All About Britney Spears

How do YOU define POP MUSIC? Is there even a general consensus?

In a historical sense, Pop(ular) Music is defined as the opposite of classical music and is just, well, popular at the time it was written. But I see alternate meanings. Among them are: Pop music has universal meaning, which makes the lyrics easier to relate to. Pop music has simple melodies that very memorable to the listener. Pop music is merely a genre, like rock or hip-hop. What does POP mean to you?

Public Comments

1. Yes, 'Pop' is indeed a genre. It means Popular Music... You twigging on now?
2. in my opinion, i think of pop music as anything that a normal adult would not listen to. most pop music is for children. again, only my opinion, thats all.
3. there is a very huge misconception about pop music and is that the music and lyrics have to be simple and melodic and danceable....wrong!!!!!!!! and let me tell you, i don´t discriminate any genre so i pretty much listen to a lot of music and i have find rock, metal, grunge, folk, ska,etc, songs that are very disgusting...so to assume that only pop music has forgettable songs only proves a lack of knowledge in the subject. yeah there a more pop artists that are very plastic but just remember pop covers a big variety of sounds... and pop to me seems like amy other genre, something to relate Inspire and enjoy
4. There are a couple of uses for it and to an extent there has to be a context to back it. The way it is most commonly used on this site (though it is put into a context that would lead one to believe someone is talking about an actual genre) is to speak of actual popular music. Much like a kiosk at a book store that holds all of the best sellers, regardless of where they would be filed within the store if they weren't a part of the best sellers grouping. This construct of pop can hold rap, R&B, rock, whatever. The funny thing is that people refer to it like there is an actual genre classification that bonds Eminem, the Jonas Brothers, Madonna, the Black Eyed Peas, and Coldplay. There is a pop genre though. This is basically what Michael Jackson brought to prominence and is carried on by artists like Justin Timberlake. That sort of dancey R&B that takes bits and pieces from all over the sort of sphere of popular music, I suppose that's how it ended up with a title as ambiguous as "pop" but there is a sound that binds it. Basically, dancey R&B with elements of modern rock scattered in. There is also pop as in an adjective. Paul McCartney has been said to be the best weaver of "pop tunes" in rock and roll history. Elton John and Billy Joel also come to mind. These artists that write appealing, generally structurally formulaic (but not to necessarily be confused with simple), "hook-y," catchy tunes. A while back I came to the band I was in and said "check out this pop tune I wrote" and I was referring to a sort of light, catchy tune, Radio friendly. I use all three, depending on the context.
5. pop music is what preppy teenagers with too much money listen too the lyrics have no feeling, they just rhyme the melodies could have been made up in someones sleep and the singers all either have 21 year old boyfriends when they are 15 or those asian bang haircuts
6. Music that could conceivably receive airplay on mainstream radio.