• Get involved.
    We want your input!
    Apply for Membership and join the conversations about everything related to broadcasting.

    After we receive your registration, a moderator will review it. After your registration is approved, you will be permitted to post.
    If you use a disposable or false email address, your registration will be rejected.

    After your membership is approved, please take a minute to tell us a little bit about yourself.
    https://www.radiodiscussions.com/forums/introduce-yourself.1088/

    Thanks in advance and have fun!
    RadioDiscussions Administrators

DJs sharing negative opinions of songs/artists on air or online.

50-60 years ago, it was (kinda) common among talent too big for the station to go to war with.

Now, with slim margins and declining shares, the last thing I'd tolerate as a PD or GM would be talent basically giving the audience one more reason to tune away.

If the record sucks, then the implication is "we suck for playing it."
The reverse could also be annoying. I remember one woman DJ who said "What a great song" after almost every song she would back sell. It was just an empty crutch phrase and offered no information about the song...
 
I disagree. You can tell if a song is bad, it’s not a hard measure.

Here's a list. Tell me if these are "good" or "bad":


Starship-We Built This City

Debbie Boone- You Light Up My Life

Los Del Rio-Macarena

Meatloaf-I'd Do Anything For Love (But I Won't Do That)

Bo Donaldson and the Heywoods-Billy Don't Be A Hero

Tony Orlando and Dawn-Tie A Yellow Ribbon

Terry Jacks-Seasons in the Sun

Paul McCartney and Michael Jackson-Say Say Say

Bobby McFerrin-Don't Worry, Be Happy
 
Here's a list. Tell me if these are "good" or "bad":


Starship-We Built This City

Debbie Boone- You Light Up My Life

Los Del Rio-Macarena

Meatloaf-I'd Do Anything For Love (But I Won't Do That)

Bo Donaldson and the Heywoods-Billy Don't Be A Hero

Tony Orlando and Dawn-Tie A Yellow Ribbon

Terry Jacks-Seasons in the Sun

Paul McCartney and Michael Jackson-Say Say Say

Bobby McFerrin-Don't Worry, Be Happy
Well, those songs were hits. Somebody thinks they're good. I personally would rather listen to a lawnmower than hear anything from that list...😑
 
Here's a list. Tell me if these are "good" or "bad":


Starship-We Built This City

Debbie Boone- You Light Up My Life

Los Del Rio-Macarena

Meatloaf-I'd Do Anything For Love (But I Won't Do That)

Bo Donaldson and the Heywoods-Billy Don't Be A Hero

Tony Orlando and Dawn-Tie A Yellow Ribbon

Terry Jacks-Seasons in the Sun

Paul McCartney and Michael Jackson-Say Say Say

Bobby McFerrin-Don't Worry, Be Happy
I'll add "Who Let The Dogs Out" - Baha Men
 
I realize taste is subjective but sometimes artistry is quantifiable. No one is pretending New Kids on the Block were the Beatles, or that David Hasselhoff's music was equivalent to Frank Sinatra. A median "cloud rapper" isn't John Coltrane. Or Tupac Shakur for that matter. It takes multiple people to write a song that doesn't hold up to what Bernie Taupin wrote.

People can like whatever, but there's some degree of quantifiable skill that can be measured in musicianship and creativity.
 
I realize taste is subjective but sometimes artistry is quantifiable. No one is pretending New Kids on the Block were the Beatles, or that David Hasselhoff's music was equivalent to Frank Sinatra. A median "cloud rapper" isn't John Coltrane. Or Tupac Shakur for that matter. It takes multiple people to write a song that doesn't hold up to what Bernie Taupin wrote.

People can like whatever, but there's some degree of quantifiable skill that can be measured in musicianship and creativity.
That’s a reasonable assessment, Andy. But there is also a longtime participant here who will tell you in no uncertain terms that he thinks Sinatra was not just overrated but “a hack.”

There are no universally acclaimed talents. Personal taste (or lack thereof) always enters the chat.
 
Here's a list. Tell me if these are "good" or "bad":


Starship-We Built This City
Good
Debbie Boone- You Light Up My Life
Bad
Los Del Rio-Macarena
Novelty song
Meatloaf-I'd Do Anything For Love (But I Won't Do That)
Rock Oprah, acquired taste
Bo Donaldson and the Heywoods-Billy Don't Be A Hero
Had to look this one up, not horrible, decent song structure
Tony Orlando and Dawn-Tie A Yellow Ribbon
Still holds up
Terry Jacks-Seasons in the Sun
Good
Paul McCartney and Michael Jackson-Say Say Say
Not one of their better songs if it was either ones first release would either one be famous today.
Bobby McFerrin-Don't Worry, Be Happy
Fun tune, probably would be a dud if it was released today.
 
That’s a reasonable assessment, Andy. But there is also a longtime participant here who will tell you in no uncertain terms that he thinks Sinatra was not just overrated but “a hack.”

There are no universally acclaimed talents. Personal taste (or lack thereof) always enters the chat.
Good song writers know where the hooks are and how to create lasting songs. Let’s take Bernie Taupin for example. How many of his songs are duds.
 
Good

Bad

Novelty song

Rock Oprah, acquired taste

Had to look this one up, not horrible, decent song structure

Still holds up

Good

Not one of their better songs if it was either ones first release would either one be famous today.

Fun tune, probably would be a dud if it was released today.
Every one of them was number one in Billboard and a million-seller. So, even though your opinion of them varies, they were all popular.

That is the difference between “good” and “popular”.
 
I think the only way a song can be "objectively" bad is if it's either off key of what it's supposed to be, the chord structures are off, and things along those lines.
This gets into the music theory of song structure. What is the perfect song. Does that exist.
 
I realize taste is subjective but sometimes artistry is quantifiable. No one is pretending New Kids on the Block were the Beatles, or that David Hasselhoff's music was equivalent to Frank Sinatra. A median "cloud rapper" isn't John Coltrane. Or Tupac Shakur for that matter. It takes multiple people to write a song that doesn't hold up to what Bernie Taupin wrote.

People can like whatever, but there's some degree of quantifiable skill that can be measured in musicianship and creativity.
You're showing your age. For the record, I'm 62 years old and remember all of those artists you named and have favorite songs by each of them. However, I know, and can introduce you to, people now in their late teens and early 20s who have never heard of Frank Sinatra and who have barely heard of the Beatles. We have a twenty-something boarder living at my residence whose great songs go no older than Nirvana's 1992 hit, "Smells Like Teen Spirit."

The truth, and the whole truth is, as I've explained in another thread, that each generation doesn't rate the so-called classics from previous generations. Is it any wonder that classical music from Brahms to Beethoven to Chopin to Mozart can now only be heard in symphony halls and on non-commercial outlets? The vast majority of the generations from baby boomers on down are just not into that kind of music!
 


Back
Top Bottom