There is a lot prejudices against pop artists. I was tweeting something and all of a sudden I saw that because I follow and I admire pop artists, pop singers, people says “oh, this singers are not good because they are so popular”.
So I would like to know your opinion about popularity and quality. This is very important because I hate prejudices and at the same time, I think that people are loosing a lot of love and joy that pop artists can share with us. This is my opinion, off course you can have a different opinion.
Thank you,
Paulo
DON’T WORRY ABOUT YOUR ENGLISH. BUT IF YOU FEEL MORE COMFORTABLE, POST IN YOUR MOTHER TONGUE (PORTUGUES, ESPANOL, FRANÇAIS, ETC.).
Popularity prevents communicate with the man, it creates the illusion of uniqueness. You can not be sure of the person creating masterpieces. You pull for him – such is human nature, desire to get closer to anyone interested in that. And the popularity creates a gap (trap) and the man eventually may fall into it and die as a person.
my english is basic but I can understand when i read it
Aunque prefiero escribir en español, es más cómodo por ahora …
A mi me gusta muchisimo la música pop, de hecho mi cantante favorita canta pop.
La mayoría me critica por eso, pero su música es lo que me gusta.
Creo que la mayoria de la gente dice “la música pop es plástica” sólo porque asi lo dicen otros y no porque de verdad no les guste.
Yo disfruto la música en diferentes idiomas y diferentes géneros y respeto la opinión de cada quien. No debería haber prejuicios por algo que todos podemos disfrutar igualmente.
I like Luis Miguel, Yuridia and Edith Marquez,these three singers can sing whatever they want.
There are two things I love Luis Miguel music and Paulo Coelho books.
I have been on Luis Miguel’s concert he is very nice with his fans, and so do Paulo, sometimes the comments on newspaper, magazines or tv are only their perceptions no the reality.
“El respeto al derecho ajeno es la paz”
We have to respect their private life and enjoy their art.
i guess some people are just envy of those people who were able to fulfill their dreams. people use to criticize, finding fault on the rich and the famous because they have nothing good to do. those people who are prejudice just look at the things that they wanted to see… they see the faults of others but they can’t see their own imperfections. some people hate pop stars because for them they look cheap (well i do have the same perception to those other pop stars who are just bunch of pretenders but it’s not always applicable to all) and they are fake (well we can’t blame other people if they have this kind of perception to pop stars because some pop stars only care about creating an image and selling CDs that are not worth for keeps) but little do they know, they envy those pop stars because despite of their perception, those pop stars were able to reach something in their life. other people who can’t reach their own dreams do nothing but pull other people down. they are miserable for not reaching what God intended them to be, so they wanted to share they misery with other people which is sick and pathetic. i know a lot of people who are like this (prejudice)… they only project hatred to others (in general, not only to pop stars) well in fact they hate their self for being stagnant. what is wrong with being a pop star and being famous? does that make them less of a person? of course not… i’m happy for them because they were able to do something worth while in their lifetime unlike those people who are just fond of criticizing yet they have not accomplished anything in their entire lifetime, which is sad and odd.
i like those artists, not only the pop stars who have reached their goal… some of them are young and successful and for me that is amazing… but then again this is not applicable to all
i also understand the side of those people who criticize (but this is not applicable to the prejudice i guess)
it’s just sad because some of the pop stars are not considered as an artist because people can’t find truth in them. whenever they sing, there is no soul in their song or in their music and it’s very obvious that they are just there to sing but not convey a message. it’s sad that most of the pop stars are just used for money making but their album is not for keeps. i guess every listener knows if the music being played has a song or if the song was only done for the sake of money making. i really feel bad about this because i’m a sworn music lover and some people destroy the main essence of creating music just because of their personal agenda. and because the wanted to have more money, they build an image of the pop star that seems perfect and too beautiful to be true because they think that if they don’t create a star that has a perfect image, people will not accept them or the crowd will not love them and they will not the records. some of the stars are being forced to project a life that is never theirs… they project perfection that is just a false illusion and it’s really sad because the more the star is hidden in the shell of make belief, they feel less fulfilled. at first they will feel happy because all the material compensation are there and they are very tempting… who doesn’t want to be rich and famous??? but later on they realize that they wanted to find their true self which is far from what they are projecting to the audience thus, destroy their image and the audience perceive them as getting wild or getting wasted and they are wasting up their career… the audience don’t really see the need of the pop star of finding him/her true self because they were already fixated in the image that was shown to them previously… this makes the rich and the famous realize that it’s not about being rich and famous, but it about being who you are. it’s not about image building but building your character as a person.
nevertheless, i admire those pop stars who are there were they are because they wanted to be there…. because they worked hard to be there. through their craft they show their soul and they share the soul of their craft to those who are open to receive the message the song would love to convey. i admire those artists who excelled in their craft… the song writers, the producers, the singers, the performers who do their thing out of love, out of passion and not just by merely doing things for the material compensation that they will get later on. i admire all those people whose craft or whose product has a heart and soul because today, you can barely see people doing what they truly love and being passionate to their work. a lot of people would claim that they are passionate and they love what they do and the truth is their just creating a false illusion to prevent their selves from having a bruised ego.
criticizing… it’s good because it can build
prejudice… ??? well… keep it to yourself, or better, throw it so you won’t have it. remember… “out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks”… if insecurities cover your heart, then most likely you will project this…
Well… I’m not a great admirer of pop singers… because, even who, beside them, can really sing very good, generally send his/her look before his voice… and this is the thing I really don’t like! but I think there’s another reason, a deeper one: they’re people who’ve achieved their goal… and this could cause some envy. Why them and not me, whetever my goals are? ..I think that’s the real point! Or maybe, one of that…
Dear Mr.Coelho.. I’m from Indonesia, and I’m a big fan of yours,..and Michael Jackson..
