POP MUSIC THREAD: Taylor Swift officially joins us

[DevilFruit]

I really like Blurred Lines. It has a great beat. Does anyone know where I can find the instrumental? I can't find it on iTunes.

Also, it's probably old by now, but I'm loving Beyonce's Grown Woman song. I can't stop replaying it. I've started creating a Summer playlist, and this definitely makes it.

I'm pretty ambivalent to Can't Stop Us. It's not too bad, but not great either.

Get Lucky is annoying now. I've heard it at least three times within half an hour of listening to the radio, so I think we get the point that Pharrell is going to get lucky if he stays up all night =D

 

[Bananarama]

The Top 10 for the Hot 100 being released tomorrow (chart dated July 13th)


1. "Blurred Lines" - Robin Thicke ft. T.I. & Pharrell (=) (4th week @ #1!)
2. "Get Lucky" - Daft Punk ft. Pharrell Williams (=)
3. "We Can't Stop" - Miley Cyrus (+2)
4. "Radioactive" - Imagine Dragons (-1)
5. "Can't Hold Us" - Macklemore & Ryan Lewis ft. Ray Dalton (+1)
6. "Cruise" - Florida Georgia Line ft. Nelly (-2)
7. "Mirrors" - Justin Timberlake (=)
8. "Treasure" - Bruno Mars (=)
9. "Come & Get It" - Selena Gomez (=)
10. "The Way" - Ariana Grande ft. Mac Miller (+1)


Personal comments:
-4th week for Blurred Lines! I'm so ready for this to become a 10+ week #1
-Ew, We Can't Stop is now in the Top 3! Somebody kill it already!
-AND it kicked Radioactive out of the Top 3! Radioactive totally deserved to go #1, it's a shame that it'll miss out
-How did The Way get back into the Top 10? I would've preferred to have JGMAR spend one more week here

OK, here are my comments:
*BL is starting to grow on me. At first listen, my initial reaction was, "WTF is this?". A few weeks on the radio later, I think the beat is fine.
*Same with Get Lucky. It isn't one of my favourites, but it's grown on me.
*Miley, GTFO. You're keeping Cruise and Radioactive from perfection. Also, I can't stand the video. If she keeps acting like a s**t like this, the industry, as well as her fans, won't take her seriously.
*On the other hand, CHU is up again! I hope it maintains that spot until Same Love reaches the top 10.
*Mirrors and Come and Get It will fall soon, most likely.
*The Way and Treasure are some great songs that deserve higher positions.
Out of Top 10:
*Clarity better get up there. Like, soon. It should have been in the Top 10 a long time ago.
*Same Love is one of my favorites, I hope it reaches the Top soon!
I'm done.

 

[Silent Conversation]

I'm starting to really wonder whether "Same Love" is going to actually end up hitting #1 on the Hot 100. Macklemore & Ryan Lewis have been on fire this year and already have two 2013 #1s, so getting a third doesn't seem so far out of reach. On the other hand, Thrift Shop and Can't Hold Us started rising really quickly when they first became popular, and Same Love doesn't seem to have that momentum.

The reason I'm making such a big deal out of this is because it would be very interesting to see a song that is clearly and blatantly about marriage equality become #1 in the US. Other songs have had similar messages (for example, Born This Way, but that was more about general acceptance than an upfront song about marriage equality), so a song explicitly addressing such a controversial issue would be interesting to see become #1.

 

[Pretty-Skitty]

I'm starting to really wonder whether "Same Love" is going to actually end up hitting #1 on the Hot 100. Macklemore & Ryan Lewis have been on fire this year and already have two 2013 #1s, so getting a third doesn't seem so far out of reach. On the other hand, Thrift Shop and Can't Hold Us started rising really quickly when they first became popular, and Same Love doesn't seem to have that momentum.

The reason I'm making such a big deal out of this is because it would be very interesting to see a song that is clearly and blatantly about marriage equality become #1 in the US. Other songs have had similar messages (for example, Born This Way, but that was more about general acceptance than an upfront song about marriage equality), so a song explicitly addressing such a controversial issue would be interesting to see become #1.

Is this 'marriage equality' stuff really the crux of the issue tho? Because forgive me but you seem like the kind of person who doesn't care that much about the actual meaning of music and more about numbers and statistics: the fact that you constantly post the weekly top ten is evidence of this. I agree that Macklemore has been on fire this year but I think most people just buy into the hype surrounding his success and are enthralled by his song's chart positions. I'm all for a good song with a nice message but not because I want it to chart well. I just want variety and meaning.

