Reading Pop: Approaches to Textual Analysis in Popular Music
Contents
This book provides students and scholars with an accessible introduction to textual analysis in popular music. It offers a range of approaches for thinking about how meaning is created and communicated in the lyric texts of popular songs.
Introduction
Popular music is often seen as a disposable commodity, something to be consumed and then quickly forgotten. But there is more to pop music than meets the eye. In fact, popular music can be seen as a form of textual analysis, a way of understanding the world around us.
In this book, we will explore the ways in which popular music can be analyzed and interpreted. We will look at a variety of approaches to textual analysis, including semiotics, hermeneutics, and phenomenology. We will also consider the role of history and culture in shaping our understanding of pop music.
So whether you’re a casual listener or a dedicated fan, this book will give you new ways of thinking about pop music.
What is Pop Music?
Popular music is a genre of music that is enjoyed by a wide range of people. It is typically characterized by a strong melody, clear lyrics, and a catchy beat. Pop music is often seen as being easy to listen to and enjoy. However, there is more to pop music than just that. In this article, we will explore the different approaches to textual analysis in pop music.
Definitions of Pop Music
What is pop music? The term “pop music” can be used in a variety of ways, from referring to specific genres and subgenres to describing the commercial mainstream or even simply meaning “popular music.” In this generally accepted definition, pop music is a type of popular music that originated in its modern form in the 1950s, deriving from rock and roll and various other genres of popular music. This broad genre can be further subdivided into various subgenres, including but not limited to:
-Rock
-R&B
-Hip hop
-Dance
-Country
– Folk
-Latin
-Metal
Characteristics of Pop Music
Though there is no single definition of pop music, there are some general characteristics that are often used to describe it. Pop songs are usually short (3-4 minutes), with simple melodies and chord progressions. The lyrics are typically about love, relationships, or other personal themes. Pop music is also usually fairly mainstream, meaning that it is popular with a wide range of people.
Additionally, pop music often uses elements from other genres, such as rock, R&B, or hip-hop. This makes it even more accessible to a wide range of listeners. Some people might say that pop music is “easy to listen to” because of these characteristics.
Textual Analysis of Pop Music
Popular music is a multifaceted genre that encompasses a wide variety of styles, artists, and musical forms. Though it is often thought of as a catch-all category for any music that is popular, there are actually many different subgenres and subcategories within pop music. In order to properly analyze and understand pop music, it is important to first understand the different approaches to textual analysis. This section will provide an overview of the different approaches to textual analysis in pop music.
Lyrics
Popular music is, first and foremost, a sonic medium; however, the role of the pop song lyric has been central to debates about the nature, meaning and value of popular music since the medium’s beginnings. In this chapter we approach the analysis of pop lyrics from three vantage points. First, we consider the basic elements of lyrical composition. Second, we examine some of the ways that lyrics have been used to convey ideological messages. Finally, we discuss how sociolinguistic approaches can contribute to our understanding of pop lyrical texts.
Music
Music is often thought of as the most abstract of the arts, and, compared to verbal or visual texts, musical meaning may indeed seem more elusive. However, recent approaches to the analysis of popular music have demonstrated that musical texts are in fact highly structured, and that analysis of these structures can reveal a great deal about the ways in which meaning is conveyed in popular music.
One important way in which meaning is conveyed in music is through the use of genre conventions. Genre conventions are those things that we expect to find in a particular type of music, and they include everything from song form and instrumentation to lyrical themes and vocal style. By understanding how genre conventions work, we can begin to see how they can be used to create meaning in a piece of music.
Another important way in which meaning is conveyed in music is through the use of repetition and variation. Repetition is used to establish a musical idea or motif, while variation is used to create interest and contrast. By understanding how these two devices work, we can see how they can be used to create both unity and diversity within a piece of music.
Ultimately, by understanding how musical meaning is conveyed through both genre conventions and repetition/variation, we can develop a deeper understanding of the ways in which pop music operates as a text.
Music Videos
Though most pop music includes a visual element, the music video has become its own distinct art form, one that is inextricably linked to the genre. In many ways, the music video can be seen as the natural evolution of the traditional “promotional film” that has long been used to sell records. However, whereas promotional films were typically simplistic performance footage or lip-synched footage set to the song’s audio track, music videos are much more complex and often seek to tell a story or create a mood that supplements or enhances the song’s message.
Often, music videos will borrow heavily from other film and television genres, such as the musical, the action movie, the sitcom, etc. This can make them rich sources of interpretation, as we can analyze how they use and adapt elements from these other genres. Additionally, because they are usually created by professional directors and producers rather than the musicians themselves, they offer insight into how outsiders view and interpret the artist and their work.
When analyzing a music video, there are a few key elements to keep in mind:
-The plot/narrative: what is happening in the video?
-The visuals: what do we see onscreen? How does this supplement or enhance the song’s message?
-The performers: how do they interact with each other and with their environment? What kind of characters do they seem to be?
-The setting: where does the video take place? How does this affect our interpretation of the video?
-The style: what kind of techniques are used in the video? What effect do they have on our experience of it?
Conclusion
In conclusion, this book has provided an overview of some of the approaches that can be taken when analyzing the lyrics of popular songs. By looking at the literal meaning of the words, the cultural context in which the song was written, and the genre conventions that it fits into, we can gain a greater understanding of how popular music works. There is no one right way to approach textual analysis, and different people will emphasize different aspects depending on their own interests and perspectives. However, by considering all of these factors, we can get a more well-rounded view of what a particular song is trying to communicate.
