Let's Actually Listen to Spotify's Top 100 Songs

[Strat]

Can always count on tree to kick a thread into high gear with his confident bad takes!

[Kevin Davis]

Okay, let's move on to #99 -- BTS, "Dynamite"

[tree_]

Well, they're dancing like Michael Jackson, and they sing like him too. I can see why the kids love this, but I don't even like Michael Jackson, so it's just not for me. It's joyful, and I'm sure people love dancing to it. I wouldn't call this objectively bad. Progress..

[Kevin Davis]

I like this quite a bit -- upbeat, feelgood, danceable ear candy. Deservedly popular. The guitar octaves that kick in halfway through the second verse remind me of the intro to "Celebration" by Kool and the Gang. And I'm a sucker for a good last-chorus-key-change, and this is a damn good last-chorus-key-change. I enjoy this enough to look forward to the other BTS songs on the list

[Strat]

Ooof, awful. Truly awful. Made song #100 seem like my favorite song ever.

Nothing redeeming about that one for me.

[dad]

it wasn't that bad.

make them compete in squid game. if they survive, they can sing another day.

[tree_]

For reference, this particular song comes to mind when I say some extremely popular music is objectively bad.

[Chris_H_2]

i have never listened to either an ed sheeran song (except that time he sang in game of thrones) or the chainsmokers.

[washing machine]

Okay, let's move on to #99 -- BTS, "Dynamite"

I like the feel of this song. Every element fuses together to a good beat, and that first little bridge toward the end is a great payoff. It's a song that makes me happy without being an annoying ear worm, so if I were the type to make a lot of playlists, this would be on a few of them. I can see this being really good music for a run. Not crazy about the key change on the second bridge, but that's just because I hate key changes in general (sorry KD.)

Let's talk about K-Pop for a second. What is it, exactly? What elements are here that aren't in regular ol' pop songs? You could have told me this was anyone and I wouldn't for a second think that this song came from Korea or that the group that put it out was considered the gold standard for the genre.

[washing machine]

I don't see why we can't run like 5 of these at a time. It's not like any of these will deserve deep contemplation or anything

I'm not sure why I'm surprised it's you who's doing the tired old "this is worthless garbage not worth engaging with" thing, but I kind of am

I guess I'm kinda surprised too, but I have deep resentment towards some music, especially when it's this popular.. and this Puth song really started me off on the wrong foot

Personally even if I don't like the song they're usually interesting to examine in terms of craft... usually

I started to say something kind of sour to you when you mentioned palm mutes and arpeggios earlier, but I deleted it. This post is a good opportunity to explore what I was trying to convey.

I tend to think it's flexing way too much mental energy to bring music theory or to "examine the craft" of songs in general, and especially of commercial pop songs. Just, what's the point other than to hear yourself talk about music (or "dance about architecture", as David Byrne famously puts it.) Sure, I do it in my head from time to time, but in online discussions I'm so much more interested in the visceral, human, feels-based response people have to these massive pop hits. This is not a knock on you. In fact, I'm glad you bring it to the table because I think this is a fun thread and this is what you contribute. Hence, why I deleted my post, which was essentially a lament on the fact that we're going to have to stomach these kinds of Jorge takes for 100 songs.

I look forward to you changing my mind as this thread goes on, btw.

[tree_]

Such a thoughtful poster. I'm glad we're friends now.

[Jorge]

I think I'll just continue to remark on what I want with no regard for what you can "stomach", thanks. What an asshole.

[tree_]

yikes

[Strat]

There are some musicians here so sometimes its impossible to separate the analytical portion of it. All i hear is guitar. Thats it. Thats all i can relate to. Trag hears production. Thats it.


^simplified response.

[washing machine]

I think I'll just continue to remark on what I want with no regard for what you can "stomach", thanks. What an asshole.

Wow, okay. I was trying to inject a little discussion about the various types of discussion we'll all have in this thread, but whatever.

[tree_]

There are some musicians here so sometimes its impossible to separate the analytical portion of it. All i hear is guitar. Thats it. Thats all i can relate to. Trag hears production. Thats it.


^simplified response.

I play a lot of instruments, but that's not what I'm listening for. I try to mostly just, see what it feels like, what it's trying to convey, cause I think that's ultimately the point.

[Jorge]

Okay, let's move on to #99 -- BTS, "Dynamite"

I recognize this from a bunch of ads and bumpers from Argentine television, which I think is pretty lax about usage rights. It's fun. Vaguely funky without getting too threatening or sexy. Cool synthesized bass, hooky chorus... a perfectly PG-13 crowd pleaser. And I do like the key change, though apparently there's a version without it. Not something I'd seek out. I like the Charlie Puth song better I think

[Jorge]

I think I'll just continue to remark on what I want with no regard for what you can "stomach", thanks. What an asshole.

Wow, okay. I was trying to inject a little discussion about the various types of discussion we'll all have in this thread, but whatever.

OK sorry for overreacting, I'm a bit stressed today

[liebzz]

My takes cannot be trusted, but I broke a minute and a half. Not for me, though improvement on #100. I just have a hard time getting into these pop songs for whatever reason. They don’t speak to me at all. And I enjoy a good Michael Jackson tune.

[Strat]

I think I'll just continue to remark on what I want with no regard for what you can "stomach", thanks. What an asshole.

Wow, okay. I was trying to inject a little discussion about the various types of discussion we'll all have in this thread, but whatever.

OK sorry for overreacting, I'm a bit stressed today

Do you wanna talk about it?