“There are few cases in which mere popularity should be considered a proper test of merit; but the case of song-writing is, I think, one of the few.”
- January 19, 1809 – October 7, 1849
- American
- Novelist, poet, critic
- A pioneer of Gothic and detective novels, he wrote works such as “The Black Cat,” “The Fall of the House of Usher,” and “The Murders in the Rue Morgue.”
Quote
“There are few cases in which mere popularity should be considered a proper test of merit; but the case of song-writing is, I think, one of the few.”
Explanation
In this quote, Edgar Allan Poe suggests that in most areas of life or art, popularity alone should not be the standard for evaluating quality or merit. However, in the case of song-writing, Poe argues that popularity can indeed be a valid measure of success and artistic value. The reason for this, according to Poe, lies in the public’s connection to the music—songwriting is often meant to resonate with a wide audience, and when it does, it can be seen as an indication that the work has struck a chord with people. Unlike other forms of art that may be more introspective or require a certain level of intellectual depth, songs often have an immediate emotional impact that can be felt by a large number of people, making popularity a relevant factor in their appraisal.
Poe, who was a writer deeply involved in both poetry and literary criticism, might have made this distinction due to the nature of music and its ability to evoke instant emotional responses. The Romantic era, of which Poe was a part, celebrated the connection between emotion and art, and song-writing, being a blend of poetry and melody, had a unique power to engage people on a personal level. Poe understood that songs are often a reflection of cultural moments, and their popularity can indicate that they have captured something universal about the human experience.
In modern times, this quote can be seen as a commentary on how popular music is often judged. In today’s music industry, chart success and mainstream popularity often serve as key indicators of a song’s merit or cultural relevance. While some may argue that this focus on popularity leads to a lack of attention to artistic depth, Poe’s view suggests that in the case of songwriting, the broad appeal of a song is indeed a valid form of recognition. Whether through viral songs, catchy pop hits, or anthems that become part of a collective cultural experience, the popularity of a song often reflects its ability to connect with people in a meaningful way, which Poe recognized as a form of artistic achievement in its own right.
