Euro+Pop

=Euro Pop=

What is it?
A style of music developed in the 1970's Europe. A branch of pop, it was similar in lyrics and its light quality, but more clubby and trance in beats. Produced mainly for dancing, Euro Pop was comparable to today's rap in popularity of the 1980-90's and has influenced some of the most famous 90's pop bands like the **Backstreet Boys** or the **Spice Girls**.

Euro Pop Legends[[image:abba.jpg width="269" height="190" align="right"]]
//"So when you're near me darling, can't you hear me SOS?"//

One of the best known Euro Pop artists is Sweedish 19-times award winner **ABBA**, who toppled charts not only in Europe, but also in North America. Classic hits like "//Money, Money, Money//", "//Waterloo//", "//SOS//" and others are still memorable today. **ABBA's** worldwide success was reflected in the recent travelling Broadway show "Mamma Mia!" which contained a story based on **ABBA's** songs.

"//Don't turn around, cuz you're gonna see my heart breaking...//"

Another worldwide success was achieved by another Sweedish band, **Ace of Base.** They came to the music scene in 1990, and have released internationally-popular singles like "//The Sign//", "//Beautiful Life//", "//Cruel Summer//" and others. Having been compared in types of songs and success to **ABBA**, **Ace of Base** has outdone even **ABBA** by recieving //Number One Album in the States//.

Various Connotations
Euro Pop was initially coined in UK to describe the music from Continental Europe. Continental Europe itself does not use the term at all; and the UK does not term its musical pop products as Euro Pop either. In the United States, however, Australian-based singer Kylie Minogue would also be grouped with European artists due to musical similarity.

Different from...
//Eurodance//. Heavy reliance on the use of the synthesizer versus Euro Pop slant towards disco. Achieved international popularity in early-mid 90's.

//Eurodisco//. Electronic dance versus softer Euro Pop disco. Always sung in English, and using synthesizer (base for Eurodance). Emerged in early 1980's. Was basis for evolution of Eurohouse.

//Eurobeat//. Evolved from Italo-disco, closely relating to Japanese "Para-Para" and Hi-NRG, uses synthesis and emotionally upbeat rhytms. Main market not Europe, but Japan. Used in several Manga.

Important to note: no distinctions in Europe, rather created in North America. Europeans classify the above themes as "pop".

Watch it!
Watch Euro Pop in action! ABBA's worldwide hit "One of Us"!

media type="youtube" key="3LCg_iTtAHo"