Most Popular Types of Music in History

Some of the most popular music artists in history include: The Rolling Stones, The Beatles, The Doors, Jimi Hendrix, Bob Dylan, Cream, Deep Purple, Led Zeppelin, Queen, Black Sabbath, Pink Floyd, Rush, Genesis, Van Halen, AC/DC, Dire Straits, Motley Crue, Def Leppard, Guns 'n Roses, Metallica, Bon Jovi, Nirvana, Pearl Jam, Oasis, Blur, Linkin Park, Coldplay, Muse, System of a Down, etc.
And those are all rock artists. That alone shows how popular - and how diverse! - rock music is.

I find it hilarious how people are arguing over which genre is the best, as if that's what the poll is asking. Rock and roll isn't my favourite genre, but it's had a tremendous influence on music throughout recent history, which is why I voted for it. I love EDM, but the genre is relatively new and hasn't had a large impact on music history yet, which is why I didn't vote for it.

Rock and Roll has been around since the 50's and it's still around today, it keeps making itself different each decade. 50's - Rock and Roll - 60's Classic Rock - 70's Classic Rock - 80's Retro Rock - 90's Punk and Alternative - 00's Hard Rock - 10's New Wave and still gonna change. Even though it's not on the billboard 24/7 it's still is a experimental, creative, diverse type of music.

Long live all types of ROCK. Pop does not even deserve to be in the top 5. Most of pop is just people who have no talent in singing about inappropriate themes and etc. Rock actually brings the true emotion and anyone can relate to to it and feel better. Additionally, the music is amazing and almost everyone has talent.

I love Pop because it so diverse because borrows music styles from other genre's like, rock, indie, country, R&B, ETC... Then turns them into happy, fun and catchy songs but sometimes into dark, sad meaningful songs but still keeping that catchy beat. And please don't dislike this, I've done a lot of research between different genres, and found out that almost every major popular song is always at least pop or (sub-genre pop, EX: Pop-Rock). "Pop" means "Popular", that's where it got it's name. List of Pop artists today (All researched individually): Rihanna, Bruno Mars, One Direction, Justin Bieber, Taylor Swift, Britney Spears, Miley Cyrus, Maroon 5, P! Nk, Michael Jackson (King of Pop), Robin Thicke, Far East Movement, Adele, LMFAO, Celine Dion, Shakira, Kanye West, Jennifer Lopez, U2, PSY, Mariah Carey, Carly Rae Jepsen, Skylar Grey, Lady Gaga, Christina Aguilera, David Garret, Avril Lavigne, Enrique Iglesias, Katy Perry, Madonna, Glee, Cher, Kelly Clarkson, Christina Perri, Lana ...more

This is just my opinion so don't rage at me: The old pop is good but this new pop has gotten worse, the chord progression is simpler than ever and the melodies are so basic. The lyrics, they've lost meaning and many "artists" just seem to sing words of nonsense.

Pop, Jazz and Rock are the most important musical genres. All others are sub genres. Now I vote for Pop. Yes, our modern pop artists are real disgrace for this genre but Pop influenced many other genres. Musical World wouldn't be that great without Pop

I like Metal and Rock but it's a known fact that right now Pop is the most popular type right now.
I'm not sure if it's the best, and I would even say that today's pop sucks, but I can't argue with facts - This is the most popular genre.

I just voted on this to say something to the person who started a rant totally ignoring other peoples' opinions, saying that rap is the best.

1. When you say that "rock and rollers" dress like they've had an abusive childhood, you must mean punk rock or heavy metal (not to offend anybody, but that's just my opinion), because I haven't seen any "rock and roller" dress like they're had an abusive childhood.

2. Rock music does not always have yelling and screaming.

3. Country music isn't always about trucks, dogs, and farms. I haven't heard the old Taylor Swift sing about trucks or dogs ever in my life.

4. Ok. I agree with you that rock music can have some inappropriate words or themes, but not all the time. Probably about 20% of the time, it's not suitable for younger people.

