Soft rock






Not to be confused with Underground mining (soft rock) or Light metal music.

For the Lemon Jelly single, see Soft/Rock. For the Lifter Puller album, see Soft Rock (album).





















Soft rock
Stylistic origins


  • Pop rock[1]


  • Brill Building[2]
Cultural origins Late 1960s – early 1970s, Southern California, United States and United Kingdom
Typical instruments
  • Acoustic guitar
Derivative forms

  • Adult contemporary music

  • hypnagogic pop
Other topics


  • Hard rock

  • sunshine pop

  • yacht rock



Soft rock (or lite rock)[3] is a derivative form of pop rock[4] that originated in the early 1970s in southern California. The style smoothed over the edges of singer-songwriter and pop rock,[1] relying on simple, melodic songs with big, lush productions. Soft rock was prevalent on the radio throughout the 1970s and eventually metamorphosed into the synthesized music of adult contemporary in the 1980s.[1]




Contents






  • 1 History


    • 1.1 Late 1960s – early 1970s


    • 1.2 Mid- to late 1970s


    • 1.3 1980s


    • 1.4 1990s




  • 2 See also


  • 3 References


  • 4 Further reading





History



Late 1960s – early 1970s


Hard rock had been established as a mainstream genre by 1968. From the end of the 1960s, it became common to divide mainstream rock music into soft and hard rock,[5] with both emerging as major radio formats in the US.[6] Late 1960s soft rock artists included the Bee Gees,[7] whose song "I Started a Joke" was a number one single in several countries; Neil Diamond with the 1969 hit "Sweet Caroline", the Hollies with their U.S. and UK Top 10 hit "He Ain't Heavy, He's My Brother", and Elton John with his popular song "Skyline Pigeon". By the early 1970s, softer songs by the Carpenters, Anne Murray, John Denver, Barry Manilow, and even Barbra Streisand began to be played more often on "Top 40" radio and others were added to the mix on many adult contemporary stations. Also, some of these stations even played softer songs by Elvis Presley, Linda Ronstadt, Elton John, Rod Stewart, Billy Joel, and other rock-based artists.[citation needed]


Major artists of that time included Barbra Streisand, Carole King, Cat Stevens, James Taylor[8] and Bread.[9][10]


The Hot 100 and Easy Listening charts became more similar again toward the end of the 1960s and into the early and mid-1970s, when the texture of much of the music played on Top 40 radio once more began to soften. The adult contemporary format began evolving into the sound that later defined it, with rock-oriented acts as Chicago, the Eagles and Elton John becoming associated with the format. The Carpenters' hit version of "(They Long to Be) Close to You" was released in the summer of 1970, followed by Bread's "Make It with You", both early examples of a softer sound that was coming to dominate the charts.[11]



Mid- to late 1970s


Soft rock reached its commercial peak in the mid- to late 1970s with acts such as Toto, England Dan & John Ford Coley, Air Supply, Seals and Crofts, America and the reformed Fleetwood Mac, whose Rumours (1977) was the best-selling album of the decade.[12] By 1977, some radio stations, notably New York's WTFM and NBC-owned WYNY, had switched to an all-soft rock format.[13]


In the mid- to late 1970s, prominent soft rock acts included Billy Joel, Elton John, Chicago, Toto, Boz Scaggs, the Alessi Brothers, Michael McDonald, England Dan & John Ford Coley, Paul Davis, Air Supply, Seals and Crofts, Captain & Tennille, The Hollies, America, and Fleetwood Mac. By the 1980s, tastes had changed and radio formats reflected this change, including musical artists such as Journey.[14]


A prominent counterpart of soft rock in the late 1970s and early 1980s came to be known as yacht rock.[15] Originating from California's session musicians, yacht rock only partially overlapped with soft rock; it could include soft to mid-level (but rarely ever purely hard) rock.[16] Much of the "West Coast sound" of yacht rock bore similarity to some of the East Coast soft rockers of the era such as Rupert Holmes and Hall & Oates, leading to the conflation.[17]



1980s


In the early 1980s, the radio format evolved into what came to be known as "adult contemporary" or "adult album alternative", a format that has less overt rock bias than its forebear radio categorization.[18] Although dance-oriented, electronic pop and ballad-oriented rock dominated the 1980s, soft rock songs still enjoyed mild success thanks to Sheena Easton, Amy Grant,[19]Lionel Richie, Christopher Cross, Dan Hill, Leo Sayer, Billy Ocean,[20]Julio Iglesias and Bertie Higgins. No song spent more than six weeks at #1 on this chart during the 1980s, with nine songs accomplishing that feat. Two of these were by Lionel Richie, "You Are" in 1983 and "Hello" in 1984, which also reached #1 on the Hot 100.[citation needed]



