Is Music Getting Worse? What Was the Best Contemporary Music Era?

Everybody thinks the music they listened to in their teen and twenties was the best music ever. And that the music from earlier eras sounds lame and dated, and the stuff their kids listen to is noisy crap. But are they right? Good music is always happening.

Worse, Worse Than What?

We live in the most creative era in human history, where masterpieces are regularly produced in all fields, whether it be art music, writing, or anything else. We have never experienced a time when so much top-quality art was available to so many. The same is true of all the sciences, engineering, and other fields. Look around you and open your eyes and ears. If you don’t know where to look, use your computer. Search for “contemporary composers,” “contemporary opera,” or whatever your interests are.

And yes, there is also junk available. So what? This does not detract from the incredible beauty, power, and originality that is available in contemporary music.

The Crisis of Originality

I think much of pop music is getting worse, and this is due to our “wannabees.” It’s easier to copy what has been done before rather than create something genuinely new. On the other hand, the public might say, “Beautiful” and stick with what they are accustomed to. This poses a crisis and challenge for composers in the 21st century: to create beautiful and original music.

Progress in Music

Allow me to frame the answer:

In Da Vinci’s time, during the Renaissance, masterpieces like those by Palestrina were composed. Thomas Tallis even wrote a 40-part motet, a feat of music composition genius. However, as scientific and technological progress has surged, artistic and musical progress may have stalled. Consider the dramatic advancements in medicine and engineering in comparison. Progressions in music—electric guitars, synthesizers, digital audio workstations, better reverbs, and effects—were realized by engineers and tech types.

So, while music may not be the absolute “worst” like some claim, it’s undeniable that the progress of music and the arts has not kept pace with the progress in science and engineering.

Music and Its Social Functions

Most people believe that their own music or music from the era when they were younger is the best. Rare is the person who is open-minded enough to listen to the music of the next generation or the generation after that and find it better. People often listen to music for social reasons or because it brings up memories or associations from their childhood. Eminem and Mr. Rogers, in their ways, are not so different: both channel emotions and feelings through their art, albeit differently and perhaps more psychologically and emotionally.

The Impact of Music

Artists have a difficult time charging high prices for their work because one person might find a song worthless, while another might find it life-saving. Music can have a profound impact on people. For one, a classical concert might be the “single most important experience of their life,” while for another, it might be essentially unwelcome.

Ultimately, the reason why musicians continue to create is because they write about what they love, know, like, and care about. Music, whether it’s classical, rock, or hip-hop, serves a communal function. It’s like a public park that anyone can enjoy, and the impact it can have is immeasurable.

To answer the question, John Williams’ music has been the best for me because it helped me get through tough times when I was being abused by my parents.

Does music really get worse? Is there a best contemporary music era? These are things each person must decide based on their own experiences and emotions. Music, much like life, is subjective and has the power to transform and connect us in countless ways.