10 Disappointing Facts About Popular Music

Rock music has had plenty of major hits over modern history, and a good set of artists have made their mark on culture with albums that sold millions of copies.

Even pop can generate music with integrity and talent - after all, The Beatles were huge influences in both rock and pop, and artists like Michael Jackson will always be remembered for their work.

But sadly, the world is not a fair place. Buzz Feed collected some truly disappointing facts about popular music, which we've shared below.

Make sure you're sitting down, because your indignation is about to shoot through the roof. Are you ready?

01. Creed has sold more records in the US than Jimi Hendrix

Hendrix remains one of the most influential guitarists of all time, but he's no match for Creed's 28 million US record sales. Maybe all that crazy panning on Hendrix albums is too much for some people. And sorry to the UG reading Creed fans, but Hendrix really deserves better.

02. Led Zeppelin, REM, and Depeche Mode have never had a number one single, Rihanna has 10

If the world were a perfect place, the great songwriters would sit atop the charts. Instead, Rihanna probably sells an extra 10k units every time she pulls another creepy back-bending pose. Seriously, are her arms fitted backwards?

03. Ke$ha's "Tik-Tok" sold more copies than ANY Beatles single

Ke$ha's debut single broke the record for the biggest single-week sales of all time for a female artist, selling 610,000 digital downloads in one week. John Lennon and George Harrison turned in their graves at 45rpm.

04. Flo Rida's "Low" has sold 8 million copies – the same as The Beatles' "Hey Jude"

How can the lyrics "She hit da flo', next thing you know, shawty got low low low low" be as good as the wordless singalong ending on "Hey Jude"? Answer: they aren't as good - the world is simply unjust.

05. The Black Eyed Peas' "I Gotta Feeling" is more popular than any Elvis or Simon & Garfunkel song

At least Garfunkel can rest easy, knowing that his name doesn't seem quite as silly next to Will.I.Am or apl.de.ap. Seriously, that's what two people from the Black Eyed Peas have named themselves.

06. Celine Dion's "Falling Into You" sold more copies than any Queen, Nirvana, or Bruce Springsteen record

The same applies to Shania Twain's "Come On Over", proving that there's big money in making boring music. Hey, why did Celine Dion cross the road? To get to the middle.

07. Katy Perry holds the same record as Michael Jackson for most number one singles from an album

Both artists had five number one singles from one album, but only one artist could moonwalk. And since moonwalks trump dressing up like bubblegum, MJ wins.

08. Barbra Streisand has sold more records (140 million) than Pearl Jam, Johnny Cash, and Tom Petty combined

140 million? Are you kidding? Is Barbra Streisand responsible for global warming, with all that CD production? Maybe Streisan's real job is to help pad out the gaps on shelves between Celine Dion and Shania Twain records.

09. The cast of "Glee" has had more songs chart than The Beatles

But The Beatles don't care, because they didn't need to resort to extreme social engineering and produce advertisements that last a full hour every week. And wrote their own songs. In fact, The Beatles pretty much invented the concept of artists writing their own songs.

10. This guy exists.

No comment. Though on a side note, can you believe cardigans came back into fashion?

Well, that was upsetting. Join us in mourning and post your disappointment in the comments.

Comments

[GrungeHippie26]

The last one XD
Ug congratulations, you've won my respect back lmao...

[threedaysgrace9]

Look at all these sales figures, and then still have the balls to tell me that the record industry is failing? Shame on you, record companies.

[Krieger91]

I just know that people are going to be b*tching about how you should leave Justin Bieber alone..

Anyway, quite a funny article.
Altough, I don't really agree with the "Beatles invented the concept of artists writing their own songs"

[THE BULGE]

This is the first opinionated article which I deem acceptable on UG not because I agree with every point (which I do) or because I find it hilarious (which I also do) but because it's written so with the tongue so firmly in cheek that nobody could really get upset by this?

Could they?

[JimBonJovi]

I'm going to go out on a limb on www.ultimate-metallica.com. Give me a break. Ultimate guitar chooses the worst photo of Creed and then blasts them and now the whole site will blast them. Creed are an introspective rock band. There's nothing commercial about the band. The two songs closed minded people know are With arms wide open and Higher. Listen beyond those introspective songs and you'll find deeply melodic, crunching hard rock songs with stories of nature, finding peace which is rather unique in today's music world. I digress.

[Pagan_Poetry]

Funny how there is a picture that shows the exact same facts in pretty much the exact same order floating around the internet, especially on meme sites.
Ah well. The point is it's true and it's really sad, so if UG decides to open more minds about it, then so be it.

[SumFX]

Crappy article, 'pop' means popular, popular means it sells, get over it. Why on Earth do any of you 'Rock/metal/alternative/whatever' fans care about whats in the charts or what sells well? Pop music will always be around and in most cases, you're not going to be forced to listen to it unless it's on the radio at work, so what the hell is the problem?

And people are still bashing Justin Beiber? I thought that got old over a year ago.

[SOAD_SoG]

I agree on the last one 100%

[Pagan_Poetry]

SumFX wrote:
And people are still bashing Justin Beiber? I thought that got old over a year ago.

At this point, I'm hearing more of the little runt from "haters" than I am from the fans. You'd think it'd be over with now, but nope. There's no better way to ignore a guy and let his fame fizzle out than to keep bringing up why we hate him, amirite?

[GimmeThemCheese]

I don't want to live on this planet anymore.

[guitarsftw]

This just in: Pop music is popular.

[thejester]

haha, this is hilarious. great job UG

[TextOnTheScreen]

SumFX wrote:

Crappy article, 'pop' means popular, popular means it sells, get over it. Why on Earth do any of you 'Rock/metal/alternative/whatever' fans care about whats in the charts or what sells well? Pop music will always be around and in most cases, you're not going to be forced to listen to it unless it's on the radio at work, so what the hell is the problem?

And people are still bashing Justin Beiber? I thought that got old over a year ago.

"Pop" doesn't mean "popular" anymore, it means it was written to sell. But other than that, you're entirely right. It shouldn't matter to people. The artists that really care about their music should just make the best music they can, and leave pop to be the empty, unsatisfying industry that it will always be.

[Deathlock257]

All today's talentless retards don't deserve the fame they recieved. -_-

[Iliekgitaz]

Some of these just flat out anger me..

Mainly 1, 2 and 7.

[jinsu2301]

SumFX wrote:

Crappy article, 'pop' means popular, popular means it sells, get over it.....

And people are still bashing Justin Beiber? I thought that got old over a year ago.

the problem is: how come this shit sells? why do people enjoy listening to garbage? and that is the dissappointment the article is all about.

and nope, bashing the bieber will never get old.

[TJ1991]

I can't remember where I've seen this, but I have quite recently. At least credit whoever you stole it from, UG.

[Highelf04]

So freakin true
It is depressing

[iommi600]

just pop icons of the past and pop icons of today. obviously the pop icons of today will sell singles and all that shit like water... the same thing happened to Beatles and Hendrix back in the 60's. unfortunately, that's the way that pop music goes on. Personally, I don't give a single f*ck about these kind of numbers. but yes, this is still f*kin' disgusting, especially the last one.

[Raven_Flight]

Not surprising at all. It's not "disappointing", it's just how the market works.
"Regular" people want to listen to easy/punchy/danceable music and not Hendrix's licks or Zeppelin rocking, so it's damn obvious they are going to sell more and it's not related to the quality of the music at all.

However I couldn't help myself laughing when Justin Bieber showed up lol.
Oh, and I FRIGGIN HATE that "I gotta feeling" song!!! I really don't get why it is so popular.

[darkwolf291]

This just in.
Breaking news, people have DIFFERENT tastes in music from yours. Experts say people like music other people don't like.
More on this story as it develops.

[gvfcfred]

Makes me lol that UG didn't even write this article. They just copied it from another website. Don't put your faith back in them just yet.

[motorxtp199]

It is depressing I can't believe Zepplin never had a #1 single :/ and how has barbra sold so many CD's?? She is horrible!!

[Tschernobyl08]

i think you can't compare "old" music with newer ones.
the industry just changed.
today it's normal that an really untalented artist (just like the 10. in this article) sells millions of albums around the world.it just became easy.
Anyway , I don't think all these bands like Led Zeppelin or R.E.M care about the albums they selled.
And we shouldn't do that , too.

[carlosthegr8]

A ug list that all can actually agree with,

[bastards]

Wow, UG can copy news from youtube comments.

[TheThesTony]

TJ1991 wrote:

I can't remember where I've seen this, but I have quite recently. At least credit whoever you stole it from, UG.

This was floating around Facebook a few weeks back. UG totally stole this article.

[Big1665]

Number seven is really depressing! I mean Nirvana, Queen and Bruce Springsteen. Amazing great artist that influenced generations.
So (depressing) is number 1 and some others too.
But the main thing is, that good music doesn´t have to get bought more than bad, because there are people left listening to nice bands.

[ffaf_kick_ass]

I have to agree with all but number 2. I'll let rihanna off cuz she's so f***ing hot!

[Quicksand15]

John Lennon and George Harrison turned in their graves at 45rpm.

Nice one

[Joe-Floyd-lover]

Just throwing this out there, but lots of the facts from this article were taken from Ultimate Classic Rock's "Jimi Hendrix Has Sold Fewer Records Than Creed and Other Depressing Rock Facts" Article from 4 weeks ago, without credit...

[L2112Lif]

Joe-Floyd-lover wrote:

Just throwing this out there, but lots of the facts from this article were taken from Ultimate Classic Rock's "Jimi Hendrix Has Sold Fewer Records Than Creed and Other Depressing Rock Facts" Article from 4 weeks ago, without credit...

UG doesn't really care. This entire thing was taken from there.

[Lewisw3]

That was hilarious UG

[maiden=gods]

the reason Zeppelin never had a no.1 single, is they never released a single..

[thebleeding10]

These facts represent exactly what's wrong with today's society!

[cdayrocks]

Honestly, all this doesn't surprise me. All you angry metalheads, get back at them by making metal covers of their songs.

[L2112Lif]

maiden=gods wrote:

the reason Zeppelin never had a no.1 single, is they never released a single..

Nope, they released a few. Immigrant Song/Hey Hey What Can I Do is one of the better known ones.

[moscaespañol]

This article is dildos. Some dude posted this shite on The Pit a few days ago.

[Sladey]

Number 10 made my day.

[MonsterJunkie]

[quote]GimmeThemCheese wrote:

I don't want to live on this planet anymore.[/qu

lol at the futurama reference

[joshuahughes34]

All this is only true because of the internet and how easy it is to spread and produce mainstream pop/dance music today. I can buy (or find for free) any song in about 2 minutes, while 20+ years ago, it took longer, was more expensive, and it wasnt blasted at you from every tv/radio/internet advert. Remember Beatles still have sold more albums than anyone

[XZyler]

I have been criticizing things like this for a long time! Thank you UG.. You know, there is a simple reason why the record sales of contemporary artists top our old legends.. simply because of the new ways to distribute music.. buying is easier.. Imagine, if iTunes was there when GN'R release Appetite FD!

