What Does it Mean to Be Overrated?

[Odysseus]

They made a name for themselves and were able to sail on their international popularity based on their placement. It's the whole "right place, right time" kind of thing. I love them, dearly. They just get way too much attention for being a staple amongst so many others that were similar to them. There's not a lot of originality (with the "White Album" being a bit of an exception, I will admit) but that's why their records sold.

There are just too many things that were milked to death in the mainstream; the mainstream is part of the problem as to why nothing particularly interesting ever really stems from it.

It's been said that some of the best art/music/films/books/insert own choice here, is the undiscovered, unexploited thing.

As for the Beatles (I love them dearly as well) individually at various times, were the first to condemn the Beatlemania madness that swirled around them in the early days. George refusing to participate in a ticker tape parade on the second American tour as an example. All four, especially Ringo, stating that they played like crap live by the time they called it quits in 66 from touring even if it was partly the result of all the screaming girls.

 

[Magic]

The saying "making a mountain out of a mole hill" comes to mind. In order for a band/artist to be overrated...someone has to create the mountain, and that is usually the media hype.

Wutz wrong with U2? Oh yea, Bono, otherwise U2 aint all that bad.

 

[ladyislingering]

George refusing to participate in a ticker tape parade on the second American tour as an example. All four, especially Ringo, stating that they played like crap live by the time they called it quits in 66 from touring even if it was partly the result of all the screaming girls.

I applaud George for that decision. No wonder he embarked on a solo project.

Wutz wrong with U2? Oh yea, Bono, otherwise U2 aint all that bad.

I'm cool with Bono as long as he shuts up and looks pretty.

 

[annie]

Well I for one resent the condescension displayed here toward those who like mainstream music. And I o lord am one. I could never understand why the rock snobs look down their noses at us. Do we have to eat steak every day? Sometimes we like hamburger.

 

[Soot and Stars]

Well I for one resent the condescension displayed here toward those who like mainstream music. And I o lord am one. I could never understand why the rock snobs look down their noses at us. Do we have to eat steak every day? Sometimes we like hamburger.

It's because for a lot of people there music isn't connecting with them enough to distract them from focusing negativity on things they hate. Angst and bitterness come out of boredom. People with music that connects to them and means something don't have that boredom! Once again saying things are overrated is the most overrated thing of all!

 

[Magic]

It is all opinions, Annie. I myself love mainstream music, not all of it, but enough of it to be one of the people who gets scorned. I also love country music, and you know how rock snobs beat the crap out of us country fans. I dont let it bother me, no one is going to tell me what I can and cannot listen to

 

[Lynch]

no one is going to tell me what I can and cannot listen to

And that is exactly how I feel. There is a person or two here on site that have given me shit for liking 80's rock, hair/glam metal bands, etc. Pfttt... I don't care if they don't like it. Their loss, not mine.

And the same goes for my own opinions of other bands. If I say Nirvana, Radiohead, U2, etc suck, that's not a personal attack on their listeners. I have just as much of a right to say those bands suck as someone else has to love their work. Just don't get in my car and pop in one of their CDs cuz THEN it's personal... down goes the window, out flies the CD.

 

[Hey Man]

Well I for one resent the condescension displayed here toward those who like mainstream music. And I o lord am one. I could never understand why the rock snobs look down their noses at us. Do we have to eat steak every day? Sometimes we like hamburger.

I don't think you understand what overrated means. Steak bands would be considered overrated, but hamburger bands would be considered underrated. No need to resent anyone.

 

[annie]

I don't think you understand what overrated means. Steak bands would be considered overrated, but hamburger bands would be considered underrated. No need to resent anyone.

I know perfectly well what overrated means - high ratings by critics and fans but not by rock snobs. I was talking about the term "mainstream" when used in a pejorative manner as music for the masses because they have sold a zillion albums. For my purposes "hamburger" meant mainstream, with no relation to being overrated or underrated.

Magic I grew up with country music, the first music I ever knew. And I still love it to this day.

 

[gregjohnson1229]

the term "overrated" can mean a slew of different things ranging from "I don't understand they hype" to "these guys suck". Every person's personal definition probably varies slightly from poster to the next. I would also assume that the term itself has varying definitions depending on the artist that's being spoken of as being overrated.

ie: For me, I could use it in smiliar contexts yet mean something different based on the artist:

U2 is way overrated.... which would mean that the hype and fanbase this band has is way over my head. I dont' get their draw, they are NOTHING special. They don't suck, but they certainly don't seem to deserve the attn that they get.

Radiohead is the most overrated band in history ... which would mean quite simply "Radiohead sucks" because.. well.. because they do.
​

make sense?

I agree about U2 I like their 80's material but thery have really fallen off IMO in the last 20 years. Radiohead is up there with my most overrated band. I tried hard to get into them. I have listened to Ok Computer over and over and still don't get it. I don't know the singer's name but his voice is just to draggy to me. He drags out every word so long it makes me want to go to sleep.