Popular music has always been looked on as something of a disposable pleasure: reflective of its times, sure, but meant to be played among company in a drawing room, or sung with friends over a car radio or danced to in a club.

Popular music has always been looked on as something of a disposable pleasure: reflective of its times, sure, but meant to be played among company in a drawing room, or sung with friends over a car radio or danced to in a club.