In this context, I wanna share how I feel about Michael Jackson.. I know some people just don’t like him and made a lot of prejudice because his plastic surgery, his cases at the justice court, his likely of elementary things and all the ‘un-popular’ things about him.. I’m not saying he’s perfect as an angel, but as far as I know, he was just a lonely person with a lot of energy to share love, quite a altruistic kind of love..Knowing him as a person who never felt a normal childhood made me understand why he had a quite ‘different-attitude’ among other normal or popular persons..
In your context, prejudice came because we don’t know the person pretty well, prejudice aroused because we see only part of a life, and prejudice happens because we don’t have clear boundaries between opinions and facts.. Try to seek much more facts rather than just gather more opinion from others.. :)
i definitely agree… that’s because his childhood was stolen from him. at a very young age, he was forced to be excellent in his craft… to be the best young artist there could ever be. he was forced to work instead of him playing. he was forced to project a perfect life that was never his. it was like a taboo if the stars or artists talk about what is lacking in their life or what is wrong in his life. he didn’t have enough privacy and i feel sad for him. he has all the material things that he could possibly have but it’s as if he doesn’t have the right to embrace who he truly is… the only reason why he ended up like that is because he was deprived of the things that are far much important for him… can we blame him for being like that or turning out to be like that… it’s yes or no… there is no perfect explanation to that but the best thing that we can do is at least accept him for who he truly is
*** i’m not MJ fanatic but i don’t hate him either***
I think some of us that like music or whatever stuff that is not particulary popular may in some small way take something “satisfying” from this very fact alone (even if unconcious to doing so). Like the old saying “it was cool to everyone else liked it! or till everybody else started doing it”. Maybe people who love a certain sort of largely unknown or far less popular music, may feel it defines them. Maybe it sets them apart from the rest of a world not doing so well or not being so cool in their eyes. I suppose the fact remains that lots of pop music is of poor quality. Yet pop to me is really just music that is popular spanning all genres. A lot of people think if they like some cool alternative rock band that it is not pop music, but it may well be blatant pop in reality cause near half the world are listening to it thinking they are “in the know”. Bottom line is that good music is good music, and nothing can take that away, despite whether it’s very popular or not. While a lot is crap (we should be more realistic and intelligent), we all must learn to listen with an open mind yes. And if you really like something, and it is not actually that good quality music somehow (even though you can’t detect this), it is probably good for you/your brain in some way if you are liking it during a time. Maybe you are enjoying the good in it or are hearing things others can’t. At the same time, people can be stuck on musical platforms that are not serving them well. For me, I have learnt that certain music has great power and promise in our lives. More than a lot of people comprehend. Music is to me education, yet it must be with artists who are into teaching and love through music. So much music truly is “music of the devil”. I am not sure I believe in the devil as such…. but my….. just so much is on a platform so much lower than what we deserve as human beings (and that is where the people who listen to it remain until they are helped. It may not be bad, but not good enough. So help all you can if you think you might be more musically advanced than them. Check out this blogs if you are interested in my particular taste….www.dp44.blogdspot.com…. and there are many many others. Downloading albums via blogs typically requires WinRar (freely available software for extracting .zip files….which is usually how people upload albums, zipped up to reduce space). If you use a Mac, get the Mac equivalent to WinRar, whatever it is. Win rare taskes only minutes to be installed on your pc (get it off any reputatable free software download site) and start enjoying peoples sharing blogs on the music they/you like! Then you can buy the albums you truly love, and have direction in your collecting. After all, remember the big Virgin/HMVs with listening booths, ior the iold record store where you played lp’s for a week on end before laying down your money. Downloading is not bad, it is GREAT, once you are responsible about it. Enjoy. Thanks Paulo. Was reading of yourself tonight, and ended up here. I would look forward to discovering more about your life in the future hopefully. Cheers
Señor Paulo Coelho:
Me siento tan alagada como al fan saber que un gran escritor y persona como usted ninguna crítica ni excluya la musica de nuestros amados alemanes QUE SON TOKIO HOTEL por la Manera de Ser, vestirce, etc, si no que por su admirable voz sean musica y Reconocidos y no criticados injustamente por lo demas mencionado, son 4 niños que empezaron solos con su musica y el duro pasar de los días mas que se Hicieron Grandes y La Mega personalidad del vocalista es tanta la admiracion que uno Debe Tener Porque no le importa el diran que los demas, solo con sentirce bien el ES SUFICIENTE, pues la mayoria de seres humanos, alguna vez incluyendome a mi, nos cuesta mucho sacarnos de la cabeza el que dira “aquel”, él es una muestra a seguir, Amo a esos 4 jovenes que crecieron SOLOS, SE Hicieron grandes con su sudor y humildemente Demuestran agradecimiento a todos los que los apoyaron, Mil Gracias por sus palabras y por no hacernos sentir solos en esto, que luchamos dia a dia Porque nuestra banda favorita no excluida del mar, Apartada y discriminada por su apariencia .. Lo queremos un abrazo a la distancia.
¿Si no eh leido una novela? .. El alquimista Dios!! me hizo viajar hasta Egipto y esta frase “Cuando una persona Desea realmente algo, todo el Universo conspira para que Realice su deseo”.
Lima – Perú
Wow, Paulo – first I must tell You that Your books are really popular in Poland and You’ve got lots of fans :)
It’s great You said something positive about Tokio Hotel. I love this band and their music and You’re right – People always have negative opinions about this boys and I don’t know why. First, they don’t listen their music – it’s the most important thing if we talk about bands, isn’t it? People look at them and think “Omg, stupid gays” or something like that.. It’s their image – something what have all stars. They are original, I think. I don’t know how to describe them – Tokio Hotel is amazing group. I’m really glad, Paulo, that You think they’re good.
