Adult contemporary music
It is usually melodic enough to get a listener's attention, abstains from profanity or complex lyricism, and is most commonly used as background music in heavily-frequented family areas such as supermarkets, shopping malls, convention centers, or restaurants.[12] Initially, the vocalists consisted of artists such as Frank Sinatra, Doris Day, Johnny Mathis, Connie Francis, Nat King Cole, Perry Como, and others.The custom recordings were usually instrumental versions of current or recent rock and roll or pop hit songs, a move intended to give the stations more mass appeal without selling out.[17][18] In 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.AC stations also began playing softer songs by Elvis Presley, Linda Ronstadt, Elton John, Rod Stewart, Billy Joel, and other rock-based artists.In 1989, Linda Ronstadt released Cry Like a Rainstorm, Howl Like the Wind, described by critics as "the first true Adult Contemporary album of the decade", featuring American soul singer Aaron Neville on several of the twelve tracks.Latin pop artists such as Lynda Thomas,[33] Ricky Martin, Marc Anthony, Selena, Enrique Iglesias and Luis Miguel also enjoyed success in the AC charts.Newer female Adult album alternative singer-songwriters such as Sarah McLachlan, Natalie Merchant, Jewel, Melissa Etheridge and Sheryl Crow also broke through on the AC chart during this time.In its early years of existence, the smooth jazz format was considered to be a form of AC, although it was mainly instrumental, and related a stronger resemblance to the soft AC-styled music.Josh Groban's single "You Raise Me Up" and Michael Bublé's cover of "Fever" are often cited as key examples of the high production values and ballad-heavy sound that defined 2000s-era AC,[12] often dubbed as "jazz-pop", heavily carrying classical, jazz and traditional pop influences.Artists such as Nick Lachey, James Blunt, Jamie Cullum, John Mayer, Jason Mraz, Norah Jones, Diana Krall, Amy Winehouse and Susan Boyle also achieved great success during this period.During most of the 2000s, country music/countrypolitan musicians such as Kelly Clarkson, Clay Aiken, Billy Joel, Garth Brooks, Shania Twain, LeAnn Rimes and Carrie Underwood scored hits on soft AC, particularly in Southern states.A popular trend in the late 1990s and 2000s was remixing dance music hits into adult contemporary ballads, especially in the US, (for example, the "Candlelight Mix" versions of "Heaven" by DJ Sammy and Yanou, "Listen To Your Heart" by D.H.T., and "Everytime We Touch" by Cascada)."[37] As adult contemporary has long characterized itself as family-friendly, "clean" versions of pop songs began appearing on the AC chart, as were the cases of "Perfect" by P!nk, and "Forget You" by Cee Lo Green, both in 2011.[38] Key AC artists of the early to mid-2010s included Bruno Mars, Coldplay, Adele, Arcade Fire, Meghan Trainor, Maroon 5 and Ed Sheeran, featuring a more pop-influenced, uptempo style than the typical AC fare of previous years, also featuring production values reminiscent of the Motown sound and the so-called Wall of Sound that dominated the soul-heavy pop charts of the early 1960s, when the Easy Listening chart was first introduced.at the Disco, Neon Trees, X Ambassadors, Sheppard, Bastille, American Authors, Fitz and the Tantrums, Foster the People, Twenty One Pilots, Walk the Moon and Milky Chance.[41][40] The "hot AC" designation began to appear in the 1990s; the term described adult contemporary stations with a more energetic presentation and uptempo sound than their softer counterparts.As these stations' playlists have become concentrated towards airing only the current hits at a given time, hot AC airplay can build and sustain a song's popularity over a long-term period.This effect has been credited in helping build an audience for early singles from new acts such as Adele, Rachel Platten ("Fight Song", which gained prominence for its use during Hillary Clinton's 2016 US presidential election campaign), and Max Schneider (whose 2016 single "Lights Down Low", over a year after its original release, became a sleeper hit on the Billboard Mainstream Top 40 and Hot 100 due in part to strong hot AC airplay).