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[Darkness]

Has anybody else been put off pop music lately?

I personally, dislike the unoriginality of it all. This video perfectly sums up my views:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i1fQ1P4Mwlc

Seven minutes of some of the most popular pop songs using exactly the same four chords. I mean, I'm from a Classical training so I understand how complex music has been throughout the centuries. To me it's becoming too generic and simple, which is why I've personally drifted away from this music.

The only exception to this is my alternative tastes, like Regina and Amanda and the Dresden Dolls. Listen to any of Amanda's music, and she'll use more than four chords within the first few bars.

[Pope Totalfrog]

<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch/v/qHBVnMf2t7w" target="_blank" class="new_win">http://www.youtube.com/watch/v/qHBVnMf2t7w</a>
I am a motherfucking birdplane. (Sorry, I love them)


Also I agree with you but then I never really liked pop music so I don't think it has gone downhill recently - most of it has always been lame. That isn't to say though that a simple song can't be good. Sometimes less is more, even in music.

[BATTEREDxBRIDExLUVR!]

Seven minutes of some of the most popular pop songs using exactly the same four chords.

Oasis and Backstabber have the same chord progression (in the same key!), Slide, 1.1.94, Predictable Addiction, Blues Boy, and Runs in the Family have the same chord progression, Boston and Boyfriend in a Coma have a same chord progression, Ampersand and Delilah have the same chord progression, same key, Guitar Hero and Sex Changes are also extremely similar.

I know that this is not quite what you are saying but really, it's nothing that Amanda and Regina aren't totally innocent of. ESPECIALLY Regina with only using a few chords over and over in a song.

[peppamintdynamo]

I'm not surprised, but I'm not horrified either. There is a reason that they use these chords, and it's based on complimentary melodies and chords. That particular chord progression is especially pleasing to most ears, and it's easy to set lyrics to it. You'll find a whole plethora of very similar chord progressions that are "overused." What about the basic blues chord progression? It's a standard, and it's lovely.

[Pope Totalfrog]

What about the basic blues chord progression? It's a standard, and it's lovely.

You couldn't have rock and roll without it.

[imaginary friend]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FabM1RJTkrY

 

#@!

[CeeGBee]

My thoughts exactly.....
<a href="http://www.youtube.com/v/4HaAOCGb3bw" target="_blank" class="new_win">http://www.youtube.com/v/4HaAOCGb3bw</a>

[Devery]

There is a reason that they use these chords, and it's based on complimentary melodies and chords.

Can we expect a danish and coffee with that?

[Morpheus Laughing]

I could say a bit about this but for now here’s a link.

Hit Song Science™
http://uplaya.com/about_hss/hsstech

[$ethie]

Seven minutes of some of the most popular pop songs using exactly the same four chords.

Not that I don't agree with you, but there are only 12 notes. All music is pretty repetitive when you get right down to it.

<a href="http://www.youtube.com/v/JdxkVQy7QLM" target="_blank" class="new_win">http://www.youtube.com/v/JdxkVQy7QLM</a>

[Darkness]

Not that I don't agree with you, but there are only 12 notes. All music is pretty repetitive when you get right down to it.

The sophisication of Romantic Period Music in particular outweighs significantly the pop music genre today. Ever since the invention of Rock and Roll music it seems, music has become progressively more simple. (Not blaming that genre in the slightest)

And to answer a comment a few above, I am aware Regina and Amanda are not entirely innocent of this. Yet they are much less guilty than some of their more mainstream counterparts.

[armyoflarry]

I don't think the 4 chord syndrome really has anything to do with the decline of pop music. I think the problem really lies with the over-production, lack of soul and the attention being focused on the look of people instead of the sound of the music they make.

[Rob]

Any good song only needs 3 chords.

Just ask Angus Young and Johnny Ramone.

<a href="http://www.youtube.com/v/9bwEy8BQBfk" target="_blank" class="new_win">http://www.youtube.com/v/9bwEy8BQBfk</a>

[Paul Jon]

I could say a bit about this but for now here’s a link.

Hit Song Science™
http://uplaya.com/about_hss/hsstech

At last Orwell's Versificator has become reality - doubleplus good!

[CeeGBee]

I don't think the 4 chord syndrome really has anything to do with the decline of pop music. I think the problem really lies with the over-production, lack of soul and the attention being focused on the look of people instead of the sound of the music they make.

I foung THIS ARTICLE most informative.... 
(Listen to the audio, it's only about 8 minutes.)