Pop Music Sucks! What’s wrong with the world? Or what am I missing?

I lament that the preferred musical tastes of the developed world lie in some of the most banal, least creative and melodically vapid artists and genres in recorded history.  These artists seem to receive all of the press, opportunities and the resources.  By no means am I hating (well maybe a little).  But in their defense, they are simply doing what they can do.  What really exasperates me are the massive followings of people they have on social media.  The sold out concerts they have and the seeming craze of people who seem to be even more tone-deaf than the artists themselves.  What on earth are they listening to? Do they not know that 90% of these “artists” are not even half-decent musicians? Do they not know that they are being bamboozled by the literal trappings of the visual elements designed to entertain?

But even as I say that, I have to recognize that the difference between them and me is vaster than the musical elements. Yes the issue of genre within the world’s musical buffet means that people and institutions have preferences.  And the preferences will drive industry and innovation within those said genres. The simple truth is that the major artists on the world stage are meeting the needs and appetites of a greater segment of the population that we minor artists are not. While many minor artists would absolutely put many of the major artists to shame in terms of skill, artistry and even emotional impact there remains a disconnect with large segments of communities. 

The genre of classical music is, in my view, ground zero for this disconnect.  The evidence of this is seen in the devolution and closing of many arts organizations and institutions.  Orchestras are struggling to stay financially viable and many are shutting down.  And many classical solo and chamber concerts are virtually empty. For in the words of my good auntie “You could throw rock in there and not hit anyone.”  And despite the best efforts of these organizations to improve their relevance to their community and do more educational outreach, many are still struggling to attract generations beyond the “Baby Boomers.” I do have a theory though!

I do think it's possible that we’re encountering a new kind of realism. Often we musicians regardless of genre tend to think that we are beacons of beauty and represent an element of the best of humanity.  We believe that to engage in our chosen artform is to develop others holistically and that development will help to transform our world.  And therein lies a fundamental flaw.  Maybe our communities would rather see the truth of our world reflected in art instead of optimism. Perhaps they prefer that art (and specifically music) express the world as a place where most wrestle with flaws, appetites, inconsistencies and immoralities.  And musically speaking, that perhaps includes celebrating artists that are representative of the global average of musical talent instead of those one to two standard deviations above it.  

Nothing brought this point home to me recently when I was teaching a high school music class. I gave them an assignment to present a piece of music they were drawn two.  75% of the class chose music about the desire to commit suicide. Another 20% chose music about drugs as a coping mechanism. Optimism and hopelessness seems to be absent from a generation who should still have hopes and dreams. And also seemingly absent, is any appetite for aspirational or inspirational artforms. 

Completed July, 2025