In what European countries are American pop culture least pervasive? (places, people)

[Acajack]

Originally Posted by billiefan2000

better question:

except for Ireland and UK singers, why are americans so close-minded towards European music.

Outside Ireland and UK folks , u are a 1 hit wonder singer if ur lucky in the states if ur from anywhere in Europe.

If you sing in English like Abba, Scorpions, Ace of Base, Roxette, A-ha, etc. you will do OK.

[billiefan2000]

Originally Posted by Acajack

If you sing in English like Abba, Scorpions, Ace of Base, Roxette, A-ha, etc. you will do OK.

so true. Sweden and Germany have had some successes, but not lately..

in last decade to 15 years , u only get the 1 hit wonders from non British/Non Irish countries in Europe.


Avicii, TATU come to mind. DHT also (with their cover of a Roxette song)



a-ha only had only one hit in the states back in the 80's. same with Nena.

Same with M2M (another norwegian band) back in late 90's (though Marion Raven did a duet with Meatloaf that was a hit song, so...)


Cascada has had some success with a couple hit songs a few years back, but now they are forgotten in the states


same with Eiffel 65 (which had 2 hit songs and then became mostly forgotten in the states nowadays

[JedlaRoche]

Well, in EDM, electro, techno, etc.. music, Europeans artists are quite successful in the US. It's mostly a language matter. I don't know many European artists being known in countries with different languages either.
50's and 60's US hegemony got the ears of the Europeans used to English songs even if they don't understand anything. Same can't be said about the German language for an Italian for example.

[kharing]

I think France would fit your description. When I travel to Paris, I don't even bother watching television looking for American issues and culture. Barely any english channels!

Only time I felt like American pop culture was prevalent was with young Africans living in France. Many emulate hip hop stars and American product "knockoffs" like Nike and Adidas.

[kharing]

Originally Posted by billiefan2000

better question:

except for Ireland and UK singers, why are americans so close-minded towards European music.

Outside Ireland and UK folks , u are a 1 hit wonder singer if ur lucky in the states if ur from anywhere in Europe.

I think the answer is that Americans don't take the time to learn other languages.

[Acajack]

Originally Posted by JedlaRoche

Well, in EDM, electro, techno, etc.. music, Europeans artists are quite successful in the US. It's mostly a language matter. I don't know many European artists being known in countries with different languages either.
50's and 60's US hegemony got the ears of the Europeans used to English songs even if they don't understand anything. Same can't be said about the German language for an Italian for example.

Yes. It's not a question of Americans saying "we won't listen to these guys because they are Swedish/Romanian/German/whatever", it is more a case of "it's not in English so I won't listen to it".

For a lot of continental European pop outfits that sing in English, probably most Americans don't even know or care which country they are from.

[lexdiamondz1902]

Originally Posted by Acajack

Yes. It's not a question of Americans saying "we won't listen to these guys because they are Swedish/Romanian/German/whatever", it is more a case of "it's not in English so I won't listen to it".

For a lot of continental European pop outfits that sing in English, probably most Americans don't even know or care which country they are from.

Very true. For the most part, Americans are generally unaware that you can become a successful musician in a non-Anglophone market. I remember when Kassav' (an Antillais Zouk band) came to NY a while back my friends were shocked when I told them tickets were over 100$ and the venue still sold out months in advance, until I reminded them that we have nearly half a million Haitians and Francophone Africans in the city who grew up listening to their music.

Weirdly it seems to be a strictly American phenomenon too. Listen to top-40 radio in Germany, France, Belgium or Switzerland and you'll likely hear a mix of songs in English, French, German, Italian, etc but here, nope.

[Obi wan spaghetti]

The only European country with large global popular modern culture, is the UK.

The most popular music, movies, television, video games, media, sport, literature etc is all from the UK and USA.

In the decade 2000-2010, Britain was the biggest exporter of culture in the world. it was the first time in fifty years that America didn't win that title. It looks like Britain could do it again this decade too

[Acajack]

Originally Posted by Obi wan spaghetti

In the decade 2000-2010, Britain was the biggest exporter of culture in the world. it was the first time in fifty years that America didn't win that title. It looks like Britain could do it again this decade too

I am not usually one to ask for sources on here but this one is hard to believe. I found one newspaper article that seems to claim this and that's about it.

[Marmel]

In Belarus, Russia and other ex-Soviet lands Russian pop music is quite popular, on par with English-speaking music I think. These Russian pop singers are often criticized for bad taste and lack of talent, but still they are very popular, and on each radio station you get to hear lots of Russian songs.
In Belarus, a few years ago we had a terrible protective law according to which 75 per cent of all music on local radio stations had to be Belarussian (in any language but performed by local singers).
It was criticized a lot and if I am not mistaken, the law was eventually softened. Now these 75 per cent should be broadcast only at some specific periods of time during the day (maybe like 9 hours out of 24).