October 21, 2010

British singer Elton John described today's songwriters as "pretty awful," pop music as uninspiring and talent shows like "American Idol" as boring in an interview published on Tuesday.

The 63-year-old singer of "Your Song" and "Candle in the Wind," one of the most successful pop artists of all time, added that the instant fame which talent shows can bring was not the way to become a genuine star.

"It's important they (pop stars) write their own songs, so they're not at the mercy of anyone," John, whose real name is Reginald Dwight, told Britain's Radio Times magazine.

"Songwriters today are pretty awful, which is why everything sounds the same. Contemporary pop isn't very inspiring."

He said he was a fan of young female pop acts Lily Allen, Amy Winehouse and Lady Gaga, before adding: "I'm not a fan of talent shows. I probably wouldn't have lasted if I'd gone on one. I was asked to judge 'American Idol'. I couldn't do it because I won't slag anyone off. "Also I don't want to be on television. It's become boring, arse-paralysingly brain crippling."

He said "X Factor" judge and music producer Simon Cowell had discovered some talented acts through his TV shows, "but the only way to sustain a career is to pay your dues in small ... clubs.

"I was in a band at 17, became a songwriter with Bernie Taupin and wasn't successful until we'd had six years of hard graft and disappointment, as well as great times.

"TV vaults you to superstardom and then you have to back it up, which is hard. (British 'X Factor' winners) Leona Lewis and Alexandra Burke are at the mercy of the next song they can get. "('Britain's Got Talent' runner-up) Susan Boyle was an endearing phenomenon, but I fear she might not understand the rigors of showbusiness."

http://www.reuters.com/ar...1I20101019

[Edited 10/21/10 6:24am]

I agree with Elton. Most people don't have a clue how to write a real song anymore. Gone are the days of great songs from people like Elton, Dylan, Joni, Marvin etc.

I don't think I remember hearing a song with a bridge these days, movements or without a fade.

On the other hand, there're some good songs that are floating around the indie scene. Elton shouldn't put them all in one barrel.

Harlepolis said:

I don't think I remember hearing a song with a bridge these days, movements or without a fade.

On the other hand, there're some good songs that are floating around the indie scene. Elton shouldn't put them all in one barrel.

No, but the one's with near decent songwriting skills a few and far between. He's absolutely on point, I get so sick and tired of veterans constantly praising no-talented artists today because they don't want to come off as jealous. I honestly don't want to hear about a backlash against him because he spoke an undisputed truth, these artists today don't have a leg to stand on.

[Edited 10/21/10 10:49am]

Finally someone says something against the status quo of "modern mainstream music".

I can´t remember when I last heard a great song. I really can´t. And I can´t tell one song form the other, so I do agree with him 100%.

yep, there's an overwhelming/dangerous lack of catchy singles, decent melodies, interesting bridges, wicked rhythms, ect. these days...

well, that's not fair, I stand corrected: this decade (00s) has featured some amazing album/songs, but the huge amount of high-quality singles during the 60s,70s,80s and even the early 90s is nowhere to be found these days...

[Edited 10/21/10 10:51am]

...and I guess that's why they call it the blues.....

well im pretty sure a singer pianist from the 1950's was saying the same thing about music in the 70s sooooo......

Elton is absolutely right How many of today's songs are gonna be considered "classics" 30 years from now?

He should know.

missfee said:

...and I guess that's why they call it the blues.....

I always like some of Elton's songs, but dude is sounding a bit old and out of touch here. First of all, most of us know all this. We're just apathetic or don't know what to do to change it. Second, as he himself pointed out, he didn't even write lyrics, Bernie did.

In regards to great songs, though, I hear them regularly by all kinds of small bands and composers who just aren't getting listened to by more than a hanful of people (in relation to the music listening public at large). Another one of the awesome (sarcastic and serious) affects the internet has had on the music business.

Nevermind the songwriting. The music behind it is even worse. It's not music.

I'd been singing that tune 4 quite a while.

Cerebus said:

missfee said:

...and I guess that's why they call it the blues.....

I always like some of Elton's songs, but dude is sounding a bit old and out of touch here. First of all, most of us know all this. We're just apathetic or don't know what to do to change it. Second, as he himself pointed out, he didn't even write lyrics, Bernie did.

In regards to great songs, though, I hear them regularly by all kinds of small bands and composers who just aren't getting listened to by more than a hanful of people (in relation to the music listening public at large). Another one of the awesome (sarcastic and serious) affects the internet has had on the music business.

