Do you think the record industry/media decides what music is popular untimately, or do we?

Question

Do the America people decide what we like, or do we just love what MTV or the radio or the internet tells us we love?

sorry, meant "ultimately, not untimately

Answer 1

I think you are right, the industry has a lot to do with it.

There are many great bands out there that hardly see the light of day in America, because the record label did not bribe the right radio stations, or pay off the right people.

Take Robbie Williams. Most Americans have never heard of him, yet his world tour (which did not include America), grossed $340m. He played to 3.5 million people, and sold 1.6 million tickets in a single day creating a new World Record.

It seems odd that an act like that that does so well all around the world cannot make it in the States. In fact his signature tune (Angels) was covered by Jessica Simpson, who had pretty good success with it.

So with this kind of thing in mind, I believe there is more to just good music to crack the American market. The right people need to get paid off. When they do a song goes viral and is heard all over the TV, radio and Internet. Once the song goes viral the fans pick up on it and the sales come right behind. But unless good music is given the right exposure, people never get to hear it.

Answer 2

I think it's a little bit of both. The industry decides what they think the public will like, and then builds off of feedback. If a band is a big hit, they may decide to sign more bands of the same genre, or if the band doesn't go over too well, they could decide to drop them or change their music so it will be better accepted. On the other hand, we have a lot to do with how bands get started. If a small local band had a good fanbase and good turnouts for shows, they could be more likely to get signed by a larger recording company. Either way, there are still a lot of unknown bands out there that are incredibly talented.

Answer 3

The music industry doesn't always look for the best music, but it does look for what is most marketable. A catchy song will generally make more money than an artistic masterpiece, so the industry pumps it down our throats in commercialized outlets like MTV.

This is where the Internet has given music fans the power to choose. If a band is getting a ton of Internet buzz, and lots of people are downloading their songs, the industry will notice. So keep listening to what YOU like, and don't be afraid to search for new music.

Answer 4

I think there's a bit of give and take. The recording labels promote certain artists to certain markets, and the fans can either embrace or reject the artists that the companies are promoting. Personally, I like country music, not the typical popular music for somebody my age. I am in my mid 20s.

Answer 5

I think that the media and industry ultimately decides what music is most popular, but most of the people I know don't listen to what is popular, just music that they like. As to people as individuals liking different music, I think that there are some people that will only listen to what's popular, but many people will listen to music that they like regardless of the popularity. Then there are the people that will not listen to any music that is popular, for the sake of being different.

Answer 6

The recording industry has always been about hype. It used to be about the album covers and airplay on Top 40 radio. Now packaged music it is more of a visual thing. Bling, I think they call it.

Answer 7

If they put crap out, and play it over and over again on the radio and MTV/VH1, people will start to like it. It will catch on. Especially when it hits the top 10 of a music chart, then most of the followers will like it, and then their friends will like it, even though they don't really like it, but they will have to buy the CD to be cool with their friends. Also, what helps is when you have good looking people who sings the songs. Most of these people can't sing, but they look good, so that will also sell CD's.

Answer 8

Look at the success of the X - Factor & Pop idol - I think you get the answer.

However luckily with teh internet & small venues there's still a lot of original worthwhile stuff out there.

Remember 90% is rubbish , so look for the 10% quality (Kaisers at the mo)