1990s


Soft rock persisted in the 1990s, with artists from previous decades continuing to release new music, such as Genesis, whose 1992 soft rock single "Hold on My Heart"[21] topped the Canadian singles chart and Billboard Adult Contemporary chart.[22][23]Extreme's 1991 single "More Than Words"[24] was internationally successful, topping the national singles charts in at least five countries, including Canada and the United States.[25][26][27]Eric Clapton's 1992 single "Tears in Heaven"[28] was also successful, topping the national singles charts in Canada,[29] Ireland,[30] New Zealand,[31] and six other countries.[32][33][34][35]Richard Marx's 1994 single "Now and Forever"[36] topped the Canadian adult contemporary chart[37] and peaked in the top ten of the national singles charts in that country,[38] Norway,[39] and the United States.[40] New bands and artists emerged such as the Danish group Michael Learns to Rock, who saw massive popularity in Asia, with many singles becoming commercially successful in the continent.[41]



See also



  • Adult-oriented rock

  • List of soft rock artists and songs

  • Sentimental ballad




References





  1. ^ abc Anon (n.d.). "Soft Rock". AllMusic..mw-parser-output cite.citation{font-style:inherit}.mw-parser-output .citation q{quotes:"""""""'""'"}.mw-parser-output .citation .cs1-lock-free a{background:url("//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/65/Lock-green.svg/9px-Lock-green.svg.png")no-repeat;background-position:right .1em center}.mw-parser-output .citation .cs1-lock-limited a,.mw-parser-output .citation .cs1-lock-registration a{background:url("//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/d6/Lock-gray-alt-2.svg/9px-Lock-gray-alt-2.svg.png")no-repeat;background-position:right .1em center}.mw-parser-output .citation .cs1-lock-subscription a{background:url("//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/aa/Lock-red-alt-2.svg/9px-Lock-red-alt-2.svg.png")no-repeat;background-position:right .1em center}.mw-parser-output .cs1-subscription,.mw-parser-output .cs1-registration{color:#555}.mw-parser-output .cs1-subscription span,.mw-parser-output .cs1-registration span{border-bottom:1px dotted;cursor:help}.mw-parser-output .cs1-ws-icon a{background:url("//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/4c/Wikisource-logo.svg/12px-Wikisource-logo.svg.png")no-repeat;background-position:right .1em center}.mw-parser-output code.cs1-code{color:inherit;background:inherit;border:inherit;padding:inherit}.mw-parser-output .cs1-hidden-error{display:none;font-size:100%}.mw-parser-output .cs1-visible-error{font-size:100%}.mw-parser-output .cs1-maint{display:none;color:#33aa33;margin-left:0.3em}.mw-parser-output .cs1-subscription,.mw-parser-output .cs1-registration,.mw-parser-output .cs1-format{font-size:95%}.mw-parser-output .cs1-kern-left,.mw-parser-output .cs1-kern-wl-left{padding-left:0.2em}.mw-parser-output .cs1-kern-right,.mw-parser-output .cs1-kern-wl-right{padding-right:0.2em}


  2. ^ Viglione, Joe. "Breaking Up Is Hard to Do". AllMusic. Archived from the original on October 24, 2016.


  3. ^ Alan Stephenson, David Reese, Mary Beadle, 2013, Broadcast Announcing Worktext: A Media Performance Guide p. 198.


  4. ^ "Early Pop/Rock". AllMusic.


  5. ^ R. B. Browne and P. Browne, eds, The Guide to United States Popular Culture (Popular Press, 2001),
    ISBN 0-87972-821-3, p. 687.


  6. ^ M. C. Keith, The Radio Station: Broadcast, Satellite and Internet (Focal Press, 8th edn., 2009),
    ISBN 0-240-81186-0, p. 14.


  7. ^ "Andy Gibb, In the Shadow of the Bee Gees".


  8. ^ J. M. Curtis, Rock Eras: Interpretations of Music and Society, 1954-1984 (Popular Press, 1987), p. 236.


  9. ^ Soft Rock. "Soft Rock : Significant Albums, Artists and Songs, Most Viewed". AllMusic. Retrieved January 9, 2013.


  10. ^ "Soft Rock - Profile of the Mellow, Romantic Soft Rock of the '70s and Early '80s". 80music.about.com. April 12, 2012. Retrieved January 9, 2013.


  11. ^ Simpson, 2011 Early 70s Radio, chap. 2 "Pillow Talk: MOR, Soft Rock, and the 'Feminization' of Hit Radio".


  12. ^ P. Buckley, The Rough Guide to Rock (Rough Guides, 3rd edn., 2003), p. 378.


  13. ^ C. H. Sterling, M. C. Keith, Sounds of Change: a History of FM broadcasting in America (UNC Press, 2008), pp. 136-7.


  14. ^ "Journey: The band who did not stop believing". BBC News. November 12, 2010. Retrieved December 6, 2010.


