Pop music

For Popular music (music that is "popular", rather than being of a specific genre or style), see Popular music.

For the 1979 song by "M", see Pop Muzik.

Pop music is a genre of popular music distinguished from classical or art music and from folk music *Frith, Simon (2001). The Cambridge Companion to Pop and Rock, p.94. ISBN 0521556600.. The term indicates specific stylistic traits, but the genre also includes artists working in many styles such as (rock, hip hop, rhythm and blues (R&B), and country), making it a flexible category. It may also be referred to in some cases as soft rock or pop/rock.

Characteristics as a subgenre

Pop "is designed to appeal to everyone" and "doesn't come from any particular place or mark off any particular taste." In musical terms, it is essentially "conservative" in that it attemps to resonate with a large segment of its target demographic rather than pushing artistic boundaries. It is "provided from on high (by record companies, radio programmers and concert promoters) rather than being made from below..." (Frith 2001, p.95-96).

Often used to describe the current popular genres of music of any given time, the term "pop" cannot be used describe any one particular style.

History of pop music

1930s and 1940s

Styles influencing the later development of pop include the Blues (Chicago), and Country (Tennessee).

1950s

Early Pop music artists include Frank Sinatra, Bobby Darin, and Peggy Lee, but other artists like Bill Haley and his Comets, Fats Domino and Elvis Presley become popular with the younger generation.

1960s

The decade starts out with such Teen Idols such as, Johnny Tillotson, Bobby Vee, Brian Hyland, Tommy Roe, Gene Pitney, and Frankie Avalon. It explodes midway with Carole King, Neil Diamond, Burt Bacharach, Aretha Franklin, Isley Brothers, Ray Charles, Stevie Wonder, The Supremes, Marvin Gaye, Bob Dylan, and Simon and Garfunkel.

1970s

A proliferation of new sounds from the disco of the BeeGees, the piano sounds of Billy Joel and Elton John, the country of the Eagles, the rock-influenced pop of artists like Rod Stewart, Steely Dan, and Fleetwood Mac. ABBA was a swedish band who grew to fame after winning Eurovision and starting a whole new revolution of pop music.

1980s

Notable highlights for pop music in the 1980s are Michael Jackson's second Epic label release, Thriller, which went on to become the best-selling album of the 1980s; Thriller earned Jackson the nickname "The King of Pop"; and Madonna albums "Like A Virgin", "True Blue", "Like A Prayer" and was named "The Queen Of Pop". Other artists included Michael Bolton, Prince, Janet Jackson, Duran Duran, The Police, Abba, Cyndi Lauper, Whitney Houston, Phil Collins, and Culture Club.

1990s and 21st Century

The 1990s and 21st century were marked by a resurgence of boy band and girl band trends. From the UK came the likes of Take That, Blue, the Spice Girls, a highly successful formula. Irish boy bands of the time include Boyzone and Westlife. The US had New Edition, New Kids On The Block followed by the Backstreet Boys, Hanson and then 'N Sync and Pop Princesses Britney Spears and Christina Aguilera. Australia had Boys from Oz. 1999 saw the rise of the Latin explosion with Ricky Martin at the forefront with his worldwide smash hit "Livin' La Vida Loca". Other latin artists to follow were Jennifer Lopez, Enrique Iglesias, and Marc Anthony. In 2002, Justin Timberlake had critical and commercial acclaim with his "Justified" album, emerging as the new "Prince of Pop", Jesse McCartney has emerged from Dream Street as a high-rating singer with songs like She's No You, Hilary Duff has become very popular, especially with the teen audience with songs like So Yesterday and Come Clean, in Australia Rhoderick Gates left the Melbourne Live Pop Festival on a high with Let Us See It Through and UK bands like Son of Dork capturing youth audiences with Ticket Outta Loserville. Artists like Mariah Carey, Whitney Houston, Celine Dion, Garth Brooks, Shania Twain and Madonna also have a highly success. Reality shows, such as American Idol, begin producing multi-platinum artists like Kelly Clarkson and Clay Aiken.

Sound and themes

Pop music, in whatever musical influence form it derives from, may be produced by a more basic songwriting approach and arrangement. The emphasis is often on a simpler melody, which makes the songs more memorable, and may use stripped-down rhythms. The combination of the melody and the rhythm allows for harmony to be a driving force of the song. Themes range from personal songs to vivacious party jams. However, the most common theme deals with the wide range of emotions which stem from physical or emotional love.

Music videos and live performances are often used for exposure in the media, and artists may have extravagant stage shows and use choreographed dancing. Many pop tunes are used in both Dance clubs and Sport clubs.

External links

Complain About Muzak: Case Against Pop & Rock
^* Pop History Now includes the 1950s-2000s Week-By-Week includes all pop music listings
Pop Culture Madness Features the most requested pop songs 1920s through today
popMusic
http://Allmusic.com The AMG All Music Guide
Website about pop music artist Vanessa Amorosi
World Top 20 A&R Chart The A&R executives behind pop artists

References