Pop music
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.
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 attempts 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). But over time, pop has gone from "popular in general" to "a genre" described as sounding musicly similar to rap, but with singing. This is due to radio stations labeling themselves as "pop stations" taking heavy preference over certain sounds, tossing other popular bands who don't fit into the sound or other categories like rock into the "alternative" label.
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.
1930s and 1940s
Styles influencing the later development of pop include the
Blues (Chicago), and
Country (Tennessee).
1950s
Early Pop music artists include
Bing Crosby,
Frank Sinatra,
Dean Martin,
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. It can be said that
The Beatles led the
British Invasion in this decade.
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 Song Contest 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; 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,
Kylie Minogue 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, girl trio
Destiny's Child and then
'N Sync and Pop Princesses
Willa Ford,
Mandy Moore,
Britney Spears,
Gwen Stefani and
Christina Aguilera. Canadian
Avril Lavigne became popular with her album
Let Go.
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,
Shakira,
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,
Lindsay Lohan and
Hilary Duff has become very popular in the 2000s. Artists like
Mariah Carey,
Whitney Houston,
Kylie Minogue,
Celine Dion,
Garth Brooks,
Shania Twain and
Madonna have also been highly successful. Reality shows, such as
American Idol, begin producing multi-platinum artists like
Kelly Clarkson and
Clay Aiken.
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.
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Arabesque-pop music*
Christian pop*
Indie pop*
Electropop*
Futurepop*
C-Pop*
J-Pop*
K-Pop*
Indi-pop*
Latin Pop*
Mexican pop*
Noise pop*
Operatic pop*
Sophisti-pop*
Synthpop*
Turbo-folk*
Pop rock*
Pop Island: News and pictures about pop celebrities*
Complain About Muzak: Case Against Pop & Rock*[
1] Pop History Now includes the 1950s-2000s Week-By-Week includes all pop music listings
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Pop Culture Madness Features the most requested pop songs 1920s through today
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popMusic*http://Allmusic.com The AMG All Music Guide
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Website about pop music artist Vanessa Amorosi*
World Top 20 A&R Chart The A&R executives behind pop artists
