DAMN. POP MUSIC IS REALLY HARD TO DEFINE. We all know "Pop" stands for "Popular"... but then is a song, by definition, not pop if it flops? Hm. Conversely, does simply being a hit mean it's a pop song? Is there some kind of instrumentation, production, song structure, or whatever that would definitely define it?... Continue Reading →
THANK U, NEXT ARIANA GRANDE 2018 https://youtu.be/gl1aHhXnN1k?si=aIKDlhYfa-Bp0eOm One of the best parts about making pop music is it doesn't have to be about anything. Most of them are boiled down to, "I love you," "I hate you," "I want to f*ck you," or "I want to dance with you." It's all about how you present... Continue Reading →
TEENAGE DREAM KATY PERRY 2010 https://youtu.be/98WtmW-lfeE?si=aRLAioNkDvLD_MLH The title track to Katy Perry's juggernaut Teenage Dream album deserved the moment it had. It sparkles and elicits a nostalgic glow that's genuinely hard to capture. She may have some flashier hits, but this is the best song she ever made. OLD TOWN ROAD REMIX LIL NAS X... Continue Reading →
WATERFALLS TLC 1995 https://youtu.be/8WEtxJ4-sh4?si=Dtvvd1LxKbR2wPJE Kind of sad, kind of hopeful, entirely a bop. The production on "Waterfalls" is incredible, the melody is perfection...but let's all bow down to Left Eye's rap verse on this one. WAKE ME UP BEFORE YOU GO-GO WHAM! 1984 https://youtu.be/pIgZ7gMze7A?si=3tgCz7GDUZq3ZzRo When the sugar's not sweet enough, just call up Wham! "Wake... Continue Reading →
MACARENA[BAYSIDE BOYS REMIX] LOS DEL RIO 1995 https://youtu.be/zWaymcVmJ-A?si=bkL1n6c_Sm68uyIs The "Macarena" ran so TikTok dances could fly. The popular remix of the track itself is underappreciated, though... remember, people wanted to dance to it for a reason. An anthem for sluts? Another conversation. But a true, singular moment in pop music history nonetheless. THE WAY YOU... Continue Reading →
VIDEO KILLED THE RADIO STAR THE BUGGLES 1979 https://youtu.be/W8r-tXRLazs?si=-IZ_YG2J_MViC0AU A poignant commentary on technology's infiltration of society that came decades before personal computers and the internet found their way into every household...but also a bop and a half. EVERYBODY (BACKSTREET'S BACK) BACKSTREET BOYS 1997 https://youtu.be/6M6samPEMpM?si=JWsTgsRxQ3wXeBQI This a bona fide boy band classic. First of all,... Continue Reading →
SOS ABBA 1975 https://youtu.be/cvChjHcABPA?si=ECZ0CuKng9QepurD Many a song has followed the "SOS" format and structure, but nothing could ever capture the essence of what ABBA did here. AMERICAN BOY ESTELLE FT. KANYE WEST 2008 https://youtu.be/Ic5vxw3eijY?si=0eqR0v2ypzsnNJ9o Giving it up for Estelle and the will.i.am groove. The track is a triumph, despite an unfortunate guest feature (at least... Continue Reading →
DECEMBER, 1963(OH, WHAT A NIGHT) THE FOUR SEASONS 1975 https://youtu.be/mTUhnIY3oRM?si=9-JPdeBcjpKdW-Ax A rare Four Seasons hit without Frankie on lead, but arguably their most enduring hit. FADING LIKE A FLOWER(EVERY TIME YOU LEAVE) ROXETTE 1991 https://youtu.be/8fGLiIvKKys?si=V2dJGhsFG26aI8-i Roxette was truly one of the best of their generation. "Fading Like a Flower" thrives on the impact of its... Continue Reading →
ISLAND IN THE SUN WEEZER 2001 https://youtu.be/erG5rgNYSdk?si=3_pqjXuFOmpyloVF Weezer out-Weezed themselves on this one, to the point of earning themselves a big ol' pop hit. MICKEY TONI BASIL 1981 https://youtu.be/3E-Zrg9CB_Q?si=Zm9-FIYpr8VvufC1 A classic, even if a little clawing. Every cheerleader moment that followed - and there's been a plethora - is paying homage to "Mickey." SHE'S SO... Continue Reading →
STARSHIPS NICKI MINAJ 2012 https://youtu.be/SeIJmciN8mo?si=IWKRWnEcbv4Vtb_3 "Starships" was such a moment amongst several many at this time for Nicki. Not in spite of its unseriousness, but because of it. THE LOOK OF LOVE ABC 1982 https://youtu.be/cNEdxZURTaI?si=gGLFmntzaRnUWmQn A synthpop classic that prides itself on its taste for the finer things in life. THERE'S NOTHING HOLDING ME BACK... Continue Reading →
LIQUID DREAMS O-TOWN 2000 https://youtu.be/u7RPvOOjCvE?si=lsVzbnm5S430zYTt This song is...wow...aggressive, but it kind of loops all the way around to hilarious. 5, 6, 7, 8 STEPS 1997 https://youtu.be/4NO-h9PFum4?si=pzQlnGl7zl61Ee8Q If "Cotton Eyed Joe" was a fully flushed out pop song... well then we'd be stuck with two of these things. ARTHUR'S THEME(THE BEST THAT YOU CAN DO) CHRISTOPHER... Continue Reading →
HIDDEN UNDER HEADPHONES 