[53] Upon its establishment in the 1980s, the soft AC format was positioned as being a more upbeat version of easy listening that would appeal better to a younger audience, mainly by excluding instrumental beautiful music.In particular, Chicago's WLIT did not have its airstaff talk over the beginning and endings of songs (in contrast to the hot AC-leaning WFYR), and played Bob Seger's "We've Got Tonite" but not "Old Time Rock and Roll" (which was part of WTMX's playlist).[45] Upon the onset of the format's popularity, core artists typically included singers such as Nat King Cole, Perry Como, Neil Diamond, Barry Manilow, Johnny Mathis, and Barbra Streisand.By the 1990s, to improve their appeal among changing demographics, some soft AC stations began to widen their playlist to include selections from contemporary acts with 80s, & 90s, musicians & bands such as Bon Jovi, Bryan Adams, Celine Dion, Roxette, Mariah Carey, Eric Clapton, Phil Collins, Elton John, Cher, Whitney Houston, Journey, and Queen.[21][53] Industry analyst Sean Ross argued that older demographics were becoming more lucrative due to changes in listening habits among younger audiences, which prefer digital platforms such as music streaming services over linear terrestrial radio, and also noted how mainstream AC was dependent on the Top 40 charts to break new songs.Some acts have attempted to disassociate themselves from "R&B" to reduce the effect of this stigma, although music streaming services have helped to expose R&B to a wider audience beyond urban AC radio.The exact composition of current and recurrent content can vary between stations, depending on local cultures and the heritage of rhythmic formats in the market, ranging from late-80s/early-90s dance hits (including latin freestyle), to disco and Motown.While these tend mostly to be contemporary seasonal recordings by the same artists featured under the normal format, most stations will also air at least some vintage holiday tunes from older pop, MOR, and adult standards artists – such as Boney M., The Carpenters, Nat King Cole, Perry Como, Bing Crosby, Percy Faith, Mannheim Steamroller, Dean Martin, Johnny Mathis, Trans-Siberian Orchestra, and Andy Williams – many of whom would never be played on these stations during the rest of the year.
Adult contemporary (disambiguation)Adult standardsSoft rockeasy listeningquiet stormUrban adult contemporaryRhythmic adult contemporaryChristian adult contemporaryPower balladpopular musicballadpop/rockmelodyharmoniesprofanitybackground musicsupermarketsshopping mallsconvention centersrestaurantspop musicverse–chorus structuresentimental balladsacousticpianossaxophonesorchestralelectric guitarssynthesizersdrum machineship hopelectronic dance musicdance-popteen popdemographicurban ACurban contemporary musicrhythmic ACrhythmic contemporaryChristian ACcontemporary Christian musicgenresJohnny Mathisrock and rollBillboardBoll Weevil SongBrook BentonFrank SinatraDoris DayConnie FrancisNat King ColePerry Comoselling outbig bandHot 100Roger MillerBarbra StreisandBobby Vintonmiddle of the roadbeautiful musicambientJackie GleasonBarry ManilowList of soft rock artists and songshard rockCarole KingCat StevensJames TaylorThe CarpentersAnne MurrayJohn DenverTop 40Diana RossCarly SimonJanis IanElvis PresleyLinda RonstadtElton JohnRod StewartBilly JoelChicagothe EaglesEngland Dan & John Ford ColeyAir SupplySeals and CroftsDan FogelbergAmericaFleetwood MacRumoursThe ByrdsCareless WhisperGeorge Michaelradio formatsgenerationheavy metalrap/hip-hopTop 40 chartsCarpentersDionne WarwickOlivia Newton-JohnContemporary Hit RadioRichard MarxMichael JacksonBonnie TylerPhil CollinsLaura BraniganJourneyAllMusicYou're the InspirationChicago 17new waveSheena EastonAmy GrantLionel RichieChristopher CrossDan HillLeo SayerBilly OceanJulio IglesiasBertie HigginsTommy PageYou AreCry Like a Rainstorm, Howl Like the WindAaron NevilleGrammy AwardDon't Know Much