Pop music overtakes rock in the charts for first time in seven years

Jessie J, Lady Gaga and Adele have propelled pop music to a dominant position in the charts ahead of rock music for the first time in seven years.

The likes of Adele helped give pop its most successful 12 months in 12 years

Even strong efforts from Coldplay and Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds failed to save the rock genre, which saw its worst showing since 2003.

Rock now accounts for 29.4 per cent of sales, compared to 41.5 per cent during its peak in 2004.

Coldplay's Mylo Xyloto offered some respite however, breaking the record for the fastest selling digital album after moving over 800,000 copies in its first week.

In contrast with rock, pop's fortunes have been steadily climbing. Its share of the market climbed to 33.6 per cent in 2011, marking the genre's best year since 1999, the stats from the Official Charts Company show.
Seven of the top ten albums of 2011 were classed as pop, with Adele's 21 leading the pack. Adele's Something Like You also recently picked up the dubious honour of being the most sung karaoke track in a poll by Luckyvoice.com.
Official Charts Company managing director Martin Talbot suggested the trend is set to continue.
'Aside from new albums from Madonna, Robbie Williams, Lady Gaga and Ting Tings on their way, new releases by the likes of Olly Murs, One Direction and Westlife will keep people's pop tastebuds satisfied,' he added.
Source:http://www.metro.co.uk/music/887521-pop-music-overtakes-rock-in-the-charts-for-first-time-in-seven-years