Study Notes on Traditional Pop Music

Introduction to Traditional Pop Songs

  • Historical Context

    • Traditional pop songs emerged in the 1920s.
    • Composers of stage musicals gained popularity over Tin Pan Alley songwriters.

  • Characteristics of Pop Songs

    • Different from songs found in genres such as vaudeville, jazz, gospel, and blues.
    • Language tends to be genteel, avoiding crass or exaggerated expressions.
    • Incorporates memorable melodies and harmonies suitable for artistic instrumental treatment and interpretations.

  • Role of Music Arrangers

    • Musicians used pop songs as raw material for arranging and rearranging.
    • Utilized in various settings:
    • For singers
    • Dance bands
    • Movie scenes
    • Nightclub shows

  • Market Demand for Pop Songs

    • Jazz groups, dance bands, radio shows, recording artists, and film musicals cultivated a high demand for artistic pop songs.
    • Example:
    • Hoagie Carmichael's "Stardust" earned millions through live performances, radio, music, movies, and recording royalties.
    • A good traditional pop tune served as a valuable piece of copyright merchandise.

  • Evolution of Singers in the 1930s

    • Solo singers grew in importance.
    • Big bands like Duke Ellington, Count Basie, and Benny Goodman began incorporating singers into their music.
    • Singers typically earned less than instrumentalists and performed less frequently.
    • Over time, singers became star attractions; examples include:
    • Ella Fitzgerald
    • Bing Crosby
    • These artists built enduring careers by interpreting jazz and Broadway standards.

  • Diversification of Singers

    • By the 1940s and early 1950s, singers began branching out to cover a range of tunes from various genres.

Survey of Traditional Pop Singers (1940s & 1950s)

  • Profile Characteristics

    • All surveyed musicians were primarily singers, not songwriters or composers.
    • Uncommon for singers to write their own material; instead, they interpreted standard repertory.
    • Common composers included:
      • Gershwins
      • Cole Porter
      • Rogers and Hammerstein

  • Career Longevity

    • Some singers began their careers before 1940; others thrived beyond the 1950s.
    • Their interpretations exemplify the mainstream popular music of the World War II era.