If there's one thing that annoys me, it's people talking about genres. Who cares what classification some kind of "commander on high" arbitrarily allocates to a piece of music?

Since you started it, exactly what is this mysterious "genre" that you managed to cram three times in one sentence without actually defining it?

I don’t think someone who listens to The Beatles is automatically better than someone who listens to Cheryl Cole. However, it’s a fact that The Beatles are highly respected and influential while Cheryl Cole isn’t and never will be.

If someone on this forum started a thread asking people to list the albums they consider the best of all time (not their favourite) there would be certain individuals who would list albums by The Saturdays, Lady Gaga, Katy Perry, Miley Cyrus, Spice Girls, Cheryl Cole, etc. Why does everything on this forum always revolve around disposable pop music? Ask any question and the same people will always respond with the same pop stars for an answer. I’m not saying people aren’t well within their right to listen to any of those pop stars, but it does prove that some people have a very, very limited taste in music. Listen to what you want to listen to but don’t pretend like any of those pop stars are truly amazing or groundbreaking. If anything get a little perspective.

Most people find that their taste in music improves and matures as they grow up, but I guess some people never grow out of that teeny bopper phase. Personally I think it's a bit strange when a dude listens to generic pop music past the age of about 13 or 14. At my age, I'd feel embarrassed listening to any of the pop stars I've mentioned above. I also can't imagine any of my mates turning around and asking the rest of the group if we'd heard the new single by any of them.

There will always be a hierarchy of knowledge of music taste because there are many people who know how music is produced and constructed. Notably, musicians, producers and vocalists. They are just expressing their expertise.

Be honest now, you do really

I have been around a little while and grew up listening to the likes of The Beatles during the 60s and "rock/prog" music during the 70s & onwards. I also like early blues from the 1930s, Robert Johnson for example, as well soul music from the likes of Otis Redding, Sam & Dave. Occasionally I listen to a little jazz from Ella Fitzgerald.

I just listen to what I like. I have no interest in rap, boybands or Cheryl Cole (or whatever her name is this week). It is probably an age or generation thing I suppose. For those who do like that particular genre of music then good luck to you. As long as you enjoy it who gives a rat's arse what anyone else thinks.

To be fair, I think most of the male fans of that type of music are gay. I'm open to being corrected on that though.

It isn't unusual for a Metal fan to like R 'n' B, but that would be Rythmn and Blues and not what passes for RnB these days....

Rubbish & Bollox?

"Real music" to me is music written and made by musicians using real instruments who can also play it live. Music where the instruments are replicated via a computer or by sampling, for example, doesn't constitute "real music" to me. Other people like it, which is fine, but for me it does nothing at all. Creed, race, and/or gender, have nothing to do with it.

Hahahaha THAT did make me laugh!!!!

I know exactly what you mean, the type I have found are the ones that like obscure white male bands as well - dismiss immediately any other music because they 'don't play their own instruments' or 'don't write their own music' therefore have 'no talent' . I don't care whether the artist has talent so to speak, it has no bearing if I like the song. By all means say you don't like One Direction because you are not keen on that style of music but to say it is not real music is being a closed minded music snob!

I hate music snobs, by all means say you don't like certain genres artists or songs but don't dismiss them as not being real

Though with One Direction music is even stretching it

Great post! Thank you and I totally agree

What? I get what you mean, I get annoyed when people create so many different sub genres etc. And are so specific about categorising music but actually separating things by genre does help, it makes it easier to find similar stuff and I would never of come across some of the music I have, especially some good old music, if it wasn't divided into genres. I used the word genre because I didn't want to say what music it was. Is that ok? Music can be a personal thing.

This thread wasn't about music snobbery as such, I was more asking if anyone had noticed there are certain people that act like they are superior musically, yet the only music they will ever recommend as real music is all by white male bands, when women and black people have made great music that can definitely be classed as REAL too. (Even though all music is real)

Do you know, in 40 years of listening to music I've never heard anyone have anything like the "conversations" you have suggested above.

Are you seriously telling me, though, you have never, ever, pulled a friends leg about their taste in music?

My friends & I often do. It doesn't make us music snobs, it makes us mates enjoying each others company and having a laugh.


The problem is it is rare to hear a correctly set up system because most people don't care as long as it sounds "alright", someone spending £25k on a system is much more likely to set their system up properly to get the best in their investment.

I have a good quality system that is correctly set up because, guess what, I can afford it. If you have an issue with that it is your problem, not mine.

Yet there are plenty of people who are like this when it comes to music of black origin too...