1950s-1960s 

Pop Music has been around since the early 1950s and originated in the United States and United Kingdom. Pop songs can be categorized as catchy, upbeat, and rarely longer than 3 minutes. In the 1960s, pop music was made up of a combination of rock, R&B, and folk music. With artists like Elvis, The Beach Boys, and The Beatles, pop music was still very experimental. 

1970s-1980s 

 By the 1970s, pop music was very different from what it is today. The genre was a mixture of punk rock and pop. The biggest milestone in the 70s for pop music was Elton John’s pop ballads such as “Bennie and the Jets” and “Don’t Go Breaking My Heart.” Jackson 5 was also becoming a pop phenomenon with hits like “Want You Back” and “ABC.” The 1980s allowed pop music to grow even more. By adding synthesizers and electronic sounds, pop music was becoming revolutionary. Micheal Jackson’s Thriller album, released in 1982, still holds the record for the best-selling album of all time. The 80s were creating a whole new pop-music culture that would continue evolving.  

1990s 

The 90s was a defining decade for music, filled with rap, alternative, pop, and many one-hit wonders. The nineties pop music scene was also dominated by female artists. Madonna, Mariah Carrey, Whitney Houston, Céline Dion, Cher, and Janet Jackson are just some of the women who ruled the charts. Mariah Carrey gained 14/18 of her number one hits from 1990-1999. The nineties also welcomed musical groups to rise among the charts. Groups like Backstreet Boys, NSYNC, Destiny’s Child, and Spice Girls were global icons. Spice Girls are still the most successful female group of all time.  

2000s 

By the 2000s, pop music was filled with an endless number of artists, each defining singer taking the elements of traditional pop and adding their own spin to it. Britney Spears and Christina Aguilera are both talented singers who got their start as child stars and became pop superstars in the 2000s. The early 2000s was led with teen pop, by the mid-2000s, R&B and hip-hop influences were heavily incorporated in pop music. Some examples include “Crazy in Love” by Beyonce, “Cry Me a River” by Justin Timberlake, and “Dilemma” by  Nelly. As Boy Bands faded, there was a rise of emo pop and punk pop in the middle of the decade. Bands like Panic! At the Disco, Fall Out Boy, My Chemical Romance, and Jimmy Eat Word, all had peaks in their careers.  

2010s 

Pop music in the 2010s was influenced by the rise of digital streaming. Electronic dance music was heavily mixed into pop music. Artists like Avicii, David Guetta, and others topped the charts with their upbeat club music. At the beginning of the decade, social media played a role in young celebrities’ careers. Justin Bieber made it big by going viral on Youtube and other celebrities like Taylor Swift, Ariana Grande, and One Direction used Twitter and Instagram to connect with their fans.  

There was also a resurgence of synth-pop from the ‘80s. Artists such as The Weeknd, Katy Perry, Taylor Swift, and Lady Gaga used modern production to blend synth pop styles with mainstream pop. Streaming services like Apple Music and Spotify were very popular throughout the decade, allowing for non-mainstream pop singers to reach wider audiences. Later in the decade, Latin pop surged in popularity. Songs like “Despacito,” “Havana,” and “I Like It” are all very recognizable songs and each had a lot of success.  

Current 

Pop music continues to blend many different elements and sounds together. Artists in the genre experiment with styles and incorporate influences of R&B, electronic, indie, and hip-hop. Streaming platforms continue to shape the way we listen to music. Artists use social media to promote their music and use streaming services to engage their listeners. Pop music is so global now, artists from different countries and cultures influence each other’s sounds. Groups like TWICE, BTS, Seventeen, and BLACKPINK are some examples of K-pop bands to reach major success outside of South Korea. Currently, artists pay great attention to the visual aspects of their music. They add aesthetics and storytelling elements to their music videos. They also use cohesive props and imagery during their live performances to enhance the impact of the music.  

Overall, current pop music is diverse, and artists today are constantly pushing boundaries and challenging traditional pop. Throughout the years pop music has evolved and transformed due to technology, and audience preference. Pop music still shapes pop culture and influences trends.