What is Pop Music
The pop music genre refers to the most popular songs that are also known to be hits. A hit song is a song that produces the most sales and it is always released on the charts weekly. Only singles can be on the charts that are either released on their own or from an album. In general, Pop songs have their own features that make them stand out. This is also known as the Pop music formula. This could be things such as a good rhythm, remarkable lyrics, important/relatable message, catchy melody etc. In general, the chorus is repeated several times.
In relation to music production, lyrics and the artist(s) performing the song himself/herself, a song could be composed by several people working together instead of just one person making the beats, writing the lyrics as well as singing it. Artists from different genres combine their talent/skills in order to produce something much more prominent. In this case, this could be mentioned as synergy since the combined effect of multiple artists working together on Pop songs have a greater effect on the audience than the sum of their separate effects.
In relation to combining the work or genres of different artists, through recent years, songs such as 'Thotiana' Remix by Blueface featuring Cardi B which was produced by Scum Beats is a good example of how modern musical talent is combined to make hits. Also, the song 'Rockstar' by Post Malone featuring 21 Savage which was produced by Tank God and Louis Bell.
However, what makes most Pop songs so successful may not always be for the same reason. For example, the younger generation could be more influenced by upbeat/positive music that has a party-like effect such as R&B that is able to entertain the audience whereas adults could be more absorbed by Rock music or the other way around. Again, artists could mix their talents to combine genres such as these two I've mentioned to make something that has never been heard before and is appealing for a new and specific target audience. Therefore, every Pop song is special for a different reason. However, they could be categorized in general.
Throughout the recent decade, the most well-known artists to be making Pop music are the following:
Kendrick Lamar, Ed Sheeran, The Weeknd, Eminem, Taylor Swift, Justin Bieber, Migos, J. Cole, XXXTentacion etc. They have all released songs mostly varying between 2-5 minutes which is the usual running time of a Pop song that makes it to the charts. Most Pop songs that are played on the radio are generally 3-4 minutes long although they can potentially vary between 2-5 minutes.
In relation to music production, lyrics and the artist(s) performing the song himself/herself, a song could be composed by several people working together instead of just one person making the beats, writing the lyrics as well as singing it. Artists from different genres combine their talent/skills in order to produce something much more prominent. In this case, this could be mentioned as synergy since the combined effect of multiple artists working together on Pop songs have a greater effect on the audience than the sum of their separate effects.
In relation to combining the work or genres of different artists, through recent years, songs such as 'Thotiana' Remix by Blueface featuring Cardi B which was produced by Scum Beats is a good example of how modern musical talent is combined to make hits. Also, the song 'Rockstar' by Post Malone featuring 21 Savage which was produced by Tank God and Louis Bell.
However, what makes most Pop songs so successful may not always be for the same reason. For example, the younger generation could be more influenced by upbeat/positive music that has a party-like effect such as R&B that is able to entertain the audience whereas adults could be more absorbed by Rock music or the other way around. Again, artists could mix their talents to combine genres such as these two I've mentioned to make something that has never been heard before and is appealing for a new and specific target audience. Therefore, every Pop song is special for a different reason. However, they could be categorized in general.
Throughout the recent decade, the most well-known artists to be making Pop music are the following:
Kendrick Lamar, Ed Sheeran, The Weeknd, Eminem, Taylor Swift, Justin Bieber, Migos, J. Cole, XXXTentacion etc. They have all released songs mostly varying between 2-5 minutes which is the usual running time of a Pop song that makes it to the charts. Most Pop songs that are played on the radio are generally 3-4 minutes long although they can potentially vary between 2-5 minutes.
https://www.euronews.com/2018/05/16/what-makes-a-popular-song-successful-
https://www.englishclub.com/vocabulary/music-pop.htm
A timeline of Pop Music
1950's
In the 1950s, popular music was led by mostly the rock & roll genre. The first person who started using the term ''rock & roll' was Alan Freed who also played rhythm and blues music for a wide range of audience at the time and enabled the genre to expand. This decade saw the increasing popularity of using electric guitars and songs such as ''How high the moon'' and ''The world is waiting for the sunrise'' helped to redefine the meaning of rock & roll. In more detail, artists started to pick out the major elements of the genre and why specifically it was so distinctive. Things like guitar solos and showmanship became a huge influence on the present audience of the decade.
The following artists have originally popularised the early rock & roll: Elvis Presley, Chuck Berry, Bill Haley, and his Comets, Fats Domino, Little Richard, Jerry Lee Lewis, and Big Joe Turner along with many other artists.
Elvis Presley Fats Domino Bill Haley, and his Comets
Chuck Berry Big Joe Turner
Jerry Lee Lewis Little Richard
1960's
As an aftermath of rock & roll, a lot of new styles were introduced by this era. The American blues, also known as R&B which stood for rhythm & blues (rock) whereas now it stands for the Hip Hop, Soul and Reggae as well as the Gospel genre. During this decade, a lot of British pop groups have been influenced by American blues and the charts were topped with continuous and distinctive songs. Things such as standard song forms, vocal harmonies, rhythmic guitar work, simple melodies, and clever lyrics helped to establish the modern style of British music.
The most well-known pop groups of this time were made up of The Who, The Kinks, The Small Faces, and The Beatles. What created a British tradition with each of these Pop groups is that they each had ''conventional chord sequences'', ''a classic line-up of lead guitar, bass guitar, drums, and the vocals, verse and chorus songs rich in hooks and melodic interest''.
The most well-known pop groups of this time were made up of The Who, The Kinks, The Small Faces, and The Beatles. What created a British tradition with each of these Pop groups is that they each had ''conventional chord sequences'', ''a classic line-up of lead guitar, bass guitar, drums, and the vocals, verse and chorus songs rich in hooks and melodic interest''.
