What is Pop Music?
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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.
Defining 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.
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 diverse styles. “Pop” and “rock” were roughly synonymous terms until the late 1960s, when they became increasingly differentiated from each other.
Generally, pop music is known to be catchy, easy to listen to and often upbeat. It is produced for mass consumption and generally employs a heavy use of repetition and manipulation of familiar melodies and hooks. Pop music often incorporates elements from other genres, such as rock, hip hop, R&B or electronic dance music.
The origins of pop music can be traced back to the late 19th century, when a number of popular musical genres began to emerge in America and Europe. These genres included ragtime, blues, jazz and gospel. While these genres were initially quite distinct from one another, they began to overlap and influence one another in the early 20th century, giving rise to a number of new hybrids. One such hybrid was swing music, which combined elements of jazz and blues. Another was boogie-woogie, which fused elements of blues and ragtime.
As pop music began to evolve in the early 20th century, it started to take on a more international character. One of the first truly international pop stars was Bing Crosby, who rose to fame in the 1920s with his crooning style of singing. In the 1930s he was joined by a number of other American pop stars who achieved global success, including Frank Sinatra, Judy Garland and Billie Holiday.
With the outbreak of World War II in 1939, American pop music continued to enjoy success both at home and abroad. A number of new genres emerged during this time period, including Latin American-influenced mambo and rumba as well as country-western. In the 1950s, a new form of pop called rock ‘n’ roll took hold in America thanks to artists such as Elvis Presley and Chuck Berry. Rock ‘n’ roll quickly spread to other parts of the world thanks in part to British musicians such as Cliff Richard and The Beatles who helped introduce the genre to new audiences.
In subsequent decades, pop music has continued to evolve rapidly with each new generation of artists finding new ways to reinvent the genre. As such, it remains one of the most diverse and ever-changing musical forms in existence today.
Characteristics 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” and “rock” were roughly synonymous terms until the late 1960s, when they became increasingly differentiated from each other.
Typically, pop music is accompanied by electric guitars, drums, and keyboards. It has a heavy emphasis on vocal hooks and catchy melodies supported by backup vocals and chords. Jingles, sound effects, and various other production techniques are often used to give pop songs a more polished sound. Pop songs are usually between two and five minutes long, although some may be as long as ten minutes.
The pop genre has produced many subgenres, including power pop, synth-pop, girl group pop, boy band pop, dance-pop, Europop, Latin pop, country pop, and indie pop.
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 different styles.
Early pop music
During the very early 1900s, pop music was closely related to vaudeville and musical theater. Singers such as Nora Bayes, Al Jolson, Eddie Cantor, Fanny Brice, and Bert Williams were popular at the time. In 1912, Irving Berlin wrote a song called “Alexander’s Ragtime Band,” which helped to merge pop music with other genres like jazz. The first pop songs on phonograph records were released in 1916.
One of the most important early pop stars was 1920s singer Al Jolson. He is considered to be the first white man to sing blues and gospel music on stage. Jolson’s style and showmanship influenced many future pop singers, including Frank Sinatra, Bill Haley, and Elvis Presley.
The term “pop music” was first used in 1926, when Variety magazine referred to a California nightclub called the Pop Music Club. The club featured popular recorded music as well as live performers. In the 1930s, big bands began to dominate pop music. Notable big band leaders of the time included Benny Goodman and Glenn Miller.
The British Invasion
The Beatles’ music and image became a considerable pop cultural phenomenon, driving fashion, haircuts and ideas across the globe during the 1960s. They were early adopters and trendsetters, often music and fashion innovators. Although they had predecessors in The Kinks, The Who and The Rolling Stones – all of whom are also influential – The Beatles’ style was particularly influential as they came to embody ‘Swinging London’. This was a time when London was the global epicentre of youth culture; a place of creativity, new ideas and change. The Beatles became the embodiment of this moment in time.
During their career, The Beatles popularised a number of fashion trends including coloured suits, mop-top haircuts and Chelsea boots. They were also early adopters of various musical styles including ska, R&B and psychedelic rock. Their influence on pop music is undeniable – they are widely considered to be one of the most important bands in the history of popular music.
The Beatles’ success also paved the way for other British bands to find success in the US; this period became known as ‘The British Invasion’. Other bands who found success during this time include The Rolling Stones, The Kinks, Herman’s Hermits and The Animals. All of these bands went on to have hugely successful careers and remain hugely popular to this day.
