The Music Workshop Company Blog

Each month the Music Workshop Company publishes two blogs. One blog, written by the MWC team addresses a key issue in Music Education or gives information about a particular genre or period of music. The other blog is written by a guest writer, highlighting good practice or key events in Music Education. We hope you enjoy reading the blogs.

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To contribute as a guest writer please email Maria@music-workshop.co.uk

Posts tagged “POP MUSIC”

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Dolly Parton

Posted on 18th January 2026 at 16:43

On 19th January 2026, singer songwriter Dolly Parton celebrates her 80th birthday.

Her incredible catalogue of songs appear ohave been recorded by Dolly herself and have been covered by a wide range of Artists as well as being used in musicals.

Alongside her career in music, Dolly is also an actor, businesswoman and philanthropist, giving particular support to reading programmes.

Her work has been acknowledged through eleven Grammy Awards and three Emmy Awards, as well as nominations for two Academy Awards, six Golden Globe Awards and a Tony Award. In November 2024, Dolly Parton was named the Greatest Country Artist of all Time by Billboard.

Our blog celebrates her life and work.

Image: Josef Just

The Beatles in the recording studio

Posted on 19th November 2025 at 15:33

Over a period of just seven years, the Beatles released as many as 12 UK studio albums, steadily developing their sound as they explored different musical genres, influences and recording techniques. Today, the Beatles still hold the title as the world’s best-selling music act.

In this blog, we chart the progression of the band’s recordings from their first demos to their first album, “Please Please Me”. We look at some of the now legendary stories of those earliest recording sessions, and how a group who cut their teeth performing live eventually stopped touring to become a studio band.

The Twist – a song that spawned a dance craze

Posted on 15th July 2025 at 12:39

A couple do the twist on a dancefloor surrounded by spectators

The 1962 Dutch Twist Championships (photo by Wim van Rossem for Anefo, used under Creative Commons licence)

It’s 45 years since Chubby Checker kickstarted a worldwide dance craze after performing his version of ‘The Twist’ on The Dick Clark Show. The phenomenon highlighted how music and movement so often go hand in hand. Even those of us who don’t play an instrument are familiar with the urge to move when we hear a particular track, whether it’s ‘The Twist’, or a favourite song with just the right rhythm.

This month, we explore how Chubby Checker made the song, and the dance that went with it, famous. And we look at other examples of songs that triggered popular dance moves.

Celebrating the Eurovision Song Contest

Posted on 13th May 2025 at 10:32

Singer Mustii on stage, dressed in a white gown, surrounded by microphones and dramatic smoke.

Singer Mustii performs Belgium's entry at the Eurovision Semi-Finals in 2024. (Photo: Arkland, used under Creative Commons licence).

It’s that time of year again…. May is the month when Eurovision fever traditionally sweeps across nations participating in the annual celebration of songwriting and showmanship. Thousands of fans will descend on Switzerland for the 69th Eurovision Song Contest, while millions more will watch from their home countries, with many planning elaborate Eurovision parties. This year 37 acts will take to the stage to perform their nation’s song, hoping to win the approval of the national juries and the voting public alike.

We look at the history behind the contest and some of its memorable moments.

ABBA Waterloo

Posted on 15th February 2024 at 10:16

ABBA is one of the most popular and best selling musical groups of all time. The four-piece first as a group between 1974 and 1982, and reunited in 2016. In 1974 they won the Eurovision Song Content with the song "Waterloo" which kick started their International Career.

The song is recommended by the Model Music Curriculum. Our suggested activity links to preparing for performance based on ABBA's iconic stage presence.

Image: Bert Verhoeff for Anefo

Celebrating The Dark Side of the Moon – a 50-year legacy

Posted on 15th February 2023 at 15:46

Photo by KarleHorn - source: Wikimedia Commons

On 1 March 1973, Pink Floyd firmly cemented their place in music history when they released The Dark Side of the Moon. It was an introspective concept album that was also technically ambitious, featuring experimental synthesiser sounds, tape loops and philosophical quotes as part of the music’s many layers. That may not sound like a recipe for popular success, but today it’s one of the best-selling albums of all time, beloved by critics and music fans around the globe.

As the music world celebrates the record’s 50th anniversary, we look at how it was created, and what’s behind its enduring popularity.