For some reason I’ve been on a pop music kick lately. Don’t worry — this’ll be the only entry on A&T that includes (heavily) Autotuned music.
Last night my friends and I watched DJ Earworm’s 2012 Top 40 mashup on YouTube. I’m sure his job is pretty easy, considering it’s been scientifically proven that there is little musical variation in pop music these days.
Granted, between working in a school and commuting via subway, my days are radio-free. I wake up to the local public radio station. And I live my days in synth-free bliss. In other words, my view of these songs is not tainted by fatigue and annoyance from having to listen to it 83 times a day. Without further ado…
3. One Direction — “What Makes You Beautiful”
I’d heard the song around and enjoyed it. On a whim, I listened to it in full on Spotify. Then I ended up listening to it consecutively for an hour as I taught myself to play the guitar part. No shame. No regrets. The song is surprisingly complex (musically) once you try to dig into it.
2. fun. — “Some Nights”
I really don’t like fun. or things related to the band. I downloaded one of Andrew Dost’s albums from Paper + Plastik Records. It was a concept album about Christopher Columbus. Or something. It was self-indulgent and awful. I think “We Are Young,” their lead single, is noise pollution.
But there’s something about the way “Some Nights” captures the joy and angst and ambiguity of being in one’s 20s that makes me appreciate it, at least.
The music video, on the other hand, is obnoxious.
1. Carly Rae Jepsen — “Call Me Maybe”
Pretend that this song didn’t invade every musical venue ever. Then ask yourself: what kind of monster doesn’t want to sing along with “Call Me Maybe”?
It’s interesting to note that there weren’t any rock hits this year (unless Maroon 5 counts? Let’s not and say we did.)
Are there any other pop songs that you listen to without shame? Comment below.