Best Wishes,
Beata.
hola Paulo! me llamo Arlis y soy una gran admiradora tuya me encanta como escribes xD y estoy de acuerdo con tu opinion acerc de lo que hablaste y te queria decir que soy super fan de la banda alemana Tokio Hotel son fabulosos xD te los recomiendoo (:
cuidate mucho, saludos
Tokio Hotel <3
Tacna – Perú
atte. arlis kaulitz *
hola! paulo! antes de dar mi opinion acerca de lo has hablado quiero decirte que te admiro mucho tus libros son increibles (=
bueno.. opino igual que tu no me parece bien que las personas odien a una banda solo por que son populares, yo pienso que si te gusta una bandaa la debes valorar y querer por mas que sea popular, a mi me gusta la banda alemana tokio hotel! pienso que es genial (=
cuidate mucho!
un besoo!
i’m from tacna – peru
can we really be free of prejudice? I feel like we’ve become too politically correct to even be able to express certain views that people may not like, even if they are not negative and hurtful. I find that alot of people very easily pass judgements on me because I despise hiphop. Yes, it is popular, but am I supposed to like it coz it has nice beats and disregard the mostly sexist nature of lots of those songs? To me it is simple, my prejudice against hiphop comes from my prejudice against sexism in all its forms. Popular isn’t always good, but it’s true that some pop culture is positive…and afterall, Bach’s work was one day pop!
Eu tenho que assumir que no ínicio eu tinha um certo preconceito com as bandas atuais, ate mesmo tokio hotel, achava que era mais uma banda qualquer… a questao é que determinadas épocas dá-se mais valor a determinados estilos de musicais, e as vezes as pessoas não conseguem gostar destes estilos, principalmente quando tantas bandas fazem sons tão parecidos… e é mais dificil ainda assumir que voce gosta de uma banda, depois de julga-la tanto (fazer o que,quem mandou julgar? hahaha)… hoje em dia th é uma das minhas bandas favoritas
abraço
I am a lover of pop music, but I believe good music is good music in the end. The problem I have with most popular artists today is they lack depth, both in their music and character. Although I enjoy many people on the radio, very few have motivated me to open my wallet and pay to see them live in concert. For me, it is about the voice and ability to communicate the emotion of a song. Some of my favorites live are Elton John, Tracy Chapman, Marc Anthony, and more recently David Archuleta. Interestingly, I feel David faces prejudices because he is only 18. He is quite often dismissed by older music lovers as just another teenage singer. I will admit that his pop album, released last year, does not show his full potential. His Christmas CD, on the other hand, is another matter altogether. He sings these songs with such reverence and conviction. It is truly beautiful. Of course, all of what I’ve written is just my humble opinion. Thank you for the forum, Paulo!
Honestamente Tokio Hotel é muito bom, sendo eles conhecidos ou não. Ultimamente esta tendo entre os jovens um preconceito com bandas que julgam ser da moda, acham que são produzidas e que não prestam. Mas no caso de Tokio Hotel, falam e nem conhecem nada sobre eles.
Obviamente que hoje “qualquer um” canta, mas não é só porque é conhecido que vai ser ruim não é? Quer dizer que Beatles era ruim? Queen? ACDC? Michael Jackson? Madonna? Hm… acho que deu pra ter uma base. Sou totalmente contra a esse preconceito. Conheço muitas bandas BOAS e desconhecidas, mas também bandas OTIMAS e conhecidas.
Beijo e neon
I have to say it’s all about respect. I don’t follow one particular genre of music. If I like a song and I see who the artist is then I support it. A recent example would be a young 18 year old artist by the name of David Archuleta. He considers himself a pop artist however, from what I’ve heard – he has done Spanish ballads to Christmas music. Now only is he talented, but I respect him for his morals and values. This is unique and rare in the world of entertainment. Check him out on u-tube.
I have always love artists who could communicate profound truths to a mass audience. The Beatles, Bob Dylan, Picasso. They weren’t manufactured, they revealed elements of ourselves that we had yet to see.
Madonna, Cher, john Grisham. There is an element of self conscious manufacturing that people… I don’t think that it tastes nourishing or of long term value. Michael Jackson, Elvis, isn’t there art popularity?
I agree, Mr. Paulo, I’m a fan of Tokio Hotel bother me much as you yourself said closed-minded society, I’m glad you alla given their opinion.
eh I have seen one of his novels”Veronika Decides to Die”I love! is fascinating.
Señor Coelho:
Mucha gente vive en una sociedad estancada. Siente en la novedad, lo extraordinario y lo anormal una “amenaza”. La gente se engaña a sí mismo convenciéndose de que tiene mentalidad abierta y aceptan todas las novedades que trae la vida, pero no es así. Se sigue viendo con mala a cara a la gente de color, se ruborizan al ver un beso entre personas del mismo sexo, no conciben la idea de hombres con rasgos adróganos.
Pensamos que cada uno de nosotros es el mejor en todo, viste mejor que nadie, y todo aquello que sale de nuestros esquemas “tradicionales” es odiado y repudiado.
Me da mucha pena saber que la sociedad en la que vivo tiene la moralidad basada en la en las apariencias ¿Qué parte de la apariencia de Tokio Hotel nos hace verlos como una amenaza?, ¿Será el maquillaje del cantante, las rastas del guitarrista o el look del batería y el bajista? Ellos pueden presumir de ser sí mismos, mientras que otros se muestran reacios ha ser “libres” por temor al “¿Qué dirán”?
El consuelo que me queda de todo esto es que la música es universal, no entiende de sexo, raza o nacionalidad y en ella los prejuicios no tienen lugar.
Paulo, I’m with you on prejudices. Can’t stand preconceptions and try hard to get rid of them myself. I’m a pop music kinda of person but listen to rock occasionally, though I resent their snobbery towards other genres.
For me it’s all in the voice and how an artist manages to pull at my heart strings while others can’t. I absolutely love Whitney Houston, Stevie Wonder, Mercury, George Michael, and more recently David Archuleta. Are these cool by today’s standards? No way. And I couldn’t care less. I like some Taylor Swift, Beyonce, Kanye West and Neyo, too. All talented and charismatic.
Just a comment on the phrase “I hate prejudice.”
