Psychedelic music is a genre of music that emerged in the mid-1960s as a result of the influence of psychedelic drugs, such as LSD, on the perception and creativity of musicians and listeners. Psychedelic music aims to evoke or enhance the psychedelic experience, often by using distorted sounds, unconventional song structures, surreal lyrics, and colourful imagery.
Psychedelic music can be divided into two main subgenres: psychedelic pop and psychedelic rock. Psychedelic pop is a lighter and more melodic style that incorporates elements of folk, baroque, and sunshine pop.
Psychedelic rock is a heavier and more experimental style that incorporates elements of blues, hard rock, and acid rock.
The Origins and Evolution of Psychedelic Pop and Rock
Psychedelic pop and rock emerged in the mid-1960s as part of the counterculture movement that challenged the social norms and political establishment of the time. The Beatles are widely regarded as the pioneers of psychedelic pop, with their albums Rubber Soul (1965), Revolver (1966), and Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band (1967) being influential examples of the genre.
Other notable psychedelic pop artists include The Beach Boys, The Zombies, The Kinks, The Byrds, and The Monkees.
Psychedelic rock emerged around the same time as psychedelic pop, but with a more aggressive and adventurous approach. The Jimi Hendrix Experience, The Doors, Cream, Pink Floyd, Jefferson Airplane, and The Grateful Dead are some of the most influential psychedelic rock bands of the late 1960s.
Psychedelic rock reached its peak in popularity and creativity between 1967 and 1968, with landmark albums such as The Piper at the Gates of Dawn, Disraeli Gears, Are You Experienced, Surrealistic Pillow, and The Velvet Underground & Nico.
Psychedelic pop and rock declined in the late 1960s and early 1970s as the optimism and experimentation of the era gave way to disillusionment and violence. The Beatles broke up, Jimi Hendrix and Janis Joplin died of drug overdoses, and the Altamont Free Concert ended in tragedy.
Many psychedelic bands either disbanded, changed their style, or became more mainstream. However, psychedelic music did not disappear completely; it influenced and inspired many other genres and movements, such as progressive rock, glam rock, punk rock, new wave, neo-psychedelia, shoegaze, and indie rock.
The Characteristics and Comparison of Psychedelic Pop and Rock
Psychedelic pop and rock share some common characteristics that define them as psychedelic music.
These include:
- The use of psychedelic effects such as fuzz, distortion, feedback, reverb, delay, phasing, flanging, wah-wah, and reverse tape. These effects create a sense of space, depth, and unpredictability in the music.
- The use of unconventional instruments, such as sitar, tabla, mellotron, theremin, synthesiser, organ, harpsichord, and horns. These instruments add exotic and diverse sounds to the music.
- The use of unusual song structures, such as non-standard time signatures, modal scales, drones, loops, improvisation, and collage. These structures challenge the expectations and conventions of pop and rock music.
- The use of surreal lyrics is often inspired by literature, mythology, philosophy, religion, or personal experiences. These lyrics express abstract or symbolic ideas that reflect the altered state of consciousness induced by psychedelic drugs.
- The use of colorful imagery is often influenced by art movements such as surrealism, pop art, and op art. These images create a visual representation of the psychedelic experience.
However, psychedelic pop and rock also have some distinctive differences that set them apart from each other.
These include:
The mood of the music
Psychedelic pop tends to be more upbeat, cheerful, and optimistic, while psychedelic rock tends to be more dark, intense, and rebellious.
The influence of the music
Psychedelic pop is more influenced by folk, baroque, and sunshine pop, while psychedelic rock is more influenced by blues, hard rock, and acid rock.
The audience of the music.
Psychedelic pop is more aimed at the mainstream and commercial market, while psychedelic rock is more aimed at the underground and countercultural scene.
The complexity of the music.
Psychedelic pop is more simple, catchy, and accessible, while psychedelic rock is more complex, experimental, and challenging.
Examples and Analysis of Psychedelic Pop and Rock Songs To illustrate the similarities and differences between psychedelic pop and rock, here are some examples of songs from each genre, along with a brief analysis of their features.
Psychedelic Pop Songs
Strawberry Fields Forever by The Beatles (1967). This song is considered one of the masterpieces of psychedelic pop, as it combines a catchy melody with innovative production techniques.
The song features a mellotron, a reverse cymbal, a swarmandal, and tape loops. The song also has two different versions that are spliced together at different speeds and keys. The lyrics are inspired by John Lennon’s childhood memories of playing in a garden near a Salvation Army home called Strawberry Field.
Good Vibrations by The Beach Boys (1966). This song is another example of psychedelic pop that showcases the genius of Brian Wilson as a songwriter and producer.
The song features a theremin, an electro-theremin, a cello, a harpsichord, and a bass harmonica. The song also has multiple sections that vary in tempo, key, and mood. The lyrics are about the positive feelings that love can bring.
Incense and Peppermints by Strawberry Alarm Clock (1967). This song is a typical example of sunshine pop, a subgenre of psychedelic pop that emphasises bright melodies and harmonies. The song features an organ, a guitar, a bass, drums, and vocals.
The song has a simple structure that repeats the same chord progression throughout. The lyrics are nonsensical and whimsical.Psychedelic Rock Songs
Purple Haze by The Jimi Hendrix Experience (1967). This song is considered one of the classics of psychedelic rock, as it showcases the virtuosity and innovation of Jimi Hendrix as a guitarist and singer. The song features a guitar, a bass, drums, and vocals.
The song has a distorted and fuzzy sound that creates a sense of power and aggression. The song also has a modal scale that gives it an exotic and mysterious feel. The lyrics are inspired by a dream that Hendrix had about walking under the sea.
White Rabbit by Jefferson Airplane (1967). This song is another example of psychedelic rock that draws from the influence of acid rock, a subgenre of psychedelic rock that emphasises the use of LSD. The song features a guitar, a bass, drums, and vocals.
The song has a bolero rhythm that creates a sense of tension and anticipation. The song also has a crescendo that builds up to a climax. The lyrics are inspired by the imagery and themes of Lewis Carroll’s Alice in Wonderland and Through the Looking-Glass.
Interstellar Overdrive by Pink Floyd (1967). This song is a typical example of space rock, a subgenre of psychedelic rock that explores the themes and sounds of outer space. The song features a guitar, a bass, drums, an organ, and sound effects.
The song has an instrumental and improvisational structure that creates a sense of exploration and experimentation. The song also has a dissonant and chaotic sound that creates a sense of alienation and madness.
The Conclusion and Evaluation of Psychedelic Pop and Rock
Psychedelic pop and rock are two subgenres of psychedelic music that emerged in the mid-1960s as a result of the influence of psychedelic drugs on the perception and creativity of musicians and listeners. Psychedelic pop and rock share some common characteristics, such as the use of psychedelic effects, unconventional instruments, unusual song structures, surreal lyrics, and colourful imagery.
However, psychedelic pop and rock also have some distinctive differences, such as the mood, influence, audience, and complexity of the music.
Psychedelic pop and rock are both important and influential genres that have shaped the history and evolution of music. Psychedelic pop and rock have contributed to the diversity and richness of musical expression, as well as to the social and cultural changes of the era.
Psychedelic pop and rock have also inspired and influenced many other genres and movements that followed, such as progressive rock, glam rock, punk rock, new wave, neo-psychedelia, shoegaze, and indie rock.
Psychedelic pop and rock are two sides of the same kaleidoscopic universe that offer different perspectives and experiences of the psychedelic music phenomenon. They are both worth exploring and appreciating for their artistic merit and cultural significance.