[alliwant]

In the grand scheme of things record sales =/= success. Fair enough, people buy more music these days, but the vast majority aren't music fans per se. In the UK it's the radio 1 generation, the Kerrang heads. Certain bands/artists get pushed because they have the right look or whatever (because mainstream music is barely about the music anymore). People see pretty lady onstage gyrating and singing to a 4 to the floor beat, people buy. It used to be a case of you only heard the music - you never knew what the band looked like so we judged on the music alone.

Just because Katy Perry has the same number of #1 singles from one record as MJ doesn't mean anyone will remember her or the record 20 years down the line. If the current generation of mainstream acts pass the test of time then all the power to them but I personally don't see it. The industry is fickle and the most talented/creative more often than not never get the recognition they deserve which is a damn shame.

[nikh158]

maiden=gods wrote:

the reason Zeppelin never had a no.1 single, is they maiden=gods wrote:

the reason Zeppelin never had a no.1 single, is they never released a single..


Nope, they released a few. Immigrant Song/Hey Hey What Can I Do is one of the better known ones.never released a single..


Nope, they released a few. Immigrant Song/Hey Hey What Can I Do is one of the better known ones.

Zep never released a single in the UK. The tactic was used by Peter Grant to give the band a "mysterious" aura, or something. They did, however, release a lot of singles in the US.

[$hithappen$16]

lol'd at number 10. but honestly this article doesn't bother me at all. I could care less about what famous pop artist sold more albums than my favorite band. as long as my radio has an off switch and i can still download whatever the hell i want on my ipod i'm happy

[kerguitar08]

Pagan_Poetry wrote:

SumFX wrote:
And people are still bashing Justin Beiber? I thought that got old over a year ago.

At this point, I'm hearing more of the little runt from "haters" than I am from the fans. You'd think it'd be over with now, but nope. There's no better way to ignore a guy and let his fame fizzle out than to keep bringing up why we hate him, amirite?

This times infinity, especially since the first time I've heard of him was from a hater.

[moparhead]

nice trolling UG,i am with yours

[Shawn1379]

I'm so tired of the Beiber hate... and I still had to laugh at the last one. Somehow it managed to surprise me.

On top of it all, this is actually a pretty interesting article.

Great success, UG. Bravo.

[BurntGerbil]

And to top it off, Taylor Swift is selling Christmas cards on the left banner on this page (and wearing that atrocious clown lipstick). Is no place safe? I need an ad blocker for my phone's browser…

[KyleLee]

TJ1991 wrote:

I can't remember where I've seen this, but I have quite recently. At least credit whoever you stole it from, UG.

If you go to eBaumsworld.com, then you've seen it there. At least I have, three to four months ago. Post credit where credit is due, UG!

[iplayat11]

This is just a testament that good music stands the test of time regardless of how popular it is. In 1969 the #1 signal in the US was "sugar sugar" by the Archies. That is the same year that Abbey Road, Led Zeppelin I, and Dark Side of the Moon Came out. In 30 years we're not going to be listening to what was popular from the 2000's, we're going to be listening to what was good.

[xxrefugeexx]

Notice how nearly every point made was that a band popular in the past is now less popular...well there's a shocker.

[nailsarecruel]

I'm going to go against #8. I actually like babs. She came from the time before autotune and like performers from that time has put in the work to get where she's at.

At the very least, she's given a lot of middle-aged ladies and senior citizens the joy of puttin' on the glitz and dressing like a character from an 80's soap opera cause tonight they have Streisand tickets.

Other than that, here's a couple more at leasts:

#1: Despite the sales, they're still a bunch of competent musicians greatly overshadowed by the frontman's pious B.S

#2: Appears like more of a hollow record company ventriloquist's dummy with each release

#3: Is Kesha

#4: Has gone on record stating he's bummed that Low sold well as a single and digital download, but not his albums. Feels destined to be the guy that sang Low.

#5: "Look, it's Fergie, Will.I.Am and those two guys"

#6: Ain't gonna lie. That's tragic.

#7: She's tolerable, but MJ worked his ass off and was messed up for life because of his missed childhood and having Joe Jackson for a father. Being beat by a chick with nice boobs that looks great in full makeup is rather sad.

#9: Glee's an accurately sad sign of the times.

#10: I won't lie, if I had the opportunity to make a ton of money signing stuff targeted to little girls and desperate cougars, and get to tap a slightly older chick that looks like a 15 year old, I'd do the same goddamn thing.

[little_boy]

i wouldn't make a better list

[Crimson Ghost]

Born In The USA and Nevermind both sold more copies than Falling Into You

[SmittyMan90]

Makes me truly sad that most of these people exist and have had more sales or success than legends like the Beatles or Hendrix, oh well most of these people are milking out a fad, a fad that wont last.

[SkepsisMetal]

Creed
Hendrix
Led Zep
REM
Depeche Mode
Kesha
Beatles
Elvis
Simon & Garfunkle
Queen
Springsteen


I don't particularly like any of these artists anyway.
I like more Katy Perry songs than Michael Jackson ones.
I am fairly indifferent to Bieber, the constant mentions of him irritate me more than he does.

Fight me.

[BoneBroke]

Dude, who gives a **** they're just numbers??!!!

[benjixoath]

get the **** lost with this petty bias ****ing article
this is a load of crap.
bias ****s

[chhang]

i dont want to live on this planet anymore

[KingNothing666]

Dead Kennedys posted this on Facebook

[imbaguitar]

have you listened to Celine Dion before? Or are you just ignorantly bashing? Can you honestly say that she isn't an amazing vocalist? I agree with most of this (lets be honest we all play guitar so most of us agree with this). But your writing style, and obvious ignorance, as well as comparing songs from the 70's to now when the industry is completely different seems pretty retarded.

[jacobdubya]

Buzz Feed posted this over two months ago, except with 12 facts instead of 10. Did UG drop one fact for every month they were late re-posting this?

[Daburcor]

This article is over a year old.

[jacobdubya]

http://www.buzzfeed.com/daves4/12-extremely-disappointing-fa cts-about-popular-mus

[Bad Technique]

Pop music is popular.

WOW.

[Eirien]

Nothing dissapointing here whatsoever. Most people like crap music, I stopped caring a long time ago.

BTW, Led Zep only released 2 singles in the US and none in the UK, so that partly explains why they had no number 1s. They are an album band.

I also like more Katy Perry songs than Michael Jackson songs.

And Creed have sold more records in the US than Hendrix because they are a massively Christian band in a massively Christian country.

[cam_sampbell]

This has got to be the worst 'news' article this website has posted.

Music evolves, deal with it. Is it so absurd to like both The Beatles and Rihanna?

[Supersonic1]

Where ware they getting their numbers from?

Here's some real numbers UG: http://www.mediatraffic.de/alltime-track-chart.htm

[eloera1]

WTF is wrong with UG??? Really!! man I used to love this website. But lately all I hear is them bashing artist. Ok to UG and all haters if you "hate' JB, Rhianna, and all pop artist dont mention them here and FOCUS on umm.. let say GUITARS!!!

[edgeyyz]

I really agree about the Glee one. Some of the other ones annoy me, but on Led Zeppelin: they didn't release singles.

[FirstMateJepeto]

In my opinion this article is simply all about: 10 examples of pop selling more than rock. Of course it's gonna sell more, it's designed for it!

[ZWH]

Well done UG, this'll probably be the list where most people AGREE instead of disagree. I lol'd at #10! =)

[Guynametyler]

Cardigans are fly and that Katy Perry CD was pretty good. Taters gonna tate.

[Carl21221]

What you all need to realise is that most musicians listen to their type of music because there is talent and devotion to their music which makes us appreciate it more. Our world however, is not entirely populated with musicians so most people look for catchy and dance-worthy music to party to. Not to mention, the music industry has definately "boomed" in the passed few years so its not surprising that today's modern music is selling more than say Jimi Hendrix and Johnny Cash.

[FearOfTheDuck]

At least it gives us something to rebel against

[LedZepFan543]

Yea this is an old list. Heard it on the radio last month. Thanks for giving me the news first Mark and Brian!

[strat0blaster]

Pop has always been more popular and higher selling than other genres. It's tailor made to advertise, push, and sell. This shouldn't be a surprise.

It really does nothing to discredit valid musicians, though. I don't see why it's presented that way.

[SirWurscht]

the whole arguments of single sales are stupid, cause real fans don't buy singles, they buy albums. Or do I have any Slayer or Megadeth single? Haha, no!

[Kilimacory]

As old as this is, it's totally valid. hmph.

[stepco12345]

*Checked*

[Vitor_vdp]

Talk about being butt hurt...

[Michael Stewart]

I agree with number 10 but I do have a problem with it. It should have been number 1.

[234addict]

[CrazyTy]

Ridiculous article. There's nothing disappointing about this.. I hate opinions. but shit that's an opinion.

[Abby91]

I find these numbers hard to believe, but who cares??

At the end of the day artists like beatles/elvis/jh are legends of music history, is katy perry and the others ones really gonna be talked about in the future??

I doubt it!

[Root Beer]

Not disappointed; rock was never meant to be about how well your songs sell anyway.

[csensesfail92]

this article started to make me mad then it just got funny

[ElvenLord]

9GAG, anyone?

[Wayward Sean]

Krieger91 wrote:

I just know that people are going to be b*tching about how you should leave Justin Bieber alone..

Anyway, quite a funny article.
Altough, I don't really agree with the "Beatles invented the concept of artists writing their own songs"

It isn't so much that they invented the concept, it's more that they were the first mainstream pop-rock band to do it, which paved the way for bands like The Rolling Stones, The Kinks, and the rest of the British Invasion. The British Invasion, in turn, influenced American rock. Now everyone in rock writes their own.

[billthugs]

Just throwing this out there, but doesn't it make sense that since there are considerably more people on Earth these days than there were when Hendrix, Zeppelin, and the Beatles were producing music that it's inevitable that today's music will sell more?

Just a thought. Troll to your heart's content.

[SomebodySomeone]

JimBonJovi wrote:

I'm going to go out on a limb on www.ultimate-metallica.com. Give me a break. Ultimate guitar chooses the worst photo of Creed and then blasts them and now the whole site will blast them. Creed are an introspective rock band. There's nothing commercial about the band. The two songs closed minded people know are With arms wide open and Higher. Listen beyond those introspective songs and you'll find deeply melodic, crunching hard rock songs with stories of nature, finding peace which is rather
unique in today's music world. I digress.

i'll go out in a limb here too. creed (minus stapp) is a decent band. stapp just gets shit for being a drunken idiot. but even stapp had decent songs. ppl just shit on creed cuz its koo too.

[WSBassHero]

I'm pretty sure posting pictures of Barbra Streisand is quite offensive to many people...

[scorpio2billion]

Krieger91 wrote:
Altough, I don't really agree with the "Beatles invented the concept of artists writing their own songs"

You don't have to agree with it for it to be true.

[mysticguitar77]

Creed is a decent band.

That's all I'm going to bother saying.

