A History of Pop Music
Contents
A history of popular music over the last century, from early blues and jazz to rock and roll and beyond.
Origins of pop music
Pop music is a genre of popular music that emerged in the mid-1950s. The term “pop music” was first used in the early 1950s to describe the music that came out of the commercial jukebox, radio, and phonograph industry. This type of music was different from the previous generation of music, which was referred to as “popular music.”
Early influence of African-American music
The early influence of African-American music on popular music used a number of elements. The most obvious was the use of call and response patterns, [3] which are still used in African-American music today. [4] Аnother element was the incorporation of African instruments, such as the banjo. [5] The use of blues progressions can also be traced back to African-American music; for instance, “St. James Infirmary Blues” uses a typical blues structure, with the addition of a bridge section not usually found in blues songs. [6] Pop music also borrowed extensively from dance music; for example, New Orleans brass bands would often play at Cajun dances, which were themselves based on earlier African dances. [7]
The influence of African-American music on popular music did not end with the advent of rock and roll in the 1950s; it continued to exert an influence through newer styles such as soul and funk. [8] In turn, these genres would go on to exert a major influence on pop music throughout the rest of the 20th century.
The influence of European classical music
The origins of pop music can be traced back to the mid-19th century, when a mix of European classical and folk music started to become popular in the United States. One of the first genres of pop music to emerge was European classical music, which began to be popularized in the early 1800s. This genre was heavily influential on subsequent genres of pop music, such as jazz, rock and roll, and rhythm and blues.
The influence of American folk 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. Popular music is eclectic, and often borrows elements from other styles such as urban, dance, rock, Latin, and country.
American folk music was an important influence on the development of pop music. Folk songs were often adapted for pop audiences and became hits in their own right. Folk artists such as Woody Guthrie, Pete Seeger, andJoan Baez were also highly influential in shaping the sound and style of early pop music.
The development of pop music
The first pop music chart was published in the United Kingdom in 1952. The chart was based on sales of sheet music and was called the NME chart. In the 1960s, pop music began to move away from traditional song structures. The Beatles were at the forefront of this movement with their album “Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band.” This album was different from anything that had come before it and it changed the way that pop music was made.
The rise of popular music in the early 20th century
The rise of popular music in the early 20th century was due in large part to the increasing popularity of radio and the spread of pop music. Radio had a profound impact on the development of pop music, as it allowed for the dissemination of new and popular songs to a wide audience. The popularity of pop music was further bolstered by the advent of phonograph records and other forms of mass media, which allowed for greater exposure to new and popular songs.
In the early years of the 20th century, several factors converged to create a perfect storm for the rise of pop music. First, the spread of radio increased access to new and popular music. Second, phonograph records and other forms of mass media made it possible for people to hear new and popular songs on a regular basis. Third, the rise of commercialism in the music industry led to a proliferation of new and popular songs. And fourth, social changes in the early 20th century created a more receptive audience for pop music.
The first half of the 20th century was a golden age for pop music, as numerous factors came together to create a perfect storm for its rise.
The influence of rock and roll in the 1950s
In the early 1950s, a new type of music known as rock and roll began to develop. This style of music was a blend of African American rhythm and blues with white country music. Rock and roll was very popular with young people, and it quickly became one of the most popular genres of music. Many famous rock and roll musicians, such as Elvis Presley and Chuck Berry, emerged during this time.
The British Invasion of the 1960s
In the early 1960s, Britain was experiencing a “second cultural revolution”, which saw the development of a vibrant youth culture. This was also the era of the so-called “British Invasion” of America, when a number of British bands and artists, including the Beatles, the Rolling Stones, and Dusty Springfield, achieved widespread popularity in the United States.
During this period, pop music became increasingly accessible and reached a wider audience than ever before. It also became more commercialized and appeal to a young demographic. As a result, it began to be seen as a threat by some sections of society.
In 1964, the American National Association of Broadcasters released its now-famous “payola” report, which accused radio stations of accepting money in exchange for playing certain records. This led to a major scandal and an investigation by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC).
The investigation revealed that some radio stations were indeed accepting payments for airplay, but it was not widespread enough to be considered collusion. However, the damage had been done and pop music’s reputation was tarnished.
Despite this setback, pop music continued to grow in popularity and by the end of the 1960s it had become an integral part of popular culture.
The rise of disco in the 1970s
The rise of disco in the 1970s
Disco was a new style of dance music that emerged in the early 1970s. It was initially popular among African American and Latino audiences in New York City, but quickly spread to other parts of the United States and Europe. Disco became one of the most popular genres of music in the 1970s, with iconic artists such as Donna Summer, The Bee Gees, and Chic. The popularity of disco peaked in the late 1970s, but it continued to influence other genres of music throughout the 1980s and 1990s.
