FAV Current Pop Songs?

[NoizeeBhoy]

'Stressed Out' wouldn't normally be my kinda thing but I love it. It's got an infectious little melody and nice hook. I must admit though that for a few days when I'd first heard it I thought the lyric was 'dirty face' rather than 'blurry face'. Was kinda disappointed as I thought 'dirty face'was better.....

[WeWillWriteUaSong]

Just heard Lukas Graham 7 Years for the first time a couple days ago.. man that's good! iLLa you're right. And joyfrost i agree about ariana and dangerous woman. She killed it on the movie awards. And that acapella video she did is crazy despite the weird bunny suit.

[burpo]

I like Gwen Stefani's "Made Me Like You."

It reminds me of Gregg Alexander.


-b

[NoizeeBhoy]

Actually had a proper (whole way through and a repeat) listen to Flo Rida 'My House' yday. Something about Flo Rida really annoys me so I tend to give his music a miss (Whistle and Wild Ones apart) plus I'm not a huge fan of rap/hip hop. Have to say it's a top notch song with sh^t hot lyrics and plenty of 'hook' throughout.

[HenriettaAtkin]

OK, these aren't that current, but I'm getting there....

"Happy"
"Trouble" by Taylor Swift
"Uptown Funk"
"Let her go" by All the Little Lights
"Crazy in Love" Beyonce
"Hello" Adele (actually, anything by Adele)
Any hit by Bruno Mars


My kids made me listen to top 40 on the way to their piano lessons, and I started picking up a lot of the songs then

[LyricsMatter]

A good question, NaeDae - and an engaging thread.

I find learning about the diversity and selectivity of others musical consumption interesting and insightful.

I agree that as writers of music - irrespective of whether one is a composer, musician, lyricist, producer - we can learn a lot through listening to a wide range of musical genres - Pop included.

I often listen to Pop music while I complete many of my daily tasks - and while driving - a likely reason none of the songs mentioned in this thread are unfamiliar to me. That said, I think it’s important to resist limiting our tastes to a single genre because every song we listen to - no matter the genre - can teach us SOMETHING about the art of songwriting. I’m definitely eclectic in my choices of music - my personal playlist includes EDM, adult contemporary, alternative rock, Broadway show tunes, dance, dance-pop, folk, garage, hard rock, hip-hop, house, indie rock, jazz, metal, pop, punk, rap, R&B, singer/songwriter, classical, symphony, opera - and so forth. I really like listening to Pop music but I diverge into other genres as well. Also, there’s been a bit of discussion about Taylor Swift in this thread - and whether you like or dislike her music and persona - her songs are undeniably relevant. She has acquired enormous financial success and Pop culture power - and she collaborates with the most successful songwriters and producers in the world. So even if you really dislike her music - it would seem reasonable to suggest that there is something to learn from the chords, lyrics, melodies and structures that make up her songs.

Anyway, in response to:

NaeDae: Agreed! Katy Perry’s song Roar (although not a most favorite of mine) is a massively appealing song with empowering lyrics - female-empowerment in particular - not unlike Part Of Me.

NaeDae, Joyfrost & Terrell: Agreed agreed agreed! Justin Bieber’s new album “is GENIUS” and I admit to being “a big fan of the Bieb’s new album” as well. I really like Love Yourself (in collaboration w/ Ed Sheehan), Where Are U Now?, Sorry, What Do You Mean? and Company. A “trendy” new sound from J Bieber and team (aka Jason Boyd & Skrillex) indeed.

DesireInspires & MelodyMessiah: Yes and yes! Cake By The Ocean - the debut single by DNCE - is super catchy, clever and fun.

WeWillWriteUaSong & iLLa: I like 7 Years by Danish pop band Lukas Graham as well - though it wasn’t immediate. It took a few listens before I started to enjoy the song. I find it touching and reflective in a way that is similar to 100 Years by Five For Fighting.

Mojobone: Yes! I Took A Pill In Ibiza by Mike Posner is a really good song. Liked it at first listen.

NoizeeBhoy: Agreed! One Call Away by Charlie Puth is a catchy tune with a solid hook.

TheMichaelScott: Stressed Out by Twenty One Pilots is definitely catchy - good lyrics - but it took a few listens before I was able to entirely appreciate the song.

Burpo: Agreed! Gwen Stefani’s new music is really good. And yes, Make Me Like You is somewhat reminiscent of Gregg Alexander/New Radicals You Get What You Give.

Henrietta: All good!

A few weeks ago I heard a song for the first time that grabbed my attention right away - the song is Holla by Max. I like it.

I also like Little Do You Know by Alex & Sierra - though not sure if it fits the Pop genre. And, liking Shawn Mendez too. I think he’s a very talented young guy with a bright future in Pop music.

So here’s a question…Why does a song appeal to some and to others it does not?

All the best!

[NaeDae]

Actually had a proper (whole way through and a repeat) listen to Flo Rida 'My House' yday. Something about Flo Rida really annoys me so I tend to give his music a miss (Whistle and Wild Ones apart) plus I'm not a huge fan of rap/hip hop. Have to say it's a top notch song with sh^t hot lyrics and plenty of 'hook' throughout.

It always sounded too much like Trampoline, which was on the radio constantly like 1 cycle before it. Still, it's a well-done song. I like Flo Rida's "I don't like it, I love it" song more, though.

[NoizeeBhoy]

It always sounded too much like Trampoline, which was on the radio constantly like 1 cycle before it. Still, it's a well-done song. I like Flo Rida's "I don't like it, I love it" song more, though.

That never really occurred to me until you mentioned it. i guess they are a bit 'samey'. OMI is another one who tends to have that 'samey' feel sometimes - 'Cheerleader' and 'Hula Hoop' are great songs but they feel/sound very similar at points.

[NaeDae]

It always sounded too much like Trampoline, which was on the radio constantly like 1 cycle before it. Still, it's a well-done song. I like Flo Rida's "I don't like it, I love it" song more, though.

That never really occurred to me until you mentioned it. i guess they are a bit 'samey'. OMI is another one who tends to have that 'samey' feel sometimes - 'Cheerleader' and 'Hula Hoop' are great songs but they feel/sound very similar at points.

Agreed haha.