Who Really Pop Music?

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

Contributors: Andranick Tanguiane, Fred Lerdahl,

Contents

We all know the popular songs that get played on the radio, but do you ever wonder who really writes and creates that music? In this blog, we’ll explore the world of pop music and the people who create it.

Introduction

There are many popular music artists out there, but not all of them are created equal. While some may have great voices and impressive musical skills, others may be nothing more than pretty faces with no talent to back them up. So, who really pop music?

The answer, of course, is that there is no one answer. It depends on who you ask. Some people will tell you that it’s all about the music, and that the best artists are those who have the most skill and talent. Others will say that it’s all about the image, and that the best artists are those who are the most marketable and have the best media coverage.

At the end of the day, it really comes down to personal preference. There are many talented artists out there, but not everyone is going to like every single one of them. It’s important to find the ones whose music you enjoy and whose style you can appreciate. Only then can you truly say that you’re a fan of their work.

The Early Days 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 synonymous terms until the late 1960s, when they became increasingly differentiated from each other.

Pre-1950s

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.

Though pop music is seen as just the work of individuals, in practice it is produced by songwriters, composers, record producers, engineers, managers, and other professions. In many cases, pop songs are composed by teams of songwriters or composers working together.

1950s

In the early 1950s, the doo-wop style of black vocal groups reached a mainstream audience with songs like The Crows’ “Gee” and The Drifters’ “Money Honey.” Between 1955 and 1958, three new youth-oriented styles emerged that would have a lasting impact on pop music: rockabilly, Motown soul, and the Brill Building sound.

Rockabilly, a mix of country and rhythm and blues, was most popular in the South and Southwest. Its best-known exponent was Elvis Presley, whose first recordings were made in 1954. In 1957, Presley had his first number one hit with “Heartbreak Hotel.” His sexually charged performance style and good looks made him a teen idol, and he soon became the most famous rockabilly singer. Other notable rockabilly artists include Carl Perkins, Jerry Lee Lewis, and Buddy Holly.

The Motown sound was named after the Detroit-based record label Motown Records, which was founded in 1959 by Berry Gordy Jr. Gordy recruited a number of talented songwriters and producers, including Smokey Robinson, Marvin Gaye, Holland-Dozier-Holland, and Stevie Wonder. The label’s artists achieved crossover success with both black and white audiences. Among the most successful Motown acts were The Supremes, who had 12 number one hits between 1964 and 1969; Diana Ross; Marvin Gaye; Smokey Robinson & The Miracles; Martha Reeves & The Vandellas; The Temptations; Stevie Wonder; and The Jackson 5.

The Brill Building sound was named after the New York City address of a group of music publishers who specialized in writing pop songs for teenage singers. Many of these songs were written by pairs or teams of songwriters such as Carole King–Gerry Goffin, Barry Mann–Cynthia Weil, Jeff Barry–Ellie Greenwich, Neil Sedaka–Howard Greenfield, Burt Bacharach–Hal David, Paul Simon–Art Garfunkel, John Lennon–Paul McCartney of The Beatles fame), Jerry Leiber–Mike Stoller (of Elvis fame), Doc Pomus–Mort Shuman (The Drifters fame), Gerry Goffin–Jack Keller (The Kingston Trio fame), Chip Taylor (Angel of the Morning fame) – Martha Sharpe ( Wild Thing Fame). Some of the best known Brill Building hits include “Will You Love Me Tomorrow” (The Shirelles), “Stand by Me” (Ben E. King), “On Broadway” (The Drifters), “I Saw Her Standing There” (The Beatles), “Be My Baby” (The Ronettes),  and “You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feelin’” (The Righteous Brothers).

The Beatles and the British Invasion

The Beatles were an English rock band that formed in Liverpool in 1960. They became widely regarded as the foremost and most influential music band in history. They were integral to the development of 1960s counterculture and popular music’s recognition as an art form. The Beatles are also the best-selling band in history, with estimated sales of over 600 million records worldwide.

1960s

The Beatles were an English rock band formed in Liverpool in 1960. With a lineup that consisted of John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, and Ringo Starr, they are often regarded as the most influential band of all time. They were primarily responsible for popularizing rock and roll in the United Kingdom and the United States during the 1960s. Their popularity led to what is known as the “British Invasion,” a period in which a number of British bands and musicians gained mainstream success in America.

