Pop Music in English: 2012

This article is a collaborative effort, crafted and edited by a team of dedicated professionals.

Contributors: Andranick Tanguiane, Fred Lerdahl,

Contents

Introduction
The History of Pop Music
The Evolution of Pop Music
The Popularity of Pop Music
The Future of Pop Music

This blog is all about Pop Music in English: 2012. We will be discussing the latest and greatest hits from this year, so stay tuned!

Introduction

This is a guide to the main types of pop music in English that were popular in 2012. The three main types are:

– chart pop
– dance music
– urban (or R&B)

Each of these has subgenres, which are described below. You might also hear people talk about other genres such as rock, indie and hip hop, but these are not as mainstream as the ones listed here.

The History 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.

Early pop music

Generally, pop music is understood to be commercially recorded music with the goal of having mass audience appeal, with an emphasis on short, catchy melodies backed by audible beats. Pop music typically exists in a song format, although some pop bands use different musical structures such as extended plays (EPs), albums, or singles with multiple songs.

The origin of pop music is one of intense debate and varied interpretations among scholars and fans alike. One theory suggests that it derived from African-American rhythm and blues, while another claims that it originated from British Invasion bands such as The Beatles or The Rolling Stones. Regardless of its origin, pop music has had a profound impact on society, shaping attitudes, lifestyles, and values.

The Beatles and the British Invasion

Mentioning the Beatles in a piece about pop music is a bit like mentioning Shakespeare in a piece about literature – it’s simply impossible to overstate their importance. The Beatles were not only the greatest and most popular group of the 1960s, they were also one of the most important bands of all time, their influence on subsequent generations of musicians exceeding even that of their predecessors, the Rolling Stones. The Beatles revolutionized pop music, and their influence can still be felt today, more than 50 years after they first burst onto the scene.

The Beatles were formed in Liverpool in 1960, and originally consisted of John Lennon (guitar), Paul McCartney (bass), George Harrison (guitar) and Ringo Starr (drums). They quickly became wildly popular in Britain, and in 1963 they released their first single, “Please Please Me,” which topped the British charts. That same year, they released their debut album, “Please Please Me,” which also topped the British charts.

In 1964, the Beatles embarked on their first tour of America, appearing on “The Ed Sullivan Show” to an estimated audience of 73 million viewers. They were immediately hailed as superstars, and their popularity quickly spread throughout the world. Over the next few years, they released a string of classic albums and singles, including “Help!” (1965), “Rubber Soul” (1965), “Revolver” (1966), “Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band” (1967) and “The White Album” (1968). In 1969, they released their final album, “Abbey Road.”

While the Beatles were enormously popular and influential, they were not without their critics. Some accused them of promoting drug use and decadence, while others criticized their music as being simple and catchy but ultimately shallow. Nonetheless, there is no denying that the Beatles changed pop music forever, and their influence can still be felt today.

The rise of Motown

In the late 1950s and early 1960s, a number of small record labels sprang up in the United States specializing in a new style of music called rock and roll. One of the most successful of these was Motown Records, founded in Detroit, Michigan, in 1959 by Berry Gordy Jr. The label’s first big hit came in1960 with “Shop Around” by The Miracles, followed by a string of chart-topping singles over the next few years from acts such as Stevie Wonder, The Supremes, Marvin Gaye, and The Temptations. Launched as a black alternative to mainstream pop, Motown quickly became one of the most popular music genres in the country. By the 1970s, its sound had been adopted by white artists such as Elvis Presley and The Beatles, helping to make it one of the most influential movements in popular music history.

The Evolution of Pop Music

Over the past few years, pop music has undergone a drastic transformation. The days of Britney Spears and *NSYNC are long gone, and we are now in an era of music dominated by Drake, Kendrick Lamar, and Cardi B. But what exactly has changed? Let’s take a look at the evolution of pop music.

The influence of disco

In the late 1970s, a new type of pop music called disco was born. This was a time when people loved to go out dancing, and disco music was the perfect genre to help them get their groove on. The most famous disco song of all time is ” Stayin’ Alive” by the Bee Gees. This song helped to make disco one of the most popular genres of music in the world.

However, not everyone was a fan of disco. Some people thought that it was too sexually suggestive, and they didn’t like the way that it encouraged people to dress and behave in a certain way. In 1979, there was even a movie called ” Disco Fever” which showed how some people felt about the disco craze.

Eventually, disco started to decline in popularity, and by the early 1980s, it was no longer as popular as it once was. However, its influence can still be heard in today’s pop music. Many modern pop songs contain elements of disco, and some artists have even made entire albums that are inspired by the genre.

The birth of hip hop

The first hip hop music was created in the early 1970s by DJs who were playing records at block parties and clubs in New York City. These DJs would play music with a heavy beat, which people would dance to. They would also talk over the music, using a microphone, to hype up the crowd. This style of music became known as hip hop.

The first hip hop song that was recorded and released commercially was “Rapper’s Delight” by the Sugarhill Gang in 1979. This song became a hit, and began the rise of hip hop as a genre of popular music.

Since then, hip hop has evolved and changed, with new styles and subgenres constantly emerging. Today, hip hop is one of the most popular genres of music in the world, with artists such as Jay-Z, Kendrick Lamar, and Lil Wayne achieving mainstream success.

The influence of electronic music

The influence of electronic music can be heard in many pop songs released in recent years. This type of music has become increasingly popular, thanks in part to the rise of technology. Electronic music is created using various electronic instruments and equipment, such as synthesizers, drum machines, and computers.