The advent of hip hop in the 1980s
In the 1980s, hip hop music was introduced to the mainstream masses for the first time. This genre of music was developed in the South Bronx area of New York City by African American and Latino youths. Hip hop music consists of a DJ mixing sampled tracks from other songs to create a new, original song. The lyrics are typically about topics such as street life, parties, social issues and trends.
In the early 1980s, hip hop music was mostly confined to underground nightclubs and illegal street parties. It wasn’t until the release of Afrika Bambaataa’s 1982 single “Planet Rock” that this type of music began to gain mainstream popularity. By the end of the decade, hip hop music had become a global phenomenon with artists such as Run-DMC, Public Enemy and Beastie Boys achieving commercial success.
The influence of grunge and alternative rock in the 1990s
In the early 1990s, grunge and alternative rock bands such as Nirvana, Pearl Jam and Alice in Chains began to achieve mainstream success. This was in part due to the success of Nirvana’s album Nevermind, which was released in 1991. The album helped to make grunge and alternative rock more popular with mainstream audiences and made them more acceptable to the music industry. Grunge and alternative rock bands became some of the most commercially successful acts of the 1990s.
The influence of grunge and alternative rock also led to a decline in the popularity of glam metal, a subgenre of heavy metal music that was popular in the 1980s. Glam metal bands such as Bon Jovi, Def Leppard and Mötley Crüe became less popular in the early 1990s as grunge and alternative rock became more popular.
The popularity of grunge and alternative rock also led to a decline in the popularity of hair metal, another subgenre of heavy metal music that was popular in the 1980s. Hair metal bands such as Guns N’ Roses, Poison and Warrant became less popular in the early 1990s as grunge and alternative rock became more popular.
The evolution of pop music in the 21st century
Pop music has always been a reflection of the times. In the early 2000s, we saw the rise of boy bands and girl groups like the Spice Girls and *NSYNC. They were followed by solo artists like Britney Spears and Christina Aguilera. The late 2000s saw the rise of hip hop and R&B with artists like Rihanna and Beyonce. Now in the 2020s, we are seeing a new wave of pop music with artists like Billie Eilish and Lil Nas X.
The rise of electronic dance music
The late 1990s and early 2000s saw a rise in electronic dance music, particularly in Europe. This style of music, which combines elements of house, techno, and trance, quickly became popular at nightclubs and raves. While the music itself was nothing new, the use of personal computers and synthesizers to create it was. This allowed for a wider range of sounds and textures, making the genre more accessible to a wider audience.
In the early 21st century, electronic dance music began to gain mainstream popularity. It was helped by the rise of social media and the increasing affordability of streaming services. This allowed people to discover new artists and share their favorite tracks with friends. As the genre continued to grow in popularity, more and more festivals devoted to it sprang up around the world. Today, electronic dance music is one of the most popular genres in the world.
The rise of social media in the early 21st century had a profound impact on the way pop music was developed and marketed. Prior to the advent of sites like MySpace and YouTube, aspiring artists and bands had to rely on traditional channels like record labels and radio stations to get their music heard by the masses.
However, social media changed all that. For the first time, musicians could directly connect with their fans and promote their music without having to go through intermediaries. This ushered in a new era of pop music, one that was more democratic and inclusive than ever before.
Today, social media is an essential part of the music industry. It’s not only used for promoting new music; it’s also used for connecting with fans, building up a fan base, and generating excitement for upcoming tours and albums. In many ways, social media has made the world of pop music more accessible than ever before.
The rise of streaming services
The early 21st century saw a major shift in the way that people consumed music. With the advent of streaming services like Spotify and Apple Music, people were no longer limited to purchasing entire albums or songs from iTunes. Instead, they could listen to whatever they wanted, whenever they wanted, for a small monthly fee. This had a huge impact on the music industry, and artists began to release more singles instead of albums.
This shift also had an impact on the sound of pop music. With people no longer buying entire albums, there was less incentive for artists to produce “cohesive” albums with a consistent sound. Instead, they could focus on producing hit singles that would sound good on their own. As a result, pop music in the 21st century has become more eclectic and diverse, with different songs sounding completely different from one another.
Despite these changes, the core elements of pop music have remained largely the same. The biggest hits still tend to be catchy, hooks-driven songs with simple melodies and radio-friendly production values. However, there is now more room for experimentation than ever before, and we are seeing more and more artists pushing the boundaries of what pop music can be.
