[SamAdams76]

I've been following pop music for over 30 years, ever since I got my own transistor radio for Christmas in 1971 (yes, the one with the little white earplug that went in one ear). Own hundred and hundreds of CDs and albums. There used to be a time when I knew virtually every song in the Top 40. In fact, I can still name title and artist of practically every song that made the Top 40 in the 1970s after hearing just a few notes.

So I can say with some authority that there have never been a time since at least 1971 that Top 40 music has been so consistently awful. It is virtually unlistenable. You have to go to a country station to hear somewhat decent pop music these days (but that's a story for another thread). I have been a subscriber to Billboard magazine since 1979 because I am fascinated with charted music and following my favorite music as it climbs the charts. But I'm thinking of cancelling that subscription because other than the country charts, there is virtually nothing about the other charts that interest me anymore. There are no good Blues charts or Classical charts in Billboard, which are the only other two genres of music I listen to these days (besides Country) with any regularity.

Top 40 music today really, really sucks. That is the reason CD sales are off lately, not file-sharing. In fact, file-sharing would help the music industry sell more albums if they had anything worth buying besides catalog music (which they would sell a lot more of if they dropped the price-point).

[Tijeras_Slim]

Good rant Sam!

[TommyDale]

You hit the nail on the head! All the screaming about "illegal file sharing" and downloading are a smokescreen to the poor quality of material produced by the music industry.

I think there is a more sinister plot here -- the music industry is trying to force their garbage to our youngsters. How can anyone actually believe that RAP/HipHop is good? Where is the music? Where is the new material for those of us over 35? The RIAA assumes that those who are over 35 don't even buy records. It's not that we WON'T buy them, there just isn't anything appealing!

[NCC-1701]

Give me The Beatles anytime, any day. They still rule the vast wasteland of pop music. Harmonies are still great and they have staying power. Nowdays, I'l take the McGraws(Tim and Faith), Toby Keith, Martina McBride, ALan Jackson etc. I used to not listen to country music, but compared to the alternative, it's not that bad. I have yet to see ANY of the country folks grab their crotch(like the subject of this thread, Jacko, and a host of others). Madonna has always been a dim bulb to me but she has a good voice. Too bad the lyrics doesn't do the voice justice.

[egarvue]

I agree; although I am not nearly the music scholar that you are, I can definately say that today's Top 40 music is terrible. Actually, it feels like we're in one of those musical "lulls before the storm", kind of like how it was in the early 90's when 80's pop was fading big, right before the grunge scene exploded. I'm just wondering what the next popular musical explosion will be.

[grapeape]

I could not agree with you more. Most people don't look at the music business as a whole like you do. When they criticize music it comes off shrill because they don't have the facts like you do. The talent is just not out there anymore. There is, however, a good explanation for all of this horrible crap being put on the air. Institutionalization. I cannot prove it but I think that the entertainment business has gotten so set in it's ways that it cannot change. There is probably talent out there. It is just not being developed.

[Petronski]

I agree completely.

I actually enjoyed some of Madonna's earliest music, which was pretty good pop. But by the time her third or fourth album came out, she was just another skank.

[skeeter]

Top 40 music today really, really sucks.

Though I'm not totally certain its not the 'ol' fogey factor' kicking in, I tend to agree with you.

The stations in the bay area can be divided into these catagories - country, alternative, soul(oldies), heavy metal(mostly oldies), and oldies.

[goodnesswins]

Hmmmm...there still IS a Top 40? (I must be getting really old.) LOL.