Something to ponder . . . if I am prejudiced AGAINST prejudice – how am I different from the person whom I’m judging? (because my judgment is ‘right’?)
“Againstness” isn’t the answer. Alternative phrases might be “I am FOR acceptance.” “I encourage openmindedness.”
something to think about
Hey, Paulo, concordo com você! Eu, com apenas 16 anos, estou farta de tanto preconceito. Honestamente, eu não acho que o fato de uma banda ser popular, faça ela ser pior do que outras. Na verdade, acho que as pessoas deveriam ser menos críticas ao apreciar a música, sendo o estilo musical rock, pop, enfim… As pessoas falam mal, colocam rótulos nos cantores e bandas, e a maioria delas, que fazem isso, ou não conhece a banda ou fica presa as antigas. Sempre mencionando nome de bandas dos anos 80, 70, 60, como se as atuais não fossem tão boas quanto as antigas ou até mesmo melhores. E sobre qualidade.. Realmente, tem algumas bandas atuais que estão uma verdadeira vergonha, na minha opinião, em termos de conteúdo nas letras. Mas antigamente também tinham bandas assim, então acho que tudo é uma grande besteira! As pessoas estão indo sempre umas nas opiniões das outras, sem a sua formada e etc. Bom, não sei bem se falei coisa com coisa, mas dei minha opinião sobre o que acho que tá acontecendo com a relação da música e as pessoas. E achei muito interessante que tu gostastes de Tokio Hotel! São realmente muito bons! Obrigada por ler. Luanna xxx
Leí tu posteo en twitter y se que esto empezo por algo que publicaste de tokio hotel.
A mi la banda me encanta, ya sea por su estilo o por su musica, pero muchos amigos o gente conocida, critica a la banda o simplemente la odia, por su estilo o su apariencia, debido a que la banda usa una especia de onda gotica – emo, o porque el cantante parece una mujer.
la verdad son diferentes puntos de vista de cada persona o diferentes maneras de odiar
un abrazo paulo.
Me encantó Tokio Hotel. Nunca los habia escuchado. Espero verlos en Zurich en Marzo
Hi Paulo! This is a very interesting subject. I personally like Tokio Hotel an as a fan I’m telling u is not easy! Is right what u say…ppl think that if you like a famous band…is a waste of time because u r just fallin’ “trends” and classify u…”oh, if u like TH the you’re emo or something” and thats not true…although I respect any person but it doesn’t mean you’re goin’ “with the flow” if u like one artist or another…Specially by being fan of TH…some ppl always says bad things about them or make fun or get mad at me because I like them…but I really think they are true talented artist…it’s true…their look is different (so cool by the way)…but the main thing is that they’re a really MATURE, ORIGINAL, TALENTED, THEY SPEAK THEIR MINDS AND MOTIVATES U TO FIGHT FOR UR GOLDS AND BE WHO U R…!!! I just love them!! and by the way…I hope u can see them live! Plzz enjoy their concert…you’re so lucky!!…I think I’ll never go to one of their concerts since I live in central america and I don’t think they will come here anytime soon =( Again, thanx for this interestin’ subject
lov
katy
Wow, I’m admired. I really am!! You made a question that I make every day when someone says that they don’t like Tokio Hotel – I think is so stupid how people react to a band just because they’re famous, popular, and whatever. Most of the times, they don’t even listen to their music – they made their opinion because of their styles! And that’s so immature, I can’t and won’t understand that, ever.
I like Tokio Hotel – and I’m not ashamed of it. They’ve the most amazing songs ever, they aren’t the best, they don’t have the best sound in earth, but they’re unique, they’ve so many songs who inspired us, who make us think about life… I don’t know how people think they’re artificial! really… just because Bill uses more make up than me!? Oh please, that doesn’t make any sense.
Nowadays, popular music is the synonymy of bad music. Why?! I wish I knew. Artists to be known need publicity, and when they’ve it, people always says that they’re bad, they sucks etc. What makes me laugh because most of the times, they like them before! Or even after, but they don’t say it. It seems more cool saying bad things about the band that everyone knows. Gosh… – And, when the artist start to be known they’ve more fame, money, and more fans, but no one says they like them!!!! In exception, Metallica, Muse, and stuff like that because they’re HARDCORE . Tokio Hotel just has too many “fangirls” – they say, ah! and Bill looks like a girl, who makes me think, maybe they like Bill style but when they get to know He’s a boy they feel bad. yeah…
Mister Paulo, I saw you talking about Tokio Hotel, and I just wanted to say that there are so many people who love them. People imagine that they are artifficial,but in my eyes it’s not true. They are just four boys who reached their dream with a HARD work. Whatver people say, I disagree with all the hate towards them. Being POPular makes other people envious.
(these are not my words but I saw a truth in them) :
If a real band, that plays and write (or co-write) their own songs become famous before being 20 years they are labeled immediately as teen-band-that-sucks-and-is-just-a-one-hit-wonder and everyone hates them especially if at least one of them is good looking, for some unknown reason if no member of the band is good looking the band is not labeled as teen band and people would probably point at them as ‘genius’.
I agree so much, Paolo. Prejudice is what it is – a lot of people won’t even give pop a chance because they are so terrified of that tiny three-letter word and of appearing uncool. Refusing to appreciate something simply because a lot people like it is not really thinking for oneself, so much as it is wanting to appear a certain way. It’s shallow.
Of course, not liking certain things that are very popular doesn’t make one a shallow or phony – but using popularity as the sole basis for disliking something pretty much does.
Some people want to feel special themselves, and they put down a special person and choose another genre because they think that it makes them diffrent. I am a fan of most very popular pop artists. I might like their music but I might dislike the person. And usually I might like them at SOME stage in their carriers. I don’t fancy Britney Spears for example, but I like Jennifer Lopez and Beyonce. I can’t give any explanation why – I just find these two more “natural” and I guess that I can dance better to their music. I love Madonna but I only really begun liking her a few years ago when she started with Yoga. Her music improved. I liked Michael Jackson (can’t get over him), but I am not a fan of Elvis Presley, Rolling Stones or the Beatles, even if I like some songs. There is a generation problem as well as what speaks and what does not speak to the listener. Personally I also listen to the lyrics, and if I find them interesting, I like a song more.
