Thursday, 02 May 2019
Pop music is an important genre of popular music distinguished from classical or art music and from folk music. The term indicates specific stylistic traits but the genre also includes artists working in many styles (rock, hip hop, rhythm and blues (R&B), and country), and it is reasonable to say that «pop music» is a flexible category. It may also be referred to as soft rock or pop/rock.
Characteristics as a subgenre
Pop music is often defined as music produced commercially, for profit, or «as a matter of enterprise not art» though it may more usefully be defined by market, ideology, production, and aesthetics. Pop «is designed to appeal to everyone» and «doesn’t come from any particular place or mark off any particular taste.» It is «not driven by any signifigant ambition except profit and commercial reward…and, in musical terms, it is essentially conservative.» It is «provided from on high (by record companies, radio programmers and concert promoters) rather than being made from below…Pop is not a do-it-yourself music but is professionally produced and packaged.» Frith 2001, p.95-96)
While Pop and Rock music each appeal to mass culture, often aim for (and achieve) commercial success, feature catchy tunes and melodies, and emphasize rhythm, Rock music has a much more direct connection to the blues and folk from which it originated, while Pop can be thought of as the current incarnation of Popular music, which has existed for centuries.
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.
1960s:
Pop explodes with The Beatles, Carole King, Neil Diamond, Burt Bacharach, Aretha Franklin, Isley Brothers, Ray Charles, Stevie Wonder, the Supremes, Marvin Gaye, Beach Boys, Bob Dylan, Simon and Garfunkel, The Byrds.
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.
1980s:
One of the biggest highlights for pop music in the 1980’s was Michael Jackson’s second solo album, Thriller, which went on to become the best-selling album of all time. Thriller earned Mr. Jackson the nickname «King Of Pop». Other artists included Madonna, Duran Duran, the Police, Abba, Phil Collins, and Culture Club.
1990s:
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 Kids On The Block followed by the Backstreet Boys, Hanson and then N*SYNC and Britney Spears.
Sound and themes
Pop music, in whatever musical influence form that 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, which can make it more pleasing to the listener’s ear. Themes range from personal songs, to vivacious party jams. However, the most common theme deals with the wide range of emotions, stemming 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
Effects beyond music
The friendliness and the appeal of pop music makes the subgenre prized by record companies, radio stations, and music television stations thanks to sales and ratings. The relative ease of the draw generates billions and billions of dollars into the entertainment industry. The wide canvas of artists benefit from sales, airplay, shows, and endorsements.
- emplive.com – Online version of music museum in Seattle, Washington offers biographies, audios and videos on pop music stars as well as tutorials on multi-track recording and songwriting, interactive guitar lessons, a gallery of poster art and shopping links to books on rock.
- BBC Pop Music – UK-oriented feature articles, reviews, concert updates, and artist directory.
- Jay’s Pop Music Pages – Comprehensive resource for pop music including artists, radio and television, music stores and record companies.
- NOW! That’s What I Call Music – Track listings of the compilation CD series, several released each year since 1981. Audio and video clips, news, forums.
- Popcrazy’s Pop Log – Pop culture obsessions and observations.
- Popdirt.com – Gossip and news articles along with reader comments.
- Popism – Discusses pop culture, including music, media, politics, and books.
- PopMusic.com – Downloadable songs, CDs, stereo soundclips, free pop music MP3s, music charts and news.
- PopNuvo – They present an alternative model for the music industry, one which recognizes that technology requires free distribution of all music.
- PopWorld – The latest news on all of your pop favorites, exclusive games, unique television and radio shows, pop chat and competitions. Free membership is required to access the entire site.
- About.com: Top 40/Pop – Pop music news, reviews, weekly and yearly charts, lyrics, guitar tabs, links and the latest information on artists, tours, and new releases.
- brispop.com – Focusing on guitar based pop and indie bands from Brisbane, Australia. Includes news, a gig guide, artist profiles, reviews, features, and resources.
- Designer Magazine – A UK based e-zine featuring the latest news, reviews and interviews with artists in the world of indie, pop, dance and hip hop music.
- Electronic Sonic Press – Interviews and articles on most genres of pop music. Free MP3s, giveaways, links and reader participation features.
- Extended Playhouse – Pop music discourse and analysis on new releases and reissues.
- Freaky Trigger – Pop music fanzine featuring reviews, commentary and opinionated nonsense.
- Fufkin.com – E-zine with message boards, live chat and MP3s. The focus is on melodic pop music.
- Insiders – Perspective, rants and satire from the UK covering contemporary pop and alternative music. Updated twice weekly.
- Music Head – Weekly music e-zine featuring reviews, interviews, contests, and a photo archive of stars and unsigned acts.
- Pop On Top – E-zine focusing on power pop, high energy rock ‘n’ roll, and garage rock, with a special emphasis on Australian artists.
- Pop Pages – Photographic e-zine of Vancouver, Canada’s indie pop music scene.
- POP SHOTS – A multi-media web-zine, covering all aspects of popular culture, from music to movies to mobiles.
- Pop Zine Online – Offering information, interviews, breaking news, rumors, downloads, and concert/CD reviews.
- Pop-Music.com – Pop music news and information, charts, special artist features and interactive music chat.
- Suite 101.com Pop Music – CD reviews, artist interviews and profiles, music news, links, polls and discussions.
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