Songs that perfectly represent their era

VERY 2014 mid 2010s



Very 2009 and early 2010 when electropop was a toddler 

aka the Red One era

Get ready, cuz this is a voyage throughout time with pop music

Early 1940s


Mid-1940s


Late 1940s


Early 1950s


Mid-1950s


Late 1950s


Early 1960s


Mid-1960s


Late 1960s


Early 1970s


Mid-1970s


Late 1970s


Early 1980s


Mid-1980s


Late 1980s


Early 1990s


Mid-1990s


Late 1990s


Early 2000s


Mid-2000s


Late 2000s


Early 2010s


Mid-2010s


Late 2010s


Early 2020s
In process...

Late 1940s:

It represents the relief so many Americans had after years and years of hardship and misery. Also, the big band era was winding down, with traditional pop overtaking it.

Early 1950s:

The early '50s were dominated by traditional pop, but you had a bit of what would come to shape doo-wop appearing as well. Johnnie Ray was particularly popular in this era.

Mid-1950s:

By the mid-'50s, you were hearing thumping, echoing drums a lot more and doo-wop had taken over the zeitgeist. However, this type of production wouldn't be prevalent anymore in the late '50s.

Late 1950s:

Rock & roll had its heyday in the late '50s, but it didn't last beyond that.

Early 1960s:

These guys were huge in the early '60s. Music still mostly sounded like a continuation of late '50s doo-wop pop, but songs were starting to have a bit of a thicker sound, too.

Mid-1960s:

Motown ruled the world by this point. As did slamming snare downbeats with lots of reverb.

Late 1960s:

There was a lot of Indian influence to pop music during the early psychedelic era.

Early 1970s:

A lot of slow songs with snarly bass in the early '70s.

Mid-1970s:

The mid-'70s were all about Philadelphia soul. Elton John was also still popular at the time, though he wouldn't find as much success in the late '70s.

Late 1970s:

I'm going with this because while disco was already very popular in 1975 and 1976, first wave punk very much defined 1977-1979.

Early 1980s:

Not only is the production pure, undiluted early '80s, but so is its subject matter.

Mid-1980s:

Synth, synth, and more synth. But this song sounds neither early '80s, nor late '80s.

Late 1980s:

When I think of the late '80s, I think of gunshot snares and electric pianos. Also, new jack swing was a pretty prominent influence.

Early 1990s:

This era was basically defined by cheesy pop rap over hollow dance beats.

Mid-1990s:

The mid-'90s saw a lot of this type of beat. Low-key, funky, and more synthesized than the '70s music it was partially influenced by.

Late 1990s:

Puff Daddy, shiny suit hip hop, and rap-rock. What could be more late '90s?

Early 2000s:

Former teen pop idol matures with a song produced by the Neptunes.

Mid-2000s:

This was when Lil Jon owned the pop world.

Late 2000s:

Pop music was dancier, but still r&b-sounding in the late 2000s.

Early 2010s:

EDM party music.

Mid-2010s:

Music slowed down by this point, but it was still large-sounding.

Late 2010s:

This pretty thoroughly represents late 2010s music - it's a pop-country crossover with trap beats. I don't think we'll hear a whole lot of this type of music in the 2020s, though.

Early 2010s:

Mid 2010s:

Late 2010s: