The “sell out” — we’re all familiar with the concept. Defined hurriedly and without reference, a “sell out” is someone who creates for popularity, rather than for some higher purpose (self-expression, religion, etc).

The problem with the “sell out” concept is that nearly every artist wants their music (or, at least the good stuff) to be heard by as large an audience as possible. If they find value in their work, they want to share it. And making a hit record is probably the best way to get your other music heard.

Now, it’s not as if artists can (always) tell beforehand which song is going to be that cheesy smash. Afterward, many probably have a “really? THAT song got me huge?” kind of mentality. But I’d bet they still have an inkling that they’re writing something a little more mass-appeal and a little less from-the-soul (we can argue whether those are opposing ideas at another time).

And really, why grind for all those years if you aren’t going to sieze opportunity when it presents itself? Write the damn pop song. I mean, you can tell me that if you were Jason Mraz, you wouldn’t write “I’m Yours”. Or that if you were Hanson, you wouldn’t write “MMMBop”. But if I were me, I probably wouldn’t believe you.