pop vs elitism
Have you ever felt like your music taste is better than others? Ever disliked a band or artiste because they’re too commercialized? Scoffed at a person just because he likes Justin Timberlake or My Chemical Romance? Well, take your head out of your elitist ass.
Or maybe you only listen to music from the charts? If a lot of people like it, it must be good right ? Forget marketing and chart placement (yes, music labels pay to get their artists in chart rotation), the charts are where the great music are! I got news for you, there’s a whole world of music out there beyond your little shell.
I used to be in both categories.
In my tween years, I would follow the Billboard charts and eventually got into The Backstreet Boys, Spice Girls and Savage Garden. They were ruling the charts back in those days, so I guess that was the best music back then. Looking back, that is quite an embarrassing music taste.
Later on, I adopted an elitist music taste. I prided myself in ‘discovering’ new music that wasn’t popular and disliked anything too poppy. If a band became too successful, I would label them ‘sell outs’ and stop listening to them. If people introduced new music to me, I would scoff at their music taste because I considered mine superior.
You realize that both approaches are bullshit? One is that I’m just a follower and the other is that I’m just pretending to be unique.
Now apply this to real life and you can actually study people.
On one hand, you have people who only ‘follow’ and do the popular things. They are indecisive and never take risks. Oh you know, the ones that often ask “who else is going?” when attending an event.
On the other hand, you have people who criticize group behavior. They consider themselves special, have unique hobbies and often say “People just don’t understand”. Then they wonder why they don’t have much friends.
Perhaps the best way is somewhere in the middle. Where you have a clear sense of direction, but you’re also comfortable to go with the flow. A path which you forge on your own, while in harmony with the environment around you.
As for me? I’m still looking for that middle ground in life.
pfft…. i’m waaaay superior than u in music :p
anyways sadly i’m ony of the person who takes music a different direction, i dun like boybands =.=” or even r&b but sadly my significant other likes em so have to learn too…
in life i’m not any ordinary joe u see on the streets :p i’m who i am…different and unique as everyone should feel unique too bleah~ anyways i dunno wat i’m talking but a good post i’d say
jp: haha, I guess you’re ‘different’ from most people. As long as you don’t feel smug about it , it should be fine. What I’m saying is, only those who accept will find that acceptance in return. Because everyone wants to feel unique, but sometimes it is lonely to be unique. You know ? A good balance would be ideal.
I’m into game music!
Ah yes…I’m unique! just like everyone else
jp: hehe, I’m listening to FFXIII OST(piano) right now
Jason, this has always been one of my favorite topics, and you articulate it well…. (But…but…Savage Garden?! WTF?!)
(Just kidding…. I have all SG’s albums AND Darren Hayes!)
jp: I guess I’m critizing the herd-mentality and elite-smugness. There must be a way to transcend both of that don’t you think ? haha about SG …
Bro, you are one very honest guy!
jp: About myself ? or my critique of others .. hehe. The biggest faults you see in other people, are the ones you cannot make peace with in yourself. At least that’s what I think …
where have i heard this before.. oh ya! you talked about this before! you said i’m the elitist. then you started lecturing me. gee thanks jason, now i have no friends. =P
jp: Shutupla haha. You’re not elitist when it comes to friends. Everybody likes to think they’re different, but that’s just an anti-egalitarian romantic notion. You know, the lone rebel against the ignorant masses ? Which is my next blog topic …
Hmm.. I guess you could call me an elitist. It’s been maybe 6 years since I listened to radio or watched MTV. As I grew older my interest in popular music diminished. I rarely listen to anything other than classical music and jazz in the recent years (although classical music has always been part of my life). But the thing is I listen to the most highly regarded music in both genres.
jp: Is there such a thing as a classical jazz musician ? just wondering …
Crap, I’m confused now! Which side am i??????? Say, say, say, say!!!
jp: I don’t know , you tell me ?? I guess you’re somewhere in the middle haha
Hey. I’m 41 and I still like the Spice Girls, and Britney, and Madonna, and . . . and . . . gawd, am I gay!
jp: haha, you just had to add the last part there , didn’t you ?? hahhaaa.
Aww your post put me down Jason…hahahaa…because I always asked “who else going?”
oh well jk…i need someone to fetch me hahaha, in fact,very true reflection of life you’ve written. Just reminded me of many things else.
jp: Reminded you that someone needs to fetch you ?? hahaha …
why sounds a bit like me
who else is going kinda thg lolz :p but depends who asked haha 
jp: you never asked that when we went out
OI! WHAT IS SO EMBARRASSING ABOUT THE SPICE GIRLS AND BACKSTREET BOYS?!?!??! THEY ARE THE BEST K!
I REALLY REALLY REALLY WANT A ZIGAZIG AH!