Research - Pop Genre

What is Pop Music?

The definition of pop music is flexible as the music that is identified as pop is constantly changing.

It is very common for people to confuse the Pop genre for 'popular music', however they are very different.  Pop music, on the other hand, has primarily come into usage to describe music that evolved out of the rock 'n roll revolution of the mid-1950's and continues on a definable path today.

Typical Song Structure

One of the most consistent elements of pop music since the 1950's is the pop song. Pop music is not usually written, performed and recorded as a symphony, suite, or concerto. The basic form for pop music is the song and usually a song consisting of verse and repeated chorus. Most often the songs are between 2 1/2 minutes and 5 1/2 minutes in length.

Pop Music Today 

Today's pop music has been heavily influenced by the development of recording technology. Electronic music played and recorded digitally permeates most of today's top selling pop music. However, in a shift from the mainstream, Adele's "Someone Like You" from 2011 became the first song featuring only piano and vocals to reach #1 on the US pop chart. In 2014, with her album 1989, Taylor Swift became the biggest country music performer ever to shift to recording an album that is entirely pop music.

Top 10 Pop Artists

1) Michael Jackson

2) Katy Perry

3) The Beatles

4) Taylor Swift

5) Pink

6) Adele

7) Lady Gaga

8) Elvis

9) Maroon 5

10) Enrique Igleasias