Typical Pop Music

I've been observing pop music and I believe I discovered the basic formula for creating it. First of all, here is what the instruments other than the vocals do:

In pop rock, drums usually follow a pattern somewhat like "bass drum, snare, bass drum, snare" with cymbals played throughout in varying patterns. The guitars usually hit the same note throughout a measure before it hits another note, usually creating a dramatic, romantic, or tragic effect. If you listen to any pop rock song, you will most likely find this to be true.

This indicates that songs are obviously vocal based and most listeners do not care about the instruments at all. However, the vocals do not usually present anything fresh or new. The vocals might sound "perfect," but the lyrics are usually ego-fueled words about fake love, mourning, lust, sex, or the artist's popularity status. You also know that the music is basically about the singer because the "band" is named after one person. In these cases, the music behind the vocals is just support for the vocals- it is a slave to the words.

How often is the music free from the human disorder found in pop music today? How often is music uplifting, energizing, original, and free from ego? These characteristics are most common in underground music, where the artist's intent is true- that music is a form of expression and self-honesty, and it is not made for personal gain.

effects of music on the listener

It is ideal that anyone should listen to music that they are able to connect to. However, the connection is not always positive. There is some music that is designed to be negative, destructive, depressing, saddening, and/or dangerous. It is unfortunate that most music fits under at least one of these characteristics.

Some people have noticed how society as a whole is being negatively affected by music. These people have decided to stay away from all music because of this. This is quite unfortunate, as music can and has been used to bring the listener into the present moment and become self-reflective. Music has been popularly used as a form of propaganda and programming, but it has sometimes been used to undo the activity of the mind and to make the listener realize their freedom and aliveness.

Music is not supposed to be used to degrade and limit ourselves to small experiences and situations. Music will continue to live on in destructive forms according to our own states of mind. Hopefully music will evolve once more individuals discover the wellness of their own being and reflect it within their own music. Sound will then be used to make us aware of our own inner workings of the mind.

Lyrics by the Beatles

Here are some segments of lyrics that I like from Beatles songs. My favorite by far is Tomorrow Never Knows, even though it is not so much of a popular song.

TOMORROW NEVER KNOWS
Turn off your mind, relax and float downstream; it is not dying, it is not dying.
Lay down all thought surrender to the void; it is shining, it is shining.
That you may see the meaning of within; it is being, it is being.
That love is all and love is everyone; it is knowing, it is knowing.
That ignorance and haste may mourn the dead; it is believing, it is believing.
But listen to the color of your dreams; it is not living, it is not living.
Or play the game "existence" to the end; of the beginning, of the beginning.

ACROSS THE UNIVERSE
Words are flowing out like endless rain into a paper cup,
They slither while they pass, they slip away across the universe.
Pools of sorrow waves of joy are drifting through my opened mind, possessing and caressing me.
Jai Guru De Va Om... Nothing's gonna change my world...
Images of broken light which dance before me like a million eyes- they call me on and on across the universe.
Thoughts meander like a restless wind- inside a letter box they tumble blindly as they make their way across the universe.
Jai Guru De Va Om... Nothing's gonna change my world...
Sounds of laughter shades of life are ringing through my open ears inciting and inviting me.
Limitless undying love which shines around me like a million suns- and calls me on and on across the universe
Jai Guru De Va Om... Nothing's gonna change my world...

I ME MINE
All through the day: I me mine, I me mine, I me mine.
All thru' the night: I me mine, I me mine, I me mine.
Now they're frightened of leaving it, everyone's weaving it, coming on strong all the time.
All through the day: I me mine, I me mine, I me mine.
All I can hear: I me mine, I me mine, I me mine.
Even those tears, I me mine, I me mine, I me mine.
No-one's frightened of playing it, everyone's saying it, flowing more freely than wine.
All through the day: I me mine, I me mine, I me mine.
All I can hear: I me mine, I me mine, I me mind.
Even those tears, I me mine, I me mine, I me mine.
No-one's frightened of playing it, everyone's saying it, all through your life: I me mine.

LET IT BE
When I find myself in times of trouble, Mother Mary comes to me, speaking words of wisdom, let it be.
And in my hour of darkness, She is standing right in front of me, speaking words of wisdom, let it be.
Let it be, let it be, whisper words of wisdom, let it be.
And when the broken hearted people living in the world agree, there will be an answer, let it be.
For though they may be parted there is still a chance that they will see, there will be an answer, let it be.
Let it be, let it be, there will be an answer, let it be.
And when the night is cloudy, there is still a light that shines on me, shine until tomorrow, let it be.
I wake up to the sound of music, Mother Mary comes to me, speaking words of wisdom, let it be.
Let it be, let it be, there will be an answer, let it be.
Let it be, let it be, whisper words of wisdom, let it be.
There will be an answer, let it be.

ALL YOU NEED IS LOVE
Love, love, love: It's easy!
There's nothing you can do that can't be done.
Nothing you can sing that can't be sung.
Nothing you can say but you can learn how to play the game
It's easy.
There's nothing you can make that can't be made.
No one you can save that can't be saved.
Nothing you can do but you can learn how to be you in time
It's easy.
All you need is love, love is all you need.
There's nothing you can know that isn't known.
Nothing you can see that isn't shown.
Nowhere you can be that isn't where you're meant to be.
It's easy.
All you need is love, love is all you need.

REVOLUTION 1
You say you want a revolution. Well, you know, we all want to change the world.
You tell me that it's evolution. Well, you know, we all want to change the world.
But when you talk about destruction, don't you know that you can count me out.
Don't you know it's going to be all right, all right, all right.
You say you got a real solution. Well, you know, we'd all love to see the plan.
You ask me for a contribution. Well, you know, we all do what we can.
If you want money for people with minds that hate, all I can tell you is, "Brother, you have to wait."
Don't you know it's going to be all right, all right, all right.
You say you'll change a constitution. Well, you know, we'd all love to change your head.
You tell me it's the institution. Well, you know, you better free your mind instead.
But if you go carrying pictures of chairman Mao, you ain't gonna make it with anyone anyhow.
Don't you know it's going to be all right, all right, all right.