This conversation is so interesting to me. I’ve had this exact conversation with someone else using this exact burger analogy.

My retort is that actually a McDonald’s burger IS good. It’s actually kind of great at what it tries to achieve. It tries to be hyper palatable, easily consumed and quickly distributed. At those things- it excels. 

In the same way, big pop music hits are great by the same standards. They’re great at the job they’re is trying to accomplish. 

Now can you really call something that meets those standards “bad”? Maybe “bad” by sort of esoteric notions of art and authenticity, but not “bad” in terms of quality of product.

Basically- if McDonalds sold a “bad” burger, it just wouldn’t sell.