When examining modern pop music lyrics, there are several examples of poor writing that can be identified. These include a lack of originality, excessive repetition, clichéd language, and shallow or meaningless themes.
One example of poor lyric writing in pop music is the overuse of clichés. Clichés are phrases or expressions that have become overused and have lost their original meaning. In pop music, clichés are often used to convey emotion, but they can come across as trite and unoriginal. For instance, many pop songs rely heavily on the cliché of “broken hearts” or “love gone wrong,” without exploring new ways to express these themes.
Another issue with modern pop lyrics is excessive repetition. Many pop songs rely on repeating the same lines or phrases over and over again, which can be grating to the listener. This can be seen in songs like “Old Town Road” by Lil Nas X, which features the same chorus repeated multiple times throughout the song.
Additionally, many modern pop songs suffer from a lack of originality. This can manifest in several ways, including the use of predictable chord progressions, generic melodies, and recycled themes. For example, many pop songs focus on romantic relationships and use similar language and imagery to describe these experiences.
Finally, many modern pop songs lack depth or meaningful themes. While pop music has always been associated with simple, catchy melodies, there is a growing trend towards shallow lyrics that lack substance or emotional depth. This can be seen in songs like “Gucci Gang” by Lil Pump, which features repetitive, simplistic lyrics that focus on materialism and consumer culture.
Sources:
-
Langer, J. (2019). The decline of the American pop lyric. The New York Times. Retrieved from https://www.nytimes.com/2019/05/14/opinion/pop-music-lyrics.html
-
Petridis, A. (2018). The death of the pop song. The Guardian. Retrieved from https://www.theguardian.com/music/2018/sep/13/the-death-of-the-pop-song
-
Robinson, L. (2019). Pop music is getting sadder and angrier, but not more meaningful. The Verge. Retrieved from https://www.theverge.com/2019/9/4/20846963/pop-music-lyrics-meaningful-2019-analysis