Music, like all things, has changed over time and will continue to do so. The only thing about music that has never changed is the joy it brings to people. Whether it is country, rap or classic rock, every type of music pleases at least one person. And if you're anything like me, you will listen to just about any genre. But is popular music–not the popularity of it, but the actual music–going downhill? I think so.
Before I get into the meat of this, I will make it clear that I do not think current artists lack talent. I also won't act like your grandpa and tell you that old music is better than new music, because lord knows if a rapper can spit fire, then I'm going to listen to it. What I think is happening to music is that the people who are currently "leading" the music industry are not interested in being remembered for their music, but for the sometimes ignorant things that they do.
Because of my father, I grew up listening to music that was popular when he was a teenager. I'm sure most people can relate to this. What I can remember most when he would talk about these different musicians had nothing to do with what they did off stage or in the media. It was always about the music. The meaning behind each song, who wrote it, who they wrote it about, why they wrote it etc.
IT WAS ALWAYS ABOUT THE MUSIC.
To this day and probably for the rest of my life, when I think of The Grateful Dead, George Jones, and even N.W.A., I think of the songs they wrote and performed and the different meanings of each one, or at least what I like to believe certain songs mean. The best way I can describe it is that when I listen to artists such as these, I can tell that they truly believed and were feeling each word that came from their mouths.
The reason why this is different from today is not because today's popular artists aren't talented. I would even go as far to say they may have made some great music, but I don't know nor do I typically care. When I think of Nicki Minaj, all I can think of is her yelling at Miley Cyrus at the VMAs. When I think of Miley Cyrus, all I can think about is the stupid stuff she wears and the ridiculous pictures of her tongue hanging out. When I think of Kanye West, all I can think of is some guy that never stops complaining and ranting on stage about how he's not going to be President. (Honestly, I just think Kanye West sucks).
I can only speculate because I was not there, but I am willing to bet that the most popular musicians in the 1970's, 80's, and even the early 90's weren't the ones that acted like fools. The most popular musicians were the ones that made their music and just wanted people to enjoy it. It was music that they wrote and actually meant something to them.
"If you give it good concentration, good energy, good heart, and a good performance, the music will play you." –Levon Helm
