What happened to harmonizing in popular music?

[2timer]

*aimless rant forewarning*

I'm starting this thread mainly out of boredom, but also out of curiosity.

Whatever happened to harmonizing in music? Seriously. There was a time when bands had two male vocals singing in harmony. Just off the top of my head, I can name a few: the Beach Boys, Hall and Oates, I don't know, a couple of guys named John and Paul.

Nowadays, I'm hard pressed to find this anywhere on the Billboard charts. That's not an exaggeration or a joke. You try looking and see what you get.

People like to say music in the 80s and before was better. It's a popular cliche. But there's actually a truth to that statement, because there is a tangible element missing from pop music today, if this idea is true.

 

[ImpulsE69]

There was a time when many band members could sing(not just the singer), write compositions, play multiple instruments etc. This isn't always the case. If your band mates can't sing (while they are playing), you can't harmonize.

Having been in a few bands, depending on what you are looking for, people who can sing well aside from the singer is not usually at the forefront of needs, finding a good player is difficult. Finding one that can contribute more than just their instrument is even harder.


I digress, though, you're talking pop music, and well..depending on what pop you are talking about, those people don't even have bands. It's just a singer singing to music someone else wrote. Also, the groups you list are from a different era in music. There are plenty of harmonies in music today, you just aren't listening to the music that has it.

 

[Mixolydian]

There is no talent anymore. Their voices are all manipulated by a computer. Plus people don't know how to compose music anymore.

 

[shadow9d9]

Phish harmonize all the time.

 

[ImpulsE69]

There is no talent anymore. Their voices are all manipulated by a computer. Plus people don't know how to compose music anymore.

I disagree, that sounds like age talking. I feel I'm getting there, I certainly can't stand 95% of anything put out on the radio these days, but there is so much good music out there, it can just be hard to find it amongst all the crap

 

[Mixolydian]

I disagree, that sounds like age talking.

I'm probably much younger than you think I am...That's music theory talking.

 

[Franz316]

They're out there, you just won't be hearing them on any mainstream radio station.

 

[lxskllr]

The 50s were king for harmonies. The stuff goes in cycles, and quality will return some day. You hear it, but seldom on popular radio.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SBgQezOF8kY

 

[BurnItDwn]

I really loved the Dual guitar harmonizing Opeth did on Morningrise and Orchid...

 

[IronWing]

Someday they'll invent two track autotune.

 

[The Boston Dangler]

The 50s were king for harmonies. The stuff goes in cycles, and quality will return some day. You hear it, but seldom on popular radio.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SBgQezOF8kY

i disagree. talent is inefficient, expensive and nearly extinct

 

[lxskllr]

A little Clippy makes everything better :^D

 

[weadjust]

I was flipping channels a couple of weeks ago and couldn't stop watching History of the Eagles. It's a excellent show but a bit long 4 hours. Those guys could harmonize. I saw them live in the 90s reunion tour and was the best sounding concert I have ever been to. Joe Walsh is an interesting character.

http://www.sho.com/sho/reality-docs/titles/3378379/history-of-the-eagles/index#/index

 

[2timer]

Phish harmonize all the time.

My point was clearly lost on you. I'm referring to popular music, as in Billboard music, as in songs on the radio.

 

[ImpulsE69]

i disagree. talent is inefficient, expensive and nearly extinct

I need that program. *Hit's torrents*

 

[2timer]

I was flipping channels a couple of weeks ago and couldn't stop watching History of the Eagles. It's a excellent show but a bit long 4 hours. Those guys could harmonize. I saw them live in the 90s reunion tour and was the best sounding concert I have ever been to. Joe Walsh is an interesting character.

http://www.sho.com/sho/reality-docs/titles/3378379/history-of-the-eagles/index#/index

There we go: the Eagles. Yet another classic, popular, harmonizing American band.

 

[clamum]

Part of the reason I love The Queers (they've been described as a cross between the Ramones and Beach Boys) and Bad Religion... harmonizing ftw!

 

[DaveSimmons]

One thing I liked about 70s/80s classic rock from Aerosmith, Cheap Trick, etc. was the harmonies from blending different voices singing together, instead of just using tape / disk to double up the lead singer.

Yes, they did that too, but not always and not using AutoTune.

 

[MagnusTheBrewer]

Give it a chance. Hell, lyrics and story telling only recently came back into fashion.

 

[Anubis]

My point was clearly lost on you. I'm referring to popular music, as in Billboard music, as in songs on the radio.

you could, you know, just not listen to billboard music

 

[LTC8K6]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4zLfCnGVeL4

 

[2timer]

you could, you know, just not listen to billboard music

No kidding? Well that solves everything, thanks for the input!

 

[2timer]

Give it a chance. Hell, lyrics and story telling only recently came back into fashion.

You think?

I don't know...

 

[MagnusTheBrewer]

You think?

I don't know...

Yeah, music goes through cycles. Although some are stranger than others (rap, ska, trance) but, I look at poor current music as an opportunity to enjoy another type of awesome music from the past.

 

[Cerb]

i disagree. talent is inefficient, expensive and nearly extinct

Amazing. "Stealing" a tune Led Zeppelin had me almost on the floor.