Journey, Billy Joel, and Lionel Richie, Essay Example

In the article entitled “In Defense of Schlock Music: Why Journey, Billy Joel, and Lionel Richie Are Better Than You Think”, author Jody Rosen stirs up a remarkable story about the history and popularity of the song “don’t stop believing” by the music group Journey. The song was released in the summer of 1981 and was such a big hit in music and pop culture that it ranked number 9 on the Billboard Top 100 that year.

Rosen makes a strong argument about the artistic mortality of this song, supporting his argument with various impacts it made not only in the music industry but other sectors of entertainment as well. The song “don’t stop believing” continues even to this day to live in virtue as it has become such a well-known song in the entertainment industry that it would be uncommon for one not to be familiar with the song. Rosen goes on in the article to point out that the song has been reused by many other popular music recording artists such as Kanye West and has been used in television shows such as Glee and The Sopranos. Rosen makes a strong point for this song and much of it is true. However, this song—“don’t stop believing”—is not the only song to carry a virtually invincible reputation in the entertainment industry.

Another song, which was not mentioned in Rosen’s article yet carries just as much credibility and popularity, is the song entitled “back in black” by the rock music group AC DC. This very popular song was released just a year before “don’t stop believing” in the summer of 1980. The song was the hit single featured on AC DC’s seventh studio album carrying the same title as the song “back in black”. The song was initially recorded by the music group as a tribute to their former member Bon Scott. The song grew so much popularity in the history of rock and music itself that it was ranked number 4 on VH1’s top 40 metal rock songs of all time. Even before the initial release of this song, AC DC was already a popular music group that had cemented their place in the history of entertainment. However, the release and impact of this song help to redefine their reputation as well as their position in the rock and roll genre of music.

The song “back in black” shares many similarities with “don’t stop believing” as far as their reputation and impact on pop culture. “Back in black” is also a song that carries the perk of being common knowledge in any sector of entertainment. It is simply not common for one to know of this song if they know anything at all about music. The song “back in black” is continuously being used in hit television shows and motion films as a form of marketing. Only this form of marketing is not for AC DC, but rather the song is used to build the marketing power of the entertainment ventures that use it. It is also constantly being featured on sports promotions such as the NBA and the NFL.

In conclusion, both of these songs are just about equally popular and have made very similar impacts on the entertainment industry. It is because of music like this that the entertainment industry is able to generate so much revenue. Music like this keeps pop culture alive and reminds everybody of the historical foundations that launched it.

Works Cited

Rosen, Jody. In Defense of Schlock Music: Why Journey, Billy Joel, and Lionel Richie Are Better Than You Think. June 2014. 30 June 2015 <http://www.vulture.com/2014/05/jody-rosen-in-defense-of-schlock-music.html>.