Eurovision and the making of a “good song”
Ok, so for context, my music taste is a mess and it’s all over the place. I like different genres, some more popular and mainstream and some more alternative. This year (and the last one) I watched eurovision with my family, who tends to have a more traditional taste in music and by that I mean they tend to like the ballads and more generic pop music.
And there’s absolutely nothing wrong with that! Music taste is a very personal thing and to each their own.
My problem is that every single year, without fail, the same argument rises. This year’s targets were mostly Finland and Germany (I think they didnt criticize Croatia because they didn’t see it XD). I think you can see where this is going…
When I don’t like a song, I don’t like it. I might make a “snooze fest” joke but I understand that some people might be into it. What annoys me is that every single time a more alternative song comes on (this year, metal took the brunt of it) they are always criticizes with “This is not music, this is just screaming” or “I can’t believe what this contest has become… back in ny day, we took real music produced by prestigious musicians to eurovision”
And, oh boy, how I HATE that. I swear I just get so riled up…
First of all, there is talent and skill involved in making metal music. METAL MUSIC IS STILL MUSIC. It might not be your type of music, but don’t discredit the artists that take their time to make it, to write the lyrics, produce the beat… (idk what it takes to make a music).
It annoys me how close minded some people are that they can’t even recognize that just because it’s not your type of music, it doesn’t mean it’s not music! Metal is not just screaming to the mic. What is so hard to understand about that?
Besides, you can argue that it takes more talent to make those songs that tiktok song n14827.
And don’t get me started with the “back in my day argument”. Like perhaps back in your day there weren’t all these music styles to choose from or perhaps they existed, but their chance to take part in ESC was denied.
Besides, the appearance of more styles reflects the change of audience, the way their tastes change and how the ESC fandom has been growing and I think that’s beautiful. The whole point of ESC (at least for me) is to celebrate diversity. It’s to get exposed to new genres and new artists and expand your music horizons.
However, no matter how much I try to explain it, it always reverts back to “oh but the public now can’t recognize good music” or “ik the styles have changed but, it’s not my thing and therefore it’s bad” or “it was better before, not it’s just a circus”
I swear, I cant argue with them if they don’t want to listen. I won’t even start on the styling and clothes of these acts because honestly…
Metal can be good music and surprise, surprise, ballads and pop songs can be crappy music. The genre doesnt dictate the quality of the music. The music dictates the quality of the music
