Traditional pop song: conceptualization of the concept

Abstract

The purpose of the research. The study attempts to conceptualize the definition of «traditional pop song» from the standpoint of contemporary musical variety studies. The research methodology is based on the use of historical, cultural, systemic, contextual, and analytical methods, the combination of which made it possible to determine the specific features of the traditional Ukrainian pop song. The scientific novelty of the work lies in the fact that for the first time in Ukrainian science the concept of «traditional pop song» is conceptualized. Conclusions. The traditional pop song occupies a significant place in the Ukrainian cultural space, while it has not yet been comprehended as a cultural and artistic phenomenon in Ukrainian science. Based on the selection of three parameters (socio-cultural, age and style), the specifics of the Ukrainian traditional pop song were revealed. It is revealed that its stylistic features were formed during the 1950–1970s. («classic pop song»), in the 1980s. there has been a process of stabilization, since the 1990s. the identification of the traditional pop song as a specific, conservative stylistic direction begins, which focused on the achievements of the classical Ukrainian pop song and opposed the influences of the Western trends of popular music, trying to preserve the originality of the Ukrainian musical variety art. The fundamental non-commercial nature of the traditional pop song is rooted in the art of the Soviet era and is the opposite of show business with its desire to quickly update musical styles. During the period of active development of the commercial direction of pop music in the 1990s. the traditional pop song was considered archaic and opposed to the «fashionable» directions of «youth music». Today, this opposition is not relevant: the traditional pop song as a stylistic direction based on the aesthetics of the second half of the 20th century is popular among performers and listeners of all ages. The stylistic diversity of the traditional pop song is associated with a long time of formation of the Ukrainian classical pop and its artistic achievements. Therefore, despite a certain conservatism, the Ukrainian traditional pop song is a significant layer of Ukrainian musical culture.

Key words: variety musical art, vocal variety art, Ukrainian musical tradition, traditional Ukrainian pop song.