This essay discusses three fundamental points everyone must know about popular music. Firstly, popular music is a reflection of society; secondly, there are many benefits to engaging in popular music culture; finally, the genre is currently under threat. The term popular music first appeared in a publication by William Chapple titled Popular Music of the Olden Times in 1855 but it was not until the 1930s and 1940s until the term gained wider currency (Shuker, 1998). Since then, the definition of popular music has been heavily debated by scholars in the musical community due to the genre’s complexities and ambiguities, which create challenges when deciding what music can be regarded as popular (Middleton, 1990). A broad description of the genre is provided by Shuker who explains, “essentially, all popular music consists of a hybrid of musical traditions, styles, and influences, and is also an economic product which is invested with ideological significance by many of its consumers”.
It is important for everyone to know that popular music is a reflection of society because people can learn about history through music, which serves as an invaluable medium for documenting the evolution of society. A fantastic example of this is the song Over the rainbow is where I want to be, which was renamed to Somewhere over the rainbow. The song was written by Harold Arlem with lyrics by Yip Harburg and released in 1939 with July Garland as the vocalist. The lyrics perfectly capture the mood of the 1930s, which was a time of widespread unemployment, misery and despair known as the Great Depression.
Table of Contents
1. Popular Music
Objectives and Core Themes
This document aims to explore the multifaceted nature of popular music, analyzing its role as a mirror of societal history, its psychological and physiological benefits, and the modern challenges it faces due to digital piracy and changing distribution models.
- The role of popular music as a reflection of society and historical events.
- The health benefits of popular music, including stress reduction and immune response.
- The negative impact of digital piracy on the music industry.
- The shift from physical media to digital consumption and its ethical implications.
- The importance of legal sourcing to ensure the future of music distribution.
Excerpt from the Book
Popular Music
The term popular music first appeared in a publication by William Chapple titled Popular Music of the Olden Times in 1855 but it was not until the 1930s and 1940s until the term gained wider currency (Shuker, 1998). Since then, the definition of popular music has been heavily debated by scholars in the musical community due to the genre’s complexities and ambiguities, which create challenges when deciding what music can be regarded as popular (Middleton, 1990). A broad description of the genre is provided by Shuker who explains, “essentially, all popular music consists of a hybrid of musical traditions, styles, and influences, and is also an economic product which is invested with ideological significance by many of its consumers” (1998). This essay discusses three fundamental points everyone must know about popular music. Firstly, popular music is a reflection of society; secondly, there are many benefits to engaging in popular music culture; finally, the genre is currently under threat.
It is important for everyone to know that popular music is a reflection of society because people can learn about history through music, which serves as an invaluable medium for documenting the evolution of society. A fantastic example of this is the song Over the rainbow is where I want to be, which was renamed to Somewhere over the rainbow. The song was written by Harold Arlem with lyrics by Yip Harburg and released in 1939 with July Garland as the vocalist. The lyrics perfectly capture the mood of the 1930s, which was a time of widespread unemployment, misery and despair known as the Great Depression.
Summary of Chapters
1. Popular Music: This chapter introduces the genre, explores its function in documenting historical socio-cultural moods through specific song examples, highlights health-related benefits like stress reduction, and addresses the critical threat posed by illegal digital distribution.
Keywords
Popular music, Great Depression, Somewhere over the rainbow, immune system, cortisol, digital piracy, music industry, IFPI, music distribution, history, social reflection, health benefits, ethics, digital consumption, contemporary society
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary focus of this work?
The work examines the evolution, societal impact, health benefits, and economic threats facing the genre of popular music.
What are the central themes discussed in the text?
The core themes include the historical value of music, the biological benefits of music listening, and the impact of digital theft on industry sustainability.
What is the main objective of the research?
The goal is to illustrate that popular music is an essential, albeit endangered, art form that reflects societal change and provides tangible human health benefits.
Which scientific methods are referenced?
The text references a 2008 experiment conducted by researchers at Sussex University and the Marx Planck Institute, utilizing blood and saliva samples to measure cortisol and immune responses.
What content is covered in the main body?
The body analyzes the song "Somewhere over the rainbow" as a historical artifact, discusses immune system studies, and reviews economic reports on digital piracy.
Which keywords best characterize this work?
Key terms include popular music, digital piracy, social reflection, immune system, and music industry.
How does the author define the relationship between music and history?
The author argues that music captures the "mood" of an era, citing the Great Depression as a period reflected in the lyrics and emotional tone of contemporary songs.
What evidence is provided regarding the threat of piracy?
The work cites reports from the IFPI and academic researchers, demonstrating the rise of illegal downloading and the subsequent decline of physical media sales.
Why is the "Somewhere over the rainbow" example significant?
It serves as a case study demonstrating how song lyrics capture historical frustration and utopian longing during periods of economic hardship.
What is the author's conclusion regarding the future of the industry?
The author concludes that legal consumption is necessary to ensure that artists and record companies can continue to provide access to music for the public.
- Citar trabajo
- Bachelor of Music Kassidy-Rose McMahon (Autor), 2017, Three things everyone should know about popular music, Múnich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/369877
