Since I'm only turning 29 this summer, I really cannot speak very intelligently on exactly what was on the radio prior to the mid-80s, although I will agree that the period of the late 70s/early 80s did not exactly produce the greatest music in history. I don't listen to radio much anymore, mainly b/c I don't have a car in NYC, but there's certainly much more out there than just top 40 on the radio- I think you just have to be willing to look.
In New York City, you undoubtedly have a better than average selection of radio stations. If you ever get a chance to do so, it would be instructive for you to drive across the country. I have done this a couple of times, and there are some places where you will be lucky to get two FM radio stations. Typically, they will either both be country stations, or they will be Christian radio. That is when I am glad I have other options in the car, like playing CDs, or just listening to the sound of the engine and the tires on the pavement.
Still, your point about looking for good stations is an excellent suggestion. Some people complain about their area, when there is a station or two that they might actually like, if only they would take the trouble to search for it. The thing is, of course, that one is unlikely to like absolutely everything that is broadcast on any station, so one might reject a station based on trying it once, when they happen to be playing something the person does not like. So it is a good idea to try this on several occasions on different days before giving up completely on the idea, and then, of course, stations sometimes come and go, or change format, in which case one will have a new opportunity to find something one likes.
My biggest annoyance is when we start bashing the mainstream public for the things that they enjoy. Just because most of us on the this board don't like top 40, doesn't mean that the people who do are inferior to us. There's a reason the music is popular.
Btw- your tastes are very much in-line with mine.
One of the funny things about people looking down on those who listen to top 40 music is that many of them also listen to top 40 music—just from a different era.
The reason that top 40 music is top 40 music is that it is easy for people to like it, and requires nothing from the listener. To keep from offending anyone, I will use an example of classical music (broadly speaking; snooty types call this "European art music" or "western art music"; see
this for what I mean, not
this.). If I compare Beethoven and Bach, with Beethoven, he reaches out and grabs the audience, so it is easier to get into him. With Bach, he is more reserved, and so the listener typically needs to pay more attention to get into it. I originally got into classical music primarily via Beethoven, who was my favorite composer for many years, but now Bach is my favorite. Both, of course, are truly great, and, in my opinion, are among the three greatest composers of all time (the other of the three being Mozart, of course).
In the case of rock (in pretty much all types; see
this for what I mean, and notice the subgenres), there is a primitive aspect to it that makes it easy for people to get into. The most basic part of music is the beat, and with rock, there is no trouble finding the beat. With classical music, the beat has been refined away from prominence; pre-classical music is similar to classical music, but more primitive, and with a prominent beat (just look for "early" music in the "classical" section of a good CD/record store to find what I mean, or do an on line search).
For the benefit of those who do not know what the word "primitive" means, it is not a synonym for "bad"; just look it up in a dictionary.
My taste in music has become more refined and complex than my taste was as a child, and likewise, my taste in food has become more complex and refined. I still, of course, enjoy some of the things I did as a child, but I generally prefer things that are more substantial these days. They tend to be satisfying for a longer period of time—I mean this for both food and for music. For an example of something that I can play over and over, and never get tired of hearing, try
this. It has sufficient complexity that I do not find it boring to hear repeatedly, yet it is accessible enough to not require concentration. It is sublime. And Lamon does a great job with it. I suggest trying it out on a Sunday morning, while relaxing with a cup of coffee and reading the paper, or whatever equivalent situation you may prefer.
