I grew up in the 60's and 70's...classic rock era. I cannot relate to today's glam pop/rap which is quite popular today. What does this say about our generational differences ? 
Is music preference generational ?
- Thread starter rockitman
- Start date
Hello, Christian. To answer the question in your thread title, yes. I believe it is. With that said, IMO much of today's glam pop/rap doesn't have the same quality of actual music we enjoyed when we were growing up. We enjoyed instruments, instrumental solos and we enjoyed new music when the singers would not be singing [if you can call some of today's music that] throughout 99% of the song. We also enjoyed entire albums that told a story. I don't recall any of today's albums that do that. Then add to that, much (please not that I stated much, not all) of what is considered "music" today doesn't even come from actual instruments. A lot of it is computer generated sounds that the glam pop/rap scene considers music. Add to that the recordings that are involved in the loudness wars that completely ruin much of the music put out today.
Another reason we may not be able to relate would be that much of today's music simply repeats itself over and over and over and over and over and over and over.....you get the idea. Then throw in the age difference, our ever changing preferences as we age and the loss of not being able to relate to music we listened to as we were growing up to a certain "highlight" of yesteryear and we have what we call generational music preference. At least IMO. YMMV.
Tom
Another reason we may not be able to relate would be that much of today's music simply repeats itself over and over and over and over and over and over and over.....you get the idea. Then throw in the age difference, our ever changing preferences as we age and the loss of not being able to relate to music we listened to as we were growing up to a certain "highlight" of yesteryear and we have what we call generational music preference. At least IMO. YMMV.
Tom
Of course, our generation had the best music. Always true. When my daughter was in college in the late '90's we were visiting and her dorm was hold an '80's nostalgia dance!
That said, she likes the Beatles. And I do like Frank Sinatra, and Beethoven, and Mozart.
Larry
When my daughter was in college in the late '90's we were visiting and her dorm was hold an '80's nostalgia dance!That said, she likes the Beatles. And I do like Frank Sinatra, and Beethoven, and Mozart.
Larry
Very well said Tom. I also wonder about generational values and how that translates and impacts their generation's music market. I must be getting old and crusty. I recall thinking that of my elders back in the day.
Christian...do you like Justin Bieber....???
How many on this forum like him?
Enough said.
That's my point. What is wrong with that generation ? What are the implications of this generation's music preference and general values going forward. They will be running this country someday...
I grew up in the 60's and 70's...classic rock era. I cannot relate to today's glam pop/rap which is quite popular today. What does this say about our generational differences ?
I suspect it says more about you than music today. I also grew up then (64 now), and liked some of the rock, disliked other rock, and hated soul, folk music, and bluegrass. Over the last ten years I have developed a taste for classical chamber music, primarily of the string quartet variety. I also like some of today's music, and dislike some. I just bought Lady Gaga's latest, Artpop, and am currently ripping a high-res Blueray Audio version of Nirvana' Nevermind to my music server. Last week I added Eminim's latest CD, Marshall Mathers LP 2 to the server. All good music that I will play.
Christian, they could be saying exactly the same thing about you! Actually, they do...
I believe that is true to a certain extent. There will always be a special connection to the music of our formative years. That music wasn't just the soundtrack of that era but was actually part of the complex process that defined our identities. Sometimes to the extent of what tribe you belonged to in that strange land called High School. I believe however that many of us that got a little deeper into music did begin to seek out the influences of the bands we loved. This musical backtracking, at least in my case led me back in time to investigate not only past acts of the same genres but entirely new genres altogether. Moving forward, the same applies as we "discover" the acts that were in turn influenced by the acts/bands of our youth.
As I have gotten older, I must admit that it has gotten more difficult to appreciate new acts. At least those where there's been a break in the chain between then and now. The chain from Stevie Wonder to Michael Jackson to Timberlake to Bruno Mars is pretty clear. The influence of the Fab Four range far and wide and continue to be channeled in both Pop and Rock. The dance sub-genre Trance when you look past the beats and baselines have close ties to classical music from the romantic period. Deep House has close ties with Jazz and Soul. Progressive House deep ties with electronica like Joy Division. Some however just seem totally alien to me like Dub Step which is now all the range in the dance underground. Rock acts like Korn has always seemed alien to me.
Question is, is it the music or is it me? In my younger days I had the "patience" to actually learn to like some types of music. David Sylvian, Cocteau Twins, Dead Can Dance, Daly's Car, This Mortal Coil, all acquired tastes. Today, I must admit that the precious time we have to sit and listen, the temptation is to just go with favorites or with the "familiar". Even if I do try my best to make time for new music I find I no longer take the three, four or five replayings to "get it". I think this is a failing on my part. Seeing as I am from a generation different from most here (80's and 90's) I think that perhaps it isn't all generational since the same tendencies go across generational lines.
As I have gotten older, I must admit that it has gotten more difficult to appreciate new acts. At least those where there's been a break in the chain between then and now. The chain from Stevie Wonder to Michael Jackson to Timberlake to Bruno Mars is pretty clear. The influence of the Fab Four range far and wide and continue to be channeled in both Pop and Rock. The dance sub-genre Trance when you look past the beats and baselines have close ties to classical music from the romantic period. Deep House has close ties with Jazz and Soul. Progressive House deep ties with electronica like Joy Division. Some however just seem totally alien to me like Dub Step which is now all the range in the dance underground. Rock acts like Korn has always seemed alien to me.
