How Did Pop Music Originate?
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How did pop music originate? In the late 1940s, the term “pop music” was used to describe songs that were catchier and had a lighter feel than typical jazz or blues numbers
The Origins 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.
The 1950s
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 can include any style).
Popular music is stylistically diverse, and often borrows elements from other styles such as urban, dance, rock, Latin, and country. Conversely, pop music has been increasingly assimilated into other genres of popular music, resulting in a more homogenized pop sound.
The 1950s saw the birth of rock and roll, which drew influences from rhythm and blues, country, and jazz. Rock and roll revolutionized popular music in the United States in the late 1940s and early 1950s. The style quickly spread to other countries, notably the United Kingdom, where it developed into British rock and roll.
In the 1960s, pop music increasingly merged with other genres to form new subgenres, such as psychedelic rock (which blended elements of garage rock, R&B, folk, bluesrock), surf rock (which blended aspects of country western, jazz chords progressions with Hawaiian sounds), bubblegum pop (a subgenre marked by catchy melodies and simple chord progressions), pomp pop (characterized by an overblown production style), garage punk (a rawer version of garage rock), soft rock (which drew influence from singer-songwriter & folk-rock styles), glam rock (which was influenced by art-rock & showtunes as well as fashion), power pop (similar to bubblegum pop but with tougher guitar work), mod pop(a merger of British Invasion & R&B styles) new wave( incorporating punk & post punk influences) synth-pop( fusing elements of disco & avant-garde electronic music)
During the 1970s – a time when American society was marked by political turmoil (such as the Vietnam War and Watergate scandal) , social unrest (such as the women’s rights movement and civil rights movement) – many different genres of music emerged including: disco (a genre influenced by funk & soul that dominated dance clubs in the late 1970s), soft rock( which became increasingly popular on AM radio stations), hard rock( which became popular among young people in rebellion against disco’s popularity ), progressive rock( a genre melding together classical , electronic ,and experimental influences ), punk rock( a type of aggressive , fast pacedRock characterized by short songs , stripped down instrumentation ,and political lyrics ), new wave( drawing upon Punk’s DIY aesthetic but adding elements of synthesizers & disco beats ), funk( a type of R&B that incorporated aspects of Soul , Psychedelic Rock , Jazz , & Latin rhythms ), reggae( a type originating from Jamaica that was strongly influenced by African American R&B & Calypso ), ska(( another form or reggae that added elements New Orleans R&Bvocal harmonies to the mix ) hip hop/rap( a genre defined by 4 key stylistic element: MCing/rappingy’appellations/toasts’DJing/scratchingbreak dancing ). Post punk also emerged in this decade .
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The 1960s
The origins of pop music can be traced back to the late 19th century, when a popular style known as “light opera” or “opera comique” emerged in France and Italy. These shows, which combines elements of drama, comedy and music, were extremely popular with audiences of all ages.
In the early 20th century, a new form of light opera known as “musical comedy” became popular in the United States. This style of music was characterized by catchy tunes, simple lyrics and often humorous subject matter. Many of the most famous composers of musical comedy, such as Irving Berlin and Cole Porter, wrote songs that would later become pop standards.
The first real breakout star of pop music was a singer named Al Jolson. Jolson’s style combined elements of light opera, musical comedy and vaudeville, and his performances were immensely popular with both young and old audiences. Jolson’s biggest hit song, “Swanee,” became an instant classic and helped to establish pop music as a distinct genre.
Pop music continued to evolve in the United States throughout the first half of the 20th century. In the 1950s, a new style known as rock ‘n’ roll emerged, showcasing a heavier sound and more rebellious attitude than previous pop styles. Artists such as Elvis Presley and Chuck Berry became superstars with their unique blend of rock, blues and country music.
By the 1960s, pop music had become truly global in scope. The Beatles were perhaps the most famous pop group of all time, blending elements of rock ‘n’ roll with British Invasion-style garage rock to create a sound that was both fresh and timeless. The Beatles’ success helped to usher in a new era of global superstardom for other artists such as Madonna, Michael Jackson and Prince.
The 1970s
The 1970s saw the birth of pop music as we know it today. A combination of factors, including the rise of the teen market, the development of new technology, and a shift in musical taste, all came together to create a new sound that would dominate the charts for years to come.
