KOLEJ UNIVERSITI TUNKU ABDUL RAHMAN

AHEL2043 ENGLISH FOR COMMUNICATION

Coursework 1: Individual Presentation (40 marks)

Presentation Title:

Music of the Past VS Today’s Music

Name : Cheow Hee Thong

ID No. : 14WHD07260

Programme : Diploma in Hospitality Management (Hotel Management)

Lecturer : Miss Himalah Mohan

Date of Submission : 7th October 2014

Title: Music of the Past VS Today’s Music

Introduction

Attention Grabber

Do you guys listen to music? What kind of songs do you listen recently?

Introductory Remarks

It’s obvious that when turning on popular radio stations today, you’ll most

likely hear one thing and one thing only – mainstream music. In a way, I can

understand how it’s likeable. Most of it has a great beat, catchy lyrics and

the type of music is what we grew up with in our generation. Some artists of

today have forgotten the main component that make a truly talented artist.

Step outside the mainstream box for a second, and take a look at how much

has really changed in music over the years. Sometimes, not for the better.

Reveal Topic

Today, I would like to talk about music of the past versus today’s music.

Body/Content

Transition 1

First, let me tell you about the music artist of the past.

Main Point 1 : Past music artist

Go back in time a few decades, to the 70s, 80s and 90s.

Lots of the bands from these era have become internationally famous,

and their music has become classic.

Artists like The Rolling Stones, The Beatles, Westlife, Aerosmith,

Backstreet Boys, and so many other successful bands.

All of these bands become famous because they had something that is

hard to find today - real talent.

Transition 2

In addition, let me talk about the music of the past.

Main Point 2 : Music of the past

Many of the artists or bands of the past wrote music that had real

depth to it.

Their lyrics were meaningful, they wrote their own music, they played

multiple instrument, and they didn’t use auto tune or synthesizers,

and many other factors.

Using something like auto tune was considered an insult back in the

day.

Example : Celine Dion – My Heart Will Go On, Whitney Houston – I

Will Always Love You, Michael Jackson – You Are Not Alone and

Backstreet Boys – I Want It That Way.

Transition 3

Now that you have understood the beautifulness of the past music, let me tell

you guys about the artists of today and follow by the music of today.

Main Point 3 : Music artist of today

Today’s artist like One Direction, Nicki Minaj, Justin Bieber, Lady

Gaga and Miley Cyrus. They produce music which focus on quantity,

but not quality anymore.

Yes, they are famous, but not in music. They are famous in their

actions such as Nicki Minaj shakes her butt, One Direction sings song

with no direction, and so on.

Nonetheless, talent seems hard to come by these days. There is a lot of

question as to whether or not popular artists today are popular

because of their skill, or because of the way in which they are

marketed.

Justin Bieber is a good example of this. Young girls seem to love him,

not for their songs but for his appearance.

Transition 4

Lastly, let me talk about the music of today.

Main Point 4 : Today’s music

- Today’s music are almost using auto tune and synthesizers such as

The Chainsmokers – #Selfie and Psy – Gentleman.

- There’re almost on impulse, and everyone is using them so it’s not

much of an indignity anymore.

- It’s more of the regular, which makes it obvious that some

mainstream artists of today lack the real talent of the past music.

- Many of the lyrics have no real depth to them anymore.

- Lots of mainstream artist don’t even write their own song.

- The lyrics of music sometimes involve swearing and the same typical

situations, like “Put your hands up” or “Let’s get this party started”

- Not to forget, most of the music today usually have repetitive lyrics or

involve complicated rapping.

- Example: Beyoncé – Run The World (Girls), Eminem – Rap God,

Shakira – La La La and Nicki Minaj – Anaconda.

- These music are great for hearing at a party or club, or something

upbeat to hear, but when you actually want to listen to the music, I’m

not sure this is exactly what everyone is looking for.

Conclusion

To finish this, I’ll start by saying that not all music of today is bad. There are

lots of underground bands of today and even some mainstream that still have

the actual depth and talent in their music, to become even greater someday.

It disappoints me though, when underground bands and artists with real

music talent are getting less attention than a popular artist that constantly

uses a synthesizer or has someone write their songs for them.

It is an opinionated topic, but I still think it’s something for everyone to

debate, whatever genre or era you’re a fan of.