Greetings,
I apologize yet again, but I really have nothing to say as an introduction. I am just...exhausted of this year. Let's just get this over with.
#10. "Like I'm Gonna Lose You" Meghan Trainor featuring John Legend - As much as I like a good, soothing love song, one must remember the difference between soothing and boring. Sadly, whether these two people were trying to do so or not, they went with the latter.
#9. "Just Like Fire" Pink - BOR-ING! Again! What is up with Pink lately? I mean, I've never been an actual fan of hers, but at least I would give her credit when she put out a decent song. Can't do that this time.
#8. "On My Mind" Ellie Goulding - Remember that excellent song, "Don't" by Ed Sheeran? Well, it's counterpart, which this song most assuredly is, has nothing in common with it. "Don't" was unique; this song is generic. Oh, and she tried to complain about a double standard, where only women get defined by who they date because they write songs about them. She even talked to Taylor about it. Of course, she did. First of all...What? No. It happens to guys, too. It happened with "Don't". Second, if you are a songwriter who only writes about who you date, it's hard to know how else to define you. Funny thing, Ellie doesn't do that. It was one time and one song. She'll live and so will Ed. Moving on.
#7. "Sit Still, Look Pretty" Daya - I heard a review of this song wherein someone said that it picks up where Daya's song "Hideaway" left off. OR the messages of these two songs completely contradict each other. Whatever! Seriously, the first song is lamenting about where all the good guys have gone, and this song is putting forth an "I don't need a man" attitude by insulting guys in general. Listen, there's nothing wrong with saying that you don't need a man, but do so because you're strong in yourself and you don't need to be defined by a relationship. Yeah, maybe those good guys are just hiding away from you, Daya. Also, don't EVER call her pretty, whilst NEVER forgetting that she is. Eye roll.
#6. "Gold" Kiiara - In 1983, the group Spandau Ballet released a song called "Gold". It was and still is...incredible! This travesty is not and never will be. In fact, I hesitate to even call it a song. To me, it's just noise. I mean, to the Grinch it would be the worst thing ever. But maybe I just don't get it. And I don't think I want to get it. So...good times?
#5. "Me Too" Meghan Trainor - Oh, look, her again. So, Ms. Trainor, do me a favor? Go out and ask 50 random people what they hate most about celebrities. I bet most if not all of them would say that what they hate most is the self-absorption and arrogance. So, why did you have to perform a song proving those people right? And I don't even care if this was supposed to be "tongue in cheek", which is a usual excuse. You are not better than me or anyone, Meghan Trainor, simply because you are famous.
#4. "One Call Away" Charlie Puth - Weak, weak, weak. Oh, Charlie Puth. I do not want you to be "one call away". I want you to go away. But credit where it's due, this wasn't as bad as what you put out last year. Not by much, though. Try harder.
#3. "Treat You Better" Shawn Mendes - So, what do I hate a lot? Oh, yeah. Fake nice guys. You know what I mean by that. The guys who whine and moan because they're (allegedly) such nice guys, but girls never want to be with them, when in actuality, they're just as bad as the bad boys. Maybe even worse, since they seem more manipulative. Look, I'm not saying that there aren't legit nice guys out there. There are. But the lyrics in this song do not describe one of them.
#2. "Work From Home" Fifth Harmony featuring Ty Dolla Sign - I do not understand the appeal of this group. And the appeal of this song, I understand even less. First of all, I'm pretty the music rips of Daniel Bedingfield of all people, because...reasons. Second, the lyrics are atrocious. Oh, and here's a question. Do you know how many times they say the word "Work" in this song? 94!!! Dang! At least when Rihanna repeated that word in her song, she changed her inflection a little. In this song, it is so monotonous. For real, the sound of a drill would be more lively. I just can't with this anymore.
#1. "No" Meghan Trainor - Congratulations, Meghan Trainor! You have hit the trifecta of suck this year! You know what? I don't even have the energy to talk about the awful message in this song. Or the fact that the music is yet another rip off, this time from an old Justin Timberlake song. So, I am just going to say two things. Yes, some guys are awful and should be avoided at all costs, but not ALL of them are, nor do they all have the same intentions when they say "Hi" to you. Also, ladies, YOU can empower YOURSELVES, and you don't need crap songs like this to tell you the wrong way to do so. And this song is just...NO!
Well, that's that for 2016.
So, can I say something about the music industry? I know that things are different these days. I know that labels aren't necessarily as powerful as they once were, as many people can get super famous from You Tube and by controlling their own careers. But if you're someone who works at a label, or maybe you own your own small one, and you have to sift through tons of music from unknown artists who may or may not be the next big thing, for the love of God, SIFT!!! For real. Sift through and listen to every last note until you find something new and original. We need that so much right now. I know it's easy to put out more of the same, but we need someone who will take a risk on an artist who has something new to say. It will be worth it. I don't want 2017 to be more of the same. I don't think anyone does.
Love and full moons,
Becky the Writer