[mckenna64]

billthugs wrote:

Just throwing this out there, but doesn't it make sense that since there are considerably more people on Earth these days than there were when Hendrix, Zeppelin, and the Beatles were producing music that it's inevitable that today's music will sell more?

Just a thought. Troll to your heart's content.

It's mostly just singles selling now, album sales are pretty poor. The early-mid 90's was a high point for album sales, a band like TLCs second album sold 22 million records, I don't think all of Lady Gagas albums combined have managed to reach that number.

Probably why Celine Dion and Shania Twain hit massive numbers too, launched at a time when music/album sales were at an all time high.

[John115]

As much as I agree with the sentiments above, the fact of the matter is that music is a lot cheaper to produce, sell, and buy now than it was 40 years ago. Also, it is more accessible to the entire world, due to digital media. Therefore, comparing the sales records of today's music and the music of past generations is a really biased and an unbalanced ratio.

[i_am_metalhead]

Way to steal this from Buzzfeed and try to pass it off as your own. You're pathetic, UG.

Also, there's nothing disappointed about the fact that popular artists today have outsold popular artists in the past. Music is much more accessible and obtainable in today's world.

[iceh88]

didnt think there would actually be people on here that would be defending pop music of today but their are a few here in the comments. Didnt know 13 year olds had such strong feelings for pop music.

[NörseFire]

This probably takes into account internet sales, so it's probably a little askew

[Dardar1989]

One of the best lists I've seen on UG, just goes to show how messed up the music business has become, it's all about what you see not what you hear.

[Minivirus2]

That's mindless, accessable music for generations of idiots for you. We all know rock/metal/guitar based music will NEVER reign supreme, but personally, that's the way I like it. Helps to keep its integrity intact.

Also,

No comment. Though on a side note, can you believe cardigans came back into fashion?

I'm going to semi-blame this on Daniel Tosh, but that's ok.

[deadlydictator]

I got another one. Little emo bitches call good bands like cannibal corpse and deicide scream bands. **** that shit.

[PeenieMcGee303]

Funny stuff.....hate to be "that guy" but Zeppelin never released singles. Stairway IS the most played song in the history of radio though. Not a bad substitute.

[himurakenshin66]

Her's the problem. America is a mob. Not many people in this country think for themselves. They go with the mob. It's sad. I am not going to lie. I like Creed and I like Katy Perry acoustic stuff because it's real but the other crap well is crap. If the tv says Lady Gaga is a god send then the mob believe it where as people like myself who enjoy more meaningful music turn in disgust. America loves the next big thing no matter hos stupid or crappy it is.

[Slash181]

Again, this is not news UG. You fail to approve..... With Rock music of any kind it's written with emotion, technicality and most of all knowledge from the brains of people who can perform, write and play around with what they've written. Pop music is written with simple minds derived from midi blocks, most of all written for the artists which is using singers as a 'fashionable' icon. All they did was see a market and ride on it... they use quirky little subliminal marketing structures that include 1 word catchy phrases that linger in the mind. for basic minds. you listen to this crap, you are no better than the people on the streets.

[Basti95]

Oh crap.

[Rattlehead2]

Most of the people/bands shown on the right side are pop (and I don't mean "popular music" by it, I mean the style which they represent), so I don't get that list.

[BwareDWare94]

Is this about music...

or people?

[Dempsey68]

seen this on another site a few weeks back, but still was nice seeing it again.

[ptrnsntofpwn]

hell yea UG way to copy and paste an article from BuzzFeed I read this two weeks ago

[Good_Lord]

It's simply how the 21st century works, music is more accessible today than it ever was, and today's music is widely broadcast everywhere.

[ShockHazard]

Pop sells, but whos buying?

Well, crappy joke... But as somebody said already, they're just numbers. I don't care about them, or the artist who sell the most!

[rhs5110]

All the more reason to hate the unoriginal mainstream garbage that's bring shoved down our throats seriously this is really sad stuff to read I mean music sucks these days but seriously tik tok sold more than any beatles album I'm losing faith in humanity

[hellyeshead]

Really don't care honestly.

[Year Zero]

The conclusion is people today are just dumb, sadly there is no solution.

[GeekInThePink]

I already wasted my time complaining about how stupid this article is on Buzzfeed, which this was copied from.

http://www.buzzfeed.com/daves4/12-extremely-disappo inting-facts-about-popular-mus?fb_comment_id=fbc_10150409140 139328_20435903_10150409336254328&ref=notif¬if_t=open_gra ph_comment#f11b09b998

[guitarlad89]

UG stole this from another website months ago. Congratulations on posting someone else's material. Fuck the whole bieber thing. let the kid do his thing and listen to what you like. he's not going away any time soon so ****ing deal with it.

[LordRyur]

The only part of this that is disappointing is the Katy Perry vs. Michael Jackson one. Pop music will ALWAYS get more recognition than non-Pop music, but.. Some dumb bimbo whose only good for her breasts and not her generic, bad Pop music is on the same level as Michael Jackson, the king of Pop? That is truly disappoint, gentleman.
Another thing: A lot of the bands on the right side are just as bad when it comes to hogging the spotlight and over-shadowing and selling more than better bands/artists. Zeppelin, Nirvana, Elvis, I'm looking at you guys.

deadlydictator wrote:

I got another one. Little emo bitches call good bands like cannibal corpse and deicide scream bands. **** that shit.

Neither of those bands have been good for the latter/newer half of their career. They're rather.. Entry-level, if you will.

cam_sampbell wrote:

This has got to be the worst 'news' article this website has posted.

Music evolves, deal with it. Is it so absurd to like both The Beatles and Rihanna?

Yes, because Rihanna is of lower quality than other artists. It's not the music she makes, it's how badly she makes it. She's hot, I'd do dirty things to her (and, from what I hear, she'd probably like 'em), but she doesn't make good music.

darkwolf291 wrote:

This just in.
Breaking news, people have DIFFERENT tastes in music from yours. Experts say people like music other people don't like.
More on this story as it develops.

There's a big, big, big difference between liking different music, and liking bad music. Liking different music is common, that's why there's different genres, but liking bad music is something everyone should exploit in a way to make fun of the listener. Example: Rap's good: Eazy-E is a legend, his music is great. Lil Wayne, however, is a commercial hack who makes shallow, crappy "rap" that every shallow, trend-following prep listens to. You don't even have to be into rap to tell he is a bad representation of the genre, and should never be listened to, ever.

[\m/(-_-)\m/]

this list is dumb. of course all these artists have sold more. it's called the internet, mass media, and digital downloading.

[carsnguitars92]

OK, just want to refute #2. The reason Led Zeppelin never had a #1 single is because they were completely against the concept of "singles." They made album-oriented rock'n'roll. They could care less about one song in comparison to the album. That's the reason Robert Plant's come to hate "Stairway to Heaven" so much...he tells people it's "just a song....we have others." Regardless of not having #1 singles, Led Zeppelin is one of the most successful bands in the world, with over at least 200 million albums sold. They're one of the biggest pioneers of rock'n'roll. And they will be remembered long after Rihanna. So who cares?

[iljh]

Don't take this seriously folks, it's just a goofy article. It made me chuckle.

[gtosteve65]

this article is 100% true...and then again a complete reason there should be another decline of western civilization movie

[lVlaniac]

I know ive seen this arround somewhere. Ive read this as far back as 2 months ago. Maybe you should credit the original uploaders UG

[Iommianity]

The only thing that disappoints me is this attitude that it takes absolutely no talent or abilities to make it big. I have no idea about you guys, but the only reason I'm not a rich pop star is because i can't be. I would take that money, jam with my favourite artists, and write the metal/jazz/hip-hop/whatever that I'd rather be playing.

Anyone who's ever been a hired hand playing music they don't like can tell you that the connection you get with people from playing music they like is also extremely rewarding, if not on an artistic level. People need to be entertained. It's one thing to think your favourite metal band deserves the success, it's quite another when you act like society would be better off if everyone had your taste. That kind of music has its place, and its why pop has infiltrated every genre.

[johnthebassist4]

I lol'd

[Iamtdawg]

Tschernobyl08 wrote:

i think you can't compare "old" music with newer ones.
the industry just changed.
today it's normal that an really untalented artist (just like the 10. in this article) sells millions of albums around the world.it just became easy.
Anyway , I don't think all these bands like Led Zeppelin or R.E.M care about the albums they selled.
And we shouldn't do that , too.

This guy gets it

[Armagedn]

motorxtp199 wrote:

It is depressing I can't believe Zepplin never had a #1 single :/ and how has barbra sold so many CD's?? She is horrible!!

You know why Led Zeppelin never had a number one single? They didn't release singles. They wanted to be an album band. I'm sure they WOULD have several number ones if they had released them.

[Controlpanel]

there was a thread on this..probably the same author.....and I believe it got closed..how did this become article worthy??

UG....I am disappointed...

[Tyrant92]

this is copy pasta.. i saw this 2 weeks ago on 9gag.

[sgwizard92]

I had to bs a paper the other day on how I believe illegal downloading is GOOD for the industry and not bad. If i had had these numbers I could have posted a much better argument. Dammit.

[salsa sosebee]

i agree with this article 100 percent but that girl on flo ridas pic is fine as hell

[salsa sosebee]

you know one has really though of this all the bands that are listed that got outdone is because they dont really give a **** who likes their music they wrote music to express themselves and they ;loved it they could give two shits about pop artist who dont do anything but try to get famous and rich they didnt care they played muic for the real reason. but it is a shame they dont get enough credit for some of there masterpieces and wonderfully orchestrated songs

[MilDosmil]

The Beatles didn't invent that

[Denjario]

Don't know what that last thing is, but can you believe that it shops soley in the women's section at target?

[Vendim]

seriously, who runs this site? a 12 year old?

[postmortem2006]

This is an old article. Just saying...

That said, it's extremely depressing.

[arnolddrummer]

FUN FACT UG didn't come up with these facts. It's a good article, but they should really credit their source.

[henrihell]

arnolddrummer wrote:

FUN FACT UG didn't come up with these facts. It's a good article, but they should really credit their source.

Buzz Feed collected some truly disappointing facts about popular music, which we've shared below.

[Nameless742]

Majority of the world are unsophisticated and uneducated in musical theory. It's no surprise that pop music oversells rock and metal genres.
Exposure is primarily led by the media. I wouldn't despair, the internet is doing what it can to bring Rock to the masses.

[iHurricaneGTR]

Is this really surprising people?
Think about it. How easy is it to purchase a song/album nowadays? And how much cheaper? Before, you had to go to a record shop and purchase an album for 15-20 dollars. Today, you go on iTunes and purchase virtually anything ever written, for $9.99 or less. And, you can do it anytime, and anywhere due to wireless and 3G/4G. Compared to how fast the technology is advancing, it should be a "well, no shit.." moment when reading this rather than an "OMG! A band from 30 years ago that is no longer in pop-culture and had no access to an efficient way to distribute their product sold less than a modern pop-culture figure with access to the internet and an unlimited amount of virtual copies of their material!"
I mean, come on. It's ridiculous.

[Supercolio]

Thanks a lot, died at the last one D I have no faith left in the mankind.