I dont think he's out of touch, i think alot of people are out of touch, did anyone see this dudes cd collection, he buys every single cd that comes out every tuesday, indie, pop, rap whatever, he is more in touch than probably any artist out there and for him to comment i take it more seriously then someone isolated like say...Prince. Also songwriting is both, Elton doesnt write lyrics, but listen to todays songwriters doing the music, its a nightmare, same chord progressions, nothing is changing, indie or contemporary for every lightning in the bottle you got about 100 shit artists. So again the whole "indie" being this well of amazing crafted songs and talent its just no one is paying attention is sounding sorry to say...."old". I can listen to the new Elton cd and get more "life" out of a 64 year old, and a 60 year lyric writer than say a kid just entering the scene who should be kicking the ass of the older crowd.

SoulAlive said:

Elton is absolutely right How many of today's songs are gonna be considered "classics" 30 years from now?

I definitely agree. I was saying the same thing the other day when I caught an episode of 106th and Park

lastdecember said:

Cerebus said:

I always like some of Elton's songs, but dude is sounding a bit old and out of touch here. First of all, most of us know all this. We're just apathetic or don't know what to do to change it. Second, as he himself pointed out, he didn't even write lyrics, Bernie did.

In regards to great songs, though, I hear them regularly by all kinds of small bands and composers who just aren't getting listened to by more than a hanful of people (in relation to the music listening public at large). Another one of the awesome (sarcastic and serious) affects the internet has had on the music business.

I dont think he's out of touch, i think alot of people are out of touch, did anyone see this dudes cd collection, he buys every single cd that comes out every tuesday, indie, pop, rap whatever, he is more in touch than probably any artist out there and for him to comment i take it more seriously then someone isolated like say...Prince. Also songwriting is both, Elton doesnt write lyrics, but listen to todays songwriters doing the music, its a nightmare, same chord progressions, nothing is changing, indie or contemporary for every lightning in the bottle you got about 100 shit artists. So again the whole "indie" being this well of amazing crafted songs and talent its just no one is paying attention is sounding sorry to say...."old". I can listen to the new Elton cd and get more "life" out of a 64 year old, and a 60 year lyric writer than say a kid just entering the scene who should be kicking the ass of the older crowd.

bboy87 said:

SoulAlive said:

Elton is absolutely right How many of today's songs are gonna be considered "classics" 30 years from now?

I definitely agree. I was saying the same thing the other day when I caught an episode of 106th and Park

^^ 05-10 era ("today"):

Boulevard of Broken Dreams - Green Day

Sometimes You Can't Make It On Your Own - U2

Hung Up - Madonna

Speed of Sound - Coldplay

Back to Black - Amy Whinehouse

Rehab - Amy Whinehouse

You're Beautiful - James Blunt

Umbrella - Rihanna

Don't Stop the Music - Rihanna

Kids - MGMT

Hot N' Cold - Katie Perry

I Kissed a Girl - Katie Perry

Viva la Vida - Coldplay

Mercy - Duffy

Just Dance - Lady GaGa

PokerFace - Lady GaGa

Sexy Bitch - Akon & D.Guetta

I Gotta Feeling - BEPeas

Tik Tok - Ke$ha

I'm no fan of many of these songs, but I bet that 30 years from now they will be still included in many Best of the 00s compilations...

and there's also some great stuff that didn't chart at all, because of the rise of shit-hop and shit-dance.

As I said some weeks ago in a similar thread, it's the BillboardTop100 which is in trouble, today's pop sucks, pop singles suck, and it all started in 2004...

lastdecember said:

Cerebus said:

I always like some of Elton's songs, but dude is sounding a bit old and out of touch here. First of all, most of us know all this. We're just apathetic or don't know what to do to change it. Second, as he himself pointed out, he didn't even write lyrics, Bernie did.

In regards to great songs, though, I hear them regularly by all kinds of small bands and composers who just aren't getting listened to by more than a hanful of people (in relation to the music listening public at large). Another one of the awesome (sarcastic and serious) affects the internet has had on the music business.

I dont think he's out of touch, i think alot of people are out of touch, did anyone see this dudes cd collection, he buys every single cd that comes out every tuesday, indie, pop, rap whatever, he is more in touch than probably any artist out there and for him to comment i take it more seriously then someone isolated like say...Prince. Also songwriting is both, Elton doesnt write lyrics, but listen to todays songwriters doing the music, its a nightmare, same chord progressions, nothing is changing, indie or contemporary for every lightning in the bottle you got about 100 shit artists. So again the whole "indie" being this well of amazing crafted songs and talent its just no one is paying attention is sounding sorry to say...."old". I can listen to the new Elton cd and get more "life" out of a 64 year old, and a 60 year lyric writer than say a kid just entering the scene who should be kicking the ass of the older crowd.