5. Banging on drums and stroking metal strings can actually sound good, believe it or not. (sarcasm) Have you ever heard of The Tragically Hip? Yeah, those guys. They used to call ...more

RAP MUSIC IS BY FAR THE BEST. It doesn't have so much yelling and screaming that you find very common in rock music. Have you seen how a lot of these rock and rollers dress? DID someone say abusive childhood upbringing? Ask any professional psychologist to do a deep analyzation of individuals and groups of rock and you'll know why they create this type of psychotic so called music. Country music? I guess if you are that obsessed about your car, dog, truck, farm then you will be into country music. You can't pin all the violent messages being only from rap music either. FOR ALL you true rock listeners out there you know, you know for a fact that rock music over the many years has delivered much violence, drugs, sex, you name it. It outweighs any load inappropriate explicitness that you'll hear from other genres. I could go further but I'd have to write a really long essay just to get you listeners who like calling banging on drums and stroking metal strings things that sound good. I ...more

Really? Rap takes no musical talent. The only time they had talent was back in the earlier days with 2Pac and Biggie, Nas, etc. At least in Rock and metal, they have to learn a instrument and actually use there voice. Rather then talking fast and throwing in explicit words.

It is one of the most hard music ever... To be serious,it is "THE BEST MUSIC" ever... Because it not only sing out all the pain and suffering of those who had a hard time, but it really touches everyones soul...it touches us in a way that makes us feel what the person who's rapping, had felt once in their lifetime...

For those of you who think that heavy metal consists of the singer screaming as loud as they can, the guitarist playing the guitar as fast as they can, and the drummer banging on the drums as loud as they can, just take a moment to think: would it REALLY be that popular if it was just as simple as that? Try listening to any heavy metal song. You'll be pleasantly surprised, I promise you. The lyrics have a much deeper meaning than almost any other genre of music, and don't let the way some bands present themselves off the stage put you off. I don't like it when bands dress up in all-black and wear black make-up and all that stuff either, but try and just concentrate on the music. There's far more to it than you think there is.

It is the most famous genre and the only will that will live by it's own greatness.. Bands like Iron Maiden, Metallica, Judas Priest, Megadeth, Motorhead, Pantera, black sabbath. Will never die..

In my own mind I don, t like pop always talking about love.. And always slow no creativity at it all...

And rap is boring.. Talking fast is very easy with Explicit language.. But rap metal isn't so good or isn't so bad but I don't like rap metal bands like Limp Bizkit, Cypress Hill..

But metal with all it's side-genres got pure awesomeness!

And metal can be wrote about anything
Stories, personality, Death, Pain, Love, Brotherhood, Dadism, Family, Society, Memories, anger, Darkness, Wars, Peace... Metal is the only genre that will live by it is own creativity I

Metal needs no introduction; if you hear it you know that it's Metal. It has few limitations, has no equal and gives no apologies. And Metal does not care about popularity, it would exist just the same with or without mainstream attention. The major thing that sets it on a different stage is the intense love that Metal fans have for their music; it transcends beyond casual and passive entertainment to a world of intense involvement. It becomes a culture and a lifestyle. It's hard to pick out a fan of jazz or pop or r&b from a crowd of different people, but chances are, if there are metalheads in the crowd you could pick most of them. It's a badge of honor. And we're happy to spread the doctrine of Metal to the world.

Its by far the most complex a genre of music can get, or at least, tends to get. I'm not going to bash on another genre, but Heavy Metal gives a sense of action and AWESOMENESS! Say, pop just doesn't seem to be very energetic, to my taste of course. Rap on the other hand I enjoy, but very limited. The beats behind the music is actually the only reason I enjoy some songs in rap. Heavy Metal is a type of art that consists of a group of people and not one composer, a computer, and a robot to sing whatever is thrown in front of them. I know that not everyone does this but I'm only trying to say that it's the most complex type of music to put together. its tough, but at the same time when you play the music the music gives you adrenaline that improves your abilities to play! so, METAL!

I once liked country. People like Waylon Jennings, Conway Twitty, Merle Haggard, Johnny Cash, and many others from that era were great. Todays country is a sell out! Ever since Garth Brooks came on the scene in the late 80's/ early 90's he changed things for the worst. He would run around the stage and jump off things. I feel that ushered in country/ rock (crock) and country/ rap (crap). The country industry will do anything to make a buck, like redo rock classics an try to claim them as their own. Also, do you see the way the country artist look today? They wear wore out jeans and t-shirts, have long hair, and have tattoos. They look like a bunch of guys that couldn't make it in rock, so they go country. It just seems like in about every genre of music, artist are judged more on the way they look an not the substance of their music. Country and pop seem to be the worst in that regard.