[kafirr]

i feel like "who really cares" it's basically you like what you like and if someone doesn't than great. people need to get over this elitist attitude. that's exactly what this is. i don't care if rhianna has had more #1 singles than REM, and i love REM. there isn't anything wrong with the music industry, authors of articles like these are just so stuck up that they can't think of any good articles to post on this website. it's either bashing what everyone bashes only for the sake of bashing it, or making top 10 lists of the "greatest" rock songs of all time. we get it, lots of people like stairway to heaven, lets move on with life.

[Tylern1]

JimBonJovi wrote:

I'm going to go out on a limb on www.ultimate-metallica.com. Give me a break. Ultimate guitar chooses the worst photo of Creed and then blasts them and now the whole site will blast them. Creed are an introspective rock band. There's nothing commercial about the band. The two songs closed minded people know are With arms wide open and Higher. Listen beyond those introspective songs and you'll find deeply melodic, crunching hard rock songs with stories of nature, finding peace which is rather unique in today's music world. I digress.

Or listen to Alter Bridge lol
people should just listen to music they like and not care if its sold a bajillion copies

[ne14t]

Regurgitated, I saw this article almost two weeks ago now, it was barely funny when I saw Beiber the first time, only because I knew he would be there. And dayum Kesha has some nice titties!

[District]

Ooh... Ke$ha is hot!

[Bananafish003]

Really, Justin Bieber's far from the worst of it... he's existed before, he will exist again... the rest are rather disheartening, though...

[benji_flip134]

In terms of sales you can't compare Kesha and The Beatles because of the context in which the songs were released. Digital music sales(iTunes) and online social media(facebook,twitter) during the release of Kesha's single is an unfair advantage. I reckon eventually The Beatles sales will surpass Kesha as their music is timeless and Kesha's 'Tick Tok' will be forgotten about. It sucks seeing Rihannas has had 10 #1 hits and Zeppelins had none, that I'm worried about =S

[tomlikesmusic]

UG you made my day when I saw that last one, I was laughing so much, lol =D

[Duffman123]

Or maybe I'm not stupid and I see a correlation between music becoming cheaper and more accessible and more record sales.

[givemeajackson]

WTF?????!!!!! i found exactly the same article with exactly the same facts in a swiss magazine, just translated to german. WTHF???

[raconteur141]

This article makes me want to throw up. Not because of the whole "pop sells more" bullshit, but because some people actually care. Why does UG pretend that rock and metal are the only two genres that matter in the world in the world? Is it really that hard to imagine that maybe some people listen to other music? Or would that make the UG servers explode? For instance, sure, Barbara Streisand is a bitch, but give her credit. She is a fantastic singer, one of the best within musical theater. She has also released SHITLOADS of albums and therefore has sold a lot. Why do we need to hate other genres of music? Why can't we just not listen to it cause it's not our thing? I don't like Justin Beiber, doe that make him a terrible person? No, so why do you ****ing care?!?!?! I listen to slayer, regina spektor, disney music, glee, BTBAM, metallica, alter bridge, and sondheim musicals because I refuse to be labeled as a genre, there's too much good music outside of rock for me to be that close minded. I wish for once UG would just write an honest article that doesn't have to rely on the bullying of other artists that don't fit in to your cookie cutter image of music. All this is is sensationalized bullshit.

[iron_maiden93]

I don't understand why people always confuse popularity with musicianship. They are separate things, just look at all the independent talent that could blow these poseurs off the charts, but instead goes unnoticed. It's a shame. That being sad, Katy Perry is awesome.

[sickassfoo]

theres a very simple explanation to this: the music industry is run by stupid little pre pubescent girls. that is why justin bieber is popular and also why most of this stuff happened. This analysis fails because you guys are comparing todays pop garbage with 70s music.( just because its old doesnt mean its the best thing out there)

[m4ss3 m/]

Oh come one. All those dirty *****s like Lady Gaga, Shakira, Keisha etc are much worse than Justin Bieber. IMHO

[MegaGreg]

This is just "pop artists are better than rock artists" type of deal. But I did laugh at that last one.

[Baconator1228]

So new music is more popular than old music. So disappointing

[Steve-O~32]

hahaha #10 is priceless. Thank you UG for making my Friday have a laugh

[cainmd]

its not disapointing about the music, it's disappointing how many idiots are in this world who buy this shit

[KnightBand]

Slow news day UG? Must be, seeing how you had to cut and paste an entire online posting and post it as your own...that said, fun read.

[Most_Triumphant]

Really sad, calls to mind The Who song "Rock is Dead"

[chris_rod1406]

different time periods my niggas

[RequiemofDemons]

It doesnt really matter....i mean im pleased to say that as far as "pop" bands go..I know of them but I dont really know any songs :/ Octane or liquid metal on the radio, old cd's at home, MTV gone to shit..its not hard to just ignore them :/ surrounded by friends with generally the same tastes in music..who cares if it topped the charts...give it 50 years and we'll see what people are still listening too. I'll still be blasting Led Zep for years to come..half of these pop bands will most likely wither out and be forgotten eventually :/

[MattTheMat]

Might be my favorite UG article ever haha.

[spiff-corgi]

LOL the Katy Perry statistic always makes me laugh. Teenage Dream came out at the start of Summer 2010. She is still releasing singles from it at the end of 2011. Of course she's had a **** load of number 1s. Anyone who milked an album THAT much after it had become successful would have...

[rockerwannabe]

From what I have read about Mark Tremonti from Alter Bridge (I don't believe in Creed) he would be the first to give Hendrix the creds instead of himself.

[Alpha_Wolf]

guitarsftw wrote:

This just in: Pop music is popular.

This.

[TomYaBeast]

Creed are actually decent, but that photo makes them look like tools

[soXlittleXtimeX]

I don't mind katy perry sharing that record with michael jackson. They are both pop artists after all...

[vinnym86]

"Before The Music Dies" ... watch it.

[guitarmaniac88]

salsa sosebee wrote:

i agree with this article 100 percent but that girl on flo ridas pic is fine as hell

I've never thought hell to be fine, and she's not either.

[*Stranger*]

well, jimmy page refused to release singles, cause if he did, stairway would be the biggest selling single ever, i mean, its the most requested song on the radio ever, so its logical
plus led zeppelin have 300 million albums sold, the beatles have a billion, and todays music will die really fast be forgot

[CommanderMeaty]

who cares anyway, at least there are people that enjoy them

[*Stranger*]

i forgot
gnr gets inducted into hof, and RHCP, abba is already there
and there is no place for rory gallagher, deep purple,kiss, rush, rainbow and acts big as them
taste in music, R.I.P.

[R0ck3rd4z]

whats this? a article I actually enjoyed reading, and it doesnt mention the gallagher brothers at all, well done UG!

[Sic_maggot_H]

Very true, but Katy Perry is hot.

[vanhalen241]

this isn't even an original UG article, i saw this on another website a week ago... if they can't write a good article, they've gotta steal it -_-

[JacobL]

The problem when you compare these kind of numbers is that it's hard to combine numbers from two different historical periods; Take Creed and Hendrix as an example. Hendrix may be more popular (I don't know), but Creed rose to fame in a period characterized by globalisation and an ability to produce more albums quicker. And Hendrix has always been a part of a subculture.

[ultimatelefty]

Really liked this article, and I completely agree.
Never heard of the Rihanna twisted arms thing but omg 0.0 I swear to god something isn't right with her.

[GasPipe]

raconteur141 wrote:

This article makes me want to throw up. Not because of the whole "pop sells more" bullshit, but because some people actually care. Why does UG pretend that rock and metal are the only two genres that matter in the world in the world? Is it really that hard to imagine that maybe some people listen to other music? Or would that make the UG servers explode? For instance, sure, Barbara Streisand is a bitch, but give her credit. She is a fantastic singer, one of the best within musical theater. She has also released SHITLOADS of albums and therefore has sold a lot. Why do we need to hate other genres of music? Why can't we just not listen to it cause it's not our thing? I don't like Justin Beiber, doe that make him a terrible person? No, so why do you ****ing care?!?!?! I listen to slayer, regina spektor, disney music, glee, BTBAM, metallica, alter bridge, and sondheim musicals because I refuse to be labeled as a genre, there's too much good music outside of rock for me to be that close minded. I wish for once UG would just write an honest article that doesn't have to rely on the bullying of other artists that don't fit in to your cookie cutter image of music. All this is is sensationalized bullshit.

It's a tongue-in-cheek joke, you buttmunch.

[paulstfu]

rock and metal are my world, i don´t care if pop artist sell 1 billion copies or singles, my music are rock and metal.

PD: Ke$ha is hot (just see that picture)

[-xCaMRocKx-]

Pretty hilarious article.

What you have to keep in mind in regards to sales figures is that the world is a lot bigger and a lot smaller than it used to be. What I mean is that things like TV and especially the internet means that music is reaching millions more people than before. That simultaneously is giving the industry more customers to target, with much less effort required. Of course sales figures have increased. It doesn't reflect the quality of the music, it reflects the quality of the advertising.

[5t0rM]

ElvenLord wrote:

9GAG, anyone?

It's funny how I was about to post the same comment xD

[Exwic]

I Swear I read this article on another website about two weeks ago... No one will believe me probably.

[Exwic]

OH RIGHT I READ IT THROUGH BUZZ FEED. No one really should be giving credit to UG for this.

[jkubed]

Seriously? Ke$ha's drunken ***** song sold better than the freaking Beatles?!

[randomhero93]

Well, this article isn't 100% UG original, I swear, I saw the exact same list about 2 weeks ago somewhere else. word. for. word. same pictures too. so don't blame UG for their choice in words or pics. blame UG for straight up copying/pasting an entire article.

[OMGitsBRIEN]

This article is almost two weeks old.

[Stretch_Wilson]

Please put these figures into relation of the global population at the time of each of these artists. Clearly just shows that the older band are much more successful.

[0zzmosis]

The majority of the world has shitty taste in music. I could write the shittiest simple music in the world and it would be just as popular as this new shit. Let's just face it, the music world is sitting in hell and the good musicians are headed for the gallows. R.I.P. and another kind of rip out the back side in the face of this new unjust world of music.

[Bananaman1jovan]

Creeds guitarist>Hendrix. And i hate creed but Hendrix is soo overrated will UG's jimi boner ever subside

[Lost Dog]

0zzmosis wrote:

The majority of the world has shitty taste in music. I could write the shittiest simple music in the world and it would be just as popular as this new shit. Let's just face it, the music world is sitting in hell and the good musicians are headed for the gallows. R.I.P. and another kind of rip out the back side in the face of this new unjust world of music.

Do it then. And if the majority of people in the world like 'shitty' music, wouldn't that make us the odd ones out who have weird/terrible taste in music?

[hugh20]

This was lifted from another site... there must be a story about Loutallica you can use instead?

[kholohan]

This article is useless.