I don’t feel any prejudice against pop artists. They make my world more colourful. But I know that there is a danger that many of them loose grasp of who they are when they are in the spotlight much of the time. (And they are often afraid of loosing the spotlight.) They are expected to entertain both on and off the studio/stage/set, and there are always someone ready to critizise them no matter what they do. So to me, being a pop star must be very demanding.
Come to think about it – not all artists are colourful like Slash, Prince, Madonna, Michael Jackson… One of my favourite artist was Eva Cassidy. Not flashy or strong colours – but what an artist when it came to singing! :-)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yzzDIiH4yHg
Edelweiss.
Have a nice week.
LOVE,
Thelma xxx
Well, to be honest, I think it’s a little stupid to just hate something because it’s popular. Whatever! If you like the sound of pop music, or any other kind of music, it just doesn’t matter whether it’s popular or not. Listening to a kind of music which is not popular doesn’t make you better. People shouldn’t have prejudices against some kind of music. If they got popular, it’s most of the time because their music was good, so I don’t see why the fact that now they’re popular should change their music. People are often like “I used to like that band when it was not famous, but now I don’t anymore, because everybody knows them” and so what? Should it change something in the way you liked their music? Uhm no really, I don’t understand.
I always believed that what you love, what you enjoy, is subjective, and being so, neither wrong nor right. I’m reminded actually of a clip from a popular teen drama, Dawnsons’s Creek. Joey, the character played by the now famous wife of Tom Cruise Katie Holmes, was visiting for a day at a College and attended a literature class, and the Teachers Assistant put her on the spot and asked her what her favourite book was. She replied with “Little Women”. He then critized her choice because it was a weak unoriginal novel that had little literary substance, and then judged her for choosing such a novel, without even asking her reason why. Later on in the episode she tells the Teacher’s Assistant why that book was her favourite. Her mother died of cancer a few years earlier, and when she was a child her mother would read that book to her, in fact, she was named after one of the characters in that book. It was pretty humbling for the TA.
I tend to like mainstream shows, books, and music. People judge me for it. I understand that a lot of the things I enjoy don’t have much substance, or are unoriginal, but thats not why i like or dislike something.
Someone who rejects something for its popularity and judges you on your “poor” taste, is no better in my opinion than someone who watches/listens/buys something based on it being popular. In the end they both missed a vital point. Its not about the quality of substance of something, its the ability of that thing to make you happy.
Buy something because its something that fits your needs and makes you happy. Listen to music that inspires you and lifts your spirit. watch movies and tv shows that take you to that place of enjoyment sometimes unachieved in reality. You’re reasons for doing something should always reflect on how much something brings you happiness.
So Paulo, if listening to pop music makes you happy, no matter how much critics tell you you’re wrong to do so, don’t listen to them, for they are missing out on a part of living that is so important. But then again, I think you already know this, and know this well.
I’ve heard some musicians, singers, on the radio, I remember Tracy Chapman, listening to her the first time, going right out and getting her music. Then I watched as she became popular, the same with Anita Baker, there was something that called to me and obviously to so many others. Maybe it has to do with Jungs collective consciousness? To tap into that and use it for good in the world, wouldn’t that be amazing. How do you make healing the planet popular, how do you go back to the 60’s and 70’s and make peace popular? Maybe we should study popular artists more and learn from them?
Yes, agree with your points Nicolette!!!! And enjoyed Tracy Chapman’s music also.
The music, teaches, and shapes, improves, and becomes part of me. Feeling the connection with others, to something greater, Love.
Thank you so much, Love, Jane : )
Pop is simply short for popular ie. what the majority are choosing to listen to.. or are they? How much do media play what is popular versus how much they impose upon the population what should be pop(ular)? (If their advertisers are sony or virgin then do they give preference to these artists? I don’t know). If something is played often enough then the tune sticks in my brain whether I want it to or not!! (I sometimes go to sleep with the annoying tune replaying in my now programmed brain!). To know something is to like it .. generally we do not like the unknown (some fear it)..does this mean that unknown music is not as good as pop? I don’t think so – in fact I admire those who keep making their music even though it will never be popularised. Keep on doing what you love & the love of doing will outweigh the adulation of the crowds (isn’t that what all pop stars say anyway?)
I believe that the artist that compromises his Art for material gain, he betrays his soul.. after all , the real Artists don’t do it for money..they only seek their soul to be heard/read/ and so on. they do it for the joy it brings.. not for the money….
Timeshare Resales
A true artists thrives to be heard, because there is no art without its audience. The relationship between the artist, his work, and his audience is vital. As a writer, I feel like what i put down on paper is worthless unless I can share it with the world. Thats because art is expression, its us trying to say something, we’re trying to have a conversation with the world in a sense, and without the feedback, the whole thing has absolutely no meaning. Sometimes people call artist sell outs cause they thrive to be popular instead of make music they enjoy doing. Pop artist lives are very difficult, and trust me, there are more negative sides to popularity than good ones. People are under the impression that they “sell out”, but artists know that if they don’t make more money that the year before, sell more records, than their record labels won’t take them seriously or allow them to continue doing what they love. I think artist dont sell out for money, they sell out so they can continue doing what they love. Share their passions with the most amount of people possible.
Good, nuanced point of view. Congrats!
Namaste Timeshares Resales,
All artists create for the money because the money is how we live. As long as we live in a society where we must make a living in order to survive, people will compromise with their art.
Namaste Catarina,
People create art all the time which is ignored by the public. I should know… I have a ton of art I’ve never shown to the world, although I would like to if I could find a market. Art without a market is still art, merely unappreciated.
