Music has been around for ages, and has seen many different faces and many different

styles. In todays age, people dont really listen to music or remember music that happened
before the 1960s. In this time period, the emergent style of music was called rock and roll,
this music was new and inventive, and something no one had really seen before. It featured
electric guitars, loud songs, and a whole new era of talented and innovative musicians.
Some would argue that the 1960s and 70s were the best years our world has seen
musically. Today, music is much different than it was 40 and 50 years ago. Hip-hop, pop,
and rap have emerged as leading styles of music, and most instruments have been omitted.
These two, extremely different eras of music both have fan bases of their own today. I am
going to tell you why one of these styles is a lot better, in both the pleasure of listening,
and musical ability.

Popular music of the 60s and 70s is far superior then the popular music of today for many
reasons, I will name just a few. First of all, in todays popular music there is a lot of
electronic enhancement, and special effects. Some would say these have helped music, but
I would disagree, in the 70s and 60s everyone relied on talent to make it big. People can
appreciate music of that era a lot more, because it takes serious talent to be that good.
Anyone who plays any instrument should know that. Secondly, classic rock music (60s/70s
music) has a lot of variety in both songs and bands. It seems like today, every band is one
pop singer with their voice enhanced, singing to a computer projected drum beat, while
classic rock included everything from soft jam bands like The Grateful Dead, who are
famous for their live performances, where one beautiful acoustic songs runs into the next,
to hard-rock pioneers like Led Zeppelin, who started the age of electric guitars and rocking
drum-beats. These are reasons why modern day music will never surpass classic rock.

First of all, popular music of the 60s and 70s is far superior then popular music today
because of the skill and talent of the musicians. People can enjoy music a lot more if they
can appreciate the hard work and talent that goes into it (especially if they are a musician
themselves.) In the 60s and 70s the world saw some of the greatest musicians ever to walk
this earth. From belting and shrieking singers like Robert Plant (Led Zeppelin) and Mick
Jagger (The Rolling Stones) to some of the best axe-men of all time, which are guitarists
such as David Gilmour (Pink Floyd) and Eric Clapton (Cream). According to numerous
sources such as Digitaldreamdoor.com and Guitar Heroes (book), the best guitarists,
bassists, drummers, keyboardists, and singers have come from the 60s and 70s. Back then,
someones talent defined music, and fans of classic rock could appreciate that. On the other
hand, today, we seem to have lost sight of that, and it seems as though less and less talent
is used in popular bands, as electronic enhancement takes over the music world. Secondly,
live musical performances benefit immensely from talented musicians. Live concerts have
taken a big hit since the 1960s and 70s, because musicians dont have the ability to play
anything other than what was recorded in the studio, if that! In the 60s and 70s, live
concerts were a spectacle to see, they were something that defined some bands, and made
others famous. Bands like the Grateful Dead, who made hundreds of bootleg albums, which
were just from live concerts. They would have long jams and great variations of songs on
stage, making it a whole new experience, or Led Zeppelin who made a name for themselves
in America by rocking venue after venue, blowing out the headliners who shamefully had to
go on after them. Concerts such as Woodstock have changed the world. They werent only
filled with great music, but they were also a sign of peaceful protest or rebellion or whatever
they wanted it to be. Great concerts like this changed peoples lives and made musicians
famous. Now, it seems as though most popular performers arent talented enough to make
a concert much different then what you can get on the CD. In conclusion, talent and musical
ability of musicians has changed music immensely over the decades. Not only, did talent
make the music of the 60s and 70s much better, but it also made people appreciate it much
more. Also, it changed live concerts greatly.

