SKU: 52529229611

Switched on Pop: How Popular Music Works, and Why It Matters

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Switched on Pop: How Popular Music Works, and Why It MattersPop music surrounds us in our cars, over supermarket speakers, even when we are laid out at the dentist but how often do we really hear what's playing? Switched on Pop is the book based on the eponymous podcast that has been hailed by NPR, Rolling Stone, The Guardian, and Entertainment Weekly for its witty and accessible analysis of Top 40 hits. Through close studies of sixteen modern classics, musicologist Nate Sloan and songwriter Charlie Harding

Pop music surrounds us - in our cars, over supermarket speakers, even when we are laid out at the dentist - but how often do we really hear what's playing? Switched on Pop is the book based on the eponymous podcast that has been hailed by NPR, Rolling Stone, The Guardian, and Entertainment Weekly for its witty and accessible analysis of Top 40 hits. Through close studies of sixteen modern classics, musicologist Nate Sloan and songwriter Charlie Harding shift pop from the background to the foreground, illuminating the essential musical concepts behind two decades of chart-topping songs.

In 1939, Aaron Copland published What to Listen for in Music, the bestseller that made classical music approachable for generations of listeners. Eighty years later, Nate and Charlie update Copland's idea for a new audience and repertoire: 21st century pop, from Britney to Beyonc , Outkast to Kendrick Lamar. Despite the importance of pop music in contemporary culture, most discourse only revolves around lyrics and celebrity. Switched on Pop gives readers the tools they need to interpret our modern soundtrack. Each chapter investigates a different song and artist, revealing musical insights such as how a single melodic motif follows Taylor Swift through every genre that she samples, Andr 3000 uses metric manipulation to get listeners to "shake it like a Polaroid picture," or Luis Fonsi and Daddy Yankee create harmonic ambiguity in "Despacito" that mirrors the patterns of global migration.

Replete with engaging discussions and eye-catching illustrations, Switched on Pop brings to life the musical qualities that catapult songs into the pop pantheon. Readers will find themselves listening to familiar tracks in new waysand not just those from the Top 40. The timeless concepts that Nate and Charlie define can be applied to any musical style. From fanatics to skeptics, teenagers to octogenarians, non-musicians to professional composers, every music lover will discover something ear-opening in Switched on Pop.


Binding Type: Hardcover
Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA
Published: 12/13/2019
ISBN: 9780190056650
Pages: 224
Weight: 0.80lbs
Size: 8.30h x 5.70w x 0.80d

Review Citations: Library Journal 10/01/2019 pg. 100
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SKU: 52529229611

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SM Gibbons
Massapequa, US
★★★★★ 3
Works well
Color: Beige
Does the trick for privacy and some noise blockage. This takes two people to put together. The construction make it easy to assemble, but makes it just as easy to come apart on its own.
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Reviewed in the United States on July 27, 2025
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Mike
West Palm Beach, US
★★★★★ 5
Works For Desired Use
Color: Black, Size: 4 Panel-136‘’W-Round Pad
I recently purchased the Room Divider 6FT Folding Privacy Screens, 4 Panel Partition Room Dividers, and I must say, it has transformed the way I use my living space. The four-panel design is both elegant and functional, providing instant privacy without feeling bulky or overwhelming in my room. Setting it up was a breeze; the folding mechanism is smooth, allowing me to adjust the configuration as needed—straight, angled, or zigzag. I particularly appreciate the sturdy build; the panels feel solid yet lightweight, making it easy to move around when I want to reconfigure my space. Aesthetically, it’s a great addition. The neutral finish blends well with my décor, and the simple design doesn’t draw too much attention while still offering a sense of separation. It’s perfect for creating a temporary office corner, dividing a studio apartment, or even using it as a backdrop for online meetings. If I had to point out a minor downside, it would be that the divider isn’t completely soundproof—so conversations can still carry through—but for visual privacy and space management, it’s excellent. Overall, I’m extremely satisfied and would recommend it to anyone looking for a versatile and stylish room divider.
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Reviewed in the United States on February 24, 2026
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Ansley
Boise, US
★★★★★ 5
True to size & Use a Drill
Color: Beige, Size: 3 Panel-102‘’-Round Pad, Color: Beige, Size: 3 Panel-102‘’-Round Pad
Love this! Works perfectly for where I wanted it. I did measure my room incorrectly and thought it would be smaller, thankfully it’s not and thankfully it’s not bigger than the room itself. I did like how the whole thing was move-able but it was a bit annoying so I just added extra clips to the left of the middle one and unscrewed the right of the middle at the bottom so it opens like a door, this did make it a bit flimsy but duck taping it to the wall as anchor it works. 100% recommend, but do suggest a drill and a second set of hands to put it together, due to its size it can be a bit difficult to maneuver putting together yourself. Also if you have a clingy cat like I do, and think this will help keep them out, no, my cat who is very large can manage to squeeze underneath it.
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Reviewed in the United States on March 9, 2024
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Sam
Cuba, US
★★★★★ 1
waste of money
Color: Black, Size: 4 Panel-136‘’W-Round Pad
This is a total waste of money. Its only going to free stand if you arent moving it. If you are planning on dividing a room, and then folding these for space and then dividing the room again, itll last a few days. The poles kept coming off of the screws that holds the fabric on the poles together. Was fixing this EVERY DAY. Finally got tired of doing this and just threw it out. Lot of money spent on garbage. Get a sheet room divider, or something that isnt cheaply made. Was simply making an office type space in a bedroom, to seperate the two areas for work, and folding it kept making the poles come off those twisted screws. just not worth it.
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Reviewed in the United States on May 3, 2026
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Alysha H.
Louisville, US
★★★★★ 5
Absolutely love this room divider!
Color: Beige, Size: 3 Panel-102‘’-Round Pad, Color: Beige, Size: 3 Panel-102‘’-Round Pad
When they say you can't see anything through it, they are correct. As you can see by the video, the cars are traveling by with the sunlight on the divider and you still can't see any cars passing nor can you see the ones in the parking lot. You can also tell it blocks out the sunlight too which is a definite plus for our store. Quality material on the divider. Material is nice and snug on the poles with no ripples. I also like the base of these, they make the divider nice and sturdy and can be adjusted if floor is uneven. Also the design of the legs allow them to go under your furniture. Also putting them together is pretty easy. Just make sure you when you are putting the poles together to make sure at the top of the pole that the indent screw hole faces out. This makes for a better look. The directions don't say which way to turn and at 1st, I had one, one way and the other was another way as both ways work that way but I wanted a uniform/better look.
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Reviewed in the United States on July 29, 2024

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