doo wop

Street corner singing

Doo wop is a genre of American music that emerged in the 1940s and gained popularity in the 1950s.

It is characterized by vocal harmony and a simple beat, and it is often performed by groups without instrumental accompaniment.

era

1950s

Decade after WWII

sock hopInformal school dance
jukeboxCoin-operated music player
poodle skirtsFull skirts with appliquéd dogs

drive-in · soda fountain · greasers · bobby socks · letterman jackets · ponytail · hot rod · malt shop · vinyl records · transistor radio

vocal-style

falsetto

Artificially elevated singing register

harmonyAgreement or musical blend
a cappellaSinging without instruments
group singingCollective vocal performance

lead singer · backing vocals · bass voice · tenor · baritone · crooning · call and response · melodic hooks · close harmony · four-part harmony

rhythm

backbeat

Accent on weak beats

swingSuspended recreational seat
syncopationStressed unexpected beats
shuffleRandomize by mixing

finger snapping · bop · tempo · groove · slow dance · uptempo · hand clapping · foot-tapping · walking bass · steady beat

songs

blue moon

Uncommon lunar event

sincereGenuinely felt, not feigned
maybeExpression of uncertainty

Categories

nonsense syllablesla la la, na na na, bop, scat, fa la la
song refrainschorus, refrain, burden, fa la la, la la la
tuneslullaby, jingle, theme song, ringtone, hymn tune
song partsverse, intro, chorus, verse-chorus, outro

Opposites

musical texture and arrangement

doo wopheavy metal

Aggressive amplified rock genre

surf rock · jam band · progressive rock · electronica · EDM

musical era and cultural moment

doo woppunk rock

Stripped-down aggressive rock genre

noise rock · hardcore · death metal · psychedelic rock · grunge

lyrical and emotional content

doo wopgangsta rap

Urban struggle set to beats

death metal · black metal · punk · noise music · grindcore

Family

Familiarity: Top 500,000
Profile: Mostly American · Timeless · Positive · Rated G