Why Pop Music Is So Incredibly Popular
Why is pop music so immensely popular? It’s been the main genre in music for what it feels like forever. And doesn’t look like anything is going to change any time soon. While other genres go through rises and falls in popularity, Pop remains the king. So, what’s its secret? In short:
- Pop music has 3 key characteristics that make it the most successful genre of all. They are:
- Extremely relatable lyrics and themes.
- Super catchy and easy to enjoy melodies.
- Huge diversity within the genre.
Think about it for a moment. When you narrow it down, Pop music’s popularity secret lies in its incredibly relatable lyrics, super catchy melodies, and amazing diversity within the genre itself. It is the easiest genre for the wider audience to connect with, enjoy, and find a sub-genre that resonates perfectly with their taste.
Of course, there are other factors and reasons why this is the go-to genre for most people. For example Pop music enjoys unrivaled accessibility – it is being played everything, all the time. No matter what part of the world you are in, you will eventually hear the same hits blasting from TV, Radio, Web, advertisement, etc.
I’ll briefly explain all the nuances down below.
Universal Appeal
Universal appeal of pop songs is undeniable. But why does pop music have this effect on us? It’s all about the lyrics and the themes that it touches upon.
Pop music captures life’s big moments and emotions in ways that simply hit home for just about anyone. The genre specializes in exploring personal matters like love, breakups, desires, everyday emotions, friendships. We can all relate to this, because these themes mirror our own experiences. We are all humans after all.
So when artists use their own stories to write songs, they resonate with so many people. It’s the shared human experience that makes pop music so easy to relate to.
Catchiness Of The Melodies
Ever caught yourself humming a tune you just can’t get out of your head? Sometimes for hours or even days. Don’t worry – we’ve all been there. That’s one of the Pop’s genre main strengths – catchy melodies. Pop music creates songs that simply stick. They just keep replaying in our heads long after the music stops.
The trick is in simple, repetitive structures and rhythms. This simplicity, combined with beats makes pop songs extremely easy to remember. And if the lyrics are simple enough you end up sinning these songs on your wayfrom work, or in the sower. A truly powerful combination.
Accessibility
No point in denying it – pop’s everywhere. From radio stations, to TV shows and movie soundtracks. From Sports events to advertisement reels. This accessibility makes it easy for these catchy tunes and relatable lyrics to become even more popular. They are on the constant rotation in the background. No other genre can boat a similar presence in out everyday life. As a result Pop melodies are often hard to forget and easy to love.
Diversity Within The Genre
Pop music’s diversity is one of the reasons why it never gets old and why it is so widespread. This genre combines sounds, stories, and cultures. It easily blends beats, other genres, and influences from across the globe. Each artist adds something from their part of the world, their heritage. Pop is a perfect genre for that.
Here’s an example of how different Pop music can be:
And with this mix we have so many sub-genres of pop that literally anyone can find music that resonates with them. You like hip hop? Modern pop scene can offer plenty of artists who incorporate it in their songs. Or maybe you like soul music? No problem – the genre has so many superstars who add elements of soul to their music. You got the idea.
Production and Quality
We can argue on the level of quality and talent that is prevalent in the modern music industry. But behind the most popular catchy pop tunes stand the art of production. High-quality production finds that perfect way of mixing together the beat, each note, and vocal to make a song very listenable and memorable. It is not easy at all. But if you think it is – try making a hit yourself. Who knows, maybe you are the next big superstar!
Media and Marketing
Social media is the new titan for music promotion. A catchy clip or a viral reel can catapult a track from obscurity to the top playlists. It’s instant and it’s global. That’s how stars are born overnight. And marketing campaigns are there to boost this even further. From billboards to sponsored posts, big budgets are spent to promote some songs and artist behind them.
Pop Icons
Talking about artists, let’s not forget the power of the connection the audiences have with the superstars of the genre. Pop icons have always been some of the most recognized celebrities in the world. Even if you are not into music you most likely heard names of Michael Jackson, Whitney Houston, Taylor Swift, Ed Sheeran and alike. Through their stories, social media and live performances they gain more and more fans. The more popular they get, the more exposure their music gets and therefore the more people get to hear them.
Evolution and Trends
One other contributor to the Pop genre dominance is that it always changes. It never stands still. Cultural shifts new technologies, new tastes – all this influences the genre and pushes its evolution. Pop hits from 60s are so much different from popular songs of the 80s and 90s. It’s a quite fascinating to see how the genre changed through the years.
Take a look at how hits from different eras sound so differently:
The 60s
The 70s
The 80s
The 90s
The 2000s
And the fact that Pop music from various eras is so distinctive adds to the genre’s overall richness. You can be a fan of 70s pop (or any other era) and never even touch modern stuff if you don’t like it. It’s so easy to find the style that fits your taste and preferences.
Conclusion
In essence, pop music’s global appeal stands on the shoulders of truly relatable lyrics, catchy tunes, and genre diversity. These elements combine deliver a musical experience that speaks a broad spectrum of music fans. Add to this such factors like Evolution of the genre, the influence of Pop icons, marketing, production with accessibility and you will have a recipe for the most popular music in the world.
