Some say cultural or societal events affect music, so we will go through the years and see what is going on, the music that was popular and see what you think regarding this.
CULTURAL, SOCIETAL AND MAJOR EVENTS THAT HAPPENED IN 2013
The year 2013 was packed with significant cultural, societal, and major events across the globe. Here is a glimpse into some of the most notable ones:
Cultural:
Lorde explodes onto the scene: The 16-year-old singer-songwriter releases her debut album “Pure Heroine,” featuring the iconic hit “Royals,” igniting a cultural phenomenon and influencing a new generation of music.
Breaking Bad concludes: The acclaimed television series ends with a record-breaking finale, solidifying its status as a modern television masterpiece and sparking discussions about complex morality and anti-hero narratives.
Harlem Shake craze: The internet is taken over by the viral dance craze, with millions filming themselves performing the absurd, jerky dance to Baauer’s song.
Game of Thrones fever continues: Season 3 of the popular fantasy series airs, featuring the shocking “Red Wedding” sequence and further captivating audiences with its intricate plot and complex characters.
Rise of streaming services: Platforms like Netflix and Spotify gain significant traction, changing the landscape of how we consume media and music.
Societal:
Edward Snowden leaks NSA secrets: Former NSA contractor Edward Snowden exposes extensive government surveillance programs, sparking global debates about privacy, security, and whistleblowing.
Marriage equality gains momentum: Same-sex marriage is legalized in France and Uruguay, and the United States Supreme Court strikes down parts of the Defense of Marriage Act, giving momentum to the LGBTQ+ rights movement.
Black Lives Matter movement emerges: Following the acquittal of George Zimmerman in the shooting of Trayvon Martin, the Black Lives Matter movement gains national attention, raising awareness about racial profiling and police brutality against Black Americans.
Pope Francis becomes the first Jesuit pope: His humble demeanor and focus on social justice issues bring a fresh perspective to the Catholic Church and resonate with audiences worldwide.
Major Events:
Boston Marathon bombing: A deadly terrorist attack rocks the iconic marathon, leaving three people dead and hundreds injured.
Typhoon Haiyan devastates the Philippines: The strongest typhoon ever recorded makes landfall, causing widespread destruction and claiming thousands of lives.
Nelson Mandela passes away: The former South African president and anti-apartheid leader dies at the age of 95, leaving behind a legacy of peace and reconciliation.
Syrian Civil War continues: The brutal conflict escalates, displacing millions and sparking a humanitarian crisis.
These are just a few of the many significant events that shaped 2013. The year was a time of cultural shifts, social progress, and major challenges, leaving a lasting impact on the world we live in today.
TOP 40 SONGS OF 2013
- “Thrift Shop” by Macklemore & Ryan Lewis
- “Blurred Lines” by Robin Thicke ft. T.I. & Pharrell Williams
- “Can’t Get You Out of My Head” by Kylie Minogue
- “Roar” by Katy Perry
- “Radioactive” by Imagine Dragons
- “Somebody That I Used to Know” by Gotye ft. Kimbra
- “We Can’t Stop” by Miley Cyrus
- “Wrecking Ball” by Miley Cyrus
- “Cruise” by Florida Georgia Line ft. Nelly
- “Timber” by Ke$ha ft. Pitbull
- “Royals” by Lorde
- “The Monster” by Eminem ft. Rihanna
- “Suit & Tie” by Justin Timberlake
- “Just Give Me a Reason” by Pink ft. Nate Ruess
- “Burn” by Ellie Goulding
- “Riptide” by Vance Joy
- “Story of My Life” by One Direction
- “Get Lucky” by Daft Punk ft. Pharrell Williams
- “Clarity” by Zedd ft. Foxes
- “Ho Hey” by The Lumineers
- “Die Young” by Ke$ha
- “Pompeii” by Bastille
- “Scream & Shout” by Will.i.am ft. Britney Spears & Britney Spears
- “Stay” by Rihanna ft. Mikky Ekko
- “Mirrors” by Justin Timberlake
- “Blurred Lines” by Robin Thicke (clean version)
- “Dark Horse” by Katy Perry ft. Juicy J
- “Work” by Rihanna
- “What About Us” by Pink
- “Come & Get It” by Jennifer Lopez
- “Love Somebody” by Maroon 5
- “Radioactive (Imagine Dragons Remix)” by Kendrick Lamar
- “Let It Go” by Idina Menzel (from Frozen)
- “The Fox (What Does the Fox Say?)” by Ylvis
- “Black Widow” by Iggy Azalea ft. Rita Ora