[firebowl99]

Just because they sound like their better than our artists doesn't mean that they are better. All of the classic artists of the great era of music (1960s-1990s) put a lot of effort into coming up with songs. Now, these cheaters just are called up by some producer to sing and they don't even write their own music. And sometimes their voice is really bad so they have to remix it. In the good era, everyone had a natural talent. My main point is that the amount of effort put into music has dropped

[GioJ]

Keep in mind. The population has gone from around 3 billion to 7 billion since the 1960's. More people = more listeners. I'm pretty sure that these artist: The Beatles, Jimi Hendrix, Elvis, Led Zeppelin etc.. Sold more than these artist: Duke Ellington, Ella Fitzgerald, Miles Davis(maybe), Charlie Parker, Dizzy Gillespie etc..

[Ranmanguitar]

Something classified as pop music doesn't nessicarily mean it's sold out to make a buck. Some "pop" music can be quite tasteful when used in the right context.

Before I continue let me acknowlege the bands compared here. The Beatles, Bruce Springsteen, Tom Petty, Pearl Jam, Zepplin etc...

Bottom line is that the music industry isn't what it was when Led Zepplin toured the world. Music and the machiene that has been carrying it will forever be changing.

These new artists are selling more than the old ones because their music is easier to get. It's more widely accessible. The Industry is bigger.

ie: Thirty years ago you couldn't download Zepplin or Tom Petty on iTunes. Back then you had to go to the shows. These days little girls get gift cards and they can buy Ke$sha's single in a couple keystrokes.

The only shame I see in this article is that more people aren't listening to the older bands and older material.

[ds24601]

Typical close-minded, elitist comments. Maybe pop music is popular because it's what the majority of casual music listeners like? It doesn't make you stupid or in anyway inferior to other music lovers. I like pop music (some of it). It's the same with metal--I don't instantly like all metal music because I'm ****ing br00tal, I like the music if it's good and if I don't I don't listen to it. Queen, who are my favourite band and one of the bands mentioned on the right, wrote songs in pretty much every style imaginable, including a number of great pop songs which became incredibly successful. And aren't The Beatles essentially a pop act?

Do I like most modern pop acts? Not really, but that's not because I'm better than those who do; it's because I have a different (read: not better) taste in music than them. It also must be said that people are saying about how no one will remember these pop acts in years to come, which may be true, but will people remember a lot of the new metal acts in years to come? Probably not and rightfully so: most of them are as generic as the acts being criticised here.

J

[malstag21]

I laughed so hard when I read number 10. xD

[Nirvana_RATM2]

This article has been around for at least a year? I come to this site to stay informed about current guitar and guitar-related artists. Not stupid "top 10" lists of stuff that has nothing to do with guitar.

[AdamLeMoine]

Well that was incredibly stupid. Ultimate-guitar put the most over rated band (the beatles) multiple times throughout their entire list, and then mocked Justin Bieber.. who is simply the beatles of today's generation.. which is a kid that people find good looking that has a decent voice.

[rockstaralex24]

Im sorry, but Rock fans should be proud that a band like creed made it big! Seriously take a moment to think about it... A rock band... Was successful... and their songs are NOT about Sex/Drugs/Drama/Being a Rock Star!!!!! Bloody Miracle if you ask me.

Isn't that what this article is about? how simple crap is popular when talented, creative, profound artists are not?!?!?! im sorry creed haters, creed deserves the success they have (especially more than Bieber, BEP, Rihanna, Nickelback, LMFAO, and all the other crap on the radio)

...end rant...

[Cara Gato]

Record sales are one thing, but how many of these bands/people in the list have had an impact on the world such as Michael Jackson, Jimi Hendrix etc? Anyone can come up with some mindless dribble, but how many can influence future generations even after many years of their deaths?

[snaaake]

GrungeHippie26 wrote:

The last one XD
Ug congratulations, you've won my respect back lmao...

That's really all it takes to get respect from you? You're a pushover. They've still got a long way to go if they want any from me.

[ShredBear]

Zeppelin never had a hit single, what does that have to do with REM or depeche mode?

[garden of grey]

To be fair, world population and modernization happening in tons of countries in between now and 40 years ago play a big role in the # of units of whatever technology is sold period.

[b_flo]

Quality is always gonna rule over quantity. If the internet was around back then, it would totally be the other way around. #10 is great!...lol

[HoverFan#1]

that last one is freakin hilarious! XD

[Skodward714]

This really upsets me. I think modern pop/hiphop/rap are s*** stains on the face of music. I hate seeing incredibly talented rock/metal artists pushed into obscurity because pop is such a f***** media glutton. I tried to watch the 2010 Grammys last year because Iron Maiden and Megadeth were nominated. Checked every 15 minutes or the 2 hours it was on to see them. They weren't even mentioned. Why? They've been making fantastic music for 25-30+ years and didn't even get to play one song, while all the pop stars got to perform mini concerts? Were those bands even allowed into the Grammys, or did they just mail the winner their trophy? I really hate bands like Green Day, Daughtry, and Nickleback whose guitarists learn 10 chords on the guitar and everyone's like "OMG they're guitar GODS!!". Go check out a Joe Satriani or Steve Vai song and then tell me whose the talented guitarist. If you listen to their music, that's fine, I don't care, but don't be so naive as to think they're the best at whatever instrument they play, because they're not. And I hate all the autotuned singers! 500 Justin Biebers combined don't have the vocal talent of singers like Robert Plant, Rob Halford, James LaBrie, Russel Allen, Tim "Ripper" Owens..... The list goes on and on. How the f*** does being autotuned and having other people write your songs make you talented? Even pop singers who actually sing still suck. I'm not saying everyone should totally dump pop, just give other genres a chance and listen to something different. This is all just my opinion, so please don't reply calling me gay and stuff for voicing it. If it goes against your opinion, then that's that, you don't need to get nasty about it.

[asalvi98]

If katy perry passes MJ I swear to god... ugh!!!

[asalvi98]

Also bruce is way better than celine dion

[asalvi98]

Skodward714 wrote:

This really upsets me. I think modern pop/hiphop/rap are s*** stains on the face of music. I hate seeing incredibly talented rock/metal artists pushed into obscurity because pop is such a f***** media glutton. I tried to watch the 2010 Grammys last year because Iron Maiden and Megadeth were nominated. Checked every 15 minutes or the 2 hours it was on to see them. They weren't even mentioned. Why? They've been making fantastic music for 25-30+ years and didn't even get to play one song, while all the pop stars got to perform mini concerts? Were those bands even allowed into the Grammys, or did they just mail the winner their trophy? I really hate bands like Green Day, Daughtry, and Nickleback whose guitarists learn 10 chords on the guitar and everyone's like "OMG they're guitar GODS!!". Go check out a Joe Satriani or Steve Vai song and then tell me whose the talented guitarist. If you listen to their music, that's fine, I don't care, but don't be so naive as to think they're the best at whatever instrument they play, because they're not. And I hate all the autotuned singers! 500 Justin Biebers combined don't have the vocal talent of singers like Robert Plant, Rob Halford, James LaBrie, Russel Allen, Tim "Ripper" Owens..... The list goes on and on. How the f*** does being autotuned and having other people write your songs make you talented? Even pop singers who actually sing still suck. I'm not saying everyone should totally dump pop, just give other genres a chance and listen to something different. This is all just my opinion, so please don't reply calling me gay and stuff for voicing it. If it goes against your opinion, then that's that, you don't need to get nasty about it.

I agree i dont even like ripper and hes better than justin bieber, when is a good band gonna play at the grammies!?

[irishboy17]

*Stranger* wrote:

i forgot
gnr gets inducted into hof, and RHCP, abba is already there
and there is no place for rory gallagher, deep purple,kiss, rush, rainbow and acts big as them
taste in music, R.I.P.

The RnRHOF is a joke anyway...but whats wrong with ABBA

[tacobellman2007]

Lol at the last one. And for the Katy Perry and Michael Jackson one...who gives it sh*t, she's got great songs out there and deserves something like that for having such catchy songs.

[nincompoop]

Stop bitching about Bieber. He won't go away if you keep going on. The haters keep him going, if anything.

As for all these accolades... I really couldn't give less of a shit, honestly. Yes, The Beatles deserve all of this more than Glee or Kesha, but that really doesn't reflect upon me in the slightest. I'm happy their music exists... why should I care what other people think? And why the hell do you?

[thenowhereman]

While I fully agree that these fact are disappointing, think about the title. This article simply proves that popular music is popular.

[LordRyur]

Skodward714 wrote:

This really upsets me. I think modern pop/hiphop/rap are s*** stains on the face of music. I hate seeing incredibly talented rock/metal artists pushed into obscurity because ....

Pop is not to blame for good rock/metal bands being pushed aside. Bad rock/metal bands are to blame for that. Modern Rock and Metal isn't much better than modern anything. It's the EXACT same problem in most to all genres. The crappy ones, the ones made simply to sell and be popular, therefore are incredibly dumbed down and focus on being catchy, simply, and accessible are the ones who become popular. Even in the more extreme genres, no one is pushing anymore, they're either A) ripping off older bands, B) toning down their music to get famous, or C) 'experimenting', AKA: making bad music and thinking it's 'art'.

It's a good thing that Metal doesn't get mainstream attention, nothing good ever came from that, the real problem is that even the alternative scene (Punk, Metal, Rock, etc.) has been infiltrated by money-first corporations, fame-seeking sell-outs, and people/fans who let it happen.

[Ghostmaker]

Don't forget about population. There are simply more people alive today, with access to music, than there were during the hayday of the older bands. Seven billion people alive in the world today, compared to like two hundred thousand or something during the 50's and no wonder Black Eyed Peas are more popular than Elvis.

[spiff-corgi]

Also (already left a comment a bit back, hence the "also") people saying "music sucks today, no one's as talented" are really narrowminded. The way music works because of technology has changed where the talent lies. Think of how difficult it was back in the day to cut and splice a record, do a good vocal take, compared to these days with all the equipment we get. But the talent is pushed into different areas. Producers these days, though working usually with the same 4 chords, are still managing to make it sound different enough that people will buy musically similar songs. Songs all about the same thin. It's a different skill, maybe more towards polishing a turd, but if you can polish a turd so that thousands of people will actually buy it, I'd say that makes you a pretty successful musician/producer. Maybe that's just me...

[Aliens-exist182]

Makes me sick to my ****.

[MeanMrMustard09]

Honestly, you can thank The Beatles for inventing pop music.

That is all.

[noisewall11]

Krieger91 wrote:

I just know that people are going to be b*tching about how you should leave Justin Bieber alone..

LEAVE JUSTIN ALONE!!!!

[Damaged Roses]

Well, everyone knows good music isn't for most people...

