'What is popular music?'

It is difficult to give a precise definition as to what popular music is actually considered to be. The term ‘popular’ is coined as ‘from and of the people’ which automatically creates a hierarchy within its ‘common’ connotations. People may argue that because popular music is usually enjoyed by the masses, automatically it is pigeonholed into one specific music type. ‘Nessun Dorma’ sung by Pavarotti is one such example where something that was usually classed within a high music culture was regarded within a popular music status due to its connection with the 1990 world cup. This song entertained the masses however couldn’t be seen as going against high culture because it was a part of it. Popular music can be seen as a product from ‘music traditions, styles and influences’ (Shuker) and is ultimately determined by the values that society projects and is experiencing at the point of creation.