 It's not just simplicity, it's memorability
People like to be able to recall something, which is why good pop tunes and the ones most memorable (actually, the most memorable ones are the good ones). Simple things are easier to remember than complicated ones.
However, with a bit of education (ie, learning about art means you'll understand more when you go to an art gallery) helps make connections that you might not make otherwise - and connections are how our memory works.
So, to make memorable music it has to have something that catches our interest - but it doesn't have to be simple. Holst's The Planets is not simple music, but it is very memorable. However, there is an element of simplicity to it which makes it easy to grasp. |