I don't know whether you're saying that all love songs are "goofy" or that anything other than a "serious" song is worthwhile. In any event, I think it's pretty clear that all of Gord's songs are taken from his life's experiences -- many or most of which are common to most of us: losing love, making a mess of one's life, enjoying love, looking back at a lost love, remembering a really good time, etc. If you're classifying all love songs as "goofy" (or maybe you're not, it was hard to tell what you meant), it was just such a love song that shot him to stardom in the U.S. with "If You Could Read My Mind." I wouldn't classify that as goofy, not at all. It's purely and simply one of the most beautiful songs in the world. Although Gord had gotten plenty of notice in Canada prior to 1971 (with his breakout U.S. hit, IYCRMM), it was because of just such a song that many here had heard of him. (many, but, not all by any means)
The benefit (to a listener) of radio is a very simple one: to hear music (or whatever) for free. I suppose one could think of it as 'advertising' in a way for singers/songwriters. You listen, you like, you buy (or not). With the internet, many people are copying songs w/o paying for them. How do they suppose musicians make their living?? But, that's a whole other subject...
Radio's still free -- that is, unless you pay for XM radio (isn't that what it's called?)
I know that there are issues with what songs get air time and which ones don't. It's not a perfect world. But, obviously that's up to, I guess the record producer and the radio DJ's... I don't know how that really works. But, their obvious intention is to put on what they feel is the best work of the artist to get you to buy the album! The rest you have to discover yourself once you do buy the album. Many songs on most albums I've bought are like gefilte fish -- an acquired taste!! And then some songs are just duds. IMHO. (Uhh, present company excepted, LOL!!)
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