The Best Pop Music Videos on YouTube
Contents
Check out our list of the best pop music videos on YouTube. From classic hits to new chart toppers, these are the videos that get us dancing.
What is 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” and “rock” were roughly synonymous terms until the late 1960s, when they became increasingly differentiated from each other.
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 basic format (often the verse-chorus structure), as well as common use of repeated choruses, melodic tunes, and hooks. Jeff Brett of IGN Music states that pop songs typically have “a catchy melody, simple chords [and] catchy hooks.” Another identify factor from Brett is that “[pop] songs are designed to be easy to sing along to”. In addition, according to Chen et al., pop songs are usually produced by professional songwriters and recording artists. Pop music has been closely related to the marketing of commercial products; for example, it has been commonly used in advertising since the 1930s.
The development of pop music did not follow any predefined rules; rather it was an organic process that resulted from the interplay between various musical traditions and commercial interests. Chen et al. identify six significant subgenres within pop music: power pop, heartland rock, new wave/punk rock, synth-pop/electropop rap rock/nu metal/rap metal/grunge.
The Best Pop Music Videos on YouTube
When you think of pop music, you might think of top 40 hits on the radio. However, the genre of pop music is so much more than that. There are many different sub-genres of pop music, and each one has its own unique sound and style.
“Shape of You” by Ed Sheeran
“Shape of You” by Ed Sheeran is one of the best pop music videos on YouTube. The video has been watched over two billion times and has received critical acclaim. Shot in Sheeran’s hometown of Suffolk, England, the video features the singer dancing and playing the guitar in various locations around the town.
“Despacito” by Luis Fonsi
“Despacito” by Luis Fonsi is one of the most popular music videos on YouTube. The song has been viewed over 4 billion times, making it the most-viewed video on YouTube. The video features Fonsi and Daddy Yankee singing the catchy tune in a number of different settings, including on a beach and in a club. The video also features a number of beautiful women, which likely contributes to its popularity.
“Havana” by Camila Cabello
“Havana” is a song recorded by Cuban-American singer Camila Cabello, featuring guest vocals from American rapper Young Thug. It was released on August 3, 2017, as the lead single from her eponymous debut studio album, Camila (2018). The song was written by Cabello, Pharrell Williams, Young Thug, and Brian Lee and produced by Frank Dukes and Williams. It interpolates “Midnight”, a song released by Asset in 2013. Musically, “Havana” is a slow-paced R&B ballad that contains lyrics about Cabello’s hometown of Havana and her love life.
The song’s accompanying music video was directed by Dave Meyers and published on October 24, 2017. It features cameos from Lele Pons and Ronny J. The video alternates between footage of a young Cabello dancing in Old Havana and shots of her present day self singing the song in an apartment. “Havana” received generally positive reviews from critics, with many praising the song’s catchiness and Cabello’s vocals. The track peaked at number one on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart, becoming Cabello’s first number one single as a solo artist in the country. It also achieved similar success in several other countries including Australia, Canada, France, Italy and the United Kingdom.
“Sledgehammer” by Peter Gabriel
Peter Gabriel’s “Sledgehammer” spends its runtime piling on the surrealism, from the stop-motion fruit to the giant chicken to Gabriel himself, costumed variously as a French mime, a sphinx and what looks like an extra from The Terminator. It’s eye-popping fun all around, with a chorus that’s just as catchy as any of Gabriel’s other hits.
“Uptown Funk” by Mark Ronson
“Uptown Funk” is a song recorded by English producer Mark Ronson and American singer Bruno Mars for Ronson’s fourth studio album, Uptown Special (2015). The song was released as the album’s lead single on 10 November 2014. “Uptown Funk” topped several music charts worldwide, including the Billboard Hot 100, Mainstream Top 40, Rhythmic, and Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs charts in the US, as well as the UK Singles Chart and the Canadian Hot 100. Worldwide, it was 2015’s seventh best-selling digital single with sales of 8.6 million copies; in the United States, it topped the one-million mark in paid downloads in March 2015 and became both Ronson’s and Mars’ first solo number one on the Hot 100. A new remix of the song featuring Beyoncé was released on 9 December 2014.
The song won two Grammy Awards for Record of the Year and Best Pop Duo/Group Performance at the 58th Annual Grammy Awards. The music video for “Uptown Funk” was filmed in various locations around Los Angeles during September 2014 and was released on 20 November 2014. It won three MTV Video Music Awards at MTV Video Music Awards Japan 2015 including Best Male Video, Best Hip Hop Video and Best Editing;[12] two NAACP Image Awards for Outstanding Music Video and Outstanding Duo or Group at the 46th NAACP Image Awards;[13] a People’s Choice Award for Favorite Song of 2015;[14] numerous other accolades; and is currently nominated for seven BRIT Awards including Best British Single.[15]
Why Pop Music is So Popular
There are a number of reasons why pop music is so popular. First, the music itself is generally catchy and easy to sing along to. Second, the artists who perform pop music are often very attractive and charismatic, which makes them more likely to be successful in the industry. Third, pop music is often produced by big-name record labels, which means that it has a large marketing budget behind it. This allows the music to be heard by more people and to reach a wider audience. fourth, many of the biggest hits in pop music are actually cover songs or remixes of existing songs, which makes them more familiar to listeners. Finally, pop music often features simple, relatable lyrics that appeal to a wide range of people.
Conclusion
After careful consideration, we have come to the conclusion that the best pop music videos on YouTube are those of Justin Bieber, Katy Perry, and Lady Gaga. These artists have proved time and again that they know how to put on a good show, and their videos are always entertaining. Thanks for watching!