Country music is one of the best types of music in history. I would definitely suggest you all lovers of music to listen to country music because it's fun, it's different, it's something like civilisation and it is very simple, and anyone could listen to those great country songs. If you are looking for the all time classics, I would definitely recommend Johnny Cash but if you are looking for new people that sing country (believe me, they are a lot and they are very good) I would recommend definitely Miranda Lambert, she is awesome! Bye!

I honestly am not a fan of the new style of Country Music that is out there right now! In my opinion there is no meaning behind the words, mostly all of my new songs aren't even telling a story! Jason Aldean, Vince Gill, Travis Tritt, Randy Travis, Dixie Chicks, Tim Mcgraw, Shania Twain, Reba McEntire, Garth Brooks, George Strait, George Jones! Now those are some amazing country artists!

Apparently real country music fans have not accessed this page or voted. Accurate polls... Recently taken... Show that 20-30% of people in the USA listen to country music the majority of the time. I prefer 80's classic rock myself. However, more and more of the so-called POP music is now included in the country music category.

R&B is a dying genre because most of the best R&B artists are now getting old (Mariah Carey, R. Kelly and Mary J Blige for example) or went pop (like Beyonce, Usher, Chris Brown and Rihanna for example). The ones did that define R&B and stayed are aren't able to keep it afloat because they aren't as creative as the ones mentioned above. They aren't visionaries and can't make the genre break out like it did in the past. The big guys of R&B don't see a point to work harder to bring it back to the scene while the older guys don't have mainstream appeal anymore.

Recently there has been a jolt of alternative R&B which is taking over the contemporary R&B that we've come to know since the early 2000s based on hip hop. This R&B is more focused on quiet storm, electronica and soul. Some of the new pioneers are The Weeknd, Miguel and Frank Ocean. We also have retro soul making a comeback with Justin Timberlake, Robin Thicke and Pharrell produced tracks.

R&B suffered a lot because ...more

Whenever I say R&B, people are always thinking Chris Brown, R. Kelly, Mariah Carey, etc, when I actually mean Ray Charles, James Brown, Elvis Presley, The Contours, Isley Brothers, Wilson Pickett, Little Richard, etc.

R&B is not dying. whoever thinks it is is dead wrong. There's still up and coming people in R&B who will make a big impact in the future.

Amazing. It's like a modern soul

Punk has been a large influence in music today and is easily one of my favorite genres!

Punk will always have fans since it will always give positive emotions to young people.

Punk how could you not love it? Come on guys grow up!

Grow up? Why don't you shut up

Come on I'm so angry that is is at the bottom at the list. It should be first. The reasons he behind it is 1 it is a game! You try identify all the instruments. 2 proves you are smart! Most intelliget (I misspelled intelligent on propose) people listening to classical music. 3 the only one that will not grow out of our culture and no where relatable to "modern songs" that all have a so called "millennial whoop" in every "hit". 4 has a very wide variety of instruments unlike "modern songs" that have the only instrument Is computers and electronics. 5 unlike the scientific studies that say music is getting worse every year but if music is already made it can't get worse unless some stupid remix.

Classical music is actually a specific genre, but most people group it in a broad conglomerate of styles including baroque and opera. All of these are like the best five-star restaurants that serve delicious healthy food that is only enjoyed by people with matured tastes and the means of appreciation. Pop music is like McDonald's. It has the mass appeal, mass consumption because it is designed to please in the easiest manner.

If we're going with history, classical most definitely dominates. People have been creating traditional songs for thousands of years. Rock n' Roll's been around a little more than 100 years. So yeah, I don't think there's any way you can dispute that fact. Classical definitely wins here. Not sure about most popular music TODAY, but history, yup. No doubt about it. Plus, I hate to tell you rock n' roll fans, but violin is 100000x harder to play than guitar. I'm sorry. I've learnt both instruments, so I would know.

I like Classical the best because if you look at rap it is just people doing a poem expect with no emotions and some them are even racist, I am like come on don't do this and why are almost all popular rappers are black is that all blacks want to do is be racist,have sex and eating drugs. I know white enslaved blacks but come on if you going to be black help other black people in like Africa.

