by Belle
Has Pop music negatively influenced the course of music in general? I hope not, because I love Pop music. I think I got my definition of using the term Pop music from a Michael Stipe interview that I have a vague memory of in the back of my mind. I can’t find the interview (I just searched a bit), but I could’ve sworn that Michael Stipe said something about R.E.M. creating Pop songs, and R.E.M. being my all-time favorite band, it has given me positive connotations with the term.
I think Pop music is able to translate its message, whatever that may be, easily to many, many people. You’re allowed to interpret. You’re even allowed to sing the words wrong, guessing at unintelligible syllables and creating your own sentences that go along with the catchy melody, and then interpret this patchwork song with any meaning you really chose. Maybe you think it’s about the songwriter’s own breakup, or maybe you personally identify with it. Maybe, as Better Than Ezra lyricizes about in one song, a Pop song identifies with a particular memory or time period of your life. (more…)