[mookie05100]

This whole article is copied from somewhere. can't remember where but i read it word for word weeks ago

[jdenicholls]

Skodward714 wrote:

This really upsets me. I think modern pop/hiphop/rap are s*** stains on the face of music. I hate seeing incredibly talented rock/metal artists pushed into obscurity because pop is such a f***** media glutton. I tried to watch the 2010 Grammys last year because Iron Maiden and Megadeth were nominated. Checked every 15 minutes or the 2 hours it was on to see them. They weren't even mentioned. Why? They've been making fantastic music for 25-30+ years and didn't even get to play one song, while all the pop stars got to perform mini concerts? Were those bands even allowed into the Grammys, or did they just mail the winner their trophy? I really hate bands like Green Day, Daughtry, and Nickleback whose guitarists learn 10 chords on the guitar and everyone's like "OMG they're guitar GODS!!". Go check out a Joe Satriani or Steve Vai song and then tell me whose the talented guitarist. If you listen to their music, that's fine, I don't care, but don't be so naive as to think they're the best at whatever instrument they play, because they're not. And I hate all the autotuned singers! 500 Justin Biebers combined don't have the vocal talent of singers like Robert Plant, Rob Halford, James LaBrie, Russel Allen, Tim "Ripper" Owens..... The list goes on and on. How the f*** does being autotuned and having other people write your songs make you talented? Even pop singers who actually sing still suck. I'm not saying everyone should totally dump pop, just give other genres a chance and listen to something different. This is all just my opinion, so please don't reply calling me gay and stuff for voicing it. If it goes against your opinion, then that's that, you don't need to get nasty about it.

Not hating on you, but that opinion does sound a little immature. Personally I find Satch and Vai's music to be too clinical and it doesn't move me, although I won't deny they are technically good I think that's an optional aspect of music. I'd much rather listen to someone who has good feel to what they play than technique wizards.

But this isn't about talent, it's about sales. And I must say this article has proved two things: 1) Pop music, as it always has, continues to rule the industry with its focus on hooks, contemporary gimmicks and lowest common denominator lyrics. 2) Records seem to be selling pretty well, moaning music industry.

[mafuhungy]

yay Katy Perry.

[giovannhf]

simple comment: today's music generation's sucks.
or more less-simple comment:
1. of course creed sold more copies that hendrix, the population in 60s is obviously less than now. who'll buy music in that day?
2. rihanna does more single than zeppelin? it's ridiculous because zeppelin released album-oriented song than single.
for others? it's relation to information system so everyone can be sucked up.

[K!d_MeTaL]

Now i am sad

[guitarguy918]

Agree totally on #10

[Eifler121]

jdenicholls wrote:


Not hating on you, but that opinion does sound a little immature. Personally I find Satch and Vai's music to be too clinical and it doesn't move me, although I won't deny they are technically good I think that's an optional aspect of music. I'd much rather listen to someone who has good feel to what they play than technique wizards.

But this isn't about talent, it's about sales. And I must say this article has proved two things: 1) Pop music, as it always has, continues to rule the industry with its focus on hooks, contemporary gimmicks and lowest common denominator lyrics. 2) Records seem to be selling pretty well, moaning music industry.

You tapped my soul with this comment.

iTunes and iPods, any MP3, have changed the way music is going to be sold forever. Songs are disposable now, so it's a lot easier for someone to just buy a song they can just delete off of their iPod. People just buy albums on a whim, and if they don't like it, no big deal.

[GunsNSnakepits]

Seriously? This is extremely old news. At least a friggn' month...

[DavyG707]

Why the **** is Dimebag gone and not Bieber?! Why!?

[Skullivan]

Part of the record stats is that there is an easier availability of music nowadays, back in the dark ages, you bought a record at the record store. Now you just hop on iTunes and download it straight from there. But then there's also the media shoving this glamourized pop down tweens' throats, and I think the latter has a much bigger effect.

[GeekInThePink]

Wahhh people don't like the same music as me.

[CrawlingHorror]

The mediocre shall inherit the earth.

"Nobody ever went broke underestimating the taste of the American public." (H.L. Mencken)

[CrawlingHorror]

The U.S. has 50% more people in it now than it did back in the 1960's an 1970's. So that today's pop tarts have sold more albums/singles (btw, Zeppelin hated releasing singles and there was a reason they called it "Album Oriented Radio" [AOR] back in the day).

There was a time when the Starland Vocal Band and Christopher Cross had more Grammys than Bob Dylan, who had ZERO up through the end of the 1970's. Hell, Cross may still have more Grammys than Bob does. Toto definitely does.

[hmcguire]

A lot of Immature closed minded comments here (not to mention the article) but there is a lot of reasons why the stuff in this article has happened. For one thing, pop music is built to be consumed. It's based soley on short songs with simple, catchy hooks. People who don't play instruments get taken in by this sort of thing because they don't know otherwise. And music is bought a lot more today then it was in any other decade, mainly because of the Internet and one-click purchasing of singles from any given album. If you based sales soley on CDs and records, the older artists would probably win.

One more thing, everyone should stop hating Justin bieber, if anything he is one of the only talent pop artists today, as i said before, his music is built to be consumed. So it has a lot simple, cliche chord progressions that make him seem like a shitty song writer.

[DerekTheCritic]

The Beatles weren't around for that long a period. They started writing their own songs around 1963. They broke up in 1970. 7 years. 7 years with 27 number one singles...not to mention every one of their albums is brilliant. Hendrix was around for maybe 4-5 years. It's not even fair to compare new music to music of the 60s. Different times. This whole article is just silly.

[raittarian]

Dude try comparing something besides sales records.

[rebeltildeth87]

this list made me sad. the justin beiber made me laugh and leave with a smile. well done

[After.Rain]

This article is sad but true. Although, Pop music is (obviosly) popular. And I like having metal/alternative/rock music to myself. Its not popular, but then it wouldn't be so influential to the few it does get to.
The last part was hilarious, by the way >.

[AlecBeretz]

whole article just trollin

[christian1894]

HAHAHAHA number 10 i couldnt stop laughing LMAO

[bitchfist]

**** you ug, you consistently fail to better my day.. only piss me off, this isn't news, post something interesting. dnr

[Bobbyz94]

funniest shit ever

[Benry_Matthews]

I've got only one word.... Nickelback. (I prove my case).

[Kortez3000]

I don't want to planet in this live anymore.

[Cazman]

So did you just copy that article from cracked.com? Nice job.

[1201ZJ]

While I agree with most of this article, it is incredibly biased....

[Cazman]

Ah, just saw it, it's from Buzz Feed instead...wonder where they got it from.

[Kakatara]

This is directly ripped from another website.

smoooooth UG

[sewoo55]

I agree with most of the points on the article, but it was written in such a douchey and immature way....

[Kakatara]

Also, MJ's moonwalks may beat Katy Perry's outfits but nothing can beat Katy Perry's tits.

[Artemis Entreri]

Oh UG, you just lost the little remaining respect I had for you.

[Dethonator]

We live in exponential times. Of course Pop artists of today sell more than pop artist of yesterday. 50 years from now, people are going to be bitching that some new pop diva sold more records than Gaga.

Besides, imagine how jazz/fusion artists feel when "pop" bands like Metallica sell more than them. Oh wait...

[benjixoath]

pathetic article, made by petty pathetic "rockers"
just sad really. get over it and grow the hell up

[JDR3009]

I honestly don't understand how this is disappointments in music. It basically says "new music is more popular than old music" and uses the Beatles as a scapegoat more often than not. Flame me if you really want to, but I don't understand the universal appeal of the Beatles, sure, they're a good band, but they're not the most amazing musical thing to ever happen to the world. They were like 4 Biebers themselves at the time anyway, they had teenage girls everywhere freaking out like he does today. I'm not trying to justify anything about modern music, I'm just saying that of course new music will outsell old stuff. Besides that, the average listener wants something accessible to hear, they don't want a 90 minute Hendrix solo when they can have a 3 minute Lady GaGa song that's a lot easier to "digest".

[David Dark]

The music industry is fine, the people are ****ed.

[Galfadez]

You could of at least referenced this. Isn't this shit illegal?

[AntoineOlivier]

Why don't you just marry the beatles if you love them so much op. Plus the real disappointment is that you're measuring music by how much money it makes, music ain't about money. And finally... just to check, no-one wrote music before the beatles? Okay, good to get my facts straight

[MDoggDX316]

I understand this being tongue-in-cheek, but it's just plain not funny.

[ibrahimasood]

This is all just saying pop sucks compared to rock. I completely disagree

[nnb]

ds24601 wrote:

Typical close-minded, elitist comments. Maybe pop music is popular because it's what the majority of casual music listeners like? It doesn't make you stupid or in anyway inferior to other music lovers. I like pop music (some of it). It's the same with metal--I don't instantly like all metal music because I'm ****ing br00tal, I like the music if it's good and if I don't I don't listen to it. Queen, who are my favourite band and one of the bands mentioned on the right, wrote songs in pretty much every style imaginable, including a number of great pop songs which became incredibly successful. And aren't The Beatles essentially a pop act?

Do I like most modern pop acts? Not really, but that's not because I'm better than those who do; it's because I have a different (read: not better) taste in music than them. It also must be said that people are saying about how no one will remember these pop acts in years to come, which may be true, but will people remember a lot of the new metal acts in years to come? Probably not and rightfully so: most of them are as generic as the acts being criticised here.

J

You sir, are my hero.

[Wolfscar]

The point of article = mass is f*cking stupid. Modern pop music's simply first person shooter of music. Advertising matters more than the quality itself. I also like pop music by the way, I just wish it had more meaningful content.

[JayMichaelRayne]

justin bieber shouldn't have ever taken guitar in his filthy hands.

[Mprinsje]

i saw this exact article on an other site like 2 weeks ago.

[lbra73]

Is there a point to this article?

[George Freefly]

Yeah.... news...

[distoare]

We truly have lost a generation, maybe even more than just one, and this article proves it!

[Ventura41]

Congratulations on this article. It really feels like I'm on youtube arguing with 15 year olds. Awful, people need to grow up.

[JammyP 93]

I know it is not the point of the article but Kesha looks hot in that picture..I would.

[j3z0m374l]

Imma go kill myself right now.

[marko_sk]

What does number 10 have with music?!?!?!

[triface]

Feels like an attempt to garner respect to me IMO.

Like the boss who tries to be friendly, or the random kids on YouTube saying stuff popular with the viewers and tagging on 'like If you agree' at the back.

[noilly]

I thought Zeppelin didn't do singles.... so that one doesn't count

Apart from that I loved this, the last one cracked me up

[andrey33]

In the days of Elvis or The Beatles there was no INTERNET ! So if you wanted to be known by people in Asia(for example), you'd have to go there and sing, not post a youtube video. FFS !

[gnfnr4thewin]

OK, lets just relax a minute. Record companies are selling to a different demographic these days. I'm pretty sure the industry is run by 14yr old girls. The good news is in 20 yrs we will still be listening to Led Zeplin, Jimi Hendrix, and all the other classic bands, while all the other pop music will be lost to all our memories...in fact, I already forgot about Creed until this article.

[Char2000]

Why can't I go anywhere online without see Bieber. Stop talking about someone you hate .****. I don't bring up shitty ass screamo every ****ing 10 seconds. Stop bringing up that kid.

[Underjoggle]

All of these are "X has sold more copies than Y."
Music's not about the money, dudes.

PS: Cardigans are awesome. Bright purple ones, not so much.

