Sunlit Face; Hand-me-down

Orbiting the sun since 1983

Sunday, January 20, 2013

New isn't better

I've heard it said lots of times, even thought it myself: "new music sucks." This sentiment is both true and untrue. There are plenty of contemporary artists and bands that I love. The new music that I love is far from reaching any charts except for maybe a Burger Records comp. Really great music, music still emulated to this day used to also top the charts.

Popular music created in my life time just falls short of music created between 1950 and 1970. That could even be extended from 1945 to 1975. The edges of this novelty spike aren't definite, but it seems even bands that had incredible success during those times can't write great new music either.

The Rolling Stones 1969
 

 
VS
 
The Rolling Stones 2005

 
 
 Paul McCartney 1973
 
VS
 
Paul McCartney 2007
 
They got old, perfectly accepted argument. Here's another approach. In 1965 the top 100 billboard chart was:

01. Wooly Bully » Sam The Sham & The Pharaohs
02. I Can't Help Myself (Sugar Pie Honey Bunch) » Four Tops
03. (I Can't Get No) Satisfaction » Rolling Stones
04. You Were On My Mind » We Five
05. You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin' » Righteous Brothers
06. Downtown » Petula Clark
07. Help! » Beatles
08. Can't You Hear My Heartbeat » Herman's Hermits
09. Crying In The Chapel » Elvis Presley
10. My Girl » Temptations


Right now on the billboard hot 100 Bruno Mars tops the charts with Locked out of heaven.

Bruno Mars 2013

VS
 

Sam the Sham and the Pharaohs 1965
 
When it say sucks, I don't mean sucks, there is so much talent pouring out of all of these. I just can't help but feel like something is missing. Something that used to be there.

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