- “Demons” by Imagine Dragons
- “Timber (Ke$ha Radio Edit)” by Ke$ha
- “Say Something” by A Great Big World & Christina Aguilera
- “Can’t Hold Us” by Macklemore & Ryan Lewis
- “Best Song Ever” by One Direction
TOP ALTERNATIVE AIRPLAY SONGS OF 2013
- Uprising by Muse (spent 17 weeks at #1, fifty-three total weeks)
- Savior by Rise Against (peaked at #3, stayed on chart for 65 weeks – record)
- Sweater Weather by The Neighbourhood
- Safe and Sound by Capital Cities
- Radioactive by Imagine Dragons
- Demons by Imagine Dragons
- Out of My League by Fitz and The Tantrums
- Pumped Up Kicks by Foster the People
- Ho Hey by The Lumineers
- Riptide by Vance Joy
- Burn by Ellie Goulding
- Royals by Lorde
- Somebody That I Used to Know by Gotye ft. Kimbra
- The Monster by Eminem ft. Rihanna
- Come Out and Play (Keep The Change) by The Real McKenzies
- Pompeii by Bastille
- Little Talks by Of Monsters and Men
- Sing It Again by Neon Trees
- The Sound of Laughter by Funeral for a Friend
- Helena by My Chemical Romance
TOP ROCK AND ROLL SONGS 2013 IN NO PARTICULAR ORDER
Billboard Mainstream Rock Chart Top 5:
- Trenches by Pop Evil
- The Hangman’s Body Count by Volbeat
- Bones by Young Guns
- Cut Me Some Slack by Nirvana (Dave Grohl, Krist Novoselic, Pat Smear, Paul McCartney)
- Addicted to Pain by Alter Bridge
Other notable rock hits:
- R U Mine? by Arctic Monkeys
- Do I Wanna Know? by Arctic Monkeys
- Why would You Only Call Me When You’re High? by Arctic Monkeys
- God Is Dead? by Black Sabbath
- Peace, Love and Harmony by Black Sabbath
- Gimme Back My Bullets by Black Sabbath
- From Can to Can’t by Volbeat
- Lola Montez by Volbeat
- Heavy Bells by Black Stone Cherry
- Dead in Your Head by Five Finger Death Punch
- C’mon Let Me Ride The Black Keys
- Hollow by Alice in Chains
- Black Honey by Black Keys
- Little Lover by Queens of the Stone Age
- My God Is the Sun by Queens of the Stone Age
- Doin’ Time by Sublime with Rome
TOP CHRISTIAN ROCK SONGS OF 2013 IN NO PARTICULAR ORDER
- Whom Shall I Fear (God Of Angel Armies) – Chris Tomlin
- Hello, My Name Is – Matthew West
- Overcomer – Mandisa
- Lord, I Need You – Matt Maher
- One Thing Remains – Passion ft. Kristian Stanfill
Other Notable Christian Rock Songs of 2013:
- Need You Now (How Many Times) – Plumb
- We Won’t Be Shaken – Building 429
- You Are I Am – MercyMe
- Words – Hawk Nelson feat. Bart Millard
- Every Good Thing – The Afters
SOME COMMON THEMES IN SONGS OF THE 2013 BILLBOARD HOT 100
The Billboard Hot 100 chart for 2013 offers a fascinating snapshot of popular music and the sociocultural themes that resonated with listeners. Here are some of the common themes that emerged:
Empowerment and Self-Expression:
“Roar” by Katy Perry and “Royals” by Lorde became anthems for self-belief and defiance against societal expectations.
“Thrift Shop” by Macklemore & Ryan Lewis celebrated individuality and embracing nonconformity.
“Can’t Get You Out of My Head” by Kylie Minogue and “Get Lucky” by Daft Punk ft. Pharrell Williams promoted dance and reveling in personal pleasure.
Love and Relationships:
“We Can’t Stop” by Miley Cyrus and “Wrecking Ball” by Miley Cyrus explored themes of youthful rebellion and navigating complex emotions.
“Stay” by Rihanna ft. Mikky Ekko and “Just Give Me a Reason” by Pink ft. Nate Ruess focused on vulnerability and yearning for connection.
“Suit & Tie” by Justin Timberlake and “Mirrors” by Justin Timberlake reflected on commitment and enduring love.
Social Commentary and Reflection:
“Radioactive” by Imagine Dragons and “Pompeii” by Bastille conveyed anxieties about societal breakdown and environmental disasters.
“Somebody That I Used to Know” by Gotye ft. Kimbra explored themes of nostalgia, lost connections, and personal growth.
“Black Widow” by Iggy Azalea ft. Rita Ora and “Die Young” by Ke$ha challenged gender stereotypes and empowered female voices.
Celebration and Escapism:
“Blurred Lines” by Robin Thicke ft. T.I. & Pharrell Williams and “Work” by Rihanna embraced upbeat party vibes and sensual pleasures.
“Timber” by Ke$ha ft. Pitbull and “The Fox (What Does the Fox Say?)” by Ylvis offered quirky humor and unexpected musical styles for pure entertainment.
“Let It Go” by Idina Menzel (from Frozen) resonated with themes of self-acceptance and empowerment through fantasy and wonder.