  15. ^ Berlind, William (2006-08-27). "Yacht Rock Docks in New York". The New York Observer. Archived from the original on 2011-05-18. Retrieved 2008-07-29.


  16. ^ Matos, Michaelangelo (2005-12-07). "Talk Talk: J.D. Ryznar". Seattle Weekly. Archived from the original on 2006-04-14. Retrieved 2006-10-09.


  17. ^ Lecaro, Lina (November 19, 2016). "This Monthly Club Is a Non-Ironic Celebration of Rock's Softer Side". LA Weekly.


  18. ^ C. H. Sterling, M. C. Keith, Sounds of Change: a History of FM Broadcasting in America (UNC Press, 2008), p. 187.


  19. ^ Ruhlmann, William. "Amy Grant - Music Biography, Credits and Discography". AllMusic. Retrieved October 3, 2012.


  20. ^ Prato, Greg (January 21, 1950). "Billy Ocean - Music Biography, Credits and Discography". AllMusic. Retrieved October 3, 2012.


  21. ^ Wener, Ben. "Genesis Braves the Rain at the Bowl". The Orange County Register. Digital First Media. Archived from the original on June 12, 2018. Retrieved August 7, 2018.


  22. ^ "RPM 100: Hit Tracks & Where to Find Them". RPM. June 20, 1992. Archived from the original on November 24, 2015. Retrieved August 7, 2018.


  23. ^ "Genesis Chart History – Adult Contemporary". Billboard. Billboard-Hollywood Reporter Media Group. Retrieved 7 August 2018.


  24. ^ "VH1's 40 Most Softsational Soft-Rock Songs". Stereogum. Billboard-Hollywood Reporter Media Group. Archived from the original on April 2, 2015. Retrieved August 8, 2018.


  25. ^ "Extreme – More Than Words". Utratop. Hung Medien. Retrieved August 8, 2018.


  26. ^ "RPM 100: Hit Tracks & Where to Find Them". RPM. June 8, 1991. Archived from the original on April 2, 2018. Retrieved August 7, 2018.


  27. ^ "Extreme Chart History – Hot 100". Billboard. Billboard-Hollywood Reporter Media Group. Retrieved August 8, 2018.


  28. ^ Smith, Chris (2006). The Greenwood Encyclopedia of Rock History: From Arenas to the Underground, 1974–1980. Greenwood Press. p. 102. ISBN 0-313-32937-0.


  29. ^ "RPM 100: Hit Tracks & Where to Find Them". RPM. April 11, 1992. Archived from the original on September 1, 2018. Retrieved September 1, 2018.


  30. ^ "Search the Charts [Search Result for 'Tears in Heaven']". The Irish Charts. Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved November 12, 2015.


  31. ^ "Eric Clapton – Tears in Heaven (Song)". charts.org.nz. Hung Medien. Retrieved November 12, 2015.


  32. ^ Gonçalves, Madalena (May 25, 1992). "Novas paradas de singles 25 de Maio de 1992" [New May 25, 1992 Single Charts]. Folha de S.Paulo (in Portuguese). Luiz Frias. This week's sales topper is 'Tears in Heaven' by Eric Clapton. With Platinum sales in only one week, the single went up to the top slot, where it will probably stay for the next couple of weeks.


  33. ^ "Vinsældalisti íslands" [Iceland's popularity list]. DV (in Icelandic). Reykjavík, Iceland. March 27, 1992. Archived from the original on August 17, 2016. Retrieved November 12, 2015.


  34. ^ "Tears in Heaven: Eric Clapton". Lista Przebojów Trójki (in Polish). Polskie Radio. Archived from the original on October 24, 2014. Retrieved November 12, 2015.


  35. ^ "Eric Clapton: Tears in Heaven". Top40-Charts.com. Archived from the original on June 26, 2013. Retrieved November 12, 2015.


  36. ^ Park, Jin-hai. "Richard Marx Mesmerizes Seoul with Velvety Romantic Songs". The Korea Times. Archived from the original on August 8, 2018. Retrieved August 8, 2018.


  37. ^ "RPM Adult Contemporary Tracks". RPM. March 7, 1994. Archived from the original on August 8, 2018. Retrieved August 8, 2018.


  38. ^ "RPM 100: Hit Tracks & Where to Find Them". RPM. March 7, 1994. Archived from the original on April 2, 2018. Retrieved January 15, 2016.


  39. ^ "Richard Marx – Now and Forever". VG-Lista. Hung Medien. Retrieved August 8, 2018.


  40. ^ "Richard Marx Chart History – Hot 100". Billboard. Billboard-Hollywood Reporter Media Group. Retrieved August 8, 2018.


  41. ^ Editor, David Tusing, Deputy tabloid! (April 9, 2013). "Michael Learns To Rock's epic Dubai return".




Further reading


  • Kim Simpson, 2011, Early 70s Radio: The American Format Revolution
    ISBN 978-1-441-13678-7









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