Love to you
Namaste,
I’ve always tended toward the pop, but I love all sorts of music. Mozart rocks as much as Mick Jagger to me. I grew up in the age of the Beatles back when they were more popular than Jesus… which was an honest evaluation of the time. Everyone I knew grumbled going to Sunday Mass, but watching John Paul George and Ringo was way cool. I never saw a difference in their messages either. Love Love Love.
I look at music as a matter of taste and values. I find Aerosmith, before Steve Perry became a father insulting as a woman. After he had a daughter, his lyrics…and his music… became more introspective and respectful. I found a lot of heavy metal insulting as a woman, so I either never listened to them, or, when I was working at Tower Records, I grrrred all the way through their music. :-)
Artists are a reflection of society. A pop artist is one who is embraced by a great many people. There are people who don’t like a certain style of music/dance/literature/movies/paintings or sculpture and become irritated because that artist is making so much money, or because they are exposed to them against their will. We see garbage daily on the scandal sheets trying to destroy Brad Pitt, who is doing wonderful work in New Orleans right now… Goddess Bless Him… and his beloved, Angelina Jolie. They are pop artists of the film variety and feeling the effects of jealousy, IMO.
Before he was elected, they tried to demean President Obama by equating him with popularity, as if that’s a bad thing. Because people in Europe, the Middle East and Africa embraced him, America should reject him, we were told. This is how ingrained prejudice against popularity is in American culture. I don’t understand it. I never have.
When I was a kid, I loved the Monkees. Pure pop for my generation! I was insulted repeatedly when I admitted this preference, yet I took pride in the fact that they became popular. I was part of a larger audience. I’d never felt part of anything in my life before then. Whatever anyone ever says, the Monkees are special to me and I will forever smile when I hear the opening bars to any of their songs. That’s what pop music is all about. It could be why I married a musician. :-)
Love to you
Elaine I like your “approach” with writing! you have a real knack
Thank you !
Love
:)
Namaste Marie-Christine,
You’re always so kind. Thank you. I do love your picture.
Love to you
thank you Elaine.
Love to you too
Here is more, if you liked the first one…..
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g5KF4dKq-6I&NR=1&feature=fvwp
Even country music can be good. Listen and enjoy!!!
Robert Plant and Alison Krauss
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TDRn9HBbyaQ
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vNTUWLcAAW0&feature=related
Mozart is …still popular!
For the … gardeners !!
LOVE,
Thelma xxx
…….Seeding roses, and..orange trees <3
yo amo la musica pop es mi estilo favorito aunque tambien me gustan otros estilos. yo creo que la musica no es buena o mala por el ritmo(pop, rock, clasico, etc) o por si es muy popular como lo son muchos artistas pop, si es cierto que muchos artistas son comerciales (aunque eso pasa en muchos generos) en realidad hacen comercio con ellos y eso no signifoca que ellos no amen la musica ni que no la sientan; por otro lado creo que hay gustos para todo el mundo y mas alla de eso no se puede juzgar a todos los artistas pop, porque los estan jusgando, estan diciendo que son malos cuando muchos de ellos sienten y aman la musica igual que alguien de otro estilo, creo que la mala musica o mejor dico la musica “fabricada” es aquella que esta hecho con ese sentido comercial, que esta hecha para que pegue, para ser exitosa y no hecha desde el corazon, y que ya sea con sus letras con su ritmo con sus arreglos con la moda que se use que todo eso venga desde el corazon desde la pasion y el amor que se siente a la musica reflejando las personas que son en verdad,su propia personalidad y que nos muestren su talento y que nos hagan pasar buenos momentos, que no pierdan el foco y que recuerden sus valores porque mas alla de su musica que es lo que nos encanta, en cada artista viene una persona que con sus costumbres y valores nos enseña, nos alienta, nos da animo, nos aconceja, son nuestros amigos, son soñadores que nos animan a soñar; un artista de erdad es aquel que llega a su publico por quien es y que mas alla de el exito y la dimencion que pueda llegar a tener, todo lo que crea lo realiza desde su corazon
Art is like wine, you like what you like. Its all comes down to opinion and last I heard, opinion is not fact.
I think this is an interesting question. There is a tendency for learned people to look down on popular music claiming that it has no real significance and that the music is too basic and not challenging. To me, this seems unfair. Music is meant to move your heart. What moves my heart on any given moment changes. I certainly appreciate and recognize people who know their instruments well but I don’t think that means simpler music should be ignored. In the end, I think we all have our purpose in this life and those who are meant to sing and perform will sing and perform whether it’s to a large crowd or a small crowd. No one should have to feel embarassed or explain why a particular artist moves them. That’s the joy and beauty of art! An artist who is popular has obviously brought joy to many people. You may like or dislike them, but I would hope you would listen to them before you make that decision!
Popular music is after all due to worldwide positive response to primarily the music/song, then the artist. I find that music does not allow you to not have an emotional response. And whatever the response, it is without doubt genuine. The strength and power of music/a song goes beyond the words, the artist’s delivery of the notes – even they are affected by the structure and mood of the not too visible world. People who look down on popular music, I don’t know, probably have never tried to sing to themselves or an audience.
Here’s a personal experience: I’ve just adopted a tabby kitten who is now about 9 weeks old. He’s growing and learning so he’s excited about every thing, has a lot of energy. When my other cat finds him too overwhelming and my immediate solution is to separate him (lock him away in a room), I cuddle him and sing to him. I make up my own words or sing a popular music, use random tunes, and hum and surprisingly he calms down, stares at me, then falls asleep in less than 2 minutes.
Another example is of my persian cat. He’s about 4 years old. When he’s in distress or meowing non-stop, I pick him up and dance to an upbeat popular song by Britney or Beyonce or Pussycat Dolls etc. – as long as it makes you really move your body – he feels better. I know this because he would purr really loudly.
So popular music I find has real significance – the same as any other music.
Some times some people want to feel them so special and diferent (better) than other people, that means that they have to had diferent preferences.
