Hit Songwriting Has Become Far Too Predictable
Not too many years ago, pop music featured a variety of artists in a multitude of different genres and styles. “Hit songwriting” was a phrase that was almost “taboo” or a “jinx,” and if you mentioned it to somebody in the music industry, they would immediately think you were amateurish and they’d firmly state, “No one really knows for sure what a hit is, it’s up to the public to decide.”
This was somewhat true in the old days, even though pop music is littered with a few exceptional songs anyone could have predicted as a “sure hit.”
These days, hit songwriting in pop music has become far too predictable! There are basically three main genres (pop, r&b, and rock) on the charts because the major labels and radio stations nationwide have always been in complete control of what we listen to on pop radio, and they’ve been stuffing mediocrity in our ears for quite a few years now. They’ve actually conditioned our minds to hear what they want us to hear!
The biggest difference I see in pop music today is that the overwhelming majority of songwriters are not taking the time to craft memorable lyrics in the verses. They’re getting lazy after they come up with all of these fantastic hooks in the chorus, and forgetting to round out their songs with original, imaginative phrases and lines in their verses. So, what will happen as a result of this?
Most songs recorded today, are fly-by-night flavors of the month that’ll yield less and less profit for the songwriters in the future. There are far less classic songs being written today in pop than ever, and the vast majority of these songs will never be heard again on a consistent basis once they’ve run their course.
Hit songwriting has become a make money quick scheme for major labels and they’re using us as bait! This has aways been part of the system, but never this blatant!
I challenge major labels to offer the public a better quality of music and to quit insulting our intelligence, by instead, signing artists with at least some type of depth in their music. I challenge major label publishers to take the time to listen to new songwriters with something meaningful to offer, and quit trying to sign songwriters who can conform to your tired label’s style in order to be part of a meaningless factory of music. Attention Major Labels; you’re already in deep doo-doo and your sales have been plummeting for years. Bring back the possibility of finding a “Prince,” a “Billy Joel,” or an “Elton John.” They’re out there! You’re simply overlooking them!
