Description
Book Synopsis: Pop music surrounds us - in our cars, over supermarket speakers, even when we are laid out at the dentist - but how often do we really hear what's playing? Switched on Pop is the book based on the eponymous podcast that has been hailed by NPR, Rolling Stone, The Guardian, and Entertainment Weekly for its witty and accessible analysis of Top 40 hits. Through close studies of sixteen modern classics, musicologist Nate Sloan and songwriter Charlie Harding shift pop from the background to the foreground, illuminating the essential musical concepts behind two decades of chart-topping songs. In 1939, Aaron Copland published What to Listen for in Music, the bestseller that made classical music approachable for generations of listeners. Eighty years later, Nate and Charlie update Copland's idea for a new audience and repertoire: 21st century pop, from Britney to Beyoncé, Outkast to Kendrick Lamar. Despite the importance of pop music in contemporary culture, most discourse only revolves around lyrics and celebrity. Switched on Pop gives readers the tools they need to interpret our modern soundtrack. Each chapter investigates a different song and artist, revealing musical insights such as how a single melodic motif follows Taylor Swift through every genre that she samples, André 3000 uses metric manipulation to get listeners to "shake it like a Polaroid picture," or Luis Fonsi and Daddy Yankee create harmonic ambiguity in "Despacito" that mirrors the patterns of global migration.
Replete with engaging discussions and eye-catching illustrations, Switched on Pop brings to life the musical qualities that catapult songs into the pop pantheon. Readers will find themselves listening to familiar tracks in new ways—and not just those from the Top 40. The timeless concepts that Nate and Charlie define can be applied to any musical style. From fanatics to skeptics, teenagers to octogenarians, non-musicians to professional composers, every music lover will discover something ear-opening in Switched on Pop.
Details
Are you tired of mindlessly humming along to the latest pop hits without truly understanding the music behind them? Dive deep into the world of popular music with Switched On Pop: How Popular Music Works, and Why it Matters. This captivating book is based on the highly acclaimed podcast that has been praised by NPR, Rolling Stone, The Guardian, and Entertainment Weekly for its witty and accessible analysis of Top 40 hits.
With meticulous attention to detail, musicologist Nate Sloan and songwriter Charlie Harding peel back the layers of sixteen modern classics, revealing the essential musical concepts that have made them chart-topping songs. In the tradition of Aaron Copland's What to Listen for in Music, this updated edition focuses specifically on 21st-century pop, from the iconic sounds of Britney to the empowering anthems of Beyonce, the groundbreaking beats of Outkast to the thought-provoking lyrics of Kendrick Lamar.
Unlike other discussions that revolve solely around lyrics and celebrity gossip, Switched On Pop provides you with the tools you need to truly interpret our modern soundtrack. Each chapter delves into a different song and artist, uncovering fascinating musical insights. Discover how Taylor Swift weaves a single melodic motif through every genre she samples, how André 3000 manipulates metrics to make listeners "shake it like a Polaroid picture," and how "Despacito" by Luis Fonsi and Daddy Yankee creates harmonic ambiguity that mirrors the patterns of global migration.
Engaging discussions and eye-catching illustrations bring Switched On Pop to life, providing you with a fresh perspective on both familiar tracks and hidden gems. Furthermore, the timeless concepts explored in this book can be applied to any musical style, making it a must-read for anyone with a passion for music. Whether you're a die-hard fan, a casual listener, or an aspiring composer, Switched On Pop will revolutionize the way you listen to, appreciate, and understand popular music.
Open your ears to a whole new musical experience. Get your copy of Switched On Pop today!
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