Influences on Pop

Influences on Pop

Origins of Pop

• Spans from 1950s rock and roll bands such as Elvis Presley and The Beatles.
• The 1970s added diversity with the emergence of punk rock and disco.
• Modern pop music has been heavily influenced by R&B, dance music, and hip-hop.

Key Musical Elements

• Often, pop music features a verse-chorus structure.
• Use of catchy melodies and repeated hooks to engage listeners.
• Importance of backing vocals and harmonising to enhance the main melody.
• Regular use of synthesizers and drum machines.

Cultural and Societal Influence

• The Swinging Sixties in Britain and the US impacted the music scene, with pop music addressing issues like the Vietnam War.
• In the 1980s, the rise of MTV transformed pop music with the importance of visual storytelling.
• Current pop music is influenced by the growth of streaming platforms and social media.

Pop Sub-Genres

• Synth-pop emerged in the 80s, defined by its use of synthesized sounds.
• Teen pop, aimed at a younger audience, became popular through artists like Britney Spears and One Direction.
• Pop rock, blending pop’s catchy hooks with rock’s raw energy, rose to prominence with bands such as Paramore.
• Pop punk came about in the late 90s/early 2000s, with bands like Blink-182 and Green Day popularising the genre.

Remember, understanding these influences can deepen your appreciation of the breadth and complexity of pop music, as well as strengthening your musical analysis and creative composition skills.