Many popular songs nowadays feature elements of electronic music. For example, the hit song “Somebody That I Used to Know” by Gotye features a prominent synthesizer riff throughout the song. The use of synthesizers is also common in modern pop songs such as “Call Me Maybe” by Carly Rae Jepsen and “We Can’t Stop” by Miley Cyrus.

The popularity of electronic music has led to the rise of several popular DJs and producers, such as Calvin Harris and Skrillex. These artists have been able to achieve mainstream success by creating catchy pop songs with a heavy electronic influence. It is clear that electronic music is here to stay, and it will continue to have a major impact on the sound of pop music in the years to come.

The Popularity of Pop Music

The popularity of pop music in the United States

According to a 2012 report by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), pop music is the most popular genre in the United States. The report, which was based on data from Nielsen SoundScan, showed that pop music sales accounted for 26.1% of all music sales in the country. This was followed by rock (24%), country (14.6%), R&B/hip-hop (11.5%), and Latin (3.9%) music.

The report also showed that digital sales have overtaken physical sales in the United States. In 2012, digital sales accounted for 50.3% of all music sales in the country, while physical sales made up 49.7%. This marks the first time that digital sales have surpassed physical sales in the United States.

The popularity of pop music in the United Kingdom

Pop music is eclectic, and often borrows elements from other styles such as urban, dance, rock, Latin, and country. Identifying factors include generally short to medium-length songs written in a verse–chorus form, as well as the common employment of repeated choruses, melodic tunes, and hooks. Pop music rarely has absolutely negative emotional meaning; lyrics often deal with general themes such as love, friendship, peace, hope, etc.

The popularity of pop music in the United Kingdom was initially sporadic before it reached its peak during the 1960s with artists such as The Beatles and The Rolling Stones. Since then, British pop music has produced some of the world’s most successful artists including Queen, Robbie Williams and Adele.

The popularity of pop music in other countries

While the United States has always been considered the home of pop music, the genre has become increasingly popular in other countries in recent years. In fact, some of the biggest names in pop music are now coming from countries outside the US, including Canada, the UK, and Australia.

There are a number of reasons for the growing popularity of pop music in other countries. One is simply that the internet and social media have made it easier for people around the world to discover and connect with artists from different cultures. At the same time, the globalization of the music industry has made it easier for foreign artists to find success in America and other English-speaking markets.

This trend is likely to continue in the coming years, as more and more listeners around the world are exposed to pop music from other cultures.

The Future of Pop Music

It’s no secret that English is the language of pop music. In 2012, more than half of the songs that topped the Billboard charts were sung in English. This trend is only going to continue in the future, as the world becomes more and more connected. English is the language of the internet, and it’s the language that young people all over the world are learning.

The influence of digital technology

As digital technology has become more and more commonplace, its impact on the music industry has been profound. The way music is produced, distributed, and consumed has been transformed, and the business of pop music has been forced to adjust.

One of the most significant changes has been the increase in DIY production and distribution. With the advent of platforms like Soundcloud and Bandcamp, it’s become easier than ever for artists to produce and release their music without the need for a record label. This has led to a decrease in the power of labels, and an increase in the power of independent artists.

Not all of these changes have been positive, however. The rise of digital piracy has been a major problem for the music industry, as it’s become much easier to illegally download or stream music online. This has led to a decrease in sales, as people are less likely to pay for music when they can get it for free. The industry is still trying to figure out how to combat this problem, but so far no solution has been found.

Despite all of these challenges, pop music continues to be one of the most popular genres in the world. In 2012, sales of digital music reached an all-time high, and there’s no sign that this trend is going to reverse any time soon. As long as there are people who enjoy listening to pop music, it will continue to thrive.

In recent years, social media has had a major impact on the music industry and the way that artists promote and release their music. In 2012, we saw a number of artists using social media platforms like Twitter and Facebook to connect with their fans and build excitement around their new releases. For example, Justin Bieber used Twitter to announce the release of his new album, Believe, and Taylor Swift used Facebook to launch her latest single, “We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together.”

We expect that this trend will continue in 2013, as more and more artists turn to social media to connect with their fans and promote their music. In addition, we think that social media will play an even bigger role in the success of up-and-coming artists, who will use it to reach a wider audience and build a following.

The influence of streaming services

The last few years have seen a major change in the way people consume music. With the rise of streaming services like Spotify and Apple Music, more and more people are listening to music online instead of buying CDs or downloading MP3s. This has had a big impact on the pop music industry, and it’s likely to continue in the future.

One of the biggest changes has been the way that hits are determined. In the past, the song that sold the most copies or was played the most on radio was typically considered to be the “hit” for that year. But now, with streaming services, there are many more ways for people to listen to music, and a song’s popularity is no longer just about sales and radio play. Hits are now determined by things like how many times a song is played on Spotify, how many YouTube views it gets, and how much social media buzz it generates.

This has led to some big changes in the sound of pop music. In recent years, we’ve seen a move away from traditional pop songs towards shorter, catchier songs that are easy to listen to on repeat. This is because people are more likely to play a song multiple times if it’s shorter and easier to remember. We’ve also seen a rise in collaborative songs, as artists team up with each other to reach new audiences. And thanks to social media, we’re seeing more international artists breaking into the mainstream than ever before.

It’s impossible to say exactly what the future of pop music will hold, but one thing is for sure: streaming services are going to continue to have a big impact on the sound and style of mainstream pop.

Pop Music in English: 2012

Introduction