Music: /ˈmjuːzɪk/
Sounds (vocal or instrumental) blended in such a way as to achieve the beauty of form, harmony, and emotional expression.
Music has been a fundamental part of evolution. It has made a cultural and social impact on our lifestyles as well as helped us connect with each other on a deeper level. Many different influences have made music what it is today. The variety of instruments that have been used also has a major impact on the music that is being played. The history of music and its creator is still shrouded in mystery. This has been a subject of debate for a long time now. Everyone has a different interpretation of what music is and how it came to be. But one thing is certain: music has always been appreciated according to personal preferences. It might be the sound of birds singing or heavy metal songs.
Initially, music was regarded as a superior kind of art by most societies. They were only played in traditional ceremonies or festivals. With the use of traditional instruments, the lyrics were firmly tied to the appreciation of nature or God. Over time, new instruments were created that helped in producing more complex music. As a result, the lyrics and beats evolved, leading to a shift in society's music.
The 1920s were a time of war, but also a time when music became means of coping. Jazz and blues dominated at that time, and there were all sorts of possibilities for the growth of the music industry. At the same time, country music started flourishing. It was a blend of global genres and, since then, record companies have started catering to the masses.
Musicians and singers created more upbeat music, which brought us to the 1950s, the game-changing decade for music. The debut of great musicians such as Elvis Presley, Chuck Berry, Jerry Lee Lewis, and Sam Cooke, who popularised the rock and roll genre, sparked a passion among music fans. This genre was on top of the charts for a decade and remains one of the most loved music genres.
The 60s gave us some of the most beloved names in the history of music, such as The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, The Beach Boys, among others. Multiple sub-genres were introduced, such as Blues-Rock, R&B, Soul, etc, and innovations with instruments also led to an increase in the popularity of these genres.
Disco came into existence in the 70s and brought in various trends with it. This category also became the most despised, and in retaliation to it emerged the genre of Punk Rock. Marvin Gaye, The Bee Gees, Elton John, The Ramones, Queen are some of the influential bands and artists of this time.
A dramatic change occurred when Music Television, a.k.a. MTV, originated. The 90s, also known as the era of the digital revolution, opened a door for numerous artists. This decade was the age of everything. From diversity to popular trends, music was created. Celine Dion, Michael Jackson, The Backstreet Boys, Guns n' Roses, Britney Spears, and more changed the landscape of music. Record studios took this as a chance to commercialize the industry and took a detour from traditional music. This was also the period when Hip-Hop became a legitimate music genre. Artists had an exceptional talent for music, which became an inspiration to many.
Like the way music has evolved, the way we listen to it has changed too. We went from buying vinyl to listening to music on streaming platforms. Some of the formats have now become obsolete, yet it is because of them that artists have persisted and prospered. Some might say that the organic feel of music has been lost with the advancement of technology, but it is technology's contribution that has made music accessible to everyone. Today, music helps us communicate with one another in a more meaningful way than ever before, by uniting people who might not otherwise have anything in common other than their love for the art form itself. Music is one of the things that makes life worth living.
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