I get your point but that's a bad example: Elton's 00s albums SUCK

lastdecember said:

Cerebus said:

I always like some of Elton's songs, but dude is sounding a bit old and out of touch here. First of all, most of us know all this. We're just apathetic or don't know what to do to change it. Second, as he himself pointed out, he didn't even write lyrics, Bernie did.

In regards to great songs, though, I hear them regularly by all kinds of small bands and composers who just aren't getting listened to by more than a hanful of people (in relation to the music listening public at large). Another one of the awesome (sarcastic and serious) affects the internet has had on the music business.

I dont think he's out of touch, i think alot of people are out of touch, did anyone see this dudes cd collection, he buys every single cd that comes out every tuesday, indie, pop, rap whatever, he is more in touch than probably any artist out there and for him to comment i take it more seriously then someone isolated like say...Prince. Also songwriting is both, Elton doesnt write lyrics, but listen to todays songwriters doing the music, its a nightmare, same chord progressions, nothing is changing, indie or contemporary for every lightning in the bottle you got about 100 shit artists. So again the whole "indie" being this well of amazing crafted songs and talent its just no one is paying attention is sounding sorry to say...."old". I can listen to the new Elton cd and get more "life" out of a 64 year old, and a 60 year lyric writer than say a kid just entering the scene who should be kicking the ass of the older crowd.

Well, first of all (although I'm not claiming you said I did, necessarilly) I never mentioned the word "indie".

Second, I don't agree. I listen to all kinds of electronic music, jazz/improvised music and quite a bit of rock on a regular basis that moves me far more than anything Elton will release for the rest of his life (we all have different personal tastes). It's just music that has no part of the mainstream what-so-ever, and that's not what Elton was talking about. He's very clearly quoted as saying "pop" and "contemporary pop" several times. Elton may listen to a shit ton of music, but he doesn't listen to all of it.

And I'm not bashing Elton, either, as I am a fan. I just think his comments, like many others, sound like more of the old guard complaining about the same old thing. "I don't like popular music these days." "The music business isn't like it used to be." Great. I get that. But that doesn't mean all new music is crap, or that there aren't MANY incredible songwriters out there. Unfortunately those people aren't being force fed to the masses right now so they aren't being discussed.

JoeTyler said:

lastdecember said:

I dont think he's out of touch, i think alot of people are out of touch, did anyone see this dudes cd collection, he buys every single cd that comes out every tuesday, indie, pop, rap whatever, he is more in touch than probably any artist out there and for him to comment i take it more seriously then someone isolated like say...Prince. Also songwriting is both, Elton doesnt write lyrics, but listen to todays songwriters doing the music, its a nightmare, same chord progressions, nothing is changing, indie or contemporary for every lightning in the bottle you got about 100 shit artists. So again the whole "indie" being this well of amazing crafted songs and talent its just no one is paying attention is sounding sorry to say...."old". I can listen to the new Elton cd and get more "life" out of a 64 year old, and a 60 year lyric writer than say a kid just entering the scene who should be kicking the ass of the older crowd.

I get your point but that's a bad example: Elton's 00s albums SUCK

don't be so retarded

errant said:

JoeTyler said:

I get your point but that's a bad example: Elton's 00s albums SUCK

don't be so retarded

^ don't pretend you're not retarded

There are barely any actual songwriters left are there? And no I don't mean singer/songwriters or co-writers/producers just plain songwriters? I think half the problem with rnb and pop are that the producers are also co-writing the songs and basically they shouldn't be doing both LOL.

It doesn't help that these days everything is compressed MP3 style mix wise. Sonically todays music is such a step backwards. It's so loud and harsh for lack of a better word.