 

[Ke$ha]

That Blurred Lines song is so annoying and the video is effing ridiculous I just don't know why it's even popular. Im bopping to Mileys song though its really catchy and she totally sounds different. But boo at Crazy Kids flopping. I thought it would be in the Top 20 by now at least

Is this 'marriage equality' stuff really the crux of the issue tho? Because forgive me but you seem like the kind of person who doesn't care that much about the actual meaning of music and more about numbers and statistics: the fact that you constantly post the weekly top ten is evidence of this. I agree that Macklemore has been on fire this year but I think most people just buy into the hype surrounding his success and are enthralled by his song's chart positions. I'm all for a good song with a nice message but not because I want it to chart well. I just want variety and meaning.

TBH I dont think anyone is really a Macklemore or Ryan Lewis fan. I think their talented but theyre just the next PSY or LMFAO in that they appeared randomly and have a couple of hits to their names and introduced catchy music but they dont have lasting power. I think people just want them to be successfull because theyre the next big thing and people love to "band wagon" for successfull stars. Its nothing new cuz it happens a lot and Ive done it too.

 

[Silent Conversation]

Is this 'marriage equality' stuff really the crux of the issue tho? Because forgive me but you seem like the kind of person who doesn't care that much about the actual meaning of music and more about numbers and statistics: the fact that you constantly post the weekly top ten is evidence of this.

I care about both. I'm allowed to be interested in statistics while still paying attention to a song's lyrics and enjoying its message. For the most part, the artists that I really like (Fun., Imagine Dragons, Florence + The Machine, to name a few) are artists that create songs with powerful lyrics and deep meanings.

I agree that Macklemore has been on fire this year but I think most people just buy into the hype surrounding his success and are enthralled by his song's chart positions.

I'm not sure if I completely agree with this. You'd be surprised at how few people actually know about chart positions and what's statistically more popular. And people liking the songs are the reason it's successful, not the other way around. In at least 75% of cases, sales come before airplay.

I'm all for a good song with a nice message but not because I want it to chart well. I just want variety and meaning.

Well I want the song to chart well because that means that more people will know about it. The fact that it was a nice message means that I want that message to be spread, and the song going #1 would prove that it has spread. It would also be a milestone in American music history that a song about such a controversial issue like this can end up being more popular than any other song.

 

[flamebeam]

Is this 'marriage equality' stuff really the crux of the issue tho? Because forgive me but you seem like the kind of person who doesn't care that much about the actual meaning of music and more about numbers and statistics: the fact that you constantly post the weekly top ten is evidence of this. I agree that Macklemore has been on fire this year but I think most people just buy into the hype surrounding his success and are enthralled by his song's chart positions. I'm all for a good song with a nice message but not because I want it to chart well. I just want variety and meaning.

I like macklemore and Ryan Lewis because, unlike the rappers today who are incredibly generic and uneducated, he's interesting to listen to. with Thriftshop, that song was satirical, making fun of the aforementioned rappers and their financially wasteful lifestyle. then CHU blew up, and I like this song tbh because everything in it: the chorus, the brass, the intense percussion, it's full of energy. I know I'm speaking as an individual, but individually speaking, I truly liked these past 2 singles, and that has nothing to do with their success. also, like SC, I enjoy the weekly Billboards because it shows the trends of music. it's history in the making. 5 years from now, when I hear Call Me Maybe, I'm going to think of the summer of 2012 when she Carly slayed. music writes its history, and the chart helps us keep it mentally organized

 

[1rkhachatryan]

That Blurred Lines song is so annoying and the video is effing ridiculous I just don't know why it's even popular. Im bopping to Mileys song though its really catchy and she totally sounds different. But boo at Crazy Kids flopping. I thought it would be in the Top 20 by now at least



TBH I dont think anyone is really a Macklemore or Ryan Lewis fan. I think their talented but theyre just the next PSY or LMFAO in that they appeared randomly and have a couple of hits to their names and introduced catchy music but they dont have lasting power. I think people just want them to be successfull because theyre the next big thing and people love to "band wagon" for successfull stars. Its nothing new cuz it happens a lot and Ive done it too.

Yes hi, a Macklemore fan here. I love him because he is different and his lyrics have actual meaning. He doesn't rap about pussy, money, cars, drinking, pot, and like the rest of the rap artists. I like unique rappers like Karmin and such.

