't know what the hell it is about them but I can't enough of them and their hairless chests.
I'm gross I know.
Awww, but honey, where would we be without new released by Madge? Seriously, sometimes I think she's all we've got!
Amen! Amen! Amen! The economy is already a mess, we can't have music go down the toilet too!
I heard the horrible rotten "Womanizer" song today on my way to class... PUKE! I just listened to the amy one you posted, PUKE! Seriously, she needs to disappear for a lot longer than she has!
Anyways... Great post, and many great posts!
♥
I have to be honest-- I read the last line first.
I was immediately hooked.
You knows what I likes!
That said, I would just like to say that Guns N' Roses has released their new album, it was 15 years in the making, I have been listening... and I'm really into it. Hooray! :)
(Not pop, I know, but still.)
shelley: True. All in all, repeat titles are bound to happen. I just find when they happen within a year of another song with that title, it's both confusing and strangely uncreative. Your other points? Right on target.
Littlefish: I'm sorry. That must have hurt.
AlterpenguinSuperdork: Hahaha you're right, I do love them.
Jossie: I hate you.
Nilsa: Confessions? Fantastic. Hard Candy? Like getting fisted by a rabid monkey.
BeautifulBelle: Thanks!
JenBun: Not really my style but I'm happy for all those who DO enjoy!
I love the 90s.
I said it.
I am so glad someone is calling attention to Hilary Duff having a greatest hits album. Really? What hit did she have? I saw that in the store and I literally laughed out loud. Unbelievable!
ugh. tell me about it.
and i love kelly clarkson too.
(just one more thing to check off in the "we're soulmates" category!)
Here, here! And what is up with all the songs with the synthesized vocals or the ones that just repeat a word over and over again? This kind of music is what makes people on American Idol think they can sing. (except Kelly because that girl has pipes!).
Freakin' A!
And KINGS OF LEON!!!!!
I knew I loved you.
Yeah, I agree with all those affirmations, especially he Disney ones.
Oh, and all the songs Feat. Flo-Rida, Feat. Chris Brown and Feat. T.I. ?? Yeah, you forgot those. It seems EVERYONE is doing duets with these people.
I think it's hilarious that I was just listening to P!nk's "Sober" as I was reading your post. It's actually a great song, and I love Kelly Clarkson, too. But I have to agree, I'm sick of the title-snatching. If you want any non-pop music suggestions, just holler!
Andy: And Akon! If I hear his voice one more time...
MsSalti: I'm a fan of both Pink and Kelly so I'm cool with that one. I'm open to any suggestions!
Speaking of Rihanna....she's got a new song...wait for it..."Rehab" out now....and another gem of a pop tune title recycles itself. and she did it before with "Take a Bow". That's right, you don't like Madge...nevermind :-)
You sound so distraught in this post. Please let me know what I can do to help!
Just to set you off more, one of my new favorite punk rock/hardcore bands does a pretty killer cover of Kelly Clarkson's "Since U Been Gone." But don't worry, it's just a cover and they have plenty of authentic and awesome rock music.
EF: I'm okay with old Madge and I'm okay with Confessions Madge. That is all.
Paul: If only I knew what we could do...
Phil: No way! I love covers! Emailing to ask you for it.
Who is that guy who had the band on 90210...Ray something or rather and he dated Donna Martin...maybe he'll have a best of album!! :)
Never really watched 90210, I'm afraid although it IS my fall-back for registering for America only things on the internet.
I remember back in the day when there was a popular band called "Heart and Soul" out at the same time as a song called "Heart and Soul." I was not yet old enough to process the difference, and it almost blew my mind. I weep for the kids who have to deal with these same-title songs these days.
If Lou Bega comes back it's official - the world is ending.
Yoga is not just for hippies or women in white Leotards. Care should be taken not to fall into the trap of someone else’s mere idea of fitness, rather than a thoroughly researched 5000 year old body of verified knowledge.
Noelle: Ah. Good one! I never thought of band name/ song name mashups.
Surviving: I would have to agree. Remember the rumour that he died? Or was that true...
Dance: That was a lame attempt at advertisement comment.
I see this all the time in the job I'm in--some new pop group/guy/girl come in and try to be the next thing. And for some un-known reason, they get more air-play or more attention then artists like Adele, Eric Hutchinson, or Kings of Leon, who are amazing performers with unique sounds, yet are being put in as filler music. I love all types of music, but it seems like the creativity is starting to float away more and more. :(
They're sell-outs before they've even made it...
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