Pop Rock Research

Where does it originate from? It started in the 1970’s in UK and US with artists such as Paul McCartney,

Elton John and Three Dog Night.

Simon Frith analysed the history of popular music and added the “rock” suffix to new genres. That way pop-infused styles were called pop rock. George Starostin defines it as a subgenre of pop music that uses catchy pop songs that are mostly guitar-based.

How has it evolved? Throughout 1970’s this genre was successful in being catchy and quickly found a loyal

audience. In 1980’s new artists such as Stevie Wonder, who are all known to this day as great artists, dominated the charts with the fall of disco. Later on artists such as Bryan Adams, Tina Turner, Cher and Madonna sang pop rock music, providing more successful female singers in contrast to earlier years.

In the 1990’s a new subgenre emerged combining elements of pop with punk rock, an example is Green Day. Later in the year artists such as Shakira, No Doubt and The Cranberries became popular for their pop rock music. In the 2000’s famous artists such as Maroon 5, Avril Lavigne and P!nk arrived and in the 2010’s in addition to the existing one’s Kelly Clarkson, Train and The Script joined the very successful group of pop rock artists. From the very start this genre had similar conventions and were mostly bands who are passionate about music apart from Shakira and P!nk.

How are artists represented? They are mostly represented as talented artists who are passionate about

their music and mostly play an instrument. They are represented as normal people, wearing casual clothes and people who can have fun. Nevertheless, they are not portrayed in a sexual way and rather as people who feel comfortable in their environment, being themselves just like us.

Ideology This genre shows that if normal people love something and are determined

enough, they can achieve their dreams. It emphasizes their love for music and that you can have fun with whatever you do that you love. As it also represents relationships and everyday situations, it can have both a sad and happy note, perhaps giving us an idea that things can be both bad and good. This is evidenced by Bryan Adams’ “Summer of 69” which has both a happy meaning and a sad meaning.

Artists Examples of contemporary artists that fit really well with the conventions

are; Train and Avril Lavigne.

Both Train and Avril Lavigne represent how they are passionate about music and sing their songs about relationships or life issues. In addition, both artists sing catchy music that everybody likes but doesn’t go for the actual sexual appearance seen in pop songs and both act as if they are confident and comfortable in their environment, wearing casual clothes.

Conventional Music Video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5NPBIwQyPWE

My music video Considering these conventions I am going to include a performance with

close-ups on instruments and a narrative that is based around everyday issues focusing on the artist. Moreover, the actors will wear casual clothes and act confidently and happily to emphasize how they are comfortable and having fun with music.