When's the last time you listened to a song because of how much money it made? When's the last time you listened to a song because of how you felt other people would react to it? When's the last time you liked a movie because of how much it grossed on opening weekend? What's that? These have never happened to you?
That's because you're human.
I live in Nashville. Music City. There is music everywhere and most of it is less than awesome. There is SO MUCH talent here, yet the music that Nashville produces leaves a lot to be desired. Why, you ask? It's created for you, the listener. It's created as the product of a business. From the moment a popular Country or CCM song is conceived, there begins the question process: "how will this be received by the public?" "Is this radio friendly?" "Should we add a keytar?" (Answer to the last one = ALWAYS add a keytar)
What would happen if songwriters and artists created music for the sake of creating music? What if people made music for themselves and just shared it with people for the sake of sharing it with people? I'll tell you what would happen. We would get timeless music that could impact people for generations.
200 years ago, Beethoven wrote his fifth symphony. Still awesome. 40 years ago Led Zeppelin released their 4th album. Still awesome. In 30 years, people will hear about big trucks, loose women, and beer. Not awesome.
If you are a musician, create music for the sake of creation and just go where your art takes you.
