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On “guilty” pleasures and liking pop music

» On “guilty” pleasures and liking pop music

Over at Forbes, Michele Catalano writes about liking pop music:

The defenders of pop – myself included – are often put on the defensive, made to offer up excuses as to why we like what we do. No one should have to defend their musical choices. No artist who worked hard to get where they are should be roundly dismissed because their music doesn’t fit some elitist standard. No one should have to feel, like Grimes did, ashamed about what they like, ashamed enough to delete the evidence of their penchant for pop.

She also wrote a piece about “guilty pleasures”:

I don’t like the phrase guilty pleasure. It implies that you should feel guilty, shamed or embarrassed for liking something that brings you joy. No song that gives you pleasure should also give you a sense of guilt. Own what you like, revel in it. If it makes you feel good – and pop hits should make you feel good – don’t let that be a burden to you.

cf: Dave Grohl and Alan Jacobs: “Read at whim! Read what gives you delight—at least most of the time—and do so without shame.”

Filed under: guilty pleasures

read more posts about:
• michele catalano
• music
• guilty pleasures
• authenticity
• selling out

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76 notes

1. mentalmagpie reblogged this from austinkleon
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6. highdesertmoon reblogged this from austinkleon and added:

   I like pop music. When I’m driving around town, I put on the pop music station and turn it up and it makes me happy.

7. forwardthinkingeducation likes this
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19. sandmtntexan said: I spent probably 20 minutes last night trying to remember where I’d seen that Grohl quote. Should’ve known it was via your Tumblr!
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26. valedlv reblogged this from austinkleon and added:

    No more guilty pleasures! Enjoy what you like, that’s the whole point of liking something!

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37. randomlyhaphazard reblogged this from austinkleon and added:

    I don’t listen to a lot of pop music, but the reason I don’t listen to it most of the time is because I don’t like the...

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44. lukeleighfield reblogged this from austinkleon and added:

    Agreed. I love Katy Perry and I don’t care who knows.

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    cc: Tracie, because we were just talking about this. Related, the ten songs I am most likely to be listening to on...

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