Jazz had it's footings from the 1890's-1910's, was at it's peak during the 1920's-1940's, was still quite popular in the 1950's-1970's, and is not as prevalent but still very impactful 1980's onwards and many subgenres of it such as nu jazz and jazz rap came out in the late 20th century.

Well, Rock in Roll is probably the most popular, but I still vote Jazz. It's my personal favorite and if it weren't for Jazz there would be no, Rock, Metal, Pop or Rap.

Jazz has to be my favorite type of music because of all the possibilities, and it is so nice to listen to, and easy to get the beat of it.

Jazz is clearly the best. Beautiful singing, real instruments. No electronic stuff, no autotune. Just a real singer with a real song.

Hip Hop is the worst music in the world. I don't understand why it is number 12. Tis website should be illegal

I love hip hop music

It's is the bomb bro

Soul music is where all the negitive does not exsist. Unlike rap and hip hop, Soul music is a lengendary genre people of all ages are allowed to listen to. Soul Music never represents HOW TO BE A THUG like RAP & HIP HOP. The lyrics to Soul have an actual meaning.

Apart the Holy Quran which is the best melody ever, No music can claim to be even next to Reggae music. The minimum distance between Reggae and whatever music may be second is at least 40 years drive.

It is one of the best music because it has a lot of soul into it and it grabs a lot of persons attention and heart. It touches a lot of people in so many ways...

Music that speaks not only of morals, happiness and truth but also utilises an incredible array of of instruments... Enough said

Reggae is the bomb. Samoa likes it, Tonga the whole Pacific is in love with Reggae.

Techno is going to be the next big thing. So grow up and listen to Monstercat or Deadmau5. This should be in number one.

I just feel so much vibes. All the songs that are Techno is so overrated for me.

I want to become marshmello and slushii and tokyo machine etc. so bad because of this music type I would listen to this instead of anythibng else!

Best type of song ever!

Modern hard rock is the best..I really enjoy bands like Disturbed,Avenged Sevenfold and Stone Sour.

I like a lot of rock genres, but I like it most.

On the jazz drum

Blues is the foundation of everything if it wasn't for blues there would be no rock n' roll or R&b. R&B litterly stands for rhythm and blues. As for heavy meatl and rap there are plenty of meatl bands that are strongly blues influenced and the lyrics in post war blues songs are the bases of how rap songs are structured

For me, there is nothing that beats real blues. When you got it, there is nothing more beautifull. Can listen to any kind of blues for hours. It's a shame that the genre has died out a little.

It has influenced Jazz and Rock, both of which are indigenous American musical styles.

This is the foundation for all of popular music. It inspired rock n roll which is in just about every song in some way and is very well-known. Deserves more credit if you ask me.

A special type of music for a certain generation and probably the more to come.

I think Grunge is the father of modern rock and metal!

Nirvana
Alice In Chains
Pearl Jam
Soundgarden
Can stand up to any other 4 bands on this list

I don't get why they consider rap metal a different genre from nu metal. nu metal is a combination of metal+ another genre. babymetal is a combination of j-pop (japanese pop) and heavy metal. rage against the machine is rap/hiphop +rock. I don't know what kind of nu metal slipknot is, but google considers it nu metal.

What is the Nu Metal?

Indie is amazing I just love it like God. In my opinion it's the best in the world. A great indie band are circa waves who are great at this kind of music.

Come on! I know you all love Of Monsters And Men, Fun., Grouplove, and Mumford and Sons! Vote this here!

I can't believe that dubstep is over indie...

Seriously, why is pop 2nd. Love indie

Metal is a great genre of music. It is incredibly diverse, from heavy metal, to speed and thrash metal, and even to pirate metal, like the band Alestorm, and there are even humor metal bands. Metal bands sing about death, pain, sometimes love, life, peoples personalities, it tells stories, and many other things. The music itself is diverse. There are songs that start off slow and progress to really fast solos, there are metal songs that are fast all throughout the song, and there are slow songs. All in all, metal is a great genre of music due to its great diversity.

Metal is my favorite you should check out these metal bands: Hammerfall System of a Down Metalica. My favorite Hammerfall. Most popular obviously Metalica!

Type is wonderful song