What would account for the songs being less good than they used to be? The mentality of the people making the music. Producers now are ignoring all the musical principles of the previous generations. It’s a joke. That’s not the way it works: You’re supposed to use everything from the past. If you know where you come from, it’s easier to get where you’re going. You need to understand music to touch people and become the soundtrack to their lives.
You’ve likely already read this interview. It sure is causing a buzz and it is an entertaining read to say the least.
However, I’m quoting the above bit for a reason. It doesn’t matter if Quincy Jones is right that today’s music is all terrible. He likely is right, by the way, that most music today isn’t as innovative as the past because — well — so much has been done and most artists are chasing money as he points out.
But what I like about this interview, and what I take away, is how it is an indirect call to action by one of the greats. Any of today’s popular artists that read this may react by digging deeper, trying harder, studying more, and trying to bring something new to the table. Perhaps they’ve already made their millions and now they can set out to make something great — even if not a commercial success.
It’d be like if Michael Jordan or Kobe Bryant said “these new basketball players don’t work hard enough”. It wouldn’t matter if they were right or not. But I’d bet the NBA’s team gyms would be full the next morning.
Let’s check back on this in a year or so and see if it had an impact. I’d bet it will.