[mustaine42]

I'm going on a limb as well. Have you heard Creed's guitarist play? Seriously? Tremonti is a badass. So are the rest of the musicians in the band. Scott may be a dickhead but you can't deny that he can't write or sing. You morons have lost all sense of what music is. Music is what you feel. You don't play what some 14 year old on a forum says to play. You play what you feel. That's what Creed does. I love that band and am not scared to admit it in front of x amount of metal guitarists. They haven't gone anywhere. They still charted with Full Circle in 2009, and have a new CD coming out in 2012. People hate on them like they do Nickelback: Just because it's the cool thing to do. Btw, they picked the worst possible picture of Creed for that article.

[Rockwontdie]

**** singles. Buy The ****ing album. That's the issue with the music industry these days.

[mustaine42]

I feel the need to leave this here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MYfQHuo-z2c

[crazysam23_Atax]

Krieger91 wrote: Although, I don't really agree with the "Beatles invented the concept of artists writing their own songs"

I never agreed with that concept myself.

Also, it should be noted that Led Zeppelin never released any singles.

[BassFishin]

I've been using this site for years, but I feel more and more compelled everyday to kiss it off for good.

I read this exact article a VERY long while ago on a different site. It's literally a copy and paste.

Even though I agree with a lot of this stuff, I honestly can't stand biased 'news' sites. I hate Justin Bieber, but that last one was just stupid.

Thanks UG, keep trying to win us over with your stupid propaganda.

[burbz8]

i agree a MILLION % rock music should be the top of everything! pop music is bull. there is no message behind it no true substance...

to me its not even music, rock is the only true music! i hate that all these kids come out of nowhere and make just one shit song and top all the charts and all the people love em. its mindlessness! u cant fix stupid.

besides these kids have nothing to offer, their barely in high school some, they have no life experience and therefor they have nothing to give!

rockers are older, way more experience! most have been through harsh times in their lives which gives them a lot to write about and lots to offer. its one of the reasons rock is so great.

rock is about real life reality. pop is about some fantasy in what they perceive to be a perfect world.

i dont care for anyone's perception but my own. i dont want a fantasy! its not a perfect world. i want truth and reality. and something not by a kid!!!

i admit rock has its own downfalls like everything else, but at least some rockers admit it and make up for it unlike pop where their so unaware!

the record industry is dying, but not the music industry. they are 2 separate things! no one buys cd's anymore its all gone internet. with that being said the record companies make no $ and it gives the music its time to shine and expand. they record companies are losing the control they once had on artists and their music, and that control has shifted to the artists which is where it belongs!

but there is a lot of shit going on! radio sucks cause its all pop, all the good rock/heavy metal stations are being replaced with pop stations... radio isnt about playing good music i guess...

pop is all about image...

rock is centered around great music not some phony image

i also admit creed is one of my fav bands, my personal opinion (i dont car how u feel about them) their great!

ur right mustaine24 that is a bad pix, but i was surprised they sold more than jimi.

and its not about $$$ its about music!

there are a ton of great bands out there that should replace these pop ****ers but its not a perfect world

and i think these bands are fine with where they are. cause all they want to do is make great music they love, not be on top of every chart

[iscreamicecream]

Dissapointing?? meh not really. who cares?...its just music..theres other more important things in the real world to be dissapointed about.get a life

[jonathanb2]

TJ1991 wrote:

I can't remember where I've seen this, but I have quite recently. At least credit whoever you stole it from, UG.

They did. They said they got it from Buzz Feed.

[Jimmy_Page_Zep]

iplayat11 wrote:

This is just a testament that good music stands the test of time regardless of how popular it is. In 1969 the #1 signal in the US was "sugar sugar" by the Archies. That is the same year that Abbey Road, Led Zeppelin I, and Dark Side of the Moon Came out. In 30 years we're not going to be listening to what was popular from the 2000's, we're going to be listening to what was good.

I agree entirely with your post, except Dark Side of the Moon came out in 1973. Pink Floyd did, however, release Ummagumma in '69. That was just a great year for music. Dylan's "Nashville Skyline", "The Allman Brothers Band", "In The Court of the Crimson King", Cream's "Goodbye", The Who's "Tommy", The Stones' "Let it Bleed", "Crosby Stills & Nash", "Blind Faith", "The Band", Led Zeppelin I and II, etc. I wish I would have been alive for that.

[jordo246]

This was on FunnyJunk not long ago, well done for not being original once again UG

[jordo246]

Oh and sorry for doubles posting but they forgot the part where they say "and all pop artists such as lady gaga etc will still never equal the greatness of hendrix despite having more sales"

[Ranmanbassist18]

I didnt read any comments so i dont't know if this was mentioned .. but UG did not write this, this came from another website.

[Idiot Pineapple]

I will continue this list.

11. Fans still think mainstream opinion matters when it comes to art

12. The music industry is so narrow that it can control which genre is popular

13. You're comparing different genres all together. This might as well be apples and oranges: the article

14. Music fans are exactly as close minded as the spectrum of music the industry promotes

15. There is no longer any distinction between quantity and quality

[blizzboy]

I personally think this list is crap. Subjective. And if you look back, pop music has always been more popular. Wait, what was that? POP music was POPULAR? But isn't that the definition?

[super collasal]

does this really matter? in the words of Miles himself, "Music is like a big buffet, you take what you want and leave the rest for someone else." These pop artists can inhabit the charts all they want, i'm going to get a few more servings of zeppelin and floyd.

[BlowByBlow]

Did I read it wrong, or does #3 say that Keisha sold more records as a female artist than the Beatles for any single? Because I'm pretty sure the Beatles are dudes....

[herpderpton]

Hey UG, this article has already been EVERYWHERE. Grow a little journalistic integrity and write your own articles.

[Reighnart]

Dude. These things took place in two totally different time periods. Music was an enigma back then. People spent time in record stores wondering what records were out. Today you know when an album is coming out a year or two before it does. There's tons of hype. in the 60's and 70's and 80's there was no HYPE. It's just not comparable.

The internet, man. information is instantaneous now.

[Reighnart]

Also. I think Justin Bieber is awesome. FYI

[greedyguitar]

YES funny and true lmao

[BluebellCR]

All I got out of that was "I'm a bigot I'm a bigot I'm a bigot".

[UGtom]

Tom from UG here. We did credit Buzz Feed in the intro, and wrote the article. We used the original (public domain) images, and the headlines were facts. No theft here, and hate to see people say we didn't give credit when we say it's from Buzz Feed in the intro!

[Music4ever17]

#10 made my day

[iwannabesedated]

UGtom wrote:

Tom from UG here. We did credit Buzz Feed in the intro, and wrote the article. We used the original (public domain) images, and the headlines were facts. No theft here, and hate to see people say we didn't give credit when we say it's from Buzz Feed in the intro!

Thanks for posting that. I was about to say "they didn't write this..."

[headbang123]

hahahaha #10 xD that's just...amazing xD
But when the Beatles were compared to Flo Rida it made me wanna thorugh my computer across the room, beat with a fish, and take a shit on it. John Lennon can out-write Flo Rida any day of the week and he was high half the time!!!!

[headbang123]

*throw

[grohl1987]

Guess what? Not everyone likes classic rock and metal. Pop music is called that for a reason. Pop music. Popular music. The clue is in the name.

[CrazyAce#7]

mustaine42 wrote:

I'm going on a limb as well. Have you heard Creed's guitarist play? Seriously? Tremonti is a badass. So are the rest of the musicians in the band. Scott may be a dickhead but you can't deny that he can't write or sing. You morons have lost all sense of what music is. Music is what you feel. You don't play what some 14 year old on a forum says to play. You play what you feel. That's what Creed does. I love that band and am not scared to admit it in front of x amount of metal guitarists. They haven't gone anywhere. They still charted with Full Circle in 2009, and have a new CD coming out in 2012. People hate on them like they do Nickelback: Just because it's the cool thing to do. Btw, they picked the worst possible picture of Creed for that article.

Yes. I loved Creed and still do. People act like Creed just has to be the world's worst band. Scott Stapp used to be a bit of an ass, so what? Was he revolutionary? Was he the first and the biggest douche? No, I guarantee not. Next time you say "Herp derp *insert band that I say that I hate because I wanna be the cool kid, though I just may like them* SUCKS", just remember that it actually doesn't make you any cooler. I wouldn't do such an immature thing. That's what saddens me in music. GROW THE F**K UP!

[crucifiedead]

I like Mark Tremonti, Scott Philips, and Brian Marshall (Idk if I spelt them right), but I don't like Creed, Alter Bridge is more my thing. Which is perfectly okay. This whole artical saddens me, must go listen to some good music to lift my spirits.

[Picklelerner]

This is a good thing.... last time I checked rock/metal musicians strived so hard to be unique and not part of the norm. Besides, with how stupid people are nowadays, would you really want to be part of the majority? In other words, for the trolls, a majority voted Bush for President. I like this article, it makes me feel special.

[da.benson8r]

darkwolf291 wrote:

This just in.
Breaking news, people have DIFFERENT tastes in music from yours. Experts say people like music other people don't like.
More on this story as it develops.

Congratulations, you have just won the Internets.

[the hirsh]

Thats why its called popular music, dipshits, it's popular. I hate pop music but most people dont, get used to it.

[s-o-u-l-f-l-y]

Kudos for posting but I'm pretty sure this was lifted from another site.

[Zeppoholic]

This makes me hate people so much more. Zeppelin and the Beatles are the best groups to ever play. They should be tied for being Gods.

[Vypor]

$hithappen$16 wrote:

lol'd at number 10. but honestly this article doesn't bother me at all. I could care less about what famous pop artist sold more albums than my favorite band. as long as my radio has an off switch and i can still download whatever the hell i want on my ipod i'm happy

Yeah.

[Ekim423]

if I got anything out of this article, it was getting to look at Katy Perry's boobs.

[DScarface]

ElvenLord wrote:

9GAG, anyone?

Yep, I first saw this there. >_>

[jrcsgtpeppers]

i want to see sources for all of these. the beatles have dominated the idea of having popular songs more than any other artist. they continually replace their won #1 song, rather than hope one decent hit stays popular.
"I Want to Hold Your Hand" (seven weeks) → "She Loves You" (two weeks) (March 21, 1964) → "Can't Buy Me Love" (five weeks)
thats 14 weeks straight being the #1 band
they also have the most #1 hits.
paul and john also are the top two songwriters with the most hits.
although none of this matters, i feel like comparing shit to the beatles gets nobody anywheere. i like their music more than glee and kesha and all the new pop artists that dont have actual bands.... the beatles werent a single artist. they were 4 young lads from liverpoo. hahaha im bord

[TSmitty6]

I think this is good. Why? Becuase we can't have EVERYONE liking the good stuff. It's resevered for those with refined taste. Imagine walking into Pac Sun or Mcdonalds and they're playing Steve Vai. No. That's the time you want to hear pop crap. You want to hear the good shit on your own stereo. If you heared the good stuff all the time, on everyone's stereo, then it would be overplayed.

Got to have shit in order to seperate the good stuff. Quality > Quantity.

[Drebin]

this is the most depressing top 10 list in history.

