3 ms·
A pretty information free article. I would note that looking at the first singles from the Beatles, they were simple repetitive songs (three chords? too complex
by dhosek 3y ago
A pretty information free article. I would note that looking at the first singles from the Beatles, they were simple repetitive songs (three chords? too complex, let’s do two instead!) Add in that their baseline of the 70s also would be the apex of the popularity of progressive rock.
- alpinisme 3y agoBut the 70s don’t have a monopoly on complexity. Swing bands, Tin Pan Alley, Broadway show tunes, etc. were the pre-rock popular music genres with notable complexity.
- Loughla 3y agoSwing bands as complexity? I played a shit load of swing music on scholarship during college. It's super SUPER repetitive. It's good. Don't get me wrong. But it's very repetitive.
- alpinisme 3y agoSure, it’s dance music so it can’t be too wild. But Duke Ellington, Benny Goodman, Count Basie. These guys had varied songs that included (limited but real) improvisation, differing tempos, etc. But really the OP article is about lyrics and I think it’s safe to say that the songs sung by Ella Fitzgerald, Nina Simone, Billie Holiday, Frank Sinatra, and Nat King Cole were more complex than top 40 pop today mostly is.
- dhosek 3y agoSome are, some not so much. Consider, e.g., Jeepers Creepers. There are plenty of simplistic lyrics in the Great American Songbook.