Music Genres Explained: Pop

There’s a whole world of music out there (the medal for the most obvious statement goes to us). It’s estimated that there are anywhere between 97 and 230 million songs in the world, although we’re sure you understand, this is an impossible stat to measure. 

Us humans like order. We like to put things into boxes so they make sense to us. And we like to use these boxes to help us form an identity ourselves. That’s why music genres are so important. 

We recently did a crash-course on what genre is, but now it’s time to start deep diving into some specifics. And what better place to start than the most popular genre, pop?

Pop music isn’t just the soundtrack of radio - it’s a powerful tool for shaping the energy and mood of your business space. Retail stores, cafés, and hospitality venues use pop playlists to create upbeat, welcoming atmospheres that encourage customers to stay longer and engage more.

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What is pop music?

Pop music is a genre of popular music that originated in its modern form during the mid-1950s in the United States and the United Kingdom. 

What ‘pop music’ is has changed throughout time, and the genre isn’t specific to one sound. However, it is often distinguished from other subgenres by stylistic traits such as danceable rhythm or beat, simple melodies and a repeating structure, with lyrics that are often related to love or dancing. 

Some people consider pop music to be a style rather than a genre, as the types of music that are a part of it are so varied. The genre has included elements of rock, hip hop, reggae, dance, R&B, jazz, electronic and folk music throughout time. If we look at the 1920s-1950s, pop music leaned heavily on jazz music. Then we began to see R&B influences, and hip hop since the 1980s. What seems to separate the genre from others is its mass popularity.

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The sound.

As we said, pop music has drawn from a plethora of genres in its time. Put simply, it’s an amalgamation of the genres that are popular at the time. 

Generally, the genre uses a simple, memorable melody, with emphasis on the rhythm, and a basic riff or loop which repeats throughout much of the song. Structurally, pop songs usually have a verse and a chorus, each with different musical material, as well as a bridge connecting them.

Pop music is often ‘commercial’ sounding - although this has often been a criticism, and isn’t always the case, it helps us to identify the genre on platforms like radio or TV. 

Running a business?
Upbeat pop tracks can increase dwell time and make your space feel more vibrant. Choosing the right mix of current hits and classics ensures your playlist fits your brand identity.

→ Get a custom pop playlist for your business.

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The history.

The phrase ‘popular music’ is said to have appeared first at the beginning of the 19th century, to distinguish the popular songs at the time from the production of ‘cultured’ music, and was used to indicate musical forms with mostly simple structure. 

“One of the main strengths of pop music is the relationship between the standardised framework of what makes pop pop (structure, rhythm, instrumentation) and the richness of its history as a genre.”

- Magnus, Startle's Music Consultant

In the 1950s, with industrialisation beginning to advance, pop music started to advance. TV and radio began to advertise the songs and gain more traction. Of course, in the 1960s, we saw bands like The Beatles start to appear. Since the 1960s, the genre adapted and each decade saw new pop artists making their mark - the 1970s saw ABBA and Elton John, the 1980s had Michael Jackson and Madonna, and the 1990s had Destiny’s Child and TLC. Of course, entering the 2000s, we saw artists like Backstreet Boys and Britney Spears take to the main stage, and the 2010s gave rise to singers like Katy Perry and Justin Bieber.

Some say that the pop genre we know came in 3 phases: 

1. The explosion of British groups like the Beatles and Rolling Stones, who embedded rock influence into the genre
2. The use of new technology and instruments in the 1980s like synthesisers, electronic drums and samples
3. The 1990s influence of hip hop and rap having a huge impact on the genre

We’re excited to see how the genre continues to develop and evolve in the future. 

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Identifiable pop artists.

Although we’ve talked about some of the iconic pop musicians throughout history, here are a few more examples. 

According to YouGov, the top 5 most famous pop artists of all time are:

1. Britney Spears

2. Ed Sheeran 

3. Elvis Presley

4. Michael Jackson

5. Adele

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Pop music for businesses.

For retail and hospitality brands, pop music can be a useful tool to encourage specific customer behaviour and brand affinity.

• Emotional tone: pop's tone is upbeat, friendly, energising.
• Tempo & familiarity: pop music can encourage engagement in-store.
• Brand alignment: modern hits can work well for trendy retail, classic pop is great for welcoming cafés.
• Metrics: music genre can affect dwell time, customer mood and atmosphere.

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We asked our Music Consultant, Magnus, to about the real life applications of pop music for brands, with behavioural science in mind.

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