The birth of disco
Disco music evolved out of the black, soul and funk genres of music that were popular in the late 1960s and early 1970s. The first disco songs were released in the mid-1970s, and the genre exploded in popularity in the early 1980s. Disco DJs would often play extended versions of popular songs, which dancers would use as an opportunity to show off their moves. The rise of disco coincided with the development of club culture, and many famous disco clubs emerged during this time. Among the most famous were Studio 54 in New York City and the Paradise Garage in London.
The rise of punk and new wave
In the mid-1970s, a new type of pop music began to emerge in England and the United States. This music was distinguished by its aggressive, fast-paced sound and its DIY (do it yourself) approach. This music was called punk rock, and it was soon followed by a related genre called new wave.
Punk rock was originally developed as a reaction against the bloated and self-indulgent rock music of the 1970s. Punk bands such as the Ramones and the Sex Pistols played stripped-down, three-chord songs with simple structures and catchy melodies. They deliberately rejected the elaborate production values and showmanship of earlier rock acts.
New wave was a catchall term for the type of pop music that emerged in the late 1970s and early 1980s. New wave bands were often influenced by punk, but they tended to be more melodic and hooks-oriented. They also tended to make use of synthesizers and other electronic instruments, which give new wave its distinctive sound. Some of the most popular new wave bands included Blondie, Talking Heads, and Duran Duran.
The advent of hip hop
The advent of hip hop in the early 1980s made a huge impact on pop music, both in terms of its sound and its cultural significance. Hip hop was a new style of music that emerged from the African American community in the South Bronx, and it quickly gained popularity across the United States. Songs like “Rapper’s Delight” by the Sugarhill Gang and “The Message” by Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five helped to launch hip hop into the mainstream.
Hip hop was a radical departure from traditional pop music, both in terms of its sound and its message. Hip hop artists often used samples of other songs or spoken word recordings to create new songs, and they typically rapped instead of singing. The lyrics of hip hop songs were often about topics like poverty, violence, and racism, which was a stark contrast to the more light-hearted lyrics of pop music at the time.
The popularity of hip hop coincided with a significant increase in the number of African American artists achieving mainstream success in pop music. In the 1980s, artists like Michael Jackson, Prince, Whitney Houston, and Lionel Richie were all hugely successful with both black and white audiences. This marked a significant shift from previous decades when black artists were largely relegated to niche genres like rhythm and blues or soul music.
The influence of hip hop can still be felt in today’s pop music landscape. Many contemporary pop songs incorporate elements of hip hop, such as rapping or sampling, and many pop artists have been influenced by hip hop culture.
Pop Music Today
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.
The mainstream
The top 40 songs are usually considered pop music. The mainstream is what is popular at the moment, and it changes all the time. It can be difficult to define pop music, but it is usually safe to say that it is music made by artists who are popular at the moment. The term “pop music” is short for “popular music”. It 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).
Mainstream pop music is played on radio stations around the world and used in television shows, films and commercials. It generally has a strong beat and is easy to dance to. Pop music is sometimes seen as a guilty pleasure, but there are many artists who make great pop songs that are also well-crafted and have something to say.
The underground
Even though Pop music is usually associated with the mainstream, there is also a thriving underground scene. This is where you’ll find unheralded artists making innovative and sometimes controversial music.
The underground is sometimes called the “indie” scene, because many of these artists are signed to independent record labels. Others choose to self-release their music, giving them complete creative control. But whether they’re on an indie label or flying solo, these performers are usually outside of the mainstream radar.
If you want to discover the best new Pop music, you may have to do some digging. But it’s worth it, because the underground is where you’ll find the freshest and most exciting sounds.
The future of pop music
Pop music is always evolving, and the genre has seen a lot of changes in recent years. While some purists may decry the current state of pop music, there’s no denying that the genre is as popular as ever. So what does the future hold for pop music?
One trend that seems to be here to stay is the use of autotune and other digital effects to create “perfect” vocals. This trend started in the late 2000s with artists like Cher and T-Pain, and has since become commonplace in pop music. While some fans find this use of technology to be artificial and off-putting, others enjoy the new sound that it creates.
Another trend that seems to be gaining steam is the use of more organic instrumentation in pop music. In the past, most pop songs were reliant on synthesizers and drum machines for their sound. However, in recent years we’ve seen a resurgence of live instruments in pop music. This gives the genre a more organic feel, and many fans find it to be more genuine and sincere.
It’s hard to say exactly what direction pop music will go in the future, but one thing is for sure: it will continue to evolve and change with the times.
