Play Pick Or Pass With These Songs And We'll Reveal Your Favorite Genre
- by Dylan Dembrow
- – on
- in Entertainment
While pop music is certainly a genre of its own, it’s also a genre that is largely defined by public opinion. For instance, the pop music of the 1960s sounds very different from the pop music of today. But they both have one thing in common: they were loved by the masses during their time of release.
This sets pop apart from any other genres of music -- which are categorized by their sound and the instruments that went into making it. For instance, one would be hard-pressed to find a hard rock song that didn’t implement an electric guitar. And the same could be said for a country song and an acoustic or a slide guitar. Though with just a few tweaks, any hard rock or country songs could easily bleed over into the genre of pop music.
Therefore, the type of pop music that someone listens to on the radio will largely determine what type of genre they’re into as a whole. In fact, figuring out what type of sub-genre one is truly into can often send them down a rabbit hole of new favorite bands that they’ve never even heard of.
But before we reveal a genre preference, it’s time to play pass or play with these world-famous pop songs!
“Billie Jean” by Michael Jackson
Often hailed as the King of Pop, Michael Jackson has no shortage of popular hits to choose from, though “Billie Jean” would probably make the top of most people’s list of favorite Jackson songs. It was originally released back in 1983 on Jackson’s Thriller album, and it remained at number one for seven weeks on the radio.
“What Do You Mean?” by Justin Bieber
Justin Bieber certainly isn’t for everyone, and like many modern day pop stars, his real-life antics may dissuade someone from enjoying his music. However, it’s hard to deny that his influence on the music world has only continued to grow in recent years thanks to song like “What Do You Mean?” and “Sorry.”
“Hey Ya!” by OutKast
Something about the pop music that OutKast turned out during the early 2000s has made many of these hits have a timeless feel. “Hey Ya!” along with a number of their other songs from the same time — including “Ms. Jackson” and “Roses” — can still be regularly heard on the radio.
“Get Lucky” by Daft Punk ft. Pharrell Williams
Easily one of the biggest songs of 2013, “Get Lucky” was the single off of Daft Punk’s fourth studio album, Random Access Memories. The song topped the charts around the world, and it went on to win a number of awards at the Grammys, including Best Pop Duo/ Group Performance.
“I’m a Believer” by Smash Mouth
Despite this song always being synonymous with the 2001 animated movie Shrek, this Smash Mouth song isn’t actually a Smash Mouth song at all. It’s actually a Monkees song that was written by Neil Diamond and originally released back in 1966. Though the original recording can’t quite match the energy of the Smash Mouth rendition.
“Single Ladies” by Beyoncé
“Single Ladies” was released on Beyoncé’s third studio album, I Am… Sasha Fierce, back in 2008. It was one of the album’s two singles, which eventually went on to win the Grammy Award for Song of the Year and went on to hold the number one spot on the Billboard Hot 100 for a number of weeks.
“Sweet Child o’ Mine” by Guns N’ Roses
Released back in 1987 on their Appetite for Destruction album, “Sweet Child o’ Mine” was the only number one hit that Guns N’ Roses ever turned out, and it is easily their most well-known song to date. While their guitar riffs and solo are often praised, guitarist Slash has since said he’s personally not a huge fan of the song.
“Our Song” by Taylor Swift
Anyone who’s a fan of classic Taylor Swift will certainly have a soft spot for some of her earlier country hits, including “Our Song”, which was released on her self-titled debut album. Swift had actually written the song while she was still in high school, which is really a testament to her musical abilities from such a young age.
“When I Come Around” by Green Day
A number of classic Green Day songs still enjoy their fair share of radio play, including “Good Riddance,” “Holiday” and “Brain Stew.” But this song was their biggest earlier hit, which peaked at number six on the radio when it was released back in 1995 on their third studio album, titled Dookie.
“Hey Jude” by The Beatles
Possibly the most famous song ever mad, “Hey Jude” was released as a single by The Beatles back in 1968. Crazy as it may seem, the song wasn’t on any other Beatles album, though it still managed to spend nine weeks as the number one song on the radio — which is no small feat for a seven-minute song.
“I Hope You Dance” by Lee Ann Womack
The title track from Lee Ann Womack’s 2000 album, “I Hope You Dance” is easily the singers most recognizable song to date. The pop song wasn’t only a country hit, but a mainstream hit as well, which peaked at the number fourteen slot on the Billboard Hot 100 and was nominated for Song of the Year.
“Before He Cheats” by Carrie Underwood
Carrie Underwood rose to fame thanks to her taking home the title of on of the most popular music competitions shows during the its fourth season. Since her 2005 win, she has continued to be one of the biggest female country stars around, who has turned out a number of number one hits, including “Jesus, Take the Wheel” along with this 2006 single.
“We Can’t Stop” by Miley Cyrus
After spending a number of years as a Disney child star playing Hannah Montana on the series of the same name, Miley Cyrus massively revamped her imagine within the last decade. This pop song certainly helped with her transition from child to pop star, as it glorifies drug use and excessive partying.