Question is, is it the music or is it me? In my younger days I had the "patience" to actually learn to like some types of music. David Sylvian, Cocteau Twins, Dead Can Dance, Daly's Car, This Mortal Coil, all acquired tastes. Today, I must admit that the precious time we have to sit and listen, the temptation is to just go with favorites or with the "familiar". Even if I do try my best to make time for new music I find I no longer take the three, four or five replayings to "get it". I think this is a failing on my part. Seeing as I am from a generation different from most here (80's and 90's) I think that perhaps it isn't all generational since the same tendencies go across generational lines.
Christian, they could be saying exactly the same thing about you! Actually, they do...
true, but do you notice the downward trend in economic viability for the masses going forward ? My generation is doing pretty well, in the macro anyway. Look at the opportunities for young people coming out of school today... unless you are and engineer/hi-tech grad.. Few have a path for success and comfort in retirement. If you are not a college grad, opportunities are grim compared to my generation and especially my parents generation. I suppose this is reflected in the words of some modern music.
You know Christian, I don't actually notice "the downward trend in economic viability for the masses going forward". Our generation ( and I suspect that you are of my generation) is lucky to have everything that we have. Personally, I feel that IF what you say is true, then it is a sad indictment on our generation. I have heard the 'baby boomer's' being called the 'me' generation many times now....seems to be that it is getting to be truer and truer.
I'm a generation behind blue fox and I cant stand lady g or mr mathers they say his rhymes are genius, I wouldn't know! I once bought a 50 cent cd for a joke does that count?...otoh I do love folk, bluegrass and lately country (to my wife's chagrin). fwiw, iv'e met many music lovers/collectors from all socioeconomic backgrounds and I've found no hard fast rule that smart/rich people prefer this music and the impoverished something else, if this is what some are alluding to.
I don't think this generation's woes can be pinned on the boomers. It is more complicated than that. I think it has more to do with progressive ideology that has infiltrated our education system and of course our political system over the years. In my day, you had respect for elders and listened to their advice the majority or the time. We had values that acted as a moral compass....ie: you pay your dues, work hard, you will be rewarded. Today ? It seems to be all about entitlement whether deserving or not.
Exceptions exist...
A girl who was in her early twenties initiated a conversation with me in a Nashville record store. Her knowledge of the Sixties music scene was truly amazing.
Then, there are the young artists. Were they born too late? I doubt it.
A girl who was in her early twenties initiated a conversation with me in a Nashville record store. Her knowledge of the Sixties music scene was truly amazing.
Then, there are the young artists. Were they born too late? I doubt it.
It's every generation's role to bemoan the music of the next generation. Clearly, from this thread it's not just their musical choices that are frowned upon.
Thus it was and will always be.
Thus it was and will always be.
To some degree, I believe musical preferences come with life experiences. For example, when did you last listen to The Dave Clark Five? What about Sonny Rollins? See what I mean? In a lot of cases, we have made our parents proud with the maturity of our preferences. Why should the new generation be any different? Good music lasts, and the mundane disappears.
Case in point...
From Wilkipedia - "After You've Gone" is a 1918 popular song composed by Turner Layton, with lyrics written by Henry Creamer. It was recorded by Marion Harris on July 22, 1918 and released on Victor 18509."
Last edited:
Lol, I would expect that comment from our brethren of the great white north. The fact remains, we are building a generation of entitlement pussies. I was screwing up in my late teens. Tough love turned me around. Today, you lose a soccer game, you still get a trophy. The way the world really works is that there will always be winners and losers. Not everyone can win despite progressive's good intentions.
http://www.apple.com/itunes/charts/songs/
Please take a look at the link above for just a moment. When you return, could you please state which of the selections of today's music you have sampled, listened to or purchased an album, perhaps a song from? Well, this is the most wanted of "today's" music. Generations from now, do you think that you/they will look back and think that this generation was somewhat taken aback with talent or would you/they think they were the cutting edge to the next wave of musical genius? How would they stack up to your own personal generation of music?
Food for thought.
Tom
Please take a look at the link above for just a moment. When you return, could you please state which of the selections of today's music you have sampled, listened to or purchased an album, perhaps a song from? Well, this is the most wanted of "today's" music. Generations from now, do you think that you/they will look back and think that this generation was somewhat taken aback with talent or would you/they think they were the cutting edge to the next wave of musical genius? How would they stack up to your own personal generation of music?
Food for thought.
Tom
Glad you saw the humour of that.
Regarding music...I do think there is a generational aspect involved, but the degree varies from music lover to music lover. I love discovering new artists old and new (to me) despite my great affection for the music of the 60's and 70's. New/newer artists, such as Half Moon Run, Kings of Leon, The National, Sigur Ros, Arcade Fire and others give me hope that good music is all around. We just need to take a chance on them.
Similar threads
 | Steve Williams Site Founder | Site Owner | Administrator |  | Ron Resnick Site Owner | Administrator |  | Julian (The Fixer) Website Build | Marketing Managersing |