The Beatles are widely considered to be one of the most important and influential bands in history. They helped to shape the sound and style of popular music for generations to come, and their influence can still be heard in today’s music. While they were only together for a few years, their impact was profound and their legacy continues to live on.

The Rise of American Pop

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.

1970s

In the early 1970s, American pop music was on the wane, as British bands such as the Beatles, the Rolling Stones and Led Zeppelin dominated the airwaves. But by the end of the decade, a new breed of American artist had emerged to take their place. This new breed of American artist was signalled by the release of two albums in 1976 – Ram by Paul McCartney and Wings, and Hotel California by the Eagles.

With their blend of pop, rock and country, these two albums signaled the arrival of a new era in American pop music. The Eagles in particular would go on to have a massive impact on the sound of American pop in the years to come. But they were not alone; other artists such as Fleetwood Mac, Bob Seger and Steely Dan would also help to shape the sound of American pop in the 1970s.

So what exactly is American pop? In its broadest sense, it is any form of popular music that is produced in America. But it is also sometimes used to refer specifically to a type of music that combines elements of pop, rock and country. This type of music became very popular in America in the 1970s, and it has continued to be popular ever since. If you’re a fan of contemporary artists like Taylor Swift or Lady Gaga, then you’re a fan of American pop music!

1980s

In the 1980s, American pop music enjoyed a renaissance with the rise of new genres and subgenres, including new wave, synth-pop, hip hop, hair metal, and tejano. Several of these genres emerged directly from the DIY punk rock ethos of the late 1970s; others developed more slowly out of earlier experimenting with electronic instruments and synthesizers. 1980s pop music was some of the most diverse and innovative music ever made.

New wave was a catch-all term for a variety of pop-oriented styles that emerged in the late 1970s and early 1980s. New wave was heavily influenced by punk rock but also incorporated elements of disco, electronica, and frequently synth-pop. Notable new wave artists include Blondie, Talking Heads, The Cars, Devo, and Duran Duran.

Synth-pop was a subgenre of new wave that relied heavily on synthesizers to create its sound. Pioneered by artists like Kraftwerk in the 1970s, synth-pop gained popularity in the 1980s with bands like Depeche Mode, Erasure, New Order, OMD, Pet Shop Boys, Tears for Fears, and Visage.

Hip hop began in the South Bronx in New York City in the early 1970s as a way for young African Americans to express themselves through music. Hip hop is characterized by its rhythmic vocals (usually delivered in rhyming verse) over samples from other songs or recorded sounds. Early hip hop artists include DJ Kool Herc, Afrika Bambaataa & The Soul Sonic Force, Grandmaster Flash & The Furious Five, Kurtis Blow, and Run DMC. Hip hop would go on to become one of the most popular genres of music in America in the 1980s and 1990s with artists like Public Enemy,, Beastie Boys,, NWA,, Dr., Dre., Snoop Dogg,, Tupac Shakur,,and Biggie Smalls,.

Tejano is a type of Mexican folk music that originated in Texas in the late 19th century. Tejano is characterized by its strong influence from German polka music as well as traditional Mexican sounds like Mariachi music. Tejano became popular in the 1980s with artists like Selena Quintanilla,, who is often referred to as “The Queen Of Tejano.”

80s Pop Music

The Pop Music of Today

It’s no secret that the pop music industry is primarily made up of artists who are white, thin, young, and able-bodied. But who is really buying pop music? And does that mean that the majority of pop music fans are also white, thin, young, and able-bodied? In this article, we’ll take a look at the demographics of pop music fans and see if the industry is really catering to them.

1990s to present

In the 1990s, a new type of pop music emerged that was influenced by various genres including dance, R&B, and hip hop. This new sound became known as “pop rap” and was typified by artists such as MC Hammer, Vanilla Ice, and Tone Loc. Pop rap was controversial at the time due to its explicit lyrics, but it would go on to have a significant impact on the development of contemporary pop music.

In the 2000s, R&B and hip hop began to dominate the pop charts. Artists such as Beyonce, Usher, Alicia Keys, and Justin Timberlake achieved massive success with their fusion of R&B and pop. This new sound became known as “urban pop” and helped to redefine what pop music could be.

Today, pop music is constantly evolving and is being influenced by a wide range of genres. However, one thing remains constant: the biggest hits are still those that appeal to a mass audience. From Taylor Swift to Ed Sheeran to Justin Bieber, the biggest names in pop continue to be those who can create catchy tunes that resonate with people of all ages.

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