It is important to note that these are just some of the prominent themes present in the 2013 Billboard Hot 100. Individual songs often touched on multiple themes, and many other important narratives found expression beyond the top chart positions.
MOST POPULAR MUSIC GENRES OF 2013
Top Performers on Billboard Charts:
Pop: Dominated the Billboard Hot 100 with hits like “Roar” by Katy Perry, “Royals” by Lorde, and “Blurred Lines” by Robin Thicke.
Country: Maintained strong presence with artists like Florida Georgia Line (“Cruise”), Taylor Swift (“Red”), and Blake Shelton (“Boys ‘Round Here”).
Hip-Hop/R&B: Gained significant traction with Macklemore & Ryan Lewis (“Thrift Shop”), Kendrick Lamar (“Radioactive (Imagine Dragons Remix)”), and Rihanna (“Stay,” “Work”).
Alternative: Saw increased visibility with Imagine Dragons (“Radioactive,” “Demons”), Lorde (“Royals”), and The Lumineers (“Ho Hey”).
Rock: Held ground with bands like Muse (“Uprising”), Volbeat (“The Hangman’s Body Count”), and Five Finger Death Punch (“Dead in Your Head”).
Other Notable Genres:
Electronic Dance Music (EDM): Gained mainstream attention with Daft Punk (“Get Lucky”), Avicii (“Wake Me Up”), and Zedd (“Clarity”).
Latin Pop: Continued its rise with Enrique Iglesias (“Bailando”), Ricky Martin (“Vida”), and Prince Royce (“Darte un Beso”).
Indie Rock: Maintained a loyal following with bands like Vampire Weekend (“Modern Vampires of the City”), Arcade Fire (“Reflektor”), and The National (“Trouble Will Find Me”).
Factors to Consider:
It is important to remember that popularity can be measured in various ways, beyond just mainstream charts. Streaming platforms, critical acclaim, and underground movements also contribute to a genre’s influence.
Genres often blend and intertwine, making strict categorization challenging. Artists like Lorde and Macklemore defied easy genre classification, contributing to the diversity of the musical landscape.
Regional and cultural preferences can also influence genre popularity. Latin Pop, for example, had a significant impact in certain markets but might not be as prominent globally as other genres.
Overall, 2013 was a vibrant year for music, with various genres experiencing success and shaping the sound of the era. Pop, Country, Hip-Hop/R&B, and Alternative dominated mainstream charts, while EDM, Latin Pop, and Indie Rock maintained dedicated followings. The “most popular” genres depend on individual perspectives and chosen metrics. However, the sheer diversity and richness of music in 2013 offer something for everyone, making it a year worth revisiting through its sonic tapestry.
Pinpointing a single genre that definitively “became more popular” in 2013 is tricky, as popularity can be measured in different ways and fluctuate across segments of the music industry. However, here are some strong contenders for genres that gained significant traction and influence in 2013:
Electronic Dance Music (EDM):
EDM exploded onto the mainstream scene in 2013, thanks to massive hits like Daft Punk’s “Get Lucky,” Avicii’s “Wake Me Up,” and Zedd’s “Clarity.” These tracks dominated charts, clubs, and festivals, bringing the previously underground genre to a wider audience.
The rise of DJ-driven festivals like Coachella and Tomorrowland fueled the EDM’s popularity, creating a unique culture and community around electronic music.
Artists like Calvin Harris, David Guetta, and Skrillex became household names, further solidifying EDM’s presence in the mainstream.
Alternative:
Alternative rock saw a resurgence in 2013, with bands like Imagine Dragons (“Radioactive,” “Demons”) and The Lumineers (“Ho Hey”) achieving crossover success.
Indie darlings like Lorde (“Royals”) and Vampire Weekend (“Modern Vampires of the City”) also broke through to larger audiences, blurring the lines between alternative and mainstream music.
This revitalized interest in alternative offered a counterpoint to the pop-heavy mainstream, showcasing introspective storytelling and diverse musical styles.
Latin Pop:
Latin Pop continued its upward trajectory in 2013, led by artists like Enrique Iglesias (“Bailando”), Ricky Martin (“Vida”), and Prince Royce (“Darte un Beso”).
Tracks like Pitbull’s “Timber” ft. Ke$ha and Marc Anthony’s “Vivir Mi Vida” further pushed Latin influences into the mainstream, attracting broader audiences.
The growing Latino population and increasing cultural exchange contributed to the genre’s popularity, enriching the musical landscape with its vibrant rhythms and passionate vocals.
While these are strong contenders, other genres like Hip-Hop/R&B and Country also maintained significant prominence in 2013. Additionally, measuring popularity based solely on chart performance might not capture the full picture, as genres like Indie Rock and EDM thrived in underground scenes and niche markets.
Therefore, it is safe to say that 2013 was a year of genre diversification and increasing exposure for previously niche sounds. Genres like EDM, Alternative, and Latin Pop gained significant traction and influence, enriching the musical landscape, and offering listeners a wider range of options to explore.
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