Article: The Idea of Catchiness and Song of the Day: will.i.am - #thatPOWER ft. Justin Bieber (Pop)

"So, what have you been listening to lately?"
"Eh, not much. But I did find this one song by Justin Bieber."
"Justin Bieber? Seriously? That idiot with the voice of a girl?"
"I know, but it's catchy."

I've seen, and used this argument a lot. The truth is though, that many songs that I wouldn't normally like become something I listen to, because they're 'catchy'. The example I'll be using during this article, which is also the song of the day is will.i.am - #thatPOWER ft. Justin Bieber. So, I heard this a couple days on the radio when I was driving out to get some groceries, and I thought it was pretty cool, or rather, it was catchy. So, I go home, and manage to find it. I then see the artists: will.i.am and Justin Bieber. Now, I don't mind will.i.am as much, though he is hardly the epitome of fine musicianship. However, really don't like listening to Justin Bieber. I wouldn't call myself a hater; he does have some talent, and his voice has matured over the years, but I just don't like his music. So, I'm listening to the song, and thinking to myself such things as, "Wow, that's actually really boring", or, "Ugh, is he rapping?" As I'm thinking to myself, the song ends, and hit the repeat button. Why? What makes a song 'catchy'? I think it's primarily the melody. I enjoy listening to songs with a unique melody, regardless of what genre it is. This is one of the best tactics that Pop musicians employ, whereas in some other genres such as Rock or Jazz, the draw is the talent of the musician or singer (Which as an aspect lacking in the majority of Pop music). This is a matter of opinion, but I think it's also repetitiveness. One aspect of Electronic music that many people don't like is repetitiveness; it gets boring. However, I've listened to many rock or metal songs where there's a great chord progression or melody early in the song, but it's never recapitulated or otherwise brought up again in the song. Pop and Dance, I find, tend to repeat their melody, regardless of whether it's good or not. Anyway, that's about it. Now, due to my tendency to over analyze music, I rarely stay on a song for too long, but there's always something else. If you've read to the end of this, well, have a good day! :)