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power pop

American  
[pou-er pop] / ˈpaʊ ər ˌpɒp /

noun

  1. a genre of popular music based mainly on pop rock, characterized by cheerful, well-harmonized melodies; fast, strong rhythms; and energetic vocals.


Etymology

Origin of power pop

First recorded in 1965–70

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

They had found their sweet spot: spiky power pop buffed into a commercial sheen by Roy Thomas Baker, the producer famous for his skillful work on Queen’s “Bohemian Rhapsody.”

From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 23, 2025

The combination of her gentle stage presence and lyrical whimsy lightened the mood of Wet Leg’s potent blend of quirky post-punk and combustible power pop, making the absurdly hyped Brits the perfect festival rock band.

From Seattle Times • Aug. 28, 2022

I love classic hits, and '80s power pop rock, 2000 pop punk, rap, a lot of different things.

From Salon • Sep. 30, 2021

A buck a band and worth every cent, the indie-spirited collections feature garage punk, power pop, experimental electronic and noise artists.

From Los Angeles Times • May 1, 2020

Too Late For Love, their contribution this year, is a typically polished slice of power pop with a rousing gospel accompaniment.

From BBC • May 12, 2019

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