Even artists like making money. Its very niave to think otherwise. He still has intergrity as an artist, most artists sell their souls, that's their job.
You find me a well known musician who does it purely for the love and sells nothing, and I bet they're actually rubbish.
There is nothing wrong with selling your song for ££££, the original has been heard, and loved, and if you listen to Radio 1, done to death.... sell it to X factor, they'll do a shit version and soon enough people will want to hear the original again. Unless they're sniffy and devastated at the reality of music.
Its pop music. Its never been any deeper than that. It doesn't mean these artists are bad or shallow or untalented, they just do what they do. At least they dont' think that being a pop star automatically make them politicians, prophets or messiahs.
Damien Rice is a good artist, he's never said he was the new Bob Dylan, social commentary isn't his big selling point, he produces good pop songs and sells them.