 

[Silent Conversation]

So myself included, around half of the common posters in this thread are genuine Macklemore and Ryan Lewis fans. So much for the idea that they don't have any "real" fans.

 

[Geekachu]

Hey hey hey, some of y'all sound incredibly uneducated on rap music, even on music in general. The truth of the matter is that the mainstream media has delivered a rap artist like Macklemore with music that is highly viable to pop music tastes, but don't go parading around as if you know rap/hip hop because you listen to one artist and that you've at least listened to enough music of the genre in order to make educated statements (and I say this with the disclaimer that I don't personally believe I know as much as I could/should on rap).

The subject material of rap artists can be tied down to general hedonism but it doesn't make it bad by default. Artists can twist these ideas and make them into an amazing album. I'm sure you won't have listened to them but two of the greatest albums in recent years have been Kanye West's 'My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy' and Kendrick Lamar's 'good kid, m.A.A.d city', albums which cover this subject material.

Equally, just because Macklemore's music deviates away from the 'norm' lyrically (as is the case for Macklemore) that doesn't make it inherently good or better than anything else, because deviation can be executed poorly.*Sure as hell, it's a good reason to like it but don't extrapolate your personal opinions into sweeping and entirely unfounded statements.

I'm not sure if I completely agree with this. You'd be surprised at how few people actually know about chart positions and what's statistically more popular. And people liking the songs are the reason it's successful, not the other way around. In at least 75% of cases, sales come before airplay.

I agree that not many people follow the charts but they at least follow trends and social popularity, which the Hot 100 is pretty competent at gauging.

With regards to your other post it depends on whether your definition of fan is 'generally appreciates singles they hear on radio, doesn't check out the album and will have forgotten the act in a few years'.

 

[1rkhachatryan]

Hey hey hey, some of y'all sound incredibly uneducated on rap music, even on music in general. The truth of the matter is that the mainstream media has delivered a rap artist like Macklemore with music that is highly viable to pop music tastes, but don't go parading around as if you know rap/hip hop because you listen to one artist and that you've at least listened to enough music of the genre in order to make educated statements (and I say this with the disclaimer that I don't personally believe I know as much as I could/should on rap).

The subject material of rap artists can be tied down to general hedonism but it doesn't make it bad by default. Artists can twist these ideas and make them into an amazing album. I'm sure you won't have listened to them but two of the greatest albums in recent years have been Kanye West's 'My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy' and Kendrick Lamar's 'good kid, m.A.A.d city', albums which cover this subject material.

Equally, just because Macklemore's music deviates away from the 'norm' lyrically (as is the case for Macklemore) that doesn't make it inherently good or better than anything else, because deviation can be executed poorly.*Sure as hell, it's a good reason to like it but don't extrapolate your personal opinions into sweeping and entirely unfounded statements.



I agree that not many people follow the charts but they at least follow trends and social popularity, which the Hot 100 is pretty competent at gauging.

With regards to your other post it depends on whether your definition of fan is 'generally appreciates singles they hear on radio, doesn't check out the album and will have forgotten the act in a few years'.

I said his lyrics actually have meaning. He raps from the heart. You can listen to that one song he has about his addiction if you don't believe me(can't remember the name off the top of my head).

I like rap that is unique, whether from the message or the style. For instance Karmin does it without the use of vulgarity(which is mighty refreshing if I may say so). You can be a great rapper but if your rapping about the same crap as everybody else then your not gonna get my listen.

 

[LizardonX]

Thrift shop has got to be the funniest number one song I have ever heard. I almost choked on my drink when I heard **** being censored to a rooster crow XD

 

[*PKMN Trainer Paddy*]

So myself included, around half of the common posters in this thread are genuine Macklemore and Ryan Lewis fans. So much for the idea that they don't have any "real" fans.

They definitely have some real fans if this thread is anything to go by . But i wouldnt really call myself a genuine fan of theirs. I love Cant Hold Us, and of course there was Thrift shop which was unescapable for a while. But i have to admit, while they are two talented guys, they wont be able to leave a lasting impression on the music world. Even "same love" doesnt have the same universal appeal as the two #1s.

