As an introduction, we want to say that ‘pop’ is an acronym that means ‘popular music.’ At present, the majority of ‘melomaniacs’ tend to know the names of Adele, Lady Gaga, Taylor Swift, Zayn, Katy Perry, Rihanna, Shakira, and the other successful singers. That is the main reason why pop music is considered to be one of the most best-selling genres across the whole world.
Pop music is one of the much-loved music genres since it may satisfy the ears of everyone. The important thing that should be mentioned is the fact that this particular style of music tends to change over time in an attempt to adjust to the needs and expectations of every succeeding generation of the mainstream listeners. Regarding the relevant evidence supporting the previous statement, let’s imagine that we have shifted to the period of the 1950s, and then, we get back to the realities of the 21st century. After such an interesting mental reproduction of the history of American culture, we have a chance to analyze the genre of pop music by comparing its expression during two different historical periods of the United States. While the period of the 1950s is known for the rock ’n’ roll America’s greatest revolution, at present, the mainstream pop music sounds and ideas tend to be considered homogenous.
Evolution of Pop Music
The 1950s
This period is regarded as the birth of rock’n’roll. The representatives of pop music genre, who performed during the 1850s, were Johnnie Ray, Guy Mitchell, and Frankie Laine. One of the most remarkable ‘pop’ artists was Elvis Presley, who started his career in 1953.
The 1960s
Taking into consideration the history of the world’s trends, we can conclude that the 1960s may be characterized by the invasion of English pop rock band ‘The Beatles’ into the American charts.
The 1970s
During the 1970s, rock’n’roll became a much-loved genre within American society. As a result, Led Zeppelin and Chicago were very successful music bands. However, rock’n’roll was not the only genre that managed to raise its popularity. In the same vein, disco was another genre.
The 1980s
In the 1980s, the popularity of pop music went off the scale. This particular period is known for the artists who created a genuine revolution in the world of music. The list of artists includes Michael Jackson, Madonna, and Whitney Houston.
The 1990s
The 1990s is a period represented by Backstreet Boys, Spice Girls, Britney Spears, and the others.
The 2000s
That is a type of conclusion era of the 2000s ensures everyone that music can go anywhere. In particular, this genre is considerably popular among teenagers. In accordance with the recent statistics, “On average, American youth listen to music and watch music videos four to five hours a day, which is more time than they spend with their friends outside of school or watching television.”
Classification of Pop Music
Although pop music represents the independent and self-sufficient musical style, it may be classified by the country of its origin. Hence, taking into consideration the modern trends in the world of music, we may specify three main ‘pop’ categories – American, Korean, and Chinese pop music.
American Pop Music
First of all, freedom and nature are the two main topics of American ‘pop’ culture. The artists, who represent this particular music genre, may perform either individually or in a music band. American pop music has a distinguishing characteristic that is related to the rhythm, one of the key elements of musical composition.
Korean Pop Music
Korean pop music, or K-pop, has fast rhythm and strong beats. In most cases, K-pop lyrics are repetitive, easy to understand, and easy to remembers as well. One of the most interesting features of this particular genre of music is great attention to flashy stage performances.
Chinese Pop Music
The Chinese prefer to listen to gentle songs rather than rap and fast songs paragraphs. Hence, the rhythm of Chinese pop music is slow and gentle.
Interesting Facts About the Genre of Pop Music
# The earliest pop songs and sounds composed in the pop music style reminded the sentimental and melodious sounding of the romantic ballads.
# Probably, you did not pay significant attention to the use of numerous beats and rhythms in different pop melodies. These sound effects are mainly used in order to make all the listeners of a mainstream pop music dance and enjoy their time.
# Up to the present, it is still unknown who invented the genre of pop music. However, almost everyone knows that the word ‘pop’ was firstly used in 1926 in order to mention a unique style of music with a popular appeal.
# During the 1920s, the Americans had an opportunity to attend a significant number of different music events. The history of these particular recordings is often regarded as a birth of the currently existing industry of pop music.
# At the end of the twentieth century, the notion of ‘pop music’ was frequently used as a certain opposition to the concept and outline of ‘rock music.’
# The very first mentions of pop music are mainly associated with the United Kingdom.
# At present, the genre of pop music is regarded as one of the much-loved music styles in the United States and in Great Britain. Hence, many pop songs, as well as the various mainstream melodies, tend to dominate the charts of both countries.
Big-League Pop Music Quotes
“You see Michelangelo and Picasso, and you read literature. I had some innate inchoate yearning for that, but I never really saw where I would fit in. That’s called art. And then something happened to pop music, which is that it became art under the hand of the Beatles, the Stones, and Bob Dylan and some other people”.
© David Chase
“Soul was the music made by and for black people. For most of the Sixties it was thoroughly divorced from the analysis of white popular music, but by the end of the decade several artists with their roots firmly in both soul and R&B traditions had crossed over.”
© Jon Landau
“When you’re a young person, the solace one can get from popular music is something I just have a tremendous example of nostalgia for, affection for. I still have it.”
© Greg Motola
“Amy Winehouse changed pop music forever; I remember knowing there was hope, and feeling not alone because of her. She lived jazz; she lived the blues.”
© Lady Gaga
“God bless pop music, and God bless MTV.”
© Lady Gaga
