I've become convinced that mainstream music is like junk food. They're not trying to make anything of quality or substance, they're literally just trying to get you hooked on garbage.
I went to see the Drive by Truckers show on Saturday night. Some of my favorite songs of theirs...
Ramon Casiano = tells the story of a mexican teenager who was killed in 1931 by harlon carter, a crooked border patrol agent who would go on to serve as president of the nra, and yet never served jail time for his offense.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harlon_Carter
Carl Perkins Cadillac = about legendary record producer Sam Phillips. as record executive of Sun Records, he once offered a brand new Caddy to whomever (amongst Jerry Lee Lewis, Elvis Presley, Carl Perkins and Johnny Cash) could first hit gold.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sam_Phillips
Big difference. This is "real," quality music. Musicians like this actually play, write, record, and perform thoughtful, intelligent music. Nothing against whatever's on the radio, because it serves its purpose as well. It's just worth giving credit where it's due.