How 50s Music Differs from Heavy Metal

In this blog post, we take a look at how the music of the 1950s differs from heavy metal. We explore the different styles and instrumentation used in each genre.

The 50s

The 50s was a much different time than today. The music back then was very different from what it is today. The biggest difference between the two genres is the subject matter. The 50s was a time of peace and love while heavy metal is all about sex, drugs, and rock n’ roll.

The birth of rock and roll

The birth of rock and roll is usually dated back to the early 1950s, when a new genre of music emerged that combined the sounds of rhythm and blues with country. This new sound was pioneered by artists such as Elvis Presley, Chuck Berry, and Little Richard, who helped to make rock and roll the dominant form of popular music in the United States by the end of the decade.

While there are many similarities between rock and roll and other genres that came before it, such as blues and country, there are also some key ways in which it differs. For one, rock and roll is generally faster-paced and more energetic than other genres, with a focus on simple, catchy melodies and a driving beat. It also typically features electric guitars, which were not widely used in other genres at the time.

Perhaps most importantly, however, rock and roll was designed to be danced to. This is one of the things that made it so popular with young people in the 1950s; it was a way for them to express themselves physically and have fun at the same time. This is in contrast to other genres such as jazz or classical music, which were generally intended to be listened to rather than danced to.

The influence of blues

The 1950s saw the birth of rock and roll, and with it came a new form of popular music. While blues music had been around for decades, it wasn’t until the 50s that it began to gain mainstream popularity. This new style of music was heavily influenced by the blues, and it would go on to shape the sound of rock and roll for years to come.

One of the most notable aspects of 50s music is the use of electric guitars. This was a major departure from the primarily acoustic sound of the blues, and it helped to give 50s music its distinctive sound. Electric guitars were also used in many other genres of music during the 50s, including jazz and country. However, it was in rock and roll where they really made their mark.

Another key element of 50s music is its focus on simplicity. This was in contrast to the complicated arrangements that were common in jazz and classical music. For many people, this made 50s music more accessible and easier to enjoy. It also helped to make it more popular with younger listeners.

The influence of blues can also be heard in the lyrics of many 50s songs. This includes both the subject matter and the way that the words are sung. Many 50s songs deal with issues such as love, loss, and heartbreak, all of which are common themes in blues songs. The lyrics are often sung in a style known as “crooning,” which is characterized by its smooth, melodic delivery.

While there are many different genres of music that were popular during the 1950s, blues remained a major influences throughout the decade. This can be heard in both the instrumentation and lyrics of many 50s songs. It’s no wonder that this decade remains one of the most iconic eras in popular music history.

The 60s

How 50s Music Differs from Heavy Metal

The British Invasion

The Beatles began the British Invasion of the American music scene in 1964 with their Ed Sullivan Show performance, which was watched by an estimated 73 million people. The Fab Four helped to shape the sound and style of popular music for years to come, with their influence still being heard in today’s chart hits.

The British Invasion was a musical phenomenon that occurred in the late 1950s and early 1960s when rock and roll artists from the United Kingdom, such as The Beatles, The Rolling Stones and The Kinks, started to achieve widespread success in the United States. This success was partly due to the fact that American radio stations were playing more British music than ever before, as well as the fact that these bands had a fresh sound that appealed to young listeners.

The Beatles were not the only British Invasion band to achieve success in America; other notable groups included The Rolling Stones, The Kinks, The Animals and Herman’s Hermits. These bands helped to change the sound of popular music and bring about a new era of British dominance on the American charts.

The rise of Motown

The late 1950s and early 1960s saw the rise of a new sound in popular music, which would come to be known as Motown. Named after the record label that released many of the most popular Motown hits, this style of music was created by a group of African American musicians and producers based in Detroit, Michigan.

Motown combined elements of R&B, pop, and soul to create a sound that was both catchy and accessible to a wide range of listeners. Some of the most famous Motown artists include Diana Ross and The Supremes, Smokey Robinson and The Miracles, Marvin Gaye, and The Temptations.

While Motown was hugely successful in the 1960s, it began to decline in popularity in the 1970s as newer styles of music (such as disco) began to take over the radio waves. However, the influence of Motown can still be heard in many modern R&B and pop songs.

The 70s

While 50s music was characterized by doo-wop and early rock and roll, the 70s gave way to a more experimental sound. Heavy metal was born in the 70s, and it was a stark contrast to the music of the previous decade. Bands like Black Sabbath and Judas Priest defined the genre with their dark, heavy sound. If you’re a fan of metal, you owe it to yourself to check out some of the bands from this era.