An artist is always an artist, with 2 or whit 200000000 folowers.
Thank you for let us participate in all this, good bye.
I agree about the prejudice. I don’t necessarily listen to very much pop music, but I do recognize what is often so ‘catchy’ about it. I don’t believe that popularity should decrease quality, and I do not believe that the number of people that listen to certain music determines its quality. Unfortunately factors that seem irrelevant to the music often effect the music. The artists are often coming from a different place personally and therefore artistically as their popularity rises. I think one thing that happens from time to time is that all of the unimportant factors seem to effect the true music as sometimes artists get caught up in what is fed to them as reality: fame, ego, etc.
Any artist that can touch people’s soul through their art are quality artists, but is the wider the audience the better quality their work is? A lot has to do with marketing and the commercial and distribution aspect and amount of funds available to launch a song, a book…
What I hate is when people don’t even know the subject and says it’s bad!
This reminds me once several years ago I told my ex-boyfriend my favorite author is Paulo Coelho, he says he is brazilian too, be hasn’t read any of your books because he heard you are very bad! I told him if he has never read a single book from you how can he know your book is good or bad! Needless to say my opinion on him took a downside… For me, whoever with the power to sell millions of books or songs and change people’s lives positively cannot be bad!! Of course there are some who want to be different from other just to prove they are smarter and different from others.
I like pop music and think that many of the songs that are put down as not arty enough are really the poetry of our time, depicting the basic most noble purposes for which mankind strives.
Before I left Pau, two persons sang the praises of my voice. And it really motivated me for a while… Though I know I’d better find in me the way to go along with. I’m too afraid about concerts I think, but I’m ready now to pass over it.
Then I arrived In my new town, and my friend here asked me to play guitar and sing, because indeed, in the past, I was not making music anymore, but scripts. I played “redemption song” from Bob Marley. I was tired by the travel and a bit ill so my voice was not at his top, and also, I’m not so regular with.
He then told me I have a soft voice totally formed for piano bar, where people could here me, while they are doing other things: like eating or so. I was so upset. Then He told me about his sister in law that has a ” really beautiful jazzy voice”, and it really twisted the knife into the wound. It really disappointed me. Not about that friend, because I know people around me don’t say all this deliberatly. These are maybe Freudian slip.
I will write new songs and search for musicians here, but all this shows my fragility about my self-confidence with. And also, I should not here for compliments neither belittles but work with all my pleasure. Since, it broke my heart in two.
Have all a lovely afternoon.
I forgot to put my link for you could hear me a bit. ;) http://www.myspace.com/acome
Enjoy!
Beautiful dear friend Catherine Martinex. Wonderful voice and your photo and eyes are amazing.Thank you.
Never be discouraged of … critics!!
LOVE,
Thelma xxx
Thank you dear Thelma,
And I hope you won’t be upset about me, for what I wrote to you about Greek people. I Love Greece. I have been there once, in Athena, and also in the Cyclads. I really liked the people over there, and also the foooooood. The sea, the weather. Mmmmmmmmm.
It’s maybe the place I’d love to spend the last days of my life.
It was not against you, but I learnt about and so, it is like when you know something as a possible truth and you don’t say it. I don’t consider it is a good thing.
It reminds me when Paulo wrote his “thanks” to President Bush. I remember a woman called Hummingbird was very angry about Paulo, though she used to love him. That’s the same thing. All the people of the earth are great, but there are people in each country that succeeded in lying to us. It’s not your fault, neither mine. And I don’t force you to believe me. That’s what inside of me, from my studies. I hope you’ll understand and that you won’t bear me a grudge for this.
Now I admit I’m a bit sad for the tone I may use…
With love.
Catherine.
Just had a listen and LOVED your music!!!!!!!!!!!
Thank you for sharing your story and music Catherine. I have grown up around musicians, the arts … and do understand hurt feelings, because another is being critical. Although each has his own taste and is also important, your gift, is precious to your heart.
And a beautiful gift you have. I hope that you will keep right on singing (please do not worry about critics)!!!!!!!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Um9KsrH377A&feature=related
Perhaps you will find this interview of interest (there are 2 parts) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gPuY320gOrA
Thanks again Catherine, Love and Best of Luck, Jane : )
Dear Jane,
I watched the first link you gave to me, and I can’t stop crying. Well, it’s so true. I Thank you so much. Yes, we can shine. :)
Much love to you both. Thank you.
The problem is that noone in my family believed in me. On the contrary, they always put me down. I consolated myself telling me they all wanted to be in my place. And they could. Because they all are gifted for arts, but they never could live with the harsh life It touched me so. Thank you dear friends.
I’m smiling/crying because I can feel I need to hear what you wrote both of you.
Paulo wrote “who supports you”, and I guess noone around me supported me but some friends on the web. It’s not the same to have people around you in real that supports you. Still, I’m very touched.
For you Ninni, Paulo, Thelma, Jane, Vero, Adam, Ludovic and Noah: I thank you with all my heart.
Angels are with you.
<3
Catherine.
I have actually thought about this a lot, frequently while being a little bit embarrassed that I really enjoy pop artists. I am also fan of British literature. I adore Shakespeare, Chaucer, Alexander Pope, Oscar Wilde and the whole lot of them! These are all acceptable people to like and yet, somehow, they were very popular in their own time as well. I don’t know why it has become a trend to dislike what everybody else likes, and to dislike anything that isn’t dark and full of deep, important meaning. I just like things that bring joy into my world so that I can spread that joy into the world around me. I cannot see anything wrong with that! :)
Well, there are so many new artists coming up. Talking about singers and musicians, there are many people who try and get to be famous through music but there love interest is not music. Rather, it is becoming an actor or just be famous for any reason they can be. Though, I truly appreciate many pop singers and love them for their music. Because, what ever we see and hear through popular stars, is not always fake. Even if it is, all that allows us to go in a different direction. Give our thought a different direction. They help us experience different emotions and feelings we are blessed to feel, but for some reason or the other, we don’t really give them that much importance. We feel it, but never , really, are able to express them. It not just the sentimental part, but also, the party mood, for celebration, to enjoy our life.
