atlantaboy said:
KDM 7000 said:
Glad to see lyrical & melodic creativity and meaningful music scoring and redominating the hits charts within the U.S. once again these past few years. Even my mom notices the quality & creativity making a come back in today's new generation of hit music.
I know that you love dance music, man, but "meaningful music"? Tik Tok, California Gurls, DJ Got Us Fallin' In Love, Club Can't Handle Me, Like A G6, Take It Off, The Time (Dirty Bit) - these are "meaningful"?? ??? And Stereo Love is essentially an instrumental (with sporadic vocals that almost no one can make out) - just wondering how you think this stuff is more "meaningful" than the stuff on CHR a few years back
As far as the question regarding whether or not today's hit music has become more meaningful, I say yes. Compared to much of what has been going on during the past decade or so, it has. Also, keep in mind that just because I've greatly clarified that I like dance (to avoid having people think I'm trying to advocate another hip hop station when I speak about rhythmic hits), this does not mean every single thing I talk about is related to, or directly about dance music. Also, picking out the worst (Tik Tok, California Gurls..
) songs doesn't change the fact that overall, hit music quality as a whole has increased. There are many people who would agree that things have surely changed, and that music creativity and lyrical quality has increased these past few years, with more quality productions with lyrics that actually talk about something (and even some being heartfelt lyrics) making its way onto the charts, today.
As far as Edward Maya, yes, they may be from overseas and have an accent, but that doesn't take away the true quality and meaning in the entire production since they sound like foreigners as opposed to "sounding street" and just talking about nothing or trying to throw something together just to attract certain crowds and earn a quick buck. People who listen to Edward Maya's track will notice; 1; true creative melodic & rhythmic musical elements, 2; lyrical quality with meaning and an actual point to it, 3; something that's actually unique & pure for a change, and not watered or dumbed down to earn quick American, generational mainstream play. Just a few years back, this type of thing would've never made it in the U.S. (unless it was an alternative or pop/rock hit- which would've then quickly transfered from "hit music life" to being alternative, soft rock, or hot ac material). Not only that, but listen to current Jason DeRulo, B.O.B., Bruno Mars, Rihanna, Taio Cruz, TI, Nelly - and yes, even Usher & Flo Rida & Pitbull, ..etc. and you'll realize true quality production & lyrical content. Even if you listen closely to any of Flo Rida or Pitbull's lyrics, you will see that they are not only putting lyrics & metaphors together diligently & creatively, but they definitely always talk about something "solid" in their raps! Usher & Taio Cruz's tracks are nothing more or less than feel good party tunes - but still containing quality lyrics in addition to well done editing. I'd say it's like the 2010 version of "Show me love" by Robin S.
If you've been listening to stations like WWWQ or WSTR over the past decade or so, then of course you may not notice much of a change in music, since the method in which they've chosen their hit music (and the type of music they've leaned towards) causes them to tend to always end up playing more hits with higher quality content. However, for those who've heavily been into, or studying rhythmic or rhythmic lean top 40 programming, you'll surely notice that things have definitely gotten better in time. This doesn't mean things will become perfect, though. There will always be things & music sort of like KE$HA's style for each generation. When you really think of it, KE$HA is like today's L'Trimm "cars that go boom" or JJ Fad - "Supersonic" in many ways. Katy Perry released ONE bad song (lyrically), but the two follow ups (along with most of her releases) are true and have meaning (despite the fact that her most recent single is vocally horrendous). I even see creativity in Will-I-Am & Black Eyed Peas productions, although I'm beginning to think they better not go too overboard with over processing and some of the outrageous things they're beginning to do...
So overall, yes, hit music has gotten better, and 2010-2019 will look better than what took place 2000-2009 (depending on which side of the "hit music aisle" you've been on over the past 10 years).