“Empire State of Mind” by Jay-Z ft. Alicia Keys
Released on his 2009 album, The Blueprint 3, “Empire State of Mind” was easily one of Jay-Z’s biggest mainstream hits, which was largely helped by an astounding chorus from Alicia Keys. The song, which is a love letter to New York, went on to win the Grammy Award for Best Rap Song of the Year.
“Hotel California” by Eagles
The Eagles were the most popular band of the 1970s, and “Hotel California” was the band’s most popular song. Therefore, even those who only listen to modern music have surely listened to this 1977 hit a few times, which is about coming of age in Los Angeles. The song was written by Eagles’ members Don Felder, Don Henley, and Glenn Frey.
“Friends In Low Places” by Garth Brooks
Released back in 1990 on his No Fences album, “Friends In Low Places” is easily one of Garth Brooks’ biggest hits of all time. The song spent a number of weeks as the biggest country hit in the States, and the album would go on to be certified as 17 times platinum.
“Starboy” by The Weekend ft. Daft Punk
Though The Weekend is largely known as a solo act, a number of his biggest hits have involved the Canadian singer and songwriter teaming up with Daft Punk, a French electronic duo. This 2016 song shares its name with the album on which it was released, and it went on to top charts across the world.
“Nice for What” by Drake
Released just earlier this year, “Nice for What” has already become one of the biggest hits of 2018. During its debut week, the song managed to reach the number one spot on the Billboard Hot 100, making it Drake’s second number one song in the course of the same year.
“Umbrella” by Rihanna ft. Jay-Z
One of the biggest female artists of all time, Rihanna released this single on her third studio album, Good Girl Gone Bad, back in 2007. The song quickly climbed the charts and eventually earned Rihanna and Jay-Z a Grammy for their singing collaboration. The song has been covered by a number of popular artists since.
“Someone Like You” by Adele
Relying on nothing but her voice and an accompanying piano, this heartbreaking song by Adele chronicles an ended relationship and trying to come to terms with moving on. The song went on to sell over 17 million copies, making it the fourth best selling single of the century and winning Adele a number of accolades.
“Clocks” by Coldplay
Released on their second studio album, A Rush of Blood to the Head, “Clocks” is one of Coldplay’s most recognizable songs even 15 years after its debut. Though it never reached the number one spot on the radio in the States, it did end up taking home the Grammy for Record of the Year.
“Sweet Home Alabama” by Lynyrd Skynyrd
“Sweet Home Alabama” by Lynyrd Skynyrd easily has one of the most recognizable guitar riffs of all time. In fact, this song gets so much radio play that almost anyone who listens to the radio on a regular basis could probably recite the lyrics to this 1974 classic by heart.
“Despacito” by Luis Fonsi ft. Daddy Yankee
Released on January of last year, “Despacito” is a Latin Pop song by Luis Fonsi and Daddy Yankee, though a remix of the song featuring Justin Bieber helped bring it widespread recognition. The music video was the first in Youtube history to pass the three billion views mark — making this one of the most popular song worldwide of all time.
“Lose Yourself” by Eminem
Though Eminem may not be as popular now as he was back in the ‘90s and early 2000s, many of his song are considered some of the greatest rap and hip hop tracks ever recorded. “Lose Yourself” may be the rappers best-known song to date, which was originally release on the soundtrack for 8 Mile.
“Stronger” by Kanye West
With Kanye West’s bizarre real-life antics largely overshadowing his music within the last few years, many people probably find themselves listen to his classic songs rather than his newer ones. This is easily one of West’s first big hits, which found him sampling “Harder, Better, Faster, Stronger” by Daft Punk.
“Breathe” by Faith Hill
This single by Faith Hill was released on her fourth studio album of the same name back in 1999. It went on to be the best-selling single of 2000 and landed on a number of most listened to charts around the world. The song was written by Stephanie Bentley and Holly Lamar.
“Shape of You” by Ed Sheeran
Within the last few years, Ed Sheeran has quickly become one of the most listened to artists of the decade. Though he’s only released three studio albums to date, each contains its fair share of hits, including “Shape of You” which came off his 2017 album, which goes by the title “Divide.”
“Something Just Like This” by The Chainsmokers & Coldplay
Released on both The Chainsmokers’ debut album and Coldplay’s thirteenth EP, “Something Just Like This” was easily one of the biggest pop songs of 2017. It peaked at the number five spot on the Billboard Hot 100, and it was nominated for Best Pop Duo/ Group Performance at the Grammy Awards.
“Hips Don’t Lie” by Shakira ft. Wyclef Jean
One of the biggest songs of 2006, “Hips Don’t Lie”didn’t just reached the number one spot in America, but in dozens of other countries as well. Though Shakira had already turned out a number of studio albums, this song single-handedly made her an international star. Her latest album, El Dorado, was released last year.
“Bad Romance” by Lady Gaga
After turning out one pop hit after another — including “Poker Face,” “Born this Way,” and “Bad Romance” — it looks like Lady Gaga has taken an active step back from the pop genre in recent years. Instead, she's turned her sights on more alternative music, along with an impressive acting career.
