Are questions on pop music legit. for University Challenge?

[french frank]

I would say 'interested' rather than 'bothered'. The finished article would seem to be the important thing for the listener.

I do feel that sometimes people who are closely involved with music professionally are judgemental about other people's musical tastes (and dislikes). Music is not a major interest of mine. Language(s) and literature are. Having a few quite simple classical tastes and knowing very little of contemporary popular music which has been composed and performed since my youth doesn't make me a bad person It doesn't amount to a criticism of anyone or anything. Less critical than some composers are of other composers.

Well, you were bothered enough to wonder if certain (good?) attributes in The Beatles music were actually by The Beatles. I took that to mean that perhaps they shouldn’t be counted in some way when assessing the music’s ‘value‘ - an idea that is consistent with the ‘classical‘ mentality of constantly trying to assess ‘worth‘. In that respect my comment wasn’t entirely directed at you.

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

This is so politically incorrect that I hardly dare write it, but when questions on popular culture came up on Top of the Form my parents used to say "Ten marks for not knowing". I still think this way to some extent.

I don't think it's particularly "politically incorrect", but I certainly consider it to be an arrogant statement - presuming, from a state of ignorance, that all popular culture is not worth knowing, without taking into account the fact that much "high culture" originated as popular entertainment. Indeed, Richard Greene's disdain for the scribblings of the "upstart crowe" has much in common with scattergun dismissal of popular culture occasionally exhibited on the Forum - except, of course, that he, at least, was acquainted with the work he dismissed.

It is one (very valuable) thing to have a Forum which celebrates minority cultural artefacts, but that shouldn't lead to condemnation of cultures of which one has no knowledge. That is simply bad manners.

[teamsaint]

The whole question of how an expectation developed that pop/rock artists in the US/British/European mainstream should ( for credibility) in the main write as well as perform their own material is quite interesting,( and FWIW I have always thought that there may have been a step change at the hands of the likes of Chuck Berry and Buddy Holly).

I'm probably wrong , but over time, and across genres I would have thought that in the main, statistically, the writing /performing roles are far more often separate than combined. Electronic music I guess also has a tendency to the composer/performer combination too ?

[Ian]

There is no reason why you have to like pop music - or indeed any type of music. But I suppose you are also saying that you have a low opinion any any body that does know something about pop music. The world must be a very disappointing place for you.

[Mary Chambers]

There is no reason why you have to like pop music - or indeed any type of music. But I suppose you are also saying that you have a low opinion any any body that does know something about pop music. The world must be a a very dissapionting place for you.

Not at all. I don't feel it as strongly as my parents did, and I have children (in their forties now) to keep me in my place.

[french frank]

There is no reason why you have to like pop music - or indeed any type of music. But I suppose you are also saying that you have a low opinion any any body that does know something about pop music. The world must be a a very dissapionting place for you.

No I'm not. I have no opinion about people on the basis of what music they like - whether they have 'narrow' tastes or 'broad'.

Sorry, I thought you were answering my post . As you were.

[Ian]

I really, really go out of my way not to be judgemental about people's taste. Partly because I feel I've had plenty of experience being a victim of other people's judgements. So really apologise if that's how my message came across. There is absolutely no reason why you should like the Beatles or indeed anything else. All I'm saying is that like them or not I don't think its valid to try and isolate certain attributes in the music as not being by The Beatles - if you see what I mean.

[Mary Chambers]

No I'm not. I have no opinion about people on the basis of what music they like - whether they have 'narrow' tastes or 'broad'.

Sorry, I thought you were answering my post . As you were.

It was aimed at me, I think, or rather at my parents who would be 110 if they were still alive.

[Ian]

I wouldn't stand for that

[french frank]

All I'm saying is that like them or not I don't think its valid to try and isolate certain attributes in the music as not being by The Beatles - if you see what I mean.

I think that is what Richard was implying too. But the idea of 'musicality' and where it comes from is interesting to me because I would claim to be near amusiac. Since I gave up listening to Radio 3 I seldom listen to music at all because I hate having it on in the background, and most of the time I'm doing something else.

[Ian]

Not at all. I don't feel it as strongly as my parents did, and I have children (in their forties now) to keep me in my place.

I wouldn't stand for that

[ardcarp]

That seems to sink the OP - or at least deliver a big hole in the hull.

You clearly know about my boating proclivities! But as ferney says (so gallantly riding the waves to rescue) I wasn't suggesting that there was more pop than classical. Just wondering if there should be any.

Since I gave up listening to Radio 3 I seldom listen to music at all

[Ian]

I think that is what Richard was implying too. But the idea of 'musicality' and where it comes from is interesting to me because I would claim to be near amusiac. Since I gave up listening to Radio 3 I seldom listen to music at all because I hate having it on in the background, and most of the time I'm doing something else.

I'm really sorry to hear that - you always seemed so passionate about the music you like.

[french frank]

you always seemed so passionate about the music you like.

I am, Bach and Mozart and earlier. But not a lot after 1826.

[Serial_Apologist]

I am, Bach and Mozart and earlier. But not a lot after 1826.

I'm not sure if Bristol provides a sedan chair service for transportation purposes these days. maybe a stage coach.