One of the biggest factors in the rise of pop music was the growth of the teen market. In the early 1970s, baby boomers were coming of age and they had disposable income to spend on music. Records that were marketed to teens became some of the best-selling albums of the decade.
Another important factor was the development of new technology. In the 1960s, musicians had begun experimenting with ways to create new sounds using electronic instruments. This continued in the 1970s, and artists like David Bowie and Kraftwerk were at the forefront of this change. By creating records that were specifically designed for dancing, they helped to create a new genre known as disco.
Finally, there was a shift in musical taste during this period. In the early 1970s, bands like Led Zeppelin and Black Sabbath were becoming hugely popular with young people. But by the middle of the decade, audiences were starting to tire of this type of hard rock music. They began to look for something that was more fun and upbeat. This paved the way for acts like ABBA and The Bee Gees to find success with their catchy pop tunes.
The Evolution of Pop Music
Pop music originated in the United States in the early 20th century. It is a style of popular music that is characterized by a simple, catchy melody and a strong beat. Pop music is often repetitive and has a hook, or a phrase that is repeated several times throughout the song.
The 1980s
While the 1970s saw the rise of disco, punk rock and other genres, the 1980s is often thought of as the decade when pop music really took off. One of the biggest names to come out of the 1980s was Madonna, who released her first album in 1983. Madonna fused together dance music, pop and even a bit of opera to create her own unique sound, and her popularity snowballed from there. Other big names in pop music during the 1980s included Michael Jackson, Prince and Whitney Houston.
The popularity of MTV also had a big impact on pop music in the 1980s. MTV helped to make music videos an important part of any artist’s promotion, and many artists created flashy, visually-stunning videos to go along with their hits. Some of the most iconic music videos from the 1980s include Madonna’s “Like a Prayer” and Jackson’s “Thriller.”
The sound of pop music changed quite a bit during the 1980s as well. Synthesizers and drum machines became more prevalent, giving many songs a more electronic feel. This was especially true for dance tracks, which often made use of synthesized bass lines to get listeners moving. The new sound of pop was sleek and polished, a far cry from the rougher edges of punk or disco.
While the 1980s is often remembered as a decade of excess, it was also a decade that saw tremendous growth for pop music. The industry exploded in popularity and artists like Madonna helped to pave the way for future generations of pop stars.
The 1990s
In the early-1990s, a genre known as “assets rock” formed. Assets rock is a combination of various rock genres including alternative rock, grunge, and punk rock. This new genre was created as a response to the over-produced and overly polished music that was popular in the 1980s. Some of the most popular assets rock bands included Nirvana, Pearl Jam, and Soundgarden.
The 2000s
The mid-2000s saw the rise of electronic dance music (EDM), which became increasingly popular with young people around the world. EDM is characterized by a heavy use of synthesizers, drum machines, and computer effects, and it often has a repeating, hypnotic beat. In the 2010s, EDM began to increasingly incorporate elements of pop music, resulting in a new genre known as pop-EDM or “EDM-pop.”
Pop music in the 2000s was also influenced by hip hop and R&B. This can be seen in the popularity of “crunk” music, which is a type of Southern hip hop that is characterized by its fast tempo and party-like atmosphere. Crunk developers Lil Jon and Ying Yang Twins were some of the most popular artists of the early 2000s.
The late 2000s saw the rise of “bro-country,” a subgenre of country music that is targeted toward young male audiences. Bro-country is typified by its focus on drinking, women, and partying, as well as its use of electric guitars and other rock instrumentation. Some popular bro-country artists includeFlorida Georgia Line, Luke Bryan, and Jason Aldean.
The Popularity of Pop Music
Popular music is a genre of music that is accessible to the masses and has a wide appeal. It is usually catchy and easy to sing along to. Pop music is often thought of as being produced by the recording industry and aimed at a teenage audience. However, the origins of pop music are actually much more diverse.
The 2010s
The 2010s saw the rise of pop music as a dominant genre. Billboard magazine’s ranking of the top 100 songs of the decade indicated that pop music was the most popular genre, with 47% of songs classified as such. In addition, 64% of the top 50 songs were classified as pop. Hip hop also rose to prominence in the 2010s, with artists such as Drake, Cardi B, and Kendrick Lamar achieving commercial and critical success.