A WALKTHROUGH OF THE DIFFERENT ERAS AND GENRES OF GLOBAL MUSIC
Singing is rooted in nature. Lawrence University hypothesised that the concept of music was most likely born when humans first tried to emulate the distinct melodies heard in nature. When and how this happened cannot be determined, although we can certainly say that when musical instruments were added to singing it positively flipped the course of cultures and language worldwide. The words and sound of music are influential and critical pieces of our lives that cannot be discarded. Now it begs the question, why is music so important?
The Johns Hopkins Medicine website states several benefits as to why music is important. Firstly, music helps our creativity to thrive. This fact may be common knowledge, nevertheless, it’s an important one as listening to unfamiliar music challenges our brain to comprehend new sounds. Secondly, music is associated with memory. We often feel nostalgic listening to specific melodies and instrumentals because just like the reprises in songs, our feelings, vision, and the places those tunes were heard at also reprise in our minds. The beautiful mixture of sentiment and music is the closest we will ever come to experiencing ‘a magical transportation.’ Lastly, music is a great tool to train your mind to concentrate, relax or get excited. Just like fashion or food, our tastes in music are individualistic and unique. What music suits one person to relax might irritate someone else. Like Cinderella, no one shoe fits all, but if the music makes you feel ecstatically happy then groove to the tunes and let loose!
It is no secret that music has the power and ability to help us to relive memories, and transform our current situations into something more wonderful. The different musical eras defined the centuries they were published in, which is why occasionally, modern music is influenced by the notes and jingles of past eras. A look at the 20th century in English music is proof of this. Before we dive into the musical genres of the decades, here’s an interesting fact about 20th-century music. The 20th-century was the first time that music began to be recorded, which was a game-changer for musicians and music aficionados.
1910s
Beginning in the 1910s, jazz slowly became more prominent during the 1920s and 1930s. Jazz was music people could tap their feet to. Most notably, jazz was played in cabarets where entertainment of the audience through jazz tunes and dancing was the main goal.
The 1940s were coined as the ‘Swing Era’ where jazz and blues became extremely popular. Artists such as Frank Sinatra and Ella Fitzgerald defined the swing era with their popular hits ‘I’ll Be Seeing You’ and ‘A Tisket, A Tasket.’
1950s
When the 1950s came, rock n’ roll genres blasted the musical scene like the big bang! This genre came from the African American rhythm and blues where dancing was the objective of the music; naturally, the music consisted of some funk and hip-hop that dancers could sway their hips to. Elvis Presley’s ‘Hound Dog’ and ‘Don’t Be Cruel’ are some of the most popular tunes of that time.
1960s
Now we move on to the 1960s when rock n’ roll started to integrate and develop with classical and pop music. Music became more complex and fascinating with the love potion of these categories. The popular band Beach Boys came out with their hit song ‘Pet Sounds.’ Similarly, another famous band on the scene, The Beatles, came out with ‘Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band.’
1970s
The time to really dance and grind came with the shimmering nightclubs playing the popular disco songs of the 70s on stereo systems. With ‘Stayin’ Alive’ by the Bee Gees and ‘Y.M.C.A’ by Village People, folks truly cut a rug on the dancefloor!
ARTCELL, NEMESIS, AND WARFAZE HAVE ENRAPTURED THE BANGLADESHI AUDIENCE WITH THEIR ROCK-POP STYLE SONGS. OTHER WELL-KNOWN BANDS INCLUDE LRB, MILES, AND AURTHOHIN.
1980s
The 80s gave birth to electronic dance music (EDM) which was popularised as modern rock. Hardcore beat drops and drums echoed in songs such as ‘Rhythm Nation’ by Janet Jackson and peaking at number one on the Billboard Hot 100 Michael Jackson’s electrifying and dynamite song, ‘Beat It.’
1990s
The 90s were definitely the most defining era of an amalgamation between all the genres from the former years plus the new additions of techno, hip-hop, and rap music. Ice Cube, 2Pac, and De La Soul were known for their hip-hop and rap songs. This decade also forever gave us the song associated with one of the most popular shows – the F.R.I.E.N.D.S show theme song, ‘I’ll Be There for You.’ This iconic piece by The Rembrandts is still a much-loved song to this day!
Meanwhile, our own great country has genres that are widely spread around the globe. These genres include Rabindra Sangeet, Nazrul Geeti, and folk music of various Sufi genres. These genres dominated the 20th century and presently still continue to dominate our music industry. In the 90s, the music shifted to the modern genres of rock, pop, and contemporary; through these categorical switches, singers such as James, and bands such as Artcell, Nemesis, and Warfaze have enraptured the Bangladeshi audience with their rock-pop style songs. Other well-known bands include LRB, Miles, and Aurthohin.
There is no shred of doubt that music will forever be an integral and irreplaceable part of our lives. A song’s ability to just emulate the daily heartbeat moments of life, whether they be sad or joyous, makes music a necessity for all of us. The best way to spread the joy is to share your favourite tunes with your loved ones. Perhaps it will result in them finding their next favourite tunes.