What Exactly Is Pop Music?
What exactly is pop music? It’s a question that’s been asked for decades, and one that’s still hotly debated today. In this blog post, we’ll take a look at what pop music is, where it came from, and how it’s evolved over the years.
Defining Pop Music
Pop music is a genre of popular music that originated in its modern form in the United States and United Kingdom during the mid-1950s. The terms “popular music” and “pop music” are often used interchangeably, although the former describes all music that is popular and includes many different styles.
The etymology of “pop music”
The term “pop music” was first used in 1926, in an article in the British music magazine Melody Maker. The writer, Gilbert Chase, comments that “… most of England’s great popular piano composers of the past 40 years [have been] making hits”. However, it was only a few months later that the same magazine found that the “true meaning” of the term pop music was being “widely misunderstood”.
Chase wrote in a follow-up article that “…pop music is not art music at all. It is commercial, connecting with broad masses of people… It is manufactured by recording companies who market and promote it through all possible channels”.
The term “pop music” has since been used in a variety of ways, but always with reference to popular or popular culture. It has been used to describe everything from rock and roll to disco, from soul to hip hop. In recent years, it has often been used as a synonym for mainstream pop.
The history of pop music
Many people associate pop music with top 40 hits, but the genre is actually quite vast and includes anything that is popular at a given moment in time. While the term “popular music” has been around since the early 20th century, it was not until the 1950s that the term “pop music” became commonly used.
The history of pop music can be traced back to the early days of rock and roll, when artists like Elvis Presley and Chuck Berry were topping the charts. Pop music continued to evolve in the 1960s with the rise of British Invasion bands like The Beatles and The Rolling Stones, and Motown acts like Marvin Gaye and Diana Ross. In the 1970s, disco took over as the most popular genre, followed by punk rock in the 1980s.
Today, pop music encompasses a wide range of subgenres, from electronic dance music (EDM) to hip-hop to country. While some purists may argue that certain genres don’t belong under the “pop music” umbrella, at the end of the day it all comes down to what is popular at any given moment.
The Characteristics of Pop Music
Pop music is a genre of popular music that originated in its modern form in the United States and United Kingdom during the mid-1950s. The terms “popular music” and “pop music” are often used interchangeably, although the former describes all music that is popular and includes many different styles. Pop music is eclectic, and often borrows elements from other styles such as urban, dance, rock, Latin, and country.
Pop music is catchy and easy to remember
Pop music is known for being catchy and easy to remember. This is because the hooks – the central part of the song that is most memorable – are often repeated several times. In addition, the melodies are usually quite simple and easy to sing along to. The lyrics are also usually about love or other relatable topics.
Pop music is often produced by professional songwriters
Pop music is a genre of popular music that originated in its modern form in the United States and United Kingdom during the mid-1950s. The terms “popular music” and “pop music” are often used interchangeably, although the former describes all music that is popular and includes many different styles.
Pop songs are generally composed by professional songwriters and producers who then pitch the songs to record labels. A&R staff at the labels work with radio pluggers to promote the songs to station programmers. If a song becomes popular, it is said to have “broken out” and may be added to the station’s regular rotation of played tracks.
Pop music is often about love and relationships
Pop songs often deal with the topic of love and relationships. This is one of the most popular themes in pop music, and it has been present since the genre’s early days. Love songs can be happy or sad, but they usually have a positive message. Many pop songs are about young love, but there are also many songs about lost love and heartbreak.
The Popularity of Pop Music
Pop music is a type of popular music that many people enjoy listening to. It is usually a mix of different genres, including rock, hip hop, and R&B. Pop music is often catchy and easy to sing along to. It is also usually pretty upbeat, which can make it a good choice for parties and other gatherings.
Pop music is popular because it is accessible
Pop music is popular because it is accessible. It is easy to listen to and easy to sing along with. Pop music is also often considered to be more of a ‘commercial’ genre, as it is designed to appeal to as many people as possible.
There are many different sub-genres of pop music, each with their own sound and style. However, the one common thread between all pop music is that it should be enjoyable and easy to listen to.
Pop music is popular because it is often catchy and easy to remember
Pop music is popular because it is often catchy and easy to remember. The appeal of pop music can be found in its simplicity; it is often based on a strong melody and clear, relatable lyrics. Pop music is also accessible; it does not require a lot of musical knowledge to enjoy it. This genre is often geared towards a younger audience, but pop music can be enjoyed by people of all ages.
While some people may write pop music off as being shallow or unserious, the truth is that this genre can be complex and nuanced. Pop songs often reflect the zeitgeist, offering listeners a window into the cultural issues and trends of the time. Additionally, many pop songs are incredibly well-crafted, with producers and songwriters putting a lot of thought and effort into creating hits.
Pop music is popular because it is often about love and relationships
Love and relationships are two of the most popular topics in pop music. Songs about love are often very popular, and many pop songs are about specific relationships. For example, Taylor Swift’s “Love Story” and “We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together” were both about specific relationships that she had. Other popular songs about love include “All You Need Is Love” by The Beatles, “I Will Always Love You” by Whitney Houston, and “Love Me Like You Do” by Ellie Goulding.
Songs about relationships can also be popular, even if they are not necessarily love songs. For example, Justin Bieber’s “Sorry” is a song about a relationship that has ended. Other popular songs about relationships include “The Boy Is Mine” by Brandy and Monica, “IRL” by Kehlani, and “Work From Home” by Fifth Harmony.
