Why do the worst songs go on the longest?

[michael sandler]

Is it just my subjective perception, that I want it to end so badly that it seems like it never does, or is it really part of the badness that the composer doesn't know when to say "enough"?

MikeS

[False Mirror]

I don't see any statistical relevance between quality and length of songs.

edit: [miss-read the topic..?]

[hdibrell]

Is it just my subjective perception, that I want it to end so badly that it seems like it never does, or is it really part of the badness that the composer doesn't know when to say "enough"?

MikeS

  It does seem true. Also, when I used to work in a music store I noticed that the worst musicians always seem to play the loudest.

[triksterb]

The worst long songs are the ones that are just a never ending wall of sound with no regards to dynamics or changing the sound, so at the end, your ears are like "Enough already!"  That holds true for shorter songs as well.  Long pieces like the Immersion series or where the music is quiet and has dynamics are usually the best.

[APK]

Psychologically, even a 3 minute song goes on way too long if you can't stand it.
Kinda the same with tv commercials.

[jkn]

Totally agree with APK - doesn't matter the length... and it's those really darn catchy ones that are horrid that sneak back into your head days later and torment your soul on endless repeat.

And of course, my horrid soul rending song on endless loop is someone elses favorite tune of all time.  ;-)

[ech3]

This reminds me of a quotation from the late Gene Siskel:

No good movie is too long, no bad movie is short enough.

[Wayne Higgins]

Yeah!

[sraymar]

One incredibly sickening trick is to play the chorus over and over ad nausium, then when you thought you couldn't take anymore they change up the key and continue. 

Steve

[Stellardrone]

The worst long songs are the ones that are just a never ending wall of sound with no regards to dynamics or changing the sound, so at the end, your ears are like "Enough already!" 

I agree with that. Though, it's quite subjective. Also it depends on the mood. Sometimes one certain track is too short for me to enjoy (so I usually play it on the loop few times). Some tracks are too long to pay attention, so I use them as background music usually, while eating or reading.

[doombient]

Psychologically, even a 3 minute song goes on way too long if you can't stand it.
Kinda the same with tv commercials.

Did you know? Ten seconds of Shakira can do serious harm to your mental health.

Stephen

[sraymar]

Psychologically, even a 3 minute song goes on way too long if you can't stand it.
Kinda the same with tv commercials.

Did you know? Ten seconds of Shakira can do serious harm to your mental health.

Stephen

Sometimes the best thing to do is hit the mute button and watch the visuals. 

[Stellardrone]

Sometimes the best thing to do is hit the mute button and watch the visuals. 

that's what I was intending to say too

[michael sandler]

Is it just my subjective perception, that I want it to end so badly that it seems like it never does, or is it really part of the badness that the composer doesn't know when to say "enough"?

MikeS

  It does seem true. Also, when I used to work in a music store I noticed that the worst musicians always seem to play the loudest.

I swear I read somewhere that the volume knob on Steve Roach's didgeridoo only goes up to 9.

MikeS

[drone on]

When you say "songs" do you mean non-ambient music? Because I wouldn't call Steve Roach's music "songs," but rather pieces or tracks.  Anways, I've never noticed any correlation between length and quality.  Plenty of "short" tracks that are annoying as hell. I rectify this by just not listening to them. 

[Seren]

Psychologically, even a 3 minute song goes on way too long if you can't stand it.
Kinda the same with tv commercials.

Did you know? Ten seconds of Shakira can do serious harm to your mental health.

Stephen

I was gonna say it depends on what the 10 seconds with Shakira consist of....and wonder of bad taste I have liked a couple of her tracks, yes I mean the music....

[doombient]

Psychologically, even a 3 minute song goes on way too long if you can't stand it.
Kinda the same with tv commercials.

Did you know? Ten seconds of Shakira can do serious harm to your mental health.

Stephen

I was gonna say it depends on what the 10 seconds with Shakira consist of....and wonder of bad taste I have liked a couple of her tracks, yes I mean the music....

Yeah, sure .

Stephen

[michael sandler]

When you say "songs" do you mean non-ambient music? Because I wouldn't call Steve Roach's music "songs," but rather pieces or tracks.  Anways, I've never noticed any correlation between length and quality.  Plenty of "short" tracks that are annoying as hell. I rectify this by just not listening to them. 

I've noticed this feeling with ambient, pop, and classical music. No matter how long the piece/song/track/work is, it seems like it goes on forever. Sometimes I turn the station and go back after surely enough time that it's over...and it's still there!

MikeS