The State Of Pop: Chart Beat Chat

Back - Index - Submissions - - What is RSS? Date: Feb 18, 2001 Source: Billboard's Chart Beat Chat Submitted By: Arjan Sakhrani THE STATE OF POP Hi Fred, When I read Chuck Taylor's recent comments about the apparent decline of the teen pop genre in his review of Backstreet Boys' "The Call," I strongly disagreed with many of his points (or that there even is a decline). Then, when I read your online column where you quoted most of his review, I felt a strong need to present a different view to both you and your readers. Taylor uses the Backstreet Boys' "Shape Of My Heart" Billboard Hot 100 peak (at No. 9) to show a lack of interest from pop radio programmers. However, this song only peaked three notches lower than "I Want It That Way," which is considered by many (including BSB members themselves) to be the biggest hit of their career. If Madonna had a single that peaked three slots lower than a previous mega-hit, would people say that the public and/or radio stations were losing interest in her? Also, is Taylor forgetting the fact that both "Shape Of My Heart" and "I Want It That Way" were not available as commercial singles and could not have performed much better on the Hot 100 than they did? If "Shape Of My Heart" had been released as a commercial single, I think there would be little doubt that the song would have reached the pinnacle of the Hot 100, as it did in many other countries around the world. Even more surprising, to make his case, he discussed the performance of 'N Sync's "This I Promise You." It reached No. 5 on the Hot 100 as an album cut. Rarely has an album cut ever peaked above No. 4 (with no sales to boost rankings), and he considers this peak a decline (or a lack of support from pop radio)? As an offer of proof, he points out that the song reached No. 1 on the AC chart (an airplay-only chart, where non-singles can often reach the top), the point being that the song did better on another chart. But hey, wait a minute. Has anyone beside myself noticed that for the past five weeks (starting Jan. 20, 2001), the top three slots of the Adult Contemporary chart have belonged exclusively to teen-oriented acts -- 'N Sync, Backstreet Boys, and BBMak? And isn't this is a good thing? Doesn't it mean that acts known for making "teen" records only a heartbeat ago are now having a great impact with adults, too? To me, that sends a message that this so-called genre of teen pop is stronger than ever. Two months before Samantha Mumba's "Gotta Tell You" reached the Hot 100, I predicted a smash. In previous years, I had predicted No. 1 success for Christina Aguilera's "Genie In A Bottle" and Hanson's "MMMBop" months before the songs charted on the Hot 100, and these were all unknown "teen" acts at the time. I think that as long as great songs like these are written and released as singles in this genre, it will continue to triumph. Let's not kill off the genre by giving the public the impression that the genre is already dying. Sincerely, Gordon Pogoda Los Angeles GoPogo@aol.com Dear Gordon, Thanks for your thoughtful E-mail. This is an issue that has been the subject of much discussion in the industry, and Chuck Taylor certainly is not alone in suggesting that teen pop could be starting its decline. When radio stays away from a best-selling single like Britney Spears' "Stronger," I think it's fair to raise the point. On the other hand, the success of a new group -- Germany's ATC -- with the techno-oriented pop song "Around The World (La La La La La)," could suggest that it is Spears who has fallen out of favor with radio, not the entire genre. I think it's safe to say there will be a lot of ups and downs in 2001 that will help make a case for and against the decline of teen pop. Radio continues to stay away from the A*Teens, for example, who are No. 17 on Hot 100 Singles Sales this week with "Bouncing Off The Ceiling (Upside Down)." How will new singles from the Backstreet Boys and 'N Sync perform? Will best-selling act O-Town ever win respect from radio? Will Samantha Mumba have a successful follow-up (there are two killer tracks on her album that should be smash hits)? Will I ever stop asking questions? I think it's an open issue, one that is not resolved yet. But it's definitely fair game to discuss the state of teen pop, and whether or not it's fading from the scene. Comment on this item. 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