Musicology Research Task - Soft Rock
History
Soft rock originated in late 1950 when pop singers incorporated features of rock. It dominated the radio during the 1970s and morphed into adult contemporary in the 1980s.
Social and Musical Influences/ Impact
Soft rock evolved from rock'n'roll and is quite similar but with all the hard edges smoothed over, it dominated the airwaves in the late 1970s, and later evolved to what is known as adult contemporary; pop stylists and pop rock are two sub-genres of soft rock. Rock as a whole helped desegregation in the US as it encouraged racial cooperation as it helped both white and black teenagers express themselves, making them united. Love and peace were common themes in the 1960-70s, and rock artists have often tried to address social issues; an example would be John Lennon's 'imagine'.
Characteristics
Soft rock had the following identifying characteristics
- the rock beat and other colouring instruments, such as an intense electric guitar solo and harsh vocalization were played down
- the song lyrics tended to be more upbeat
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Soft rock had a definitive core surrounded by fuzzy outlines. The core being rock and the fuzzy outlines meaning it touched on different genres which made it quite popular with many types of audiences.
Examples of Artists/Bands and Songs
Elton John
- Tiny dancer
- Bennie and the jets
- These dreams
- Crocodile rock
The Beatles
- Hey Jude
- Let it be
- Here comes the sun
- Come together
- Blackbird
Carole King
- you've got a friend
- It's too late
- Will you love me tomorrow
Song Example - Imagine; John Lennon
Duration: It is quite a slow song, played at 72bpm, it feels as if it speeds up towards the end. it is played in 4/4 and mainly short note values are present, however, because the song is so slow, it feels like they are long note values. There is also a chordal progression with long note values for the left hand to follow along
Dynamics and Expressive techniques: it starts off quiet, piano, and slowly, throughout the song crescendos to about a mezzo-piano/forte, still quite soft. The piano is played with legato's, and there are some accents on notes when it builds up to the pre-chorus.
Pitch: The pitch is relatively low, and the contour of the song is quite consistent. It repeats over and over again, not having many changes. it has an ascending and descending pattern repeated throughout.
Tone Colour: The song was quite mellow, rounded and light which contrasted to what the song was about. It's in a major key which makes the song feel quite light though it is addressing quite a serious matter.
Texture: The texture is thin, with the piano as the accompanying instrument and John Lennon singing the melody. It is homophonic as it doesn't have a counter melody.
Structure:
I~~
[Verse 2]
Imagine there's no countries
It isn't hard to do
Nothing to kill or die for
And no religion too
Imagine all the people
Living life in peace
You~~
[Chorus]
You may say I'm a dreamer
But I'm not the only one
I hope someday you'll join us
And the world will be as one
[Verse 3]
Imagine no possessions
I wonder if you can
No need for greed or hunger
A brotherhood of man
Imagine all the people
Sharing all the world
You~~
[Chorus]
You may say I'm a dreamer
But I'm not the only one
I hope someday you'll join us
And the world will live as one
Bibliography
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[2] https://www.thehistoryofrockandroll.net/soft-rock-easy-listening-pt-1/
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[3] https://www.allmusic.com/style/soft-rock-ma0000011841
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[4] https://www.slideshare.net › corinbone › the-concepts-of-music
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[5] https://hubpages.com/entertainment/Imagine_John_Lennon
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[6] https://genius.com/John-lennon-imagine-lyrics
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