The Definition of Pop

I never thought that I’d be defending Cher, but Robert Hilburn in his latest diatribe has put her inspired single “Believe” at the bottom of his bottom 10 list (Pop Beat, July 3).

The problem with Hilburn is he never has understood the “pop” in pop music. I mean those melodic, well-written and yes “catchy” exercises that he has consistently lambasted in his columns over the years in favor of tuneless, oh-so-serious, no-hit wonders he’s tried to shove down our throats.

Cher’s single is inspiring because it has a good beat, excellent melody and an inventive vocal done by a superstar who has the No. 1 single in every country of the world this year. Not bad for a 50-something in these ageist times!

Long live pop! There is room in this vida loca for a little fun.

MARK WINKLER, Los Angeles

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Sad to say but I totally agree with Hilburn. Sad, because it is true--music in my lifetime (I’m 45) has never been worse than it is now.

The Backstreet Boys, Ricky Martin, Mariah Carey, Shania Twain, Britney Spears, etc. represent the most empty and worthless period of music I can ever remember.

RICK LIVINGOOD, Simi

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The guys of 98 Degrees are very talented entertainers. I love their music and I was very disappointed to find 98 Degrees in the No. 3 spot on Hilburn’s bottom 10. Even worse, the title of their single was printed as “The Hardest Part.” The correct name is “The Hardest Thing.”

MEGAN KELLY, Torrance

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Hilburn’s article helps to confirm my theory that radio stations and record companies are working together to promote lousy music in order for us to purchase CDs to play in our CD changers. After all, if radio stations played good music, why would we buy CDs when we could just listen to it for free?

HOLLY ESTES, Yucaipa

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Hilburn’s list is so far off base that it appears that his likely real motive is to show that he is culturally one up on the rest of us when he knocks three of the most enjoyable singles to have hit the airwaves this year: “Believe,” “If You Had My Love” and “Livin’ La Vida Loca.”

Would these three records have been on the list if they had not been so hugely successful and popular? Hilburn gives pretentiousness a bad name.

JEFFREY LUSTMAN, Los Angeles

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Granted, J. Frank Wilson’s “Last Kiss” was lame and Pearl Jam’s cover makes no sense at all, but don’t blaspheme Jan & Dean’s “Dead Man’s Curve”--great song by a great group.

BRIAN KAY, Encino

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Hey! I like “Dead Man’s Curve”!

CHRIS SQUIRES, Bakersfield