Genre Focus: Pop

Pop music is arguably the most known and most popular genre of music. It has the biggest number of contributors and is well-loved by a mass audience. The style is very vocal-centred and occasionally introduces electronic and techno-style instrumentals that dominate the "chorus" aspect of the song.

Pop music as a genre is created in a generic way: with artists writing usually two separate parts (known as "verses") that are separated by one main part that is repeated throughout and what usually stays in the audience's mind the most (known as the "chorus").

Here is an example of the structured style of Pop music:

One Direction - Live While We're Young

One Direction create the idea of youth and freedom in "Live While We're Young". The Performance style video is very frequently seen in the Pop genre and is a better visual experience for their consumers - or "fans". The use of close up shots are effective in reminding the audience of their young ages and could have a different effect on the audience dependant on age: for a younger viewer, the shots of the artists having fun and laughing could be an aspiration for when they are the same age and are able to do similar things, and for an older audience it could be a reminder of their youth and the fun they had.

This song follows the structure of 2 similarly styled verses and a chorus that is repeated throughout. It necessarily does not have a moral or story behind it, however it does cause the audience to reflect or look forward in their lives.

Pop Artists - click on each name to visit their Wikipedia page.

- Katy Perry