Is 'Brit Pop' taking over Europe?
Is 'Brit Pop' taking over Europe?
I am no longer surprised by the incredible amounts of British and American music played in clubs and bars all over Spain, and from what I have heard, Europe. Okay, the songs that are played aren’t quite up-to-date with the UK charts, but they aren’t far off.
I have now lived in Spain for eight months, and it is difficult to find a bar where they are only playing Spanish music. If any is played, it is between English songs, and it is always the same music. Don’t get me wrong, I live for music, and I love it when a song I know is played – who doesn’t love dancing to the latest chart toppers? But for me, part of living in a different country is immersing yourself within the culture, and culture definitely includes music.
I find it especially surprising that in a region like Cantabria, and in particular Torrelavega, the small ‘city’ I live in (where there are only a small number of British people), that there is so much influence from Britain in the music here.
I don’t know if it is because Spanish music isn’t as good, or as popular, as British music, or simply because the people here love it so much, but I personally like Spanish music. I would love to sit in a bar in the evening with some friends and a cold glass of wine, listening to Spanish people, Spanish music, and talking Spanish myself. This is what I thought of when I imagined my Year Abroad – not endless nights listening to Brit Pop. (Although sometimes I do quite like those nights!) And I don’t necessarily mean the traditional, flamenco-style music; any Spanish music would be good!
Even the Spanish ‘Top 20’ is full of British songs. As I write this, the current chart has eight Spanish songs, one Portuguese and eleven British or American.
I’m not saying that there should be no British music over here, as in my opinion it is always a good thing when cultures mix and people are able to experience other aspects of foreign life, but I think it is also important to keep your own identity, in this case through music.
Comments
In Ukraine, people mostly listen to music by singers and bands from our country. Of course, we also listen to foreign music. But it's a shame that most people also don't know practically anything about world-famous bands and singers. For example, I personally listen to Paramore, Relient K, 3 Doors Down, Panic! At The Disco etc etc, but none of the people I know has even heard about them! So maybe it's a problem that we don't know a lot about world music life.
Here i think British and American pop music are both greatly popular. I mostly like the music from Birtish pop because I think they are really cool and it can also help to improve my English.
I agree ! I find that listening to foreign music really helps to improve my language skills, I think schools should use music more in language lessons :)
Listening to music would also more interest the youngsters in language learning.
Well, in my country is popular American and Russian music. And a bit of our own. I personally don't like Russian music (no offence if there are any Russians), I just like...you know like a bit of everything, and I think most of people in here think so too.
haha, it's just the same way about my country - we have lots of American, Russian, Ukrainian music on tv or radio... seems like Ukrainian people would listen to anything you'd give them. i personally listen mostly to foreign (American or British) bands & singers, i just like them better than anything else.
Well I totally agree with you. Most ukrainian people, especially teenagers only listen to russian or foreign singers. So ukrainian music like spanish music is becoming less popular. As for me I usually listen to foreign groups and singers just like the other teenagers. But I also don`t mind listening to ukrainian groups like TNMK or с.к.а.й. I think their song lyrics have real sense and they are for every one.
well nowadays ukrainian people usually listen to russian music or british or american. Most of them don`t listen to ukrainian music., That is why we don`t have many qualified groups and ukrainian music becomes less popular, so we have the same problem with our music as the spanish have. well as for me I usually listen to foreign music. But I also don`t mind listening to ukrainian groups like TNMK or с.к.а.й. I find them really great.
I think it is important to listen to a mixture :) can anyone reccommend any good groups from their own country ?
well... can YOU recommend any good groups form your country?
I can ! It would be nice for people to post on here their favourite bands from their country :) At the moment, my favourite singer is a man called Ben Howard - he sings relaxing pop songs, perfect to chill out to !
thx! I'll check him out!
I don't think I can name my fav bands/singers from my country because I almost don't listen to Ukrainian music. but I'll try to. so some of them are:
Океан Ельзи (Okean Elzy - Ocean of Elsa)
С.К.А.Й. (S.K.Y.)
Alyosha
Ані Лорак (Ani Lorak)
Еріка (Erika)
Міка Ньютон (Mika Newton)
Most of these singers and bands also have English songs. Maybe you'll like them ;)
Thank you ! I will have a listen :) Anyone from any other countries have any recommendations?
Hello)))In our country we have very much singers and groups))Ani Lorak,Erika,Alyosha,S.K.Y.,ocean of Elze))
But I don`t listen very much Ukrainian singers and groups(I prefer American singers and bands)))I love pop,country ,sometimes rock,R`n`B and club music)))
I have very much favourite singers and bands-Demi Lovato,Bridgit Mendler,Taylor Swift,Carly Rae Jepsen,One Republic,Nickleback,Linkin Park,Green Day))
I think,Brit music very good too)I love One Direction and Pixie Lott)
Think,Brit and American music both very popular in this world)))
Oh, and I forgot another Ukrainian singer - Alloise. She'll represent our country at this year's EMA. Hopefully she'll win!
Some of my fav singers & bands from abroad are Panic! At The Disco, Fall Out Boy, Paramore, Green Day, Muse, One Republic, The Beatles, The Young Veins, Taylor Swift, Patrick Stump. Talking about fav genres, I'd say I prefer rock, punk rock, pop punk. Pop is okay, but I don't listen to it that often.
In my country the American music is very popular. I like our national ancient music. I think my country people also like our ancient music. But our modern music is not good. In my opinion the best musics are American musics.
Why do you think they are the best?
I like pop american music
people from my country like pop american music........ and i too
We like pop american music
i love pop music
I like both American and English pop music, but Serbian music, too. I think it's important to listen music from your country, but also to foreign music, too, because in that way you can widen your views and get to know more about music. I like listening to Lady Gaga, Taylor Swift, Lilly Allen, Kate Nash, Florence and the Machine, and some Turkish music too, and I love Serbian songs a lot. I'm a fan of Spanish music, too, and I find French music great. I've been listening to Ukrainian music recently, and I like it a lot, as well as Russian. That music is familiar to me, because Serbian language has some similarities with Ukrainian and Russian, those are Slavic countries, and I like that melody.
People in my country enjoy listening British and American pop a lot, esp teens, it's in a full swing at the moment, but we still treasure our music above anything and I think it should be like that.
I agree - it is important not to forget your own country's culture and music, but also important to share other peoples' too.
And my recommendations-Aleksandra Radovic-all songs, Lena Kovacevic(she sings in English, too), Jelena Tomasevic and Ivana Peters(Ivana Negativ);). You'll like the majority of the songs;).
Well as I can see,there is a lot of discussion here...In my country we like American&British music..for instance we get crazy when we hear an One direction song.. but we also like our music too.even though there are only a few good singers..the other ones copies music ..But i don't really listen to my country music expect in a weeding.
I like both but I prefer American.
In México most people listen to "grupera" music,it´s music made with accordions and drums,personally I don´t like it buy If you can´t beat them,join them.
Hi, Maline:)
Since you're from Mexico, do you like Mariachi? I find them very interesting and amusing, and I listen to them sometimes. Their music can always cheer me up.
Greetings:)