The disco era

The disco era was a time when people went out to nightclubs to dance to disco music. The music was composed of short, repetitive melodies with a strong beat. It was often played by DJs using disco records. The first disco club was opened in 1971 in New York City.

The 1970s were a time of social change in the United States. The civil rights movement of the 1960s led to the passage of laws that banned discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin. Women’s rights groups fought for equality in the workplace and in the home. The environmental movement became active during this decade, and people began to be more aware of the need to protect the earth’s resources.

Heavy metal is a genre of rock music that originated in the late 1960s and early 1970s. It is characterized by distorted electric guitars, bass guitar, drums, and vocals. Heavy metal songs often have aggressive lyrics and themes.

The birth of heavy metal

Music in the 70s was very different from what came before. Hard rock bands like Led Zeppelin and Black Sabbath popularized a heavier, more distorted sound. This new style of music would come to be known as heavy metal.

Heavy metal is defined by its aggressive, often distorted sound and its focus on themes of Good vs. Evil. Metal bands often use occult orSatanic imagery in their lyrics and stage shows. This can be seen as a reaction to the peace and love hippie ethos of the previous decade.

While metal is often seen as a reaction to the music of the 60s and 70s, it has also been influenced by classical music. Many metal bands incorporate complex time signatures and classical influences into their songs. This distinguishes metal from other popular rock genres like punk and pop.

Today, metal is one of the most popular genres of music in the world. It has spawned many sub-genres and continues to evolve.

The 80s

Though both originating in the United States, 50s music and heavy metal couldn’t be more different. The former is often associated with feelings of happiness and nostalgia, while the latter is more likely to elicit feelings of anger and aggression. Let’s take a closer look at the two genres and see how they differ.

The hair metal scene

The hair metal scene of the 1980s was characterized by heavy doses of guitar pyrotechnics, drum solos, and sexed-up image. This oversaturation of guitar licks and drum fills left little room for anything else in a song, let alone any sense of dynamics or subtlety. In addition, the musicians often spent more time on their hairstyles and makeup than on their playing. As a result, the quality of musicianship in hair metal bands was often poor.

The advent of rap music

The advent of rap music in the early 1980s was a game changer for the music industry. Rap artists like Run-D.M.C. and Public Enemy brought a new sound and style to the world of popular music, and their success paved the way for many other hip hop and rap artists in the years that followed. While rap music has its roots in African American culture, it has become one of the most popular genres of music worldwide, with artists like Eminem, Jay-Z, and Kendrick Lamar achieving mainstream success.

The 90s

50s music was all about having fun and enjoying yourself. The heavy metal of the 90s was about being angsty and rebelling against the establishment. However, there are some similarities between the two genres. Both 50s music and 90s metal are characterized by their heavy use of guitars and drums.

The grunge movement

In the early 1990s, a new music movement called grunge emerged from Seattle, Washington. Grunge was a raw and aggressive form of rock music that was influenced by punk rock and heavy metal. Unlike the polished and poppy sound of mainstream pop music, grunge was dark, gritty, and introspective. It was alsovariously described as “sludge metal,” “stoner rock,” and “noise rock.”

The grunge movement was started by a few small bands who gained popularity in the underground music scene of Seattle. These bands—Nirvana, Pearl Jam, Alice in Chains, and Soundgarden—would go on to define the sound and style of grunge. They would also popularize the genre to a global audience.

While grunge music is often associated with dark themes like depression, drug addiction, and suicide, it is also about celebrating individualism, working hard, and making do with what you have. In many ways, grunge was the antithesis of the superficial pop culture of the 1980s. It was real and unpretentious—a quality that continues to resonate with fans today.

The rise of electronic music

In the late 80s and early 90s, a new style of music came to the forefront that would change the sound of pop music for years to come. This new style was electronic music, and it was pioneered by artists like Daft Punk, The Chemical Brothers, and Fatboy Slim.

This new genre was a drastic departure from the traditional rock sound that had dominated the charts in the previous decades. Instead of guitars and drums, electronic music relied heavily on synthesizers and drum machines to create its distinctive sound.

This new sound was incredibly popular with young people, and electronic music quickly rose to become one of the most popular genres of the 90s. Thanks to its popularity, electronic music had a significant influence on the sound of pop music in the years that followed.