In Search of the Perfect Pop Song

michduncg · Post by **michduncg** » Sun Mar 11, 2007 6:10 pm

I think of 'pop' music as songs writtened and produced with commerical success as the overall consideration. This may go beyond the actual song itself and effect the packaging and presentation of the act. Its music thats designed to entertain more than challenge, with an added element being an easy or catchy chorus for the public to join in and feel part of the song. Think how many times you've been to a wedding disco and heard 'Come on Eileen' or 'Hi, ho, Silver Lining' or 'Rock DJ' - did people just stand and listen? no - they usually all join in! That doesn't mean that a ballad can't be a pop song - look at the success of 'Angels' by Robbie Williams. Its a pop song because people identify with it and join in.

Pop music as a phenemenon begam a long time ago really, with the music hall acts of the Victorian era offering entertainment to relieve the drudgery of working class life. This trend has carried on over the last 100 years or more, with no real change in the concept - just an adaptation to style and technology of the era

So, whilst our lifestyles have changed, pop music is still there. Its sound changes to reflect whats happening in the more serious musical world around it. Todays pop has influence from many genres. R n B, house, garage, reggae, rock, punk - whatever! But if 'if has a good beat and you can dance to it', and sing along to it, then its probably pop!

Ive never really thought of Matt as a pop singer, nor his songs purely pop songs. He is more than that - he is an entertainer. He has a much more thoughtful and intelligent approach to his style than a manufactured pop act. However, if there is one of his songs that does get people of all ages joining in then it would be 'Born Free'.

jon · Post by **jon** » Wed Mar 14, 2007 3:23 pm

Did you know that Schubert's songs were often referred to as "the pop songs of their day"? Strange but true. However I don't think they are anybody's idea of poo songs today.

paul jh · Post by **paul jh** » Wed Mar 14, 2007 5:20 pm

That's true, Jon. I've also heard The Blue Danube Waltz by Johann Strauss referred to as the very first pop song!

Perhaps in a hundred years Beatles, Motown, and ABBA songs will be considered to be "classical" music!

ROBERT M. · Post by **ROBERT M.** » Wed Mar 14, 2007 5:59 pm

I hope that was a spelling mistake in your post John

Lena & Harry Smith · Post by **Lena & Harry Smith** » Wed Mar 14, 2007 6:14 pm

And in your spelling too Robert

Jon's name for a start

ROBERT M. · Post by **ROBERT M.** » Wed Mar 14, 2007 6:16 pm

Damn and Blast.........................................................................

Lena & Harry Smith · Post by **Lena & Harry Smith** » Wed Mar 14, 2007 6:39 pm

Ha Ha,

there you are Robert, it seems to be since you had that last Birthday.

Marian · Post by **Marian** » Wed Mar 14, 2007 6:55 pm

I thought it was quite an appropriate mis-spelling, for some pop songs anyway!!

Marian

michduncg · Post by **michduncg** » Wed Mar 14, 2007 8:55 pm

When was Roberts birthday and how old was he L & H - he is constantly sniping at your age, but I reckon he's not that much younger - hence the 1980s photo

john · Post by **john** » Wed Mar 14, 2007 9:06 pm

I think there have been a few references to Robert's age Mike in the past, I don't think he is a spring chicken anyway!

Sorry Robert!

mariana44 · Post by **mariana44** » Wed Mar 14, 2007 9:26 pm

Robert likes to tell us his age in the form of a cryptic riddle.

He is somewhere between 20 and 80.

ROBERT M. · Post by **ROBERT M.** » Thu Mar 15, 2007 2:12 am

Are you sure Marian

Lena & Harry Smith · Post by **Lena & Harry Smith** » Thu Mar 15, 2007 9:41 am

Robert's age is the forums mystery Mike. As for our age, and since the recent reference on another thread to people croaking in their Sixties, we're feeling rather chuffed this morning. Wrinkly maybe, baggy eyed and creaking bones but chuffed.!!!!

Mark Fox · Post by **Mark Fox** » Thu Mar 15, 2007 11:14 am

And around comes the Eurovision Song(?)Contest again!!!

mariana44 · Post by **mariana44** » Thu Mar 15, 2007 1:53 pm

That is incredible--it only seems a short while that we were discussing Last years Eurovision. I guess we cannot do much worse than last year---can we ???