[pruga]

nirvana? who cares abaut fu*** nirvana, that's hilarious

[skyturnedred]

Way to steal articles there, UG! High five!

[BirdieBoy264]

I think Russell Howard said it best...
Went to a live show earlier this week and he said (and i quote):

'Justin Beiber... he's a COLOSSAL C**T'

[wurstsuppe666]

GrungeHippie26 wrote:

The last one XD
Ug congratulations, you've won my respect back lmao...

Lol!

[Lizz_Dee]

All these pop songs may have sold more, but it's bands like The Beatles and artists like Jimi Hendrix that will live on through time and continue to influence generations of musicians.

[culex-knight]

http://www.buzzfeed.com/daves4/12-extremely-disappointing-fa cts-about-popular-mus

Y U STEEL ARTIKLES UG?

[k0stil]

so ****ing what?

[XDforlife]

This actually makes me upset, lol

[swave75]

How about KISS isn't in the rock n roll hall of fame but Madonna is!!! That is just wrong!!!

[Eifler121]

DerekTheCritic wrote:

The Beatles weren't around for that long a period. They started writing their own songs around 1963. They broke up in 1970. 7 years. 7 years with 27 number one singles...not to mention every one of their albums is brilliant. Hendrix was around for maybe 4-5 years. It's not even fair to compare new music to music of the 60s. Different times. This whole article is just silly.

Different, but not because of the reasons you've stated. All of these artists have or were only around for four years or so.

[NOTONFACEBOOK]

Katy "screamer" Perry

[PEKKAYLAVAA]

Luckily we still have Dream Theater, Rush, Stam1na and other real bands.

[Vahi786]

the fact that justin bieber exists is the most disappointing

[limpidgreen345]

Seriously?

Can we adjust these numbers for "music inflation" or something and see who's actually on top? There were 3.5 billion people instead of 7 billion people and nobody had iTunes in 1970. Come on.

[bloodlustx36]

Weird thing is I don't even know someone who has bought any of those

[ilikeroknroll]

The disappointing thing about music is that everyone bashes on each other. Metalheads are all up pop music's ass and vice versa. Just because you don't like a different music genre, it doesn't mean it's shit. Keep your comments to yourselves.

Now, I'm not saying pop is shit, but man, JIMI should be the best-selling artist along with The Beatles. But, what can I say? I'm old fashioned, I listen to Led Zeppelin and other stuff like that. I'm quite disappointed to see that no one knows who the hell are Aerosmith!

But whatever you know, everyone listens to whatever they want, that's the point of music!

P.S. Rock is still the oldest type of music since the mid 1950's! So that's here to stay!

[Doppelgänger]

SHAWTY HAD THEM APPLE BOTTOM JEANS JEANS

[zebranife]

why the **** can't UG write their own articles?

[rob904]

I wonder how many of the people saying they don't care about sales defend Metallica as the best metal band ever because of their sales.

[Mainer]

JimBonJovi wrote:

I'm going to go out on a limb on www.ultimate-metallica.com. Give me a break. Ultimate guitar chooses the worst photo of Creed and then blasts them and now the whole site will blast them. Creed are an introspective rock band. There's nothing commercial about the band. The two songs closed minded people know are With arms wide open and Higher. Listen beyond those introspective songs and you'll find deeply melodic, crunching hard rock songs with stories of nature, finding peace which is rather unique in today's music world. I digress.

This!

mustaine42 wrote:

I'm going on a limb as well. Have you heard Creed's guitarist play? Seriously? Tremonti is a badass. So are the rest of the musicians in the band. Scott may be a dickhead but you can't deny that he can't write or sing. You morons have lost all sense of what music is. Music is what you feel. You don't play what some 14 year old on a forum says to play. You play what you feel. That's what Creed does. I love that band and am not scared to admit it in front of x amount of metal guitarists. They haven't gone anywhere. They still charted with Full Circle in 2009, and have a new CD coming out in 2012. People hate on them like they do Nickelback: Just because it's the cool thing to do. Btw, they picked the worst possible picture of Creed for that article.

Also this!

[maroon5mustdie]

Many of these facts and figures would change if we allotted for changes in population.

[UGtom]

zebranife wrote:

why the **** can't UG write their own articles?

We did. The text is ours and Buzz Feed were credited in the intro.

[Thedarkchild]

Earth's population in 1960: 3 billion
Earth's population now: 7 billion
Also the number of CD's and other ways to get your music in comparison to that old time. Who would have thought that artists would sell more today...
But besides that...it's depressing -.-

[slipmaggot93]

there are more people nowadays buying music than back then, especially with itunes, amazon, etc... not to mention the ability to buy "singles" so effortlessly.

[foopeppers]

It makes me sick how someone like Justin Bieber is successful in the music industry....Well done UG for a great article! On a side note, there may be a fundamental reason why some of these "artists" are on paper, more successful that the real musicians that proceeded them. My theory is that with internet downloading making buying individual songs as well as albums cheaper and easier, more people simply buy records nowadays. Just a thought

[RylanThePotato]

who gives a ****? seriously? everybody is an individual and has the right to listen to what they want to. Considering the many technological advances in the past ten years, let alone the past fifty years, this article is completely irrelevant and absolute bullshit. kthnxbai

[RylanThePotato]

And Katy Perry's gorgeous bitties are in here so why u bitchin?

[TheBisness87]

Well I wanted to put some kind all purpose comment here but instead I only have a few things to say.
1.Most people who buy music(or download/steal whatever) aren't musicians
2.People have different opinions and will never agree about everything
3.I knew these horrible things would happen ten years ago, call it a good guess.
4. I say to musicians everywhere, just keep making music that you enjoy and maybe other people will like it too. goodluck.

[BWenz7]

This is straight up stolen from another site.

[sou foda]

true man!!!!!
all thiese facts are pure true, whjat a shit woarld we live today, no more metal on the radios, rappers selling more than any metal artist, I don't need to say nothing more

[JordanDH]

Pop music is popular?! Oh noes!

[nate_metallica]

UGtom wrote:

zebranife wrote:

why the **** can't UG write their own articles?

We did. The text is ours and Buzz Feed were credited in the intro.

PWND.

[iRockish]

i don't want to live on this planet anymore!

[StewieSwan]

This article is pure ****ing garbage. I can't believe UG let this tripe on the front page.

[ItsApocalypse]

RRRRRAAAAAGGGGGEEEEE! There is the reaction you wanted, UG.

[mister_gidster]

Hey guys remember that one time Led Zeppelin never EVEN RELEASED a single and still became one of the most popular bands ever?

[James TH]

metal has never been about selling records, end of story

[biga29]

Really...? This is what we're doing now? This "article" is utter trash...

[gibson4ver]

im all for ultimate guitar articles becoming more like Cracked.com ones. Hilarious music list articles should now become the standard here

[demonseed34]

I would like to point out to all who take this retarded article to heart that music sales aren't in he artists control. Artists don't just make songs in the intent of out-selling Petty, The Beatles, S&G, R.E.M. ect... They just write the song and throw it out there and the popularity is completely out of their control and up to the consumer (Us). Apart from this article that should not even exist, the name shouldn't be "10 Disappointing Facts About Popular Music". It should be 10 Disappointing Facts about the Human Race". I'm not taking sides because I understand the majority of the people on UG's disappointment in music nowadays but I also don't like to see other types of music get bashed by people who claim to "love music". Rap and Hip hop is music too, it deserves to be considered that.

[<3 Herman <3]

Music sells better today than it did 30 or 40 years ago. BFD. Most of the bands you're lamenting not being as popular or selling as well as modern pop stars will still be listened to in 20 years whereas these guys won't.

[AlanHB]

Wowzers this article looks very similar to one published on buzzfeed a while ago http://www.buzzfeed.com/daves4/12-extremely-disappointing-fa cts-about-popular-mus

[AlanHB]

Fixed link: http://www.buzzfeed.com/daves4/12-extremely-disappointing-fa cts-about-popular-mus

[AlanHB]

^^^ Argh, just remove that split in "facts" :P

[TheIceCreamMan]

THE MAINSTREAM TASTES DIFFERS FROM MY OWN! WAAAAAH!!!!!

[AlanHB]

Haha, I guess there is a "credit" to buzzfeed there. I must have overlooked it because I went quickly over the article, it was edited from 12 to 10, no bi-line at the bottom, no link to original source etc. Apologies

[WhereArtEsteban]

These aren't "ten disappointing facts about music". These are "10 disappointing facts about the buying public".

Amidoinitrite?

[micromountain37]

This article sucks because MUSIC IS SUBJECTIVE!

[PsiGuy60]

The problem with modern music is that it doesn't stick. Give it a few months and nobody will remember who wrote this month's hit singles. Or the titles. Or the songs themselves.

Truly great music will be listened to years after it was first brought to the public, and that's the only music-related fact that matters.

[Hellview]

Yup. Stolen article. BTW, NICKLEBACK. Any more news on the protest?

If you want to see what is slowly but surely destroying everything we has metal fans love (Drunk Guy was one, youll see what i mean), check this.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mWC80E0ixo8

[NHECOS]

I Lolled... and that last one...

[thf24]

micromountain37 wrote:

This article sucks because MUSIC IS SUBJECTIVE!

EXACTLY. How do you really define music when it comes down to it? The best I can come up with is "an arrangement of sounds pleasing to an individual". If someone gets pleasure out of listening to an auto-tuned 10-year-old, no one else has the right to declare that any less legitimate than any one of who we know to be the greats.

The real reason for most of these trends though is that music is more accessible and easily distributed now as opposed to as few as 10 years ago thanks to the internet.

[soul_power]

Newsflash for whoever wrote this. Digital downloads have changed everything. You can't expect something that came out 30 years ago to compete with something that came out last year. If the internet was around when all of the older compared songs/albums were released they would have reached a much bigger audience.

[deckerbastard69]

waiiiit. ive seen this on funnyjunk before.....shame on you UG

[roloalcien]

excellent article, music industry is a total disgrace right now, sad but true

[Woffelz]

He still exists?

[FlyPanAm]

who even cares + its easier for music to get around now via internet what do you expect

[Frenchys]

Hahaha ! I like the last one !

You should had that the most disappointing facts about music is that Techno , Dance music exist .

[travislausch]

So we're comparing pop media darlings of today with pop media darlings of yesterday? This article has pretty much no impact.

[HenryB]

It'd be interesting (although impossible) to find out what the sales figures of the older records would have been at the time if iTunes had been available.

[SUICIDEXX666]

wow they got one thing right about ****ing justin beeber

[dylanzig]

#1 and #8 really made me cringe

[Shavyi]

Haha you fuc*ing trolls, you made me laught so much !

[WCPhils]

Everyone here would change places with Beiber, and you know it.

He is a millionaire, gets to travel the world, has a smoking hot girlfriend, and has a car that looks like the bat-mobile.

Sounds pretty good to me. lol

[nutcase482]

Justin Bieber

[nutcase482]

WHERES MY HEART GODDAMMIT!???

[GuitarMeister14]

Led Zeppelin were not great songwriters, they stole the majority of there music, IMO they are one of the best "cover" bands