“Good” and “Bad” Taste in Music
Choose two pieces of music: one that you believe is generally considered to be a piece of music in "good taste" (by whatever community or taste-makers you decide; it doesn't need to be "formally" declared good by anyone, though you are welcome to draw on reviews from Pitchfork or any other source you choose), and another you believe is generally considered to be a piece of music in "bad taste."
SOME GUIDELINES:Do not choose (1) something that you have written yourself; (2) a song that was discussed in this week's lesson (e.g., Rebecca Black's "Friday"); or (3) a work of classical music.
Keep in mind that the task is not to choose something you like and something you don't like; it's to choose something you believe is in good taste and bad taste. (Arguably it's pretty common to like a song that you believe to be in "bad taste"; we usually call them "guilty pleasures" or something like that.) So focus on taste, not how much you like or dislike it.
Then choose two of the authors we examined this week and analyze those two pieces of music from each of their perspectives (i.e., what would Author A say about Song 1 and Song 2? what would Author B say about Song 1 and Song 2?). What would they say about this music?
On what, if any, points would they agree? Disagree? Are there any aspects of the author's views on taste that are not helpful or applicable to the song you're discussing?
Be sure to ground your assertions in what we know of those authors' views! For example, don't write simply "Author A wouldn't like this song—it's bad." Instead, describe what in Author A's understanding of taste would lead you to make that conclusion on Author A's behalf.
You Might Also Like Other Topics Related to song analysis:
- Sonnet 43 by Elizabeth Barrett Browning1 page/≈275 words | 1 Source | Other | Literature & Language | Coursework |
- Musical Language In John Legend’s “All Of Me”4 pages/≈1100 words | 4 Sources | APA | Visual & Performing Arts | Term Paper |
- Alexander Hamilton, The Three Schuyler Sisters, and Declaration of Independence of America2 pages/≈550 words | 1 Source | APA | Literature & Language | Essay |
- Language and Cultural Impact of Tarrus Riley’s “Just the Way You Are”6 pages/≈1650 words | 6 Sources | MLA | Literature & Language | Essay |
- Pottery. Motivational Song. Literature & Language1 page/≈275 words | 1 Source | APA | Literature & Language | Essay |
- Music essay. Sam Love. Sunday Bloody Sunday. God Save The Queen1 page/≈275 words | No Sources | APA | Visual & Performing Arts | Essay |
- Pottery. Motivational Song. Literature & Language Term Paper3 pages/≈825 words | 1 Source | APA | Literature & Language | Term Paper |