This depends on the definition of 'pop song' you use here of course.

When you use the meaning: a 'commercial'song that appeals to young top 40-music followers, i think most of the time he isn't really busy with that, he has had hits enough allready in the eighties and first half of the nineties. I don't think its his main focus / interest.

From time to time he tries it, i think, with contemporary R&B-type of songs like Incense and Candles, Mr. Goodnight and some of the songs on MPLsound, but he better leave that kind of crap to the teenyboppers... lol

When you use the definition: well composed and performed melodic song with a classic structure and a strong chorus (Little Red Corvette, Raspberry beret, Starfish and Coffee, Glam Slam and Dolphin as earlier examples) i agree with you OP.

I think most songs of this type he has delivered in the 00's either lack a strong chorus (Cinnamon girl) or are to generic / lazy in terms of songwriting (Morning after). And the sole moment he succeeds with it (All the midnights in the world, an underrated little gem IMO) he spoils it with a bit with a lazy take on the vocals.

[Edited 1/1/11 6:57am]

he's written too many good songs since being independent for the question to really be taken seriously

Chocolate Box is catchier and funkier than anything on MJ'S new album....not 2 mention tunes mentioned above!!!.....MJ's album was pure drivvle and im a huge fan of his by the way!!!...and half the songs it dosent even sound like him singin!!!

Optimus2 said:

Chocolate Box is catchier and funkier than anything on MJ'S new album....not 2 mention tunes mentioned above!!!.....MJ's album was pure drivvle and im a huge fan of his by the way!!!...and half the songs it dosent even sound like him singin!!!

also tunes like Guitar, Im The One U Wanna See, Dance 4 Me, Black Sweat, Compassion, and Laydown!!!

Let´s not make this a huge Prince Vs. MJ debate because they both deserve their rightful respect for what they´ve done / does for the music history and they are both clearly musical geniuses. But "Hollywood Tonight" was actually written by MJ back in 1981. Jackson recorded it for his Invincible sessions in 2001 for inclusion on the album, but it did not make it. MJ took it out of his vaults and recorded new vocals again in 2007. So it´s actually an old song.

meisme said:

I dont know because I dont think he really cares to write catchy pop songs now. His music has always had a pop appeal to it but with current methods of distribution and such I really dont think he cares if he has a hit or not. He promotes his new music just enough to let people know its out. I know its crazy but not everybody is into the internet so his few tv spots and magazine articles let fans know he has new material out. I think Compassion was pretty catchy but not good for top 40 radio.

apart from Hold My Hand ft Akon...neither is anything on MJS new album...its only becuz people are goin through that "Dig U Better Dead" phrase.....why cudnt they give a shit and go and buy his albums when he was alive???...its pathetic!!!...same as the media they were all bringin mike down and bein mean...but soon as he dies....sun shines out of his back door...as prince sang "Dig U Better Dead"

[Edited 1/2/11 10:04am]

skywalker said:

Spinlight said:

Yes, now move along.

Did MJ write "Hollywood Tonight"?

Is it more catchy than "Sticky Like Glue"?

Listening to Hollywood Tonight at this very moment; It's good and very MJ'ish, but not super catchy in my ears... (The Way You Make Me Feel is much more catchy and classic, just to compare to some of MJ's other works).

And btw, the live version as well as studio version of Sticky Like Glue has been on repeat several times on my iPod... F**** love it!

If it is another MJ vs. Prince thread, Im very disapointed in the OP for picking Hollywood Tonight to represent Mike.

Optimus2 said:

Chocolate Box is catchier and funkier than anything on MJ'S new album....not 2 mention tunes mentioned above!!!.....MJ's album was pure drivvle and im a huge fan of his by the way!!!...and half the songs it dosent even sound like him singin!!!

Chocolate Box is a joke. It's not even close to "funky". And it's not fair to compare any of Prince's music to this new album as some of the songs may not even be his! AND it's a posthumous release so he didn't have any part in releasing it, meaning that it wasn't his vision.

smoothcriminal12 said:

Optimus2 said:

Chocolate Box is catchier and funkier than anything on MJ'S new album....not 2 mention tunes mentioned above!!!.....MJ's album was pure drivvle and im a huge fan of his by the way!!!...and half the songs it dosent even sound like him singin!!!

Chocolate Box is a joke. It's not even close to "funky". And it's not fair to compare any of Prince's music to this new album as some of the songs may not even be his! AND it's a posthumous release so he didn't have any part in releasing it, meaning that it wasn't his vision.

chocolate box is catchy as hell.....the beats in that song are far funkier than that shitty hollywood track! and if u look i was replyin 2 teh person that started this thread!!!!.they mentioned taht song hollywood tonight and comapred it 2 prince NOT ME!!!...im sorry but hollywwod tonight is a bad song...infact only hold my hand is good and i like the way you love me.....and 4 sakes am I on an MJ fan site or a Prince 1?...no wonder they dont let any1 start MJ threads on here...yas go all "wacko"

PurpleDiamond2009 said:

I think Chocolate Box was Princes sad attempt in able to become more modern lol

well i liked it and others i mentioned earlier....infact a got a few friends in2 that track and dance 4 me...and they cant stand prince!!!...yes it is extremley bubble gum and nothin new....but its nothin any other pop star isnt doin!!!

Chocolate Box 'funky'?

And why are you comparing it to some song put on an album Michael Jackson wouldn't even aprove of when being alive? lol

Cornelius1973 said:

Chocolate Box 'funky'?

And why are you comparing it to some song put on an album Michael Jackson wouldn't even aprove of when being alive? lol

well perhaps if u read the first post by thread maker fiona she did mention hollywood tonight and asked why couldnt prince write a good pop song like this? or more specifically "Has Prince Lost The Ability To Write Catchy Pop Songs?" - Answer - Yes Maybe He Has In Your Eyes.....but MJ wont be writing anything in a hurry again will he? ....so its better than nothin!...cased closed!

Well, my definition of a good catchy pop song isn't a Michael Jackson-song. Its hitparade / producerpop to me.

When i think of a catchy pop song i think about the Beatles or Crowded House.

Fiona01 said:

I just heard Hollywood Tonight from the new MJ album. As soon as I heard it I thought "man, why can't Prince write good funky pop songs like this anymore?"

Listen to songs like Love or Lolita or Chelsea Rodgers.... has the man forgotten how to write a hook??

... back when I listened to the radio I was 'caring' about PoP music, now, not so much. I do believe P could write a 'catchy pop' song, if he so choose but, he's past that.

purplerain14 said:

who the heck cares if its catchy, prince writes beautiful , meaningful music!!!!

stupid question