Teen pop

Teen pop
Stylistic origins
Cultural origins1980s to 1990s, United States, United Kingdom[1]
Derivative formsEuropop
Fusion genres
Adult contemporary
Regional scenes
Orlando, Florida[6] Los Angeles, California
Other topics

Teen pop is a subgenre of pop music that is created, marketed and oriented towards preteens and teenagers.[1][7] Often, the artists themselves are teenagers during their breakout. While it can involve influences from a wide array of musical genres, it remains a subset of commercial pop, focusing on catchy melodies and marketability.[7] Teen pop’s lyrics emphasize themes that teenagers can relate to, such as love, growing up, or partying.[4] The image of the artist as an aspirational or desirable teenage figure is a crucial element of the genre, highlighting their visual appeal.[8]

Despite facing criticism for being perceived as inauthentic or overly commercial, teen pop has remained a defining genre in the music industry. Today, it continues to dominate commercial markets with artists such as Olivia Rodrigo and Tate McRae. The genre's popularity can be attributed to teenagers' disposable income, which they often devote to purchasing singles, albums, and merchandise. The impact of the teen pop genre extends beyond the music industry into culture, influencing fashion, language, and social trends.[9] Teenage fans often develop a parasocial relationship with their idols, believing that the artist cares about them and their fellow fans.[8] The intense connection between teen pop artists and their young audiences has had a profound effect on the psychological nature of teenagers, shaping their self-image and cultural identity.[10]

  1. ^ a b c d e Cite error: The named reference Allmusic was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  2. ^ a b c d e f g Greene, Doyle (10 January 2014). Teens, TV and Tunes: The Manufacturing of American Adolescent Culture. McFarland. ISBN 9780786489725.
  3. ^ Marshall, Britnee (October 24, 2012). "What is Synthpop?". KSJS. Archived from the original on April 15, 2021. Retrieved June 10, 2018.
  4. ^ a b Cite error: The named reference popcult was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  5. ^ Frere-Jones, Sasha (April 6, 2006). "Mariah Carey's Record-Breaking Career". The New Yorker. Retrieved December 17, 2020. And young white pop stars—including Britney Spears, 'N Sync, and Christina Aguilera—have spent much of the past ten years making pop music that is unmistakably R&B.
  6. ^ "Britney Spears: Sexpot or virginal teen?". Entertainment Weekly. November 14, 2001.
  7. ^ a b Lamb, Bill. "Teen Pop" Archived 2011-02-23 at the Wayback Machine. About.com. Retrieved January 28, 2007.
  8. ^ a b Jasmine, Lucretia Tye (2023-10-05). '70s Teen Pop. Bloomsbury Publishing USA. ISBN 978-1-5013-8352-6.
  9. ^ Welch, Graham F.; Biasutti, Michele; MacRitchie, Jennifer; McPherson, Gary E.; Himonides, Evangelos (2020). "Editorial: The Impact of Music on Human Development and Well-Being". Frontiers in Psychology. 11. doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2020.01246. hdl:11343/241720. ISSN 1664-1078. PMID 32625147.
  10. ^ "Crazy About You : Reflections on the Meanings of Contemporary Teen Pop Music". epe.lac-bac.gc.ca. Retrieved 2024-03-21.