Music Genre Guide : Easy Listening

Origin and Concept

Easy Listening isn’t tied to a single style—it’s a listening experience that’s smooth, melodic, and relaxing. It became popular in the 1950s as a gentle alternative to energetic pop and rock. Over time, it has evolved to include soft hits from every decade and across multiple genres, creating a vast and approachable category of music.

Its main appeal is accessibility: songs are easy to enjoy, often feature melodic hooks, light instrumentation, and smooth vocals. This makes Easy Listening perfect for background music, relaxing at home, or unwinding after a long day.

Easy Listening by Era

  • Easy 50s: Soft crooners and orchestral pop, artists like Perry Como and Nat King Cole.

  • Easy 60s: Gentle Motown, folk-pop, and romantic ballads; think The Carpenters and Frank Sinatra.

  • Easy 70s: Smooth soft rock and adult contemporary hits, e.g., James Taylor and Bread.

  • Easy 90s & 00s: Modern soft pop and mellow hits from artists like Sade or Air Supply.

  • Easy 10s: Contemporary soft pop and acoustic tracks, often featuring singer-songwriters and mellow indie sounds.

Easy Listening by Genre

  • Easy Country: Smooth country ballads with gentle instrumentation (e.g., Anne Murray, Dolly Parton’s soft hits).

  • Easy Motown: Relaxed Motown classics, with soulful vocals and mellow arrangements (e.g., The Temptations, Marvin Gaye).

  • Easy Jazz: Smooth, melodic jazz, similar to Smooth Jazz but broader, including instrumental ballads (e.g., Herb Alpert, Kenny G).

  • Easy Reggae: Mellow reggae tracks focusing on soft rhythms and relaxed grooves.

  • Easy Soul: Soul ballads with soothing vocals and slower tempos (e.g., Al Green, Luther Vandross).

Famous Artists

  • Herb Alpert – Trumpet-driven instrumental tracks with smooth, melodic arrangements.

  • The Carpenters – Timeless soft pop ballads.

  • Anne Murray – Gentle country-pop hits.

  • Marvin Gaye – Smooth soul classics.

  • Kenny G – Smooth jazz instrumentals that fit into Easy Listening playlists.

Key Characteristics

Regardless of era or genre, Easy Listening tracks share:

  • Melodic emphasis: Easy-to-follow melodies that are soothing to the ear.

  • Gentle instrumentation: Soft guitars, piano, strings, or light percussion.

  • Relaxing rhythms: Typically slow to mid-tempo, ideal for unwinding.

  • Emotional accessibility: Lyrics or melodies evoke calm, romance, or nostalgia.

Popular Songs & Listening Tips

Some tracks that showcase Easy Listening across eras and genres