We can not really image life without music. And, if it is not popular, not many will be able to enjoy it. Also, popularity is acceptable if, the audience like his or her work, quality always matters, and not something an artist wishes for.
I think an artist can in any way express himself in .. Art and as you said once, dearest Paulo Coelho, an artist needs .. an audience!
I remember my father saying about a painting: this is … a commercial one. Meaning that the artist was not expressing himself only, but his main objective was … material gain. The same applies to every kind of art. But artists have to … buy bread and live!! They cannot live on the .. clouds and in their dreams.. ;-] Then we have the word ‘inspiration’ = in + spirit and the MUSES. In Ancient Greece the Muses were Goddesses protecting the Arts. My ancestors have placed Arts in the hands of Gods. Art is the manifestation of the artist’s inner world in the material world. It is perceived and appreciated by the senses but simultaneously by the psychic world. Taste and culture is something abstract, that cannot be measured. Critics are the … so -called experts to ‘judge’ a piece of art. On the other hand the people, the society are the real … judges. They like or dislike, they accept or reject. It becomes … popular and successful. Taste is different, but it can be ‘manipulated’ by the system and ‘refined’ by cultivating our inner world.
I like all kinds of music. The right music at the right time!
What I have noticed is that when I listen to pop music the center that is vibrating with it is in my .. chest. When I listen to classical music I feel it in my … right part of my … brain!!! I wish I could have a Kirlian photo camera and ’see’ the .. difference!! Speaking about Kirlian I have heard that when a person is meditating and praying his Aura becomes white.
LOVE,
Thelma xxx
I have noticed the same thing!!! when I listen to pop music it resonates from the chest.. classical music is more like resonating to the head! (but I don’t know which part! hehe)
I believe that the artist that compromises his Art for material gain, he betrays his soul.. after all , the real Artists don’t do it for money..they only seek their soul to be heard/read/ and so on. they do it for the joy it brings.. not for the money…
Love and Graditude
Swannie
I think you had a very thoughtful reply to the question. While I agree with you that everyone needs money to eat and that someone shouldn’t have it held against them for doing commercial work, I do think that if someone allows that to be the main focus of his/her work, he/she will lose the drive that makes his/her work truly beautiful. When people are being honest and true to the talent they are born with, it can’t be ignored. I may not care for or understand a particular piece of art or music, I feel you can tell if the person is following their heart or as Paulo would say, their Personal Legend.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Muse
MUSE.
Some Greek mysthology!
LOVE,
Thelma xxx
Here in my new town there are six Muses on the roof of the Mayor House, and I told some days ago: “I wish you inspired me”.
An old man coming from Burgundy till the eighties, told me yesterday, that before neighbour’s complaints, musicians were used to play on the place before the House. But now it’s over. I’m really upset that we can’t make a town a feast, instead of living in autere lives, like it became in France since many years.
Though Bayonne is known for his big festival, pop or street musicians are more and more rare. I’m wondering if it is because they don’t dare or if it is because it’s more and more forbidden. Now the sky is too rainy for I try this luck. But I’d like so much to have guts to do.
Muse is a pop-rock band I adore!
INVICIBLE
Follow through
Make your dreams come true
Don’t give up the fight
You will be alright
‘Cause there’s no one like you in the universe
Don’t be afraid
What your mind conceives
You should make a stand
Stand up for what you believe
And tonight
We can truly say
Together we’re invincible
During the struggle
They will pull us down
But please, please
Let’s use this chance
To turn things around
And tonight
We can truly say
Together we’re invincible
Do it on your own
It makes no difference to me
What you leave behind
What you choose to be
And whatever they say
Your souls unbreakable
During the struggle
They will pull us down
But please, please
Let’s use this chance
To turn things around
And tonight
We can truly say
Together we’re invincible
Together we’re invincible
During the struggle
They will pull us down
Please, please
Let’s use this chance
To turn things around
And tonight
We can truly say
Together we’re invincible
Together we’re invincible
They must have read Paulo… :D
i agree that pop artists are trying to spread joy all over the world. it’s fun.
but, on quality, i think i have to be careful about it. i think some are superficial. (i am talking about all modern and current artists here) what i mean by superficial is that she is unable to bring raw materials, something that really matters for her, to the surface because she is stuck with the surface that she has already made before. (to be perfectly honest, i am the one who are having a bit of trouble going beyond ’superficial’. it is just hard to get out…)
anyway, so i do not think it is a good idea to say bad thing just because she or he is popular.
thanks for reading.
love
I just remembered that loving and listening popular artists, music, would be right if one is not forcing others to do the same. I had a bad experience, while travelling home from a sea side resort, far from my city. I took the fastest modern train, imagining I will have comfort. Sure ticket was expensive, But quality deserves a price, I told to myself. What a wrong idea, after a while, in I realised that a certain folk music( popular here to some, from peasent origins) was to be heard over and over again, loudly. I asked the personal of train if they cant stop it, or at least to change the band…The told me it was only the conductor that could do that, and they cant disturb him during the work.Each hour the put same music from the beginning, and I was travelling a few hours…Near my destination I felt really tired, with strong head ache.
My coleague in faculty had a simillar experience, but he had with him a real band, and he said was as living in a Kusturica movie( he dont love such).
Hi Alexandra,
I have to laugh because most of us have been to a similar situation. What comes to my mind was an Easter a few years ago when we decided to go camping in the desert, which we have done several times, and had the place all to ourselves. Not this time. The area we found filled up with happy campers, and a bunch of kids in a huge red truck, who fired up loud rap on the stereo. Gone was the sound of the summing spring desert, and any wish for a quiet few days. Some campers with children tried to reason with them, but nope, they were in the mood for PARTYING…
Love & admiration,
Heart