Do you feel it is wrong to like performers who don't...

1) Write any of their music, and
2) Don't play any instrument?

I like quite a few of these kinds of musicians. I think a singer with great vocal ability and charisma can stand on their own, and is not as easily found as a good instrumentalist, for instance.

Otherwise, I don't see it as bad to enjoy these artists, but I always remember to refer to them as a performer, in that sense. Otherwise we shouldn't like most film actors as they simply perform roles that were not written by them!

No, Frank Sinatra did not write or play an instrument and he was great.

Anyway, you like what you like. Some people shouldn't attempt to write songs

Joe Cocker did WAY better versions of other people's songs (IMHDO)

You can enjoy whatever, it's just really gross when "performers" such as (name any pop/R&B singer who has everything programmed and written for them) have a Wikipedia page akin to a massive, layered college essay on their oh-so groundbreaking, intense, deep work.

Can't say I've ever given the subject much thought.

No.

If you're saying that a person who interprets material that other people wrote aren't technically "artists" but only "performers" I have to disagree.

It really depends from person to person. In the case of somebody like Rihanna, I'm really not feeling like she totally brought to life this hidden masterpiece that was struggling to get out of StarGates songs, or what have you. I can't stomach this kind of massive passion play for people who literally have their lives and music micromanaged for them.


Let's take Miles Davis performing he and Gil Evans' interpretation of "Concierto de Aranjuez" and "El Amor Brujo" on the other hand........ artistry.

I don't really care as long as the music is good. Country artists almost always use outside songwriters, and it seems to work for them.

I don't care. Some artists take other people's song and make it completely their own with a unique interpretation. Some people supposedly 'write their own songs' and it sounds just like a hundred other bands.

I've nevr listened to music through a microscope, so why do others ?

It doesn't matter if they write the song. If it's good then that's all that really matters. A while back, most performers didn't have any part in the song other than to perform it. The singer/song writer thing has been a fairly recent thing.

James B. wrote:

I've nevr listened to music through a microscope, so why do others ?

Some people think that musicians who dont write their own songs are "corporate rock". 80s Heart was saddled with this accusation for example, as have modern day Aerosmith.

Hadley wrote:

James B. wrote:

I've nevr listened to music through a microscope, so why do others ?

Some people think that musicians who dont write their own songs are "corporate rock". 80s Heart was saddled with this accusation for example, as have modern day Aerosmith.

So has Kiss, Bon Jovi, Scorpions because they have used outside writers. I can understand the corporate rock tag a little, but I think it is a bit judgemental. Usually record companies offer up outside writers as a way of protecting the product and helping and/or hoping it will generate sales and/or interest. This backfires on bands because the long term fans see the band as selling out or not being themselves. A catch 22 if you will. Sometimes the creative juices aren't flowing like they should and the record company can't and won't wait until they are. Kind of like the what have you done for me lately thing.

To add to that, I think record companies add way too much creative direction and control.

That's how Motown worked and they had a lot of great singers!

chewie wrote:

That's how Motown worked and they had a lot of great singers!

Can't forget The Funk Brothers either !

I don't mind 'em. The thing with alot of popular music is, it IS corporate rock! I understand that technology has advanced everything to lighning speed, but I will always oppose American Idol, The Voice, etc etc. A nobody one second and a Clay Aitkin the next? I mean seriously - how many "dues" did Justin Beber have to pay?

never really bothered me.

Three Dog Night did pretty good

i don't think it's " wrong" to like any artist or band. I like alot of one-hit-wonders from the 70's and 80's and alot of them didnt write those hits. But like most people I love album oriented bands who write and perform their own material.

Depends on how good the music is .

Nothing wrong with liking anything, you have that right. If you like someone yodeling while playing the triangle, more power to ya. I do however, have more respect for artists that write their own stuff than those who use outside writers (if they only use outside writers for 2 or 3 songs an album, that's different).

Yodel/Triangle fusion is so 2007!

Boris2008 wrote:

Yodel/Triangle fusion is so 2007!

It was all done on computers anyway...

If an artist doesn't write their own songs I have no respect for them. Does this mean they don't have talent? They mave have. I just chose not to listen to them.