This extensively revised and expanded fifth edition of Understanding Popular Music Culture provides an accessible and comprehensive introduction to the production, distribution, consumption and meaning of popular music, and the debates that surround popular culture and popular music.


Reflecting the continued proliferation of popular music studies, the new music industry in a digital age, and the emergence of new stars, this new edition has been reorganized and extensively updated throughout, making for a more coherent and sequenced coverage of the field. These updates include:












two new chapters entitled `The Real Thing': Authenticity, covers and the canon and `Time Will Pass You By': Histories and popular memory
new case studies on artists including The Rolling Stones, Lorde, One Direction and Taylor Swift
further examples of musical texts, genres, and performers throughout including additional coverage of Electronic Dance Music
expanded coverage on the importance of the back catalogue and the box set; reality television and the music biopic
greater attention to the role and impact of the internet and digital developments in relation to production, dissemination, mediation and consumption; including the role of social network sites and streaming services
each chapter now has its own set of expanded references to facilitate further investigation.









Additional resources for students and teachers can also be found on the companion website ( which includes additional case studies, links to relevant websites and a discography of popular music metagenres.