 

[Bananarama]

The Top 10 of the Hot 100 released tomorrow (chart dated July 20th):

1. "Blurred Lines" - Robin Thicke ft. Pharrell & T.I (5th week @ #1!) (=)
2. "Get Lucky" - Daft Punk ft. Pharrell Williams (=)
3. "We Can't Stop" - Miley Cyrus (=)
4. "Radioactive" - Imagine Dragons (=)
5. "Cruise" - Florida Georgia Line ft. Nelly (+1)
6. "Can't Hold Us" - Macklemore & Ryan Lewis ft. Ray Dalton (-1)
7. "Mirrors" - Justin Timberlake (=)
8. "Treasure" - Bruno Mars (=)
9. "Come & Get It" - Selena Gomez (=)
10. "Cups (When I'm Gone) - Anna Kendrick (+3)
----------------------------------------------------------

Personal Comments:
-Blurred Lines spends a fifth week at number one!
-Wow, a lot of non-movers this week.
-Cruise and CHU switch this week, which is fine with me.
-Didn't expect Cups to reach the Top 10, even with its popularity.

Overall, pretty boring week. Ariana Grande left the Top 10, that's the only drop-out.

 

[Silent Conversation]

The Top 10 of the Hot 100 released tomorrow (chart dated July 20th):

1. "Blurred Lines" - Robin Thicke ft. Pharrell & T.I (5th week @ #1!) (=)
2. "Get Lucky" - Daft Punk ft. Pharrell Williams (=)
3. "We Can't Stop" - Miley Cyrus (=)
4. "Radioactive" - Imagine Dragons (=)
5. "Cruise" - Florida Georgia Line ft. Nelly (+1)
6. "Can't Hold Us" - Macklemore & Ryan Lewis ft. Ray Dalton (-1)
7. "Mirrors" - Justin Timberlake (=)
8. "Treasure" - Bruno Mars (=)
9. "Come & Get It" - Selena Gomez (=)
10. "Cups (When I'm Gone) - Anna Kendrick (+3)

Well, looks like my job's been stolen

Personal comments:
-5th week at #1 for Blurred Lines! I wonder if it's going to reach the 10 week mark - it seems very possible at this point
-Did not expect Cups to enter the Top 10, but I'm really, really happy! It was an awesome song from Pitch Perfect and I'm glad it's getting recognition, albeit a couple of months later
-Wow, very boring Top 10 this week. Cups entering the Top 10 is the only thing that actually caught my attention

 

[Geekachu]

After a long drought of news and this time without a hype-inducing campaign of announcements, it was suddenly revealed today that Lady Gaga's new album ARTPOP will be released on November 11th with pre-orders available from September 1st. The first single from the album will be released on August 19th. The album is also available as an app for phones, tablets and computers.

Finally.

Spoiler: Announcement

[img139]http://i.imgur.com/1wKZ8sd.png[/img139]

 

[Ke$ha]

Yay the first ARTPOP single is coming next month!! The other girls better superglue their wigs on cuz GaGa is coming to snatch weaves! Im just a little upset that the album wont be released until November cuz that seems like a long time from now.

 

[Asuka]

Wow looks like Gaga is finally releasing new music and I think Katy Perry's gonna be doing the same thing soon. It's gonna be awesome to have two pop divas return and hope fully they'll save pop music by giving us good dance anthems because I'm not feeling any of the current artists. I need real pop music in my life.

 

[Blackjack the Titan]

Wow looks like Gaga is finally releasing new music and I think Katy Perry's gonna be doing the same thing soon. It's gonna be awesome to have two pop divas return and hope fully they'll save pop music by giving us good dance anthems because I'm not feeling any of the current artists. I need real pop music in my life.

Not even Beyoncé's music is appealing? Other than that, I agree. I'm just listening to Icona Pop and Get Lucky all the time. Pretty annoying now after the nth time I've heard them.

Currently, what is trending is the male artist. We have Macklemore, Bruno Mars and JT making good music, along with Robin Thicke's new single which is dominating all of the formentioned artists' songs.

I wonder what Katy is going to do next?

 

[Silent Conversation]

Finally, GaGa's back! It's been over two years since we received any new material from her, so I'm super excited (and also slightly nervous) to see what she's come up with after such a long break. I'm also very curious to see whether the public will accept her back. Her songs started doing worse and worse in terms of popularity as the Born This Way era progressed, and while a break builds hype, I'm worried that too long of a break could have led to the public forgetting about her. Hopefully I'm wrong, because come August 19th, I expect Artpop's lead single to shoot up to #1 on iTunes in record time and stay there!