JoeTyler said:

errant said:

don't be so retarded

^ don't pretend you're not retarded

3121 is not my favorite Prince album of the decade and I don't think Reflection is the worst song on Musicology. and I think Elton's 00's albums are much better than his 80's and 90's material. clearly I am not retarded

errant said:

JoeTyler said:

^ don't pretend you're not retarded

3121 is not my favorite Prince album of the decade and I don't think Reflection is the worst song on Musicology. and I think Elton's 00's albums are much better than his 80's and 90's material. clearly I am not retarded

haaaaaaaaaaaaaa!

no

JoeTyler said:

errant said:

3121 is not my favorite Prince album of the decade and I don't think Reflection is the worst song on Musicology. and I think Elton's 00's albums are much better than his 80's and 90's material. clearly I am not retarded

haaaaaaaaaaaaaa!

no

big fan of adult contemporary synth orchestras and sappy cartoon theme songs are we?

Cerebus said:

lastdecember said:

I dont think he's out of touch, i think alot of people are out of touch, did anyone see this dudes cd collection, he buys every single cd that comes out every tuesday, indie, pop, rap whatever, he is more in touch than probably any artist out there and for him to comment i take it more seriously then someone isolated like say...Prince. Also songwriting is both, Elton doesnt write lyrics, but listen to todays songwriters doing the music, its a nightmare, same chord progressions, nothing is changing, indie or contemporary for every lightning in the bottle you got about 100 shit artists. So again the whole "indie" being this well of amazing crafted songs and talent its just no one is paying attention is sounding sorry to say...."old". I can listen to the new Elton cd and get more "life" out of a 64 year old, and a 60 year lyric writer than say a kid just entering the scene who should be kicking the ass of the older crowd.

Well, first of all (although I'm not claiming you said I did, necessarilly) I never mentioned the word "indie".

Second, I don't agree. I listen to all kinds of electronic music, jazz/improvised music and quite a bit of rock on a regular basis that moves me far more than anything Elton will release for the rest of his life (we all have different personal tastes). It's just music that has no part of the mainstream what-so-ever, and that's not what Elton was talking about. He's very clearly quoted as saying "pop" and "contemporary pop" several times. Elton may listen to a shit ton of music, but he doesn't listen to all of it.

And I'm not bashing Elton, either, as I am a fan. I just think his comments, like many others, sound like more of the old guard complaining about the same old thing. "I don't like popular music these days." "The music business isn't like it used to be." Great. I get that. But that doesn't mean all new music is crap, or that there aren't MANY incredible songwriters out there. Unfortunately those people aren't being force fed to the masses right now so they aren't being discussed.

No im saying how everyone falls back on the whole indie thing, which is the cool word, look at everyone who claims their film is the "shit" because its indie, most indie films are shit, trust me i have to deal with actors that come from them and watch their clips its all the same shit, and its got nothing to do, it just seems to be a word everyone latches on to and it becomes the cool thing. But like you said Elton is talking mainstream today, and he is 100% right on that, it does suck, scan the current top 100 the top playlists and see what you got? Ne-Yo is considered a song writer? now like you said that is mainstream and i dont think Elton was saying every single thing out there it was aimed at the mainstream in this country and his. And for the mainstream, i dont see anything with hope, are there other things buried, of course, Ryan Adams was the clear artist of the decade (not Beyonce) just on his writing, now you would never hear him on a radio and ironically he And Elton were influenced on each other, Ryan pulled him aside and was responsible for the 2001 album "Songs from the West COast" which was the best thing Elton had done in about 15 years. Again i understand the whole notion that there are great things buried, but that too sounds old, like the whole "music today sucks" complaint.

JoeTyler said:

errant said:

3121 is not my favorite Prince album of the decade and I don't think Reflection is the worst song on Musicology. and I think Elton's 00's albums are much better than his 80's and 90's material. clearly I am not retarded

haaaaaaaaaaaaaa!

no

Actually "Songs From the West Coast" by Elton from 2001 was his best in almost 2 decades, you should listen to it, Ryan Adams assisted on it. His 2000+ albums "peachtree road" "captain and the kid" are far better than the 90's and most of the later 80's easily

lastdecember said:

JoeTyler said:

haaaaaaaaaaaaaa!

no

Actually "Songs From the West Coast" by Elton from 2001 was his best in almost 2 decades, you should listen to it, Ryan Adams assisted on it. His 2000+ albums "peachtree road" "captain and the kid" are far better than the 90's and most of the later 80's easily

ok the late-80s were a low point, but SFtWC was easily the most overrated album of 2001; I expected a new masterpiece (the reviews were truly enthusiastic), and while I do admit that it was a return to form, the lack of new classics disappointed me completely...it's just a good album without truly great songs

errant said:

JoeTyler said:

haaaaaaaaaaaaaa!

no

big fan of adult contemporary synth orchestras and sappy cartoon theme songs are we?