inspired by some of the recent discussions.
if we're going to do indie, let's do this "chart pop" thing we keep hearing about. what exactly does the term encompass? anything popular that's ever been on the charts (including, say, pil, smiths, sonic youth, radiohead, mbv, iron maiden)? anything that's on the charts right now? a specific genre of music that also happens to make the charts? anything that is marketed towards mainstream radio? does it matter which charts? do album charts count?
most of the "chart pop" that seems to be celebrated on ft seems to fall more into the category of what i would consider dance music. adult contemporary music, which seems to me to be a closer descendant of classic tin pan alley-style pop, seems to be generally treated, except by sterling, with disdain or outright hostility. not that this is a bad thing but it's just interesting to know what it is we're talking about.
― sundar subramanian, Thursday, 5 July 2001 00:00 (twenty-three years ago) link
Hmmm. Top Billboard 40 seems to be a good example. Broad
enough to pick up things like Linkin Park (NOT INDIE, but not
POP) and Destiny's Child (VERY POP, but not ROCK).
― JM, Thursday, 5 July 2001 00:00 (twenty-three years ago) link
pop music is anything that has the potential of universiality. an
awkward description, as attempts at universiality are inevitably
comprimised products, but it's the nearest i've found myself to a
description.
― matthew james, Friday, 6 July 2001 00:00 (twenty-three years ago) link
Much like indie rock, I reckon it's easier to talk about what "chart
pop" *doesn't* include. I always thought the term was meant to
refer to pop that was likely to do well in the charts, as opposed to
pop that functions as an idea about what pop was or is meant to
be, but isn't likely to chart. For example, although Max Martin and
Timbaland are constantly mentioned as current equivalents to
Phil Spector, an artist making sincere, authentic homages to Phil
Spector would never chart.
Similarly, the landscape is littered with artists and bands making
pop music that conforms to a certain period or place's idea of it,
whether it's The Beatles, The Kinks, T-Rex, The Buzzcocks,
Human League, The Smiths or The Pixies. But this is not
necessarily chart-pop. As it stands chart-pop tends to reflect
whatever currently dominates the charts - in America it's
Cheiron-style pop, R&B, pop-flavoured hip hop, crossover
country and the lighter end of nu-metal... Consequently my
definition of American chart-pop encompasses Britney, Destiny's
Child, Jay-Z, Leanne Rimes and that band that did "Butterfly".
Sure, other genres get the occasional look-in too, but if they're
the exception rather than the rule then I'm not sure they count.
As for Celine Dion et. al., a definition of chart-pop from 94-98
would certainly have to mention this area prominently, but I note
that Dion herself is in temporary retirement, and even
compatriots like Mariah Carey have jumped on more
contemporary bandwagons. Yeah, you could argue that Westlife
are keeping the flame alive in England, but I would never deny
that Westlife are chart-pop - they're just not a particularly good
example of it.
Within that broad definition you can then make further
subdivisions eg. between machine-pop (Dream) and nanna-pop
(Westlife).
― Tim, Friday, 6 July 2001 00:00 (twenty-three years ago) link