"Good music is good music, and everything else can go to hell"

Dave Matthews succinctly captures a passionate and unfiltered perspective on art and its intrinsic value. His assertion suggests that there exists a standard of authenticity and quality in music that defies personal taste, trendiness, or cultural gatekeeping. By stating “good music is good music,” he acknowledges that genuine artistry speaks for itself, transcending genres, eras, and the fleeting winds of popular opinion. Music, in this framing, is not just a commodity to be consumed or a background noise to be tolerated, but a vital force that communicates emotion and connects people across boundaries.

The latter half – “and everything else can go to hell” – is provocative, dismissing mediocrity, superficiality, or works devoid of sincerity and craftsmanship. Matthews implies that the attempt to define value based on popularity, marketability, or critical fads is misguided. The industry’s noise, the endless debates among fans about tastes and favorites, and the cynical repackaging of formulaic sounds, all pale next to the power of music that moves the listener. The statement isn’t necessarily a denigration of experimentation or new forms, but rather a defense of the soul found in truly evocative works, regardless of how mainstream or obscure they might be.

At the core lies a conviction: the listener’s experience and the honesty of the artist matter far more than arbitrary rankings or categorizations. Music should be celebrated if it resonates, if it stirs the heart or provokes thought, regardless of its commercial success or hipness. Matthews demands that audiences and creators uphold integrity, championing a culture where depth, creativity, and emotional truth are cherished. By such a lens, there’s a liberation from hype and expectation; there’s only the genuine article, and a freedom to let the rest recede into irrelevance.