How Did Pop Music Start? A Brief History

A comprehensive guide on the origins of pop music and how it has changed over the years.

Introduction

Musicologists generally agree that pop music, as we know it, began in the mid-1950s with the advent of rock and roll. But what exactly is pop music? And where did it come from?

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.

So where did pop music come from? In order to understand the origins of pop music, we have to take a look at the history of popular music in general. Popular music is a term that describes all music that is favored by the public. It includes all genres and subgenres of commercial music, including country, blues, jazz, rhythm and blues, rock and roll, folk, soul, hip hop, electronic, etc. Basically, if people are buying it and listening to it, it’s considered pop music.

The Early Days of Pop Music

In the late 1940s, a new type of music emerged that would change the sound of music forever. This new sound was called “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 Birth of Rock and Roll

In the early 1950s, a new type of music began to take shape on the African-American side of town. Called “rock and roll,” it was a hard-driving blend of rhythm and blues and country music that was geared to teenagers and quickly became very popular. The first rock and roll recording was made by a white singer, Bill Haley, whose song “Rock Around the Clock” became a huge hit in 1955. But it was the black performers who really started rock and roll. They included Fats Domino, Chuck Berry, Bo Diddley, Little Richard, and Jerry Lee Lewis. They sang about things that mattered to them--cars, girls, and having a good time. They played their guitars loud and their music was full of energy. It was the perfect music for dancing, and teenagers all over America did just that--danced to rock and roll whenever they could.

The popularity of rock and roll created a problem for some people. They thought the music was too loud and too wild. They also thought it promoted bad behavior among teenagers. As a result, many adults tried to stop youngsters from listening to it. But they didn’t succeed. Rock and roll was here to stay.

The British Invasion

The British Invasion was a period in the mid-1960s when rock and pop music acts from the United Kingdom and other parts of Europe, including the Beatles, Rolling Stones, and Herman’s Hermits, became popular in the United States. It started with the success of the Beatles in 1964 and lasted until around 1967. The British Invasion was spearheaded by four young men from Liverpool who conquered America with their infectious brand of rock ‘n’ roll: John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, and Ringo Starr—aka the Beatles. In just three years, the band released 12 albums (11 in Britain), scored 21 No. 1 hits on the Billboard charts (20 in Britain), and performed to sold-out audiences on two massive U.S. tours. They were an international sensation, beloved by teens and adults alike. Other British bands quickly followed in the Beatles’ wake, including the Rolling Stones, Herman’s Hermits, Gerry and the Pacemakers, Dusty Springfield, Petula Clark, Chad & Jeremy, and Cilla Black.

The Evolution 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 diverse styles. Pop music is eclectic, and often borrows elements from other styles such as urban, dance, rock, Latin, and country.

The Rise of Disco

While the 1960s is generally considered the dawn of pop music, it wasn’t until the 1970s that the genre truly exploded in popularity. And no artist was more emblematic of this surge than the Bee Gees. The English-Australian brothers – Barry, Robin, and Maurice Gibb – got their start in the music industry in the early 1960s, but it wasn’t until the release of their disco-infused album “Saturday Night Fever” in 1977 that they found widespread commercial success.

With hits like “Stayin’ Alive” and “How Deep is Your Love,” the Bee Gees helped to popularize disco music around the world. And while disco would eventually fall out of favor in the early 1980s, its influence can still be felt in many modern pop songs.

The Birth of Hip Hop

Pop music is often thought of as a relatively recent phenomenon, but its origins can be traced back to the early 20th century. One of the earliest forms of popular music was jazz, which emerged in the 1920s. Jazz was a fusion of African American and European music traditions, and it quickly became hugely popular, particularly among young people. In the 1930s and 1940s, another style of popular music known as swing also became popular. Swing was a type of jazz that was more danceable and often featured big band ensembles.

In the 1950s, a new type of music known as rock ‘n’ roll emerged. Rock ‘n’ roll was a fusion of African American rhythm and blues with white European pop and country music. The first rock ‘n’ roll hit was “Rock Around the Clock” by Bill Haley and His Comets, which topped the charts in 1955. Rock ‘n’ roll quickly became highly popular with young people, especially teenagers.

In the late 1960s and early 1970s, a new type of pop music known as disco became popular. Disco was heavily influenced by soul music and featured repetitive beats that were perfect for dancing. The first disco hit was “Love to Love You Baby” by Donna Summer, which topped the charts in 1975. Disco continued to be popular throughout the 1970s before waning in popularity in the early 1980s.

In the 1980s, a new type of pop music known as hip hop emerged. Hip hop was influenced by disco but featured rap vocals instead of singing. The first hip hop hit was “Rapper’s Delight” by The Sugarhill Gang, which topped the charts in 1979. Hip hop quickly became hugely popular with young people, particularly inner-city African Americans and Latinos

The Modern Era of Pop Music

Pop music originated in the mid-1950s as a form of light entertainment that was easy to listen to and had a simple structure that was easy to follow. The first pop song is generally considered to be “Rock Around the Clock” by Bill Haley and His Comets, which was released in 1954. Pop music continued to evolve in the 1960s with the addition of elements from other genres, such as soul, R&B, and psychedelic rock. By the end of the decade, pop music had become one of the most popular genres in the world.

The Rise of Electronic Dance Music

In the late 1990s and early 2000s, a new type of pop music known as electronic dance music (EDM) began to rise in popularity. EDM is a type of music that is made using electronic instruments and is often played at nightclubs and music festivals.

One of the most popular subgenres of EDM is trance, which was started in the early 1990s by German DJs like Sven Vath and Paul van Dyk. Trance music is characterized by its hypnotic, dreamlike melodies and beats. Another popular subgenre of EDM is house, which originated in Chicago in the 1980s. House music is known for its soulful vocals and funky basslines.

In the 2010s, EDM began to achieve mainstream success thanks to artists like Avicii, Calvin Harris, and Swedish House Mafia. These artists helped to bring EDM into the mainstream by producing catchy pop songs with an electronic dance sound. Today, EDM is one of the most popular genres of pop music and continues to grow in popularity each year.

The Return of Pop

In the early 2000s, pop music made a comeback with a new generation of artists such as Britney Spears, Christina Aguilera, Justin Timberlake, and others. These artists brought a new sound and style to the genre, infusing it with R&B and hip-hop influences. This new era of pop music was also characterized by more sexually explicit lyrics and images than in previous decades.

Despite its detractors, pop music continues to be one of the most popular genres in the world, enjoyed by people of all ages. Its popularity is likely due to its catchy melodies and easy-to-understand lyrics, which make it accessible to a wide audience. As long as there are listeners who enjoy catchy tunes and simple lyrics, pop music will likely remain one of the most popular genres around.

Conclusion

The answer to the question “how did pop music start?” is actually quite complicated. There are many different factors that contributed to the development of pop music, and it has evolved significantly over time.

Pop music began to develop in the early 20th century, with influences from a variety of genres including folk, blues, jazz, and classical music. The term “pop music” was first used in the 1930s, but it wasn’t until the 1950s that it became a mainstream genre.

During the 1950s and 1960s, pop music became increasingly popular, with artists such as the Beatles and Elvis Presley becoming household names. In the 1970s, disco and punk rock emerged as two of the most popular genres of pop music.

Today, pop music is one of the most popular genres in the world, with artists such as Beyonce, Justin Bieber, and Taylor Swift achieving global success.