Back in December the social network feeds went mad for RATM. For those of you outside the US, the sudden appearance of Rage at the top of the trending lists on Twitter and the like was confusing at best. Why are lots of people suddenly talking about a track that was released 12 years ago?
The answer is simple, we were taking back our music chart and denying Joe McEldery a No.1 position. Like Jameson, I dislike the American Idol/ X Factor/ Operación Triunfo palava.
But it would seem like we didn’t have to work that hard at all.
Last weekend I visited the only store left in my hometown which sells CDs. The supermarket. (But that’s another story). And whilst browsing the sole aisle dedicated to musical entertainment, I happened upon ‘The Climb’ – the new album from the latest X factor winner. Normally I wouldn’t stop and take interest in such a product, but I couldn’t help but be amused by the yellow sticker emblazoned on the cover. £3.97. Just 2 weeks in, he’s already in the bargain basement.
Amusement, however, then turned to disatisafaction. For 12 weeks you couldn’t move for the hype over the X Factor competition, tweens across the country were declaring their love for whichever preened and pampered ‘star’ they thought would win that day. But it would seem, like much in today’s society, music too has become disposable.
I don’t really know where I’m going with this rant. Pop music, by it’s very being, is conceived to sell in large quantities and it’s only the very special tracks which make any lasting dent or manage to break through the barriers between generations. And so, it’s inevitable that you will, eventually, end up in the bargain basement. But 2 weeks!?!
Jameson mentioned that the whole talent show hype is soulless, and he’s right. But up until now, I hadn’t quite realised just how soulless it is.
What about you? What do you make of the Idol programmes or the purported introduction of X Factor onto your TV screens. Please, I would love to hear your views.
Thank you.
Post by Mary Stokes - Meet Me
Located in the UK, music has been part of my life for a long time. I'm a classically trained violinist but have a wide range musical knowledge.
