That would be a canonical matter

[katstevens.livejournal.com]

No canon today as my list is at work and I am not - instead, a question:

Is there an artist or group that suddenly springs to mind when you think of 'pop'? What about 'indie'? Or 'emo'? Do you think there can be 'defining songs' for a genre?

In other words - are there canonical artists/songs in pop? How changeable are they over time?

Comments

[katstevens.livejournal.com]

Perhaps a different phrasing - are there any artists you think are deemed canonically pop that are nothing of the sort? Or is EVERYONE actually pop?

[alexmacpherson.livejournal.com]

I don't think half the poptimist-canon artists (the constants on poptimists last.fm, the repeat winners of polls) are pop: Pulp, Belle & Sebastian, New Order and so on.

[blue-russian.livejournal.com]

This is the old "how big is your umbrella-la-la" question. On some level they are all pop, although none of those three would be among my first choices if you asked me to name a pop group.

[jeff-worrell.livejournal.com]

I think I prefer the original question. Everyone is pop (if they're not jazz or not composers of 'serious music', and even then...)

So, interpreting the question as: who epitomises pop for me, Kylie would be the first answer that enters my head (yes, even when she was being indieKylie). Importance of image + music career identified by ref to singles + empathy factor (strong person /vulnerable person/ sex symbol) + catchy tunes = all key factors here.

my list is at work and I am not
b-b-but it has been well established in recent weeks who is currently next in line for canonisation ;)

[jeff-worrell.livejournal.com]

Do you think there can be 'defining songs' for a genre?
Yes, but only narrowly defined ones that both listeners and performers grow out of quickly. Merseybeat, 'punk rock', Madchester might all be examples.