Pop music

Pop music, or simply pop, is a type of music that started in the mid-1950s in the United States and the United Kingdom. It grew from rock and roll and became very popular with young people. Over time, pop music became known for its catchy tunes and easy-to-listen style.

Pop songs often have repeating parts that make them memorable, and they are usually short and follow a simple pattern. Many pop songs borrow ideas from other music styles like rock, hip hop, dance, and country, making the genre fun and lively.

Because pop music aims to appeal to many people, it changes often to stay fresh and exciting. Today, pop music continues to be one of the most enjoyed types of music around the world.

Definitions and etymology

Pop music is a type of music that stands out from popular, jazz, and folk music. Some people think pop music is just the songs that are very popular, but it includes many kinds of music like classical, jazz, rock, and fun, special songs. Pop music is seen as its own special kind of music, made to please everyone, especially teenagers, unlike rock music which is more for albums and adults.

The idea of pop music started in the mid-1950s in Britain as a way to describe rock and roll and new music that young people liked. Over time, pop music became known as music that is more commercial, easy to like, and changes often. It is made to appeal to everyone and is created by music companies and radio stations rather than by everyday people.

Characteristics

Pop music tries to appeal to everyone, not just a specific group. It focuses on being fun and easy to listen to, often using simple melodies and catchy tunes. Many pop songs are about love and relationships, and they usually last between two and a half to three and a half minutes.

Pop songs often have a verse and a chorus. The chorus is the part that repeats and is meant to be memorable. The music usually has a steady beat and simple harmonies, making it easy to enjoy and dance to.

Development and influence

Technology and media

In the 1940s, better microphones let singers perform in a more personal way. Soon after, affordable records changed how people listened to music. Television in the 1950s meant pop stars needed to look good on screen. In the 1960s, small portable radios let teenagers listen to music anywhere. By the 1980s, music TV channels like MTV helped famous artists such as Michael Jackson and Madonna become even more popular.

New ways to record music, like multi-track recording and digital sampling, helped shape pop music. Pop music kept changing its sounds and styles, and by the late 1960s, there was a split between more complex "progressive" pop and simpler, more popular "chart" pop.

Stylistic evolution

Pop music has always taken ideas from other types of music. Early pop music was inspired by American songs and shows. Over time, it mixed in sounds from classical music, folk, rock, country, and electronic music. A study in 2016 found that modern pop songs often use fewer musical ideas and simpler sounds than pop songs from the 1960s.

In the 1960s, pop music was either performed by bands with guitars, drums, and bass or by singers with orchestras. Artists and producers tried new sounds, like the famous "Wall of Sound" style. By the 1980s, digital recording and synthesizers became common, and electronic music grew very popular. By the 2010s, pop music often sounded sad but still made people want to dance.

International spread and crosspollination

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Michael Jackson and Madonna became known as the "King and Queen of Pop" in the 1980s.

Pop music has been shaped mainly by American and British music industries, but many countries have their own versions of pop. For example, Japan creates a lot of pop music in the Western style. Latin pop, with artists like Ritchie Valens and Selena, also became very popular worldwide. Famous global pop stars from the late 20th century include Whitney Houston, Michael Jackson, Madonna, George Michael, and Prince.

21st century

In the early 2000s, downloading music from the internet changed the music industry. Pop music began to mix many different styles, making them blend together. By the 2010s, dance music and club trends became very important. Songs about partying and escaping worries became popular.

In the 2020s, the Weeknd's song "Blinding Lights" became one of the most successful songs ever, topping lists and breaking streaming records. Pop music continued to dominate on platforms like Spotify, Apple Music, and YouTube Music, with artists like Taylor Swift, Drake, Ariana Grande, and Olivia Rodrigo leading the way.