about pop music sparknotes

I was examining the current Top 40 list for pop music and thought, "Wow, these songs are COMPLEX! There needs to be some way for the general public to access and understand these elaborate and beautiful works of art!"

And so, with that thought, I've taken three of the most compounded current hits and produced Pop Music Sparknotes.  I hope they bring you into a deeper understanding of the touching songs they truly are.
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“Time of OurLives” – by Pitbull and Ne-yo

General Overview Notes:

“Time of Our Lives” is unique in the Pitbull canon, because unlike many of his classic hits, this tune features themes of over-the-top partying, objectifying the female sex, and drinking excessive amounts of alcohol. 

Generally speaking, the song dives deep into financial themes that are likely understandable for the average listener.  Ne-yo, artistic collaborator and clear tragic-hero of the single, woefully explains that while he “works his ass off”, he has no money for rent.  Thankfully, however, he still has enough to buy several rounds of shots. 

Speaking into the value system of your typical millennial, Pit and Ne-yo encourage fans to “forget your bills”, because even if get evicted from your house and lose your job and succeed in destroying all your healthy relationships, you still get to party tonight.

Important Quotations Explained:

“But everyday above ground is a great day, remember that”

Pitbull, as he is oft prone to do, spins a beautiful line at the close of the pop hit.  He leaves the listener to ponder the optimistic sentiment that there is always a silver lining to every day, minute, or Miami nightclub rager. And thank goodness for that.

“Jealous” – by NickJonas

General Overview Notes:

In a song that clearly panders to the hearts of independent feminists disgusted by the thought of male ownership in a romantic relationship, “Jealous” can be summed up most accurately as an elaborate public declaration of all of Nick Jonas’ insecurities. 

Knowing that all women love a man who poses practically naked for a magazine and then gets angry when you have two-minute conversation with a member of the opposite sex, Jonas creates an artistic expression that has won over the hearts of his female admirers.  The singer candidly admits that he is “possessive”, “hellish”, “passive” AND “aggressive”, knowing that these are four traits most desirable in modern courtship. 

Taking the song as a whole, the listener can note a general sense of chivalry in Jonas’ words – he “means no disrespect”, but he still wants to own you. 

Important Quotations Explained:

“I turn my chin music up
And I’m puffing my chest
I’m getting red in the face”

Proving that he is not only a gentleman, but also a poet with the perplexing phrase “chin music”, which one can only analyze after a deep dive into Urban Dictionary, Jonas paints vivid imagery for his audience.  Evoking an animalistic spirit, Jonas hits directly on what is attractive for his female fans: a man who looks just like an ape.

Further Analysis: if you’d like to uncover the more spiritual undertones of this song, be sure to listen to the gospel-choir version of “Jealous”, which will surely unveil the marked notes of allegory that Jonas so delicately expresses. 

“Love Me Harder” –by Ariana Grande

General Overview Notes:

A casual listener may believe that this song is overtly sexual.  However, a granular approach to Grande’s latest hit makes clear that there is so much more going on. 

Yes, if one is simply to listen to the song, it may be all sex.  But the key to understanding this ballad is to watch the music video.  Then, one discovers that this hit is also about Ariana solo-grinding in an abandoned house wearing cat ears.  Complexities abound. 

There is also a shot of raindrops falling in reverse.

Important Quotations Explained:

“Love me, love me, love me
Harder, harder, harder”

Exploiting the literary technique of the Rule of Threes, Grande proves that there is nothing sexier than pleading for someone’s affections.  Over and over and over again.