The next reason that the classic rock era of music was better than todays era of music
would be the great variety in not only the songs, but also the bands. First of all, in songs of
the 1960s and 70s, there was a great amount of changes in both the speed and volume of
songs. A music professor once told my jazz band that a song should take you on a
journey, that you should be able to just sit back and relax, and the music will take you on
a journey without having to even move. This rings true with classic rock songs, a lot of
songs from famous bands like Led Zeppelin, Cream, The Doors, The Grateful Dead, and
others, were long 20-plus minute jams, where the musicians had to fill time and not bore
their audience. This is why fans received slow, melodic beginnings, iconic, middle jam
sessions, and hard rocking climaxes, all in one song. Artists like Eric Clapton made a name
for themselves simply by filling empty spaces in songs with revolutionary solos. The most
famous songs of the 60/70s would end as a completely different song from when they
started. Take arguably the most famous song ever, Stairway to Heaven, it is over eight
minutes long, and starts with a slow and beautiful guitar part, not having drums and bass
even play until about four minutes into the song, then it builds into an explosive guitar solo,
and a final, speedy, hard-rock verse until finishing quite like it started. Songs like this made
classic rock music diverse and exciting. Today, the majority of songs seem to be three
minutes of people yelling the same repetitive verse in your face, which may be catchy at
first, but soon gets old. This is a main reason why modern day songs cant remain popular
for more than maybe a month. People can only take so much repetition. Secondly, bands of
the 60/70s differed about as much as their songs, which is why not only could each band
build a large, specific fan base, but it also made it so fans could be immersed in very
different styles of songs while still not straying far from the classic rock genre. Bands would
set a new style and milestone daily. First it was pop bands like the Beatles and The Beach
Boys, then mysterious jam bands with great songwriters, like Bob Dylan, Simon and
Garfunkel, and The Grateful Dead. At the same time, hard rock pioneers such as the Rolling
Stones, The Who, Cream, and Jimi Hendrix began to emerge. Then psychedelic rock grew
with Pink Floyd recording The Wall and The Dark Side of the Moon, and also Led Zeppelin
and The Doors gaining fan bases on both sides of the Atlantic Ocean. All of these genres
both coexisted together and shared their time at the top, leaving fans with a taste of
something new every few years. Today bands do share variety between them, but it is
difficult to distinguish the most popular groups from each other. In conclusion, the exciting
variety between both songs and bands of the 60s and 70s, and the lack thereof with bands
today, is yet another reason why the classic rock era far surpasses the hip-hop era.

Finally, some people might say that classic rock was so revolutionary, because it was the
first time people had ever heard anything like it, and that at the time they might not have
liked it, but now we know its one of the greatest styles of music ever. Some people may
say that the same would go for modern-day music, that it may seem to wild to some people
now, but it will become legendary just like classic rock someday. Well, in a sense, this is
correct in a lot of ways, but I also believe, that we need to know what kind of musical
change is good, and what kind is not so good, and this new revolution is not good. In 1960
we saw a change for the more exciting, today we are just seeing a change for the less
talented and more annoying.

In conclusion, classic rock and roll of the 60s and 70s dominates popular modern day music
in comparison, because the musicians were many times more talented which made better
music and better concerts, and the music was more diverse, making more exciting and
interesting songs.

Its obvious that when turning on popular radio stations today, youll most likely hear one
thing and one thing only- mainstream music. In a way, I can understand how its likeable.
Most of it has a great beat, catchy lyrics, and the type of music is what we grew up with in
our generation. Not all house music is terrible music, dont get me wrong. But some artists
of today have forgotten the main components that make a truly talented artist. Step outside
the mainstream box for a second, and take a look at how much has really changed in music
over the years. Sometimes, not for the better.

Go back in time a few decades, to the 60s, 70s, and 80s. Lots of the bands from these eras
have become internationally famous, and their music has become classic. Artists like The
Rolling Stones, The Beatles, Led Zeppelin, Aerosmith, Nirvana, and so many other
successful bands. All of these bands became famous, because they had something thats
hard to find today- real talent. Many of the bands of the past wrote music that had real
depth to it. Their lyrics were meaningful, they wrote their own music, they played multiple
instruments, they didnt use auto tune or synthesizers, and many other factors. Using
something like auto tune was considered an insult back in the day. Today its almost on
impulse, and everyone is using it so its not much of an indignity anymore. Its more of the
new regular, which makes it obvious that some mainstream artists of today lack the real
talent of the music of the past.

Many of the lyrics have no real depth to them anymore either. Lots of mainstream artists
dont even write their own. The music is repetitive, and the lyrics sometimes involve
swearing and the same typical situations, like going to a club tonight, lets get this party
started, or the typical thought that every song has to be about love, falling in love, being in
love, or something having to do with love. It would be great for some artists to try and
expand their music into more than just one topic of love, and try writing a song about a
different issue or situation in life. This music is great for hearing at a party, or something
upbeat to hear. But when you actually want to listen to the music, Im not sure this is
exactly what everyone is looking for.

To finish this, Ill start by saying that not all music of today is bad. There are lots of
underground bands of today and even some mainstream- that still have the actual depth
and talent in their music, to become even greater someday. It disappoints me though, when
underground bands with real musical talent are getting less attention than a popular artist
that constantly uses a synthesizer or has someone write their songs for them. It is an
opinionated topic, but I still think its something for everyone to debate, whatever genre or
era youre a fan of.
Music has the power to heal a broken soul. Music has the ability to unite people. Music has the
ability to change peoples attitudes and way of thinking forever.

Many may agree or even disagree to the above statement depends on your perception of it.
Honestly I have two contradictions on it mainly because of the music that is played nowadays. It
is obvious that when you open to any popular radio station today,youll most likely hear one
thing and one thing only- mainstream music. In a way, I can understand how its likeable. Most
of it has a great beat, catchy lyrics which is amazing. Not all house music is terrible music, dont
get me wrong. But some artists of today have forgotten the main components that make a truly
talented artist. Step outside the mainstream box for a second, and take a look at how much has
really changed in music over the years. Sometimes, not for the better.

Today,the music industry spells out MONEY to many people. What happened to doing
something that you love? Yes Im a 90s baby but Ive head the music of the likes of Marvin
Gay,Otis Redding,Diana Ross,Bob Marley and many more others and I must say that that was a
great music era. I mean,you could feel that those people felt and believed on what they sang.
Their music inspired and moved the whole world. Their lyrics are genuine and meaningful.
Using something like auto tune was considered an insult back in the day. Today its almost on
impulse, and everyone is using it so its not much of an indignity anymore. Its more of the new
regular, which makes it obvious that some mainstream artists of today lack the real talent of the
music of the past.

Music from the 8Os

They say sex sells and through music yeap it does sell! Most of todays songs include vulgar
language and they are all about sexual behaviour. Many songs are narrowed to love and money.
Well I do understand that that sort of thing sells but what about the true essence of music? Many
of these artists have great voices but just as many are terrible. The lyrics are just appalling eg.
lets go to the club,lets get the party started or Hot damn it,Your booty like two planets,Go
head, and go ham sandwich, what is that? I wish more artists would broaden their way of
thinking and adopt originality

To finish this, Ill start by saying that not all music of today is bad. There are lots of underground
bands of today and even some mainstream- that still have the actual depth and talent in their
music, to become even greater someday. It disappoints me though, when underground bands
with real musical talent are getting less attention than a popular artist that constantly uses a
synthesizer or has someone write their songs for them. It is an opinionated topic, but I still think
its something for everyone to debate, whatever genre or era youre a fan of.

Music is an argument I hear debated almost on a daily basis. Everywhere from on campus to the bar, it can be heard,
argued and debated. The main argument is always the same: Is the music of the past better than the music of today?

My answer? Yes, it is.

To me, there is no doubt the music being produced, recorded and released today is no match against the music of
yesteryear, and I have a few different reasons why I believe this.

Technology: Technology has gotten better over the years and is a million times better today than what it was in say,
the 60s. But technology has also made up for talent that isnt quite up to par. Singers can use a little tool
called auto-tune that can correct the pitch and tone of a voice. Basically, it gives the ability for a singer to stay in tune
without actually being in tune. Many artists sound much better in studio than they do live. The Beatles on auto-tune
would be orgasmic to the ears.

Originality: Many artists today, not all of them but a lot of them, arent that original. The use of the aforementioned
auto-tune, synthesizers and computers are all original tools. But songwriting, lyrics and the overall quality of music
have deteriorated. Songwriters still sing about love and social issues. Todays musicians speak on issues, but no
one really cares. The 60s revolutionized opinions of the day and the music. Sure, some types of songs such as
diss songs in rap have become popular, but even that type of songwriting was first done in the 70s when
one Beatle dissed another. Artists of today have the ability to look back on the past and can garner an idea
of what worked and what didnt. Musicians today can sample old music, study it and even work with musicians
who are still around, musicians who were and still are successful. A great example of this is John Mayer working with
Eric Clapton.

Critics Opinion: Not many albums these days will make any greatest albums list. The greatest albums of
all time like Sgt. Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band, London Calling and Whats Going On are all huge
albums that have sold millions of units worldwide. But that isnt the important part. They all defined a genre of
music and have transcended time. They were albums that were completely different than anything that had been
done before.
I dont believe any album will be looked upon as transcending time like these albums and many others. Only a
select few albums released today in any genre will.

Work Ethic: Singers and bands coming up back in the day had to hone their craft. They didnt have shows such
as American Idol, X-Factor and Americas Got Talent. They had to play small venues, go to other countries and
tighten their sound. Those were the hardest times for these musicians, but the most important. It made them better.
Today, singers who come up through some of those shows go through pressure for four months at the most. The
winner gets an automatic contract. They didnt earn their stripes by shedding blood, sweat and tears. Maybe this
is a reason most contestants who win those shows dont become what the show portrays they will. The most
talented musicians usually shine through and most of them didnt have a contract handed to them on a silver
platter.

Iconic Status: The music of the past has set the standard and the bar on what quality music should be. They have
proved it. The Beatles, Elvis, Marvin Gaye, like them or not, are all examples of artists who have stayed relevant
today.
Will artists such as Lady Gaga and Katy Perry be talked about of how they changed music 30 years from now? Only
time will tell, but probably not.