The Kinks The Small Faces
The Beatles The Who
https://www.misswardmusic.com/pop-music-of-the-1960s.html
1970's
At this point in time, a lot of different genres rose to popularity throughout different parts of the decade. ''Funk, Soul, R&B, Hard Rock, Soft Rock, Punk Rock, Easy Listening and Disco'' were all on the charts. However, the decade ended with Hip Hop being born. Although The Beatles broke up with each member appearing on different solo albums, the most successful rock albums were released in the 70's. A lot of groups decided to come back into making music after taking a break a choosing from a wide range of genres to combine with their own style. For example, the Beach Boys, The Mamas, and the Papas, Sonny and Cher etc. In 1972, Soul Music rose to popularity mostly by Don Mclean's 'American Pie'. 1973 was mostly owned by Rock, Pop in general and Soul music was huge too with legends like Stevie Wonder and Barry White. Bob Dylan had re-emerged from a nearly 10-year break while Elton John also had many hits such as ''Your song'', ''Rocket Man'', ''Goodbye yellow brick road'', ''Step into Christmas'' and ''Crocodile Rock'' along with many other hits. Finally, the band Kiss became well-known by 1977 as a result of their fashion, and heavy rock style that matched well with the theme.
Stevie Wonder Bob Dylan
The Beach Boys Elton John
https://groovyhistory.com/music-1970s
1980's
To begin with, the 80's was most memorably dominated by Michael Jackson and Madonna. Albums like 'Thriller', 'Bad', 'Madonna', ''Like a virgin'', ''True Blue'' and ''Like a Prayer'' were major successes. Even today, MJ's 'Thriller' is the second best-selling album of all time with 33 million copies sold worldwide. Closely following the path of MJ, Prince has also earned a lot of popularity with his music varying between Pop, rock, funk and many more.
This decade helped to reform the meaning of metal music in our present days. Artists like Def Leppard, Bon Jovi, Guns N Roses, and Poison were all the first groups of early heavy metal, also known as Glam Metal which ''features pop-influenced hooks and guitar riffs''. They hit the charts with songs such as ''You Give Love a Bad Name'', ''Livin' on a prayer'', and Whitesnake's ''Here I go again'' was also popular.
This decade helped to reform the meaning of metal music in our present days. Artists like Def Leppard, Bon Jovi, Guns N Roses, and Poison were all the first groups of early heavy metal, also known as Glam Metal which ''features pop-influenced hooks and guitar riffs''. They hit the charts with songs such as ''You Give Love a Bad Name'', ''Livin' on a prayer'', and Whitesnake's ''Here I go again'' was also popular.
Guns N Roses Prince
Michael Jackson Bon Jovi
http://www.liketotally80s.com/2006/12/80s-pop-music/
1990's
Rap, Reggae, Contemporary R&B, and country music was very popular at this time. Mostly in the 80s and the 90s, Urban music had blended with different styles such as soul, funk, and jazz. This fusion of genres resulted in new music such as hip hop soul, g-funk and neo-soul. These were also very popular. Also, teen-pop and dance-pop remained equally as successful. Different versions of rock have emerged such as Grunge, Brit-pop, industrial rock, alternative rock as well as punk rock.
The best artists involving these genres include Pearl Jam, Nirvana, Weezer, Green Day, Radiohead, Red Hot Chilli Peppers, Foo Fighters, Oasis, Marilyn Manson and even Nine Inch Nails with their abstract beats.
The best artists involving these genres include Pearl Jam, Nirvana, Weezer, Green Day, Radiohead, Red Hot Chilli Peppers, Foo Fighters, Oasis, Marilyn Manson and even Nine Inch Nails with their abstract beats.
Foo Fighters Nirvana
Marilyn Manson Green Day
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1990s_in_music
2000's
Teen Pop continued to be the preference in general, however, the genre soon plummeted to Hip Hop and R&B. Apparently, the 1980's Pop music has influenced the music charts of the noughties the most. New artists came to fame such as Adele, who for example had several number one hits such as ''Someone Like You'', ''Hello'' and other popular songs including ''Rolling in the Deep'', ''Chasing Pavements''.
Famous Pop artists of the time: Eminem, Beyonce, Coldplay, Fall Out Boy, Linkin Park, Nickleback, Usher, Akon, and Chris Brown. From this generation's artists, the most successful songs were ''Crazy In love'', ''Deja Vu'', ''Beautiful Liar'', ''If I were a Boy'', ''Telephone'', ''the Real Slim Shady'', ''Stan'', ''Without Me'', ''just Lose It'', ''Like Toy Soldiers'', ''viva la Vida'', ''paradise'', ''You Make Me Wanna...'', ''Yeah'' and many more.
Beyonce Akon
Coldplay Fall Out Boy
Akon Linkin Park
Famous Pop artists of the time: Eminem, Beyonce, Coldplay, Fall Out Boy, Linkin Park, Nickleback, Usher, Akon, and Chris Brown. From this generation's artists, the most successful songs were ''Crazy In love'', ''Deja Vu'', ''Beautiful Liar'', ''If I were a Boy'', ''Telephone'', ''the Real Slim Shady'', ''Stan'', ''Without Me'', ''just Lose It'', ''Like Toy Soldiers'', ''viva la Vida'', ''paradise'', ''You Make Me Wanna...'', ''Yeah'' and many more.
Beyonce Akon
Akon Linkin Park
https://www.quora.com/Is-pop-music-of-2010s-any-better-than-pop-music-of-2000s
https://www.preceden.com/timelines/341257-the-history-of-pop-music
