Adorno, Theodor (1941) ‘On Popular Music’, Studies in Philosophy and Socail Science, No. 9.
Adorno introduces this article by identifying “two spheres
of music”, that being popular music and serious music. He explains how popular
music is a standardised text that is feed to the masses, whereas serious music
is unstandardized and is enjoyed and understood by those who are musically
educated for example the music of Beethoven.
He puts forward the idea that popular music is emphasised by
its chorus, which is limited to 32 bars, and the range is restricted to one
octave and one note. This is used in popular music in order for the song to
sound familiar as audiences are aware of genre, and song structure. This means
that popular songs are unable to experiment with their sound and create
something innovative. In order for a song or musician to become popular they
must stick to the rules of ‘popular music’.
Using ‘Jessie J – Domino’ as an example, which is currently in
the top five of the UK charts, I feel that this song is relevant to Adorno’s
theory as it is recognisable, familiar and generic. In other words, this song
follows the rules of standardised popular music.
Adorno puts forwards the theory of 'pseudo-individualism' which is the illusion of individuality. He uses the example of jazz music to illustrate this point further. During 'break-downs' and jazz 'improvisations' the audience are tricked into believing that the music is original and unstructured whereas in reality it conforms to a musical note structure and does not vary away from that.
Adorno uses Beethoven as an example of serious music being
the polar opposite of popular music. He explains that Beethovens music is
understood as a “whole”. Each musical element is treated as ‘cogs in a machine’
all working together in order to create something that is musically great. This
process is not found in popular music as it has not gone through the same
intricate musical process.
With this is mind, it begs the question of why is popular
music so popular? Surely audiences’
would have become bored by being sold the same music, just repackaged, over
over? Adorno’s solution to this question is that popular music acts as a
distraction from worries over war, unemployment etc. The masses need
standardised music for leisure when they are not at work. I.e. They need
something that doesn’t demand their attention.
'Adorno uses Beethoven as an example of serious music being the polar opposite of popular music. He explains that Beethovens music is understood as a “whole”. Each musical element is treated as ‘cogs in a machine’ all working together in order to create something that is musically great. This process is not found in popular music as it has not gone through the same intricate musical process.'
ReplyDeleteListen to Springsteen's 'Born to Run' album - an excellent example of Pop music working as a whole, not to mention that the opening track, 'Thunder Road' does not feature a 'real' chorus.
No one really knows why the human species enjoy listening to music, but Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz took a stab at it - 'The pleasure we obtain from music comes from counting, but counting unconsciously. Music is nothing but unconscious arithmetic'. Makes sense - when a band performs 'tightly' it usually sounds better than one playing out of time, which applies to both Pop and Serious music. And of course, music makes counting surprising and sexy - I know I can't help but get drawn in when Elvis is in love, (2, 3, 4) and all shook up. There is only really one way to count correctly, but there is an infinite amount of ways you can phrase a Jazz solo as to mislead an audience and create (and relieve) suspense. Beethoven in fact is less spontaneous with maters of time - perhaps he assumed his audience would prefer primary school counting while they focus their intellect so intensely on the intricacies of his melodies.
And where does Bob Dylan fit in? The lyrical content of his oeuvre demands close attention when listening, not least because of his delivery! His work is written to provoke thought, as is all good art. Admittedly the musical composition doesn't really push boundaries compared to serious artists such as Steve Reich, but that is only half of the picture - I would even go as far as saying it is only the frame. Even though it may make my mind ponder war, government and lifestyle (amongst more menial subjects), I still want to listen to it when I finish work.
Really, the answer is simple - popular music is so popular because it's good!
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