Music snobs – the thing i hate

Sure, I have a long list of subjects that annoy me, like writer’s block or GCSE coursework, but if there’s one thing that irks me endlessly, it’s those certain people who feel the need to declare that they don’t like ‘ mainstream’ music, I like to refer to them as ‘ music snobs’.

Music snobs are the majority of ‘ people who hate mainstream things’ and I regret to admit that I have encountered many of the sort. The music snob often prides themselves on their self-described ‘ non-conformist’ interests, and the idea that everyone else is merely a braindead product of MTV. If all they say to justify how ‘ terrible’ mainstream music is with the sole and frankly incompetent reason that it’s ‘ too popular’, then that’s when I must awkwardly smile and provide a half-hearted excuse as to why I have to withdraw myself from the conversation. Imagine this, the sun is shining and casting a warm glow on you and a group of friends, sounds of chirping birds and the low rumble of cars filter through the pleasant conversation the group is having about recent pop culture, specifically music. Everyone is discussing their recent favorites and trading albums to listen to. Suddenly, there is a shift in the atmosphere as that one person looks disdainfully at the mention of a mainstream song and begins to make condescending remarks and critiques concerning it. As if that wasn’t enough, they will then spout their ‘ better’ music choices which is often some strange indie rock band. They have the egocentric impression that they’re the authority on what should be ‘ good’ music and shouldn’t. The absolute worst part is what happens afterwards – every single time after the music snob finishes their deprecations, no one knows how to reply. How can someone be so irritating with their underhanded ‘ advice’, whilst with the presumption that this makes them seem more refined to others? I also have never understood (and never will) the excuse that a song is ‘ too overplayed’. It’s unacceptable that these people believe that ‘ overplayed’ music somehow correlates with ‘ bad’ music. Popular songs are played often on radio stations, probably to such an extent that it could get annoying, but the answer to that problem is quite simply – get this – to turn it off or change the station. This absolutely revolutionary response stops the music from being played, and consequently, from being ‘ overplayed’. But music snobs like to overlook this actuality because they must find something to complain about to excuse their misplaced hatred in mainstream music.

Music snobs have quite a large superiority complex, which means an attitude of superiority which conceals actual feelings of inferiority and failure. They choose to differentiate themselves from the so-called ‘ sheep of society’ in the context of music because they want to compensate for and conceal their simple and superficial personality in exchange for sounding effortlessly cultured and eccentric. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not against those who have contrasting tastes in music to me nor do I choose to criticize them as a result of it. However, my problem with music snobs is that they like to insult and invalidate other’s music choice with the intention of sounding intellectually and artistically aware. As if music snobs enlightening everyone else with their ‘ refined’ music taste will abruptly enhance the others’ choice in music, as well as improve their aristocracy and prestige. Music snobs are automatically repulsed by mainstream music, they become so close-minded that they are incapable of thinking beyond the fact that a song is popular. Additionally, mainstream music is, by definition, a large collection of the most popular songs from different genres. So, for someone to say they don’t like mainstream music, they can’t possibly be referring to their dislike of the hundreds of thousands of songs that are popular in today’s world. Furthermore, mainstream music must surely be popular amongst so many people globally for a significant reason – otherwise why else would they bother listening? They invalidate all the artist’s effort that was put into the music and it irritates me that an artist is given a bad reputation amongst these people. Another, less aggravating (but still extremely aggravating), aspect of music snobs which I cannot stand is their self-appointed supremacy when referring to a certain artist just because they know strange and unconventional facts about them. They like to assert their dominance by quilting you and trying to discredit your interest in the artist. Instead, there should be a mutual understanding that the predominating part of being a fan is the enjoyment and interest in the artist’s music.

As I conclude this rant, I’d like to ask music snobs to reflect on what I’ve been explaining and refrain from acting superior in regards to music choice in the future. Please. It’s never too late to stop being a music snob.