What was the most popular genre in each decade?
Genre is becoming a lot less critical than it used to be. Previously, before the internet and streaming sites, if you wanted to listen to an album, you had to spend your hard-earned money on it. Sure, there might have been a few songs here and there on the radio, but if you wanted to listen to the entire record, you wouldn’t be able to until you parted ways with some cash.
In the modern age, it’s the other way around. While physical music is not only accessible but more popular than it has ever been, people are reluctant to spend money on a record until they have listened to it in full. This is possible thanks to the internet and streaming sites, which allow people to check out an album before they commit to buying a physical copy of it.
Without going too deep into how ethical this new approach is for musicians, its broader impact on the music industry is less of a reliance on genre. Artists are happy to blend various sounds and not be pigeonholed into one specific style. The same goes for listeners; previously, if you listened to rock music and liked rock music, you would be more comfortable buying the record of a rock band over a jazz artist. Now, people can try out anything they see fit; there is no risk in committing a few minutes to an unfamiliar style, and therefore, listeners tend to have a much broader palette.
That being said, despite tastes being more widespread than usual, that doesn’t mean that there aren’t some styles that shine out more than others. These have become more concentrated in recent decades, but they are still there. With that in mind, the below list will consider what genre was most popular in different decades.
The most popular genres in different decades:
1940s – Jazz and Swing
Despite jazz being around long before the 1940s, the swing era was its most popular period. It is also commonly referred to as the big band era, given that most swing music centred around big bands playing loud and upbeat music. The songs were full of catchy melodies and frequent rhythm changes, making them fun to listen and dance to.
Some of the most notable swing-era musicians include Benny Goodman, Ella Fitzgerald, Woody Herman and Coleman Hawkins. Popular tracks from that period are ‘In The Mood’, ‘It Don’t Mean a Thing (If It Ain’t Got That Swing’ and ‘Moonlight Serenade’.
1950s – Rock ‘n’ Roll
Rock ‘n’ roll was born from jazz. As is always the case with music, new genres and styles are variations of their predecessors instead of something new altogether. The early iterations of rock ‘n’ roll had the piano and saxophone as the lead instrument, which eventually changed to welcome in the guitar.
Legends in rock ‘n’ roll include the likes of Chuck Berry and Elvis Presley, both of whom were controversial in their rise to fame but continued to change the face of music in their work.
1960s – Rock and Soul
Rock music continued to do well in the ‘60s. The Beatles rose to fame, and the British invasion started across America, which propelled the genre into the spotlight. Bands had fanbases like never before as people fell over themselves in hysteria at their favourite artists.
Soul also became popular. It had roots in African-American gospel music and was well-loved because it was easy to dance to and incredibly beautiful. Record labels became pivotal as Motown, Atlantic, and Stax were responsible for artists such as Marvin Gaye, Michael Jackson and Aretha Franklin.
1970s – Disco and Rock
Rock is a sound that continued progressing, so the genre remained just as prominent in the decades that followed its origin. Some big rock bands to make waves in the ‘70s included the likes of Led Zeppelin, Black Sabbath, The Rolling Stones and Queen. These bands are still considered pioneers of the genre today and are considered massive milestones in musical history.
Meanwhile, disco was also rising in popularity. It was a vital genre focused on dance and energy; however, it declined as quickly as it rose, given it was one of the first genres to have a strict formula, making it grow predictable relatively soon. Some acts remain relevant, such as Nile Rodgers; however, this is more due to them branching out into the world of disco-influenced pop music.
1980s – Pop and Techno
Pop music, in its modern form, originated in the ‘50s but wasn’t the most listened-to genre until the ‘80s. Some of the biggest names in music emerged in ‘80s pop music, including Michael Jackson (who had his reinvention), Prince, Madonna and Whitney Houston.
While pop music embraced new technology, it simultaneously paved the way for techno and more synth-heavy music to become famous. This was dance music made only using electronic instruments. The disco movement heavily inspired it in the ‘70s, as people still wanted the genre’s energy but with a new twist.
1990s – Hip-Hop, Rap and Pop
The ‘70s and ‘80s set the groundwork for hip-hop, but it wasn’t until the ‘90s that the genre started to find its feet. The new school sound of West and East Coast rap dominated the airwaves. It was considerably controversial as it touched upon many political and social issues, which will always be divisive.
Pop continued on its trajectory and wouldn’t stop anytime soon. The artists above kept doing well, but others also shot to fame, such as the Spice Girls, one of the first mega-famous girl bands.
2000s – Pop and Reggaeton
Reggaeton was a style of music that originated in Panama and was a more modern style of both popular and electronic music. Many Puerto Rican musicians rose to stardom, putting the genre in the spotlight.
The sound uses various influencers such as dancehall, hip-hop, Latin American, and Caribbean music. This is still one of the most famous musical genres in the world as artists like J Balvin champion the sound, which musicians like Drake and other rap artists have since adopted.
2010s – R&B and Pop
R&B rose in the 2010s as people began opting for more slow and rhythmic music. It allowed musicians to experiment more with how they could achieve their sound, using instruments from all genres to create something unique.
Some of the most prominent R&B artists from the 2010s include the likes of D’Angelo, Beyonce, Usher and Frank Ocean, all of whom released music considered genre-defining.
