Hear Father John Misty’s Tongue-in-Cheek ‘Generic Pop Songs’

Singer and Lady Gaga songwriter winks at formulaic Top 40 singles with three new tracks

Published by

Father John Misty, who dabbled as a songwriter for hit makers like Beyoncé and Lady Gaga, posted a trio of tracks with the title “Generic Pop Song.” Photo: Ana Viotti/Side Stage Collective via Flickr/ cc by sa 2.0

Father John Misty, who has dabbled as a songwriter for hit makers like Beyoncé and Lady Gaga, posted a trio of numbered tracks with the title “Generic Pop Song” on his SoundCloud Sunday. None of the three songs appear on Father John Misty’s forthcoming LP Pure Comedy.

As the song titles suggest, the tracks are not meant to be taken too seriously; instead they showcase how formulaic radio singles can be. “Generic Pop Song #3” is perhaps the most winking of the pop-taunting trio of tracks, opening with the so-called “millennial whoop” that dominates the Hot 100 singles.

The other two cuts, “Generic Pop Song #9” and “Generic Pop Song #16,” are similarly deviations from Father John Misty’s usual work, but while both tracks satirize pop music, the songs are strong in their own right.
“#9” starts sparsely before blossoming into a fist-pumping dance song, while “#16” is slow-burning breakup jam with lyrics like, “If you stay or leave / It’s the same to me / Pick me up for the last time, baby / Never make you see me like this again.”

Recent Posts

Tiana Tara Talks New Song and Video ‘Glad You Came Along’

Mumbai singer-songwriter teams up with guitarist-songwriter Debanjan Biswas, with the video also including an appearance…

February 21, 2025

How a Tax ‘Fraudster’ Tricked Tiësto, Afrojack Out of Millions

The trial of Frank Butselaar, who pleaded guilty to tax fraud, lifted the veil on…

February 21, 2025

Selena Gomez, Gracie Abrams Wait by the Phone on New Single ‘Call Me When You Break Up’

The song will appear on Gomez's collaborative album with Benny Blanco, I Said I Love…

February 21, 2025

Kanye West Hit With Sanctions in Lawsuit Citing Antisemitic Tirades

A judge ordered the rapper to pay a penalty and answer questions under oath in…

February 21, 2025

‘Leaving Neverland’ Director Has More to Reveal in ‘Surviving Michael Jackson’ Documentary

Premiering March 18, the film will explore the aftermath of Wade Robson and James Safechuck…

February 21, 2025

#ReviewRundown: Aman Fankaar, Sruthi Vj, Switterbeat, Progress Report and More

Check out our verdict on recent releases by funk/groove act Juxtaposed and ambient artist Eashwar…

February 21, 2025