Discussion: Define Commercial - Page 4

Mole

Quote:

Originally posted by Duca

It's really not. It's one of the most musically adventurous tracks of all time. It's Indian themed with a Middle Eastern-tinged melody, it features Bollywood strings, spy-guitars, harmonic minor scale tones, and it features a strong, throaty vocal. It started the dance-pop craze and became her first real crossover track because it dabbles in numerous genres.

Um, 'Musically Adventurous' doesn't mean a song isn't Commercial. Britney Spear's team made that song with the intention of making money. I think you're confusing 'Commercial' with 'Generic,' which I agree: Toxic definitely isn't generic. Not all commercial things are generic, but all generic things are commercial. Make sense? I hope so. I'm baked.

KoreanDream

Anything that appeals nicely to a current market's climate.

Albany Guest

Seems to me from the discussion that "commercial" is meant to be a pejorative just in the same sense as "manufactured." In both cases the negative connotation is that the goal behind the song/artist is to reap a profit first and foremost, with artistic integrity/love being either absent or a secondary concern. The basis for this is a value judgment that art is meant to be something that expresses some inner feeling/though, that captures the being of its creator, and if this is successful, will be as unique, just as the moment of creation by the artist was a unique one.

Most of the argument here seems to be trying to negatively tie an artist or song to the term, in order to denigrate their artistic integrity (which is tied to that notion of uniqueness and individuality), which is why agreement is not going to be reached, since an individual's judgment on artistic integrity is as subjective as every other judgment.

Sushi

Quote:

Originally posted by Albany Guest

Seems to me from the discussion that "commercial" is meant to be a pejorative just in the same sense as "manufactured." In both cases the negative connotation is that the goal behind the song/artist is to reap a profit first and foremost, with artistic integrity/love being either absent or a secondary concern. The basis for this is a value judgment that art is meant to be something that expresses some inner feeling/though, that captures the being of its creator, and if this is successful, will be as unique, just as the moment of creation by the artist was a unique one.

Most of the argument here seems to be trying to negatively tie an artist or song to the term, in order to denigrate their artistic integrity (which is tied to that notion of uniqueness and individuality), which is why agreement is not going to be reached, since an individual's judgment on artistic integrity is as subjective as every other judgment.

Hmmmm, interesting thought.

I personally feel that there is nothing wrong with being commercial. In fact, being "commercial" is a sign of success in a way because you are appealing to other people. So perhaps we should try to think of commercial as being a good thing in certain cases.

Also, I believe that you can still be unique and have individuality along with artistic integrity while still being commercial. I would agree that this is not nearly as common, but it is still possible in my opinion.

Nait Phoenix

A song that appeals to the current popular genre and style, contains lyrics that are, at best, either non-sensical or catchy, and is mostly melody with a beat.

Thisisit

Quote:

Originally posted by Duca

I'm not. Songs like 'Teenage Dream' are commercial while songs like 'California Gurls' are generic. I'm aware of the difference.

You're completely missing the point. You said it yourself:

Quote:

Britney introduced dubstep to mainstream radio. To top 40 listeners, it's a fresh, new sound. 'Criminal' may be catchy, but it's flute-led. When was the last time you heard a song like that on the radio?

Successfully using new or unusual sounds and making it into a commercial song is what makes it innovative. Any random hack can use dubstep, trance, rave, all the rest of it in a song, doesn't make them innovative. Sounding unique is not a particular accomplishment if no one wants to listen.
Making it into a good song with appeal to the average listener is far, far harder, and that's what makes the greatest, most innovative pop songs of all time. Like a Prayer. Toxic. HIAM (If you want).