Music History - 2006 - 2010

Music had changed drastically throughout the years, from folk to rock n' roll to Hip Hop. But the tunes keep on going. And each new style that emerges speaks to an audience, applies to an individual, and creates an inspiration for future artists. For the last several years, the most widely known and 'popular' genre of music has been Pop music. Music that can be hard and fast with a catchy beat, it can be soulful, it can make you laugh, make you cry, inspire you to do something good, or try something bad. This music appeals to us in ways that only that music is responsible for. It also uses a lot of dancing when performing it or songs that are about it or its main focal point. This Pop Music is so incredibly diverse that it can create new sounds and sights that make an impact, and help the music world to grow even further along. 

At the turn of 2006, Music had all ready been well established in North America for decades, but the best was yet to come. Just kidding, the best has come and gone, or isn’t famous on a global stage like the World Wide popular music is today. The style of music was so very broad and so very different, whether it was unforgettable bass slapping from Flea of the Red Hot Chili Peppers, or the un-mistakable whine/singing of Justine Bieber. But let us not forget how huge the music world has really gotten, how many genres and styles are present. How many different bands and artists appeal and speak to a generation. Or how many artists are still going strong and making that music we can’t seem to get enough of. Its more than just writing music that appeals to targeted demographics, it’s about moving people, helping people to make a difference, trying to make the world a better place. Now of course this all isn’t true about every artist from this time. Lots of them just partied hard like there was no tomorrow, probably did some things many of our mothers wouldn’t approve of, but they didn’t care. They were famous. On top of that writing songs changed drastically, from where one single man could write a song like bohemian rhapsody, and where 9 people had to write a song that’s chorus went “Baby Baby Baby OH!”… And repeat.

But all in all this still was a great time period in music. Artists emerged that left their mark and guaranteed they will not be forgotten so easily. The legendary ranges of female artists like Pink and Rihanna, the duos of groups like The Pussycat Dolls ft. Snoop Dogg or Kayne West ft. Jamiee Foxx, just to name a few.

06 & 2007 stars like Beyoncé, Carrie Underwood, Maroon 5 and Akon all made impressions in the music industry with their songs. Pop music was still in the lead for the style of music that was most popular in that year. Pop derived from Rock n’ Roll. Pop music is very eclectic, which means it grabs ideas, style, or taste from a wide range of sources and mash them together. It ‘borrows’ from genres like dance, rock, urban, country and Latin.

Pop was influenced by youth as a way to express the subcultures with the need to be heard. It is also a sort of channel to really vent thoughts of everyday people and social issues around the world. Typical Pop Music aims to an appeal to a general audience, rather than a particular subculture. Great deal more effects put into recording and production. It also encourages dancing, or uses dancing in its expressions. 2008 - 09 brought up musicians like Leona Lewis, Katy Perry, Finger Eleven, Kevin Rudolph, Jason Mraz, and of course Taylor Swift. Lady Gaga, Shine Down, Miley Cyrus, and Kings of Leon.

A lot of Pop Music derived and style of music like Post Beatles, R&B, as well as Boy Band influences. The name Pop Music was derived from the word ‘Popular’, back in the 1920s. It simply meant music that had a ‘Popular’ feel or appeal.

Fun facts: - Led Zeppelin and REM have never had a number one signal. Rihanna has 10 or so. Music is written not only by artists performing the songs but fellow artists, as well as designated writers. It is usually a collaboration of a team of writers. Some of which are also well-known artists and performers, ex) David Foster. Social issues that are around the world, Government, and economic struggle or power, these are just some of the topics put together in today’s songs. Of course there’s always songs about love, somebody’s feeling sexy, some player’s walkin’ all up in da club, or some other random jazz. There is a lot more freedom when writing this era’s style of music, if its catchy and has a beat, people usually don’t care what the actual song is about, sometimes it’s not even about anything anyway. Interesting Facts: 

-       Taylor Allison Swift is born 1989

-       Legendary Pop icon Michael Jackson died on June 25, 2009

2010 brought sensations like Kesha, Lady Antebellum, Bruno Mars, and our own, Michael Buble.

Music is an international language, and there’s no stopping it. And if someone somehow ever did, the entire world would riot against it. It’s here to stay, so my advice to is to go live it, be apart of it. Listen to it, play it, embrace it, and love it.

Here’s also some links to check out.

http://www.bobborst.com/popculture/top-100-songs-of-the-year/?year=2006

http://top40.about.com/od/popmusic101/a/popmusic.htm

http://www.citelighter.com/music/overall/knowledgecards/history-of-pop-music