The general structure of a pop song is A – B – A – B – C – B aka verse – chorus – verse – chorus – bridge – chorus. This works so well because not only does it add a sense of familiarity by repeating sections A and B, there is a sense of variety with the addition of section C. Then familiarity is reinforced with keeping a sense of freshness by ending the section with B. This structure of a pop song is effective when the hook is carried in the chorus section where lyrics stay the same each time the section is sung.
Throughout its development, pop songs have absorbed influences from other genres of music. Early pop music was perhaps the ballad sung with instruments of jazz and rock music. Then, was the era of electronic music and rap. Pop music made a very good use of the technology. Improved microphones allowed more of an intimate style of singing.
Another great Beatles tune, Let it Be is a staple for all beginners. Like Hey Jude this song may sound more difficult to play then it actually is. The chords are pretty straight forward and there aren’t too many difficult parts beyond that. You can find the basic piano chords online and then listen to the song a couple of times to pick the progression out by ear.
Now we come to the hymnal, the beloved and cherished cannon of music that forms the repertoire from which we choose praise and worship songs every sunday. Has the use of the hymnal classicized sacred music? Have we carved a selected group of “classic” hymns in stone?
Probably not an easy song for beginners to learn but Guns N Roses November Rain was and still is a huge hit for the band and main piano player Axl Rose. It’s a beautiful piano part during the verses and it continues through out the song. You can find versions of this song to play it in a stripped down piano only version online.
Bob Moore, the legendary bass player told me that once on a Marty Robbins session, they had an amplifier go bad. It was making a strange buzzing sound, and they liked it, so they went and figured out why it made that sound and they ended up developing the idea for the fuzz tone guitar. At least that is what I was told.
Madonna is called the Queen of Pop for a reason — she knows exactly what she’s doing. While critics say the song isn’t deep enough, sometimes that’s the fun of music — it doesn’t have to be deep at all. Add this is you want something a little playful.
“Hound Dog,” (1956). Elvis Presley. In that year Elvis exploded on the scene with this hit, plus “Blue Suede Shoes”, “Heartbreak Hotel” and best hip hop playlist 2022 others. He was revolutionary in the McCarthy era age of conformity. The influence of Elvis Presley cannot be underestimated: he introduced national audiences to rockabilly music, white audiences to black rock and roll and his on-stage persona made venues accessible for the even more flamboyant acts like Little Richard, Chuck Berry and Jerry Lee Lewis. He created the Rock and roll version of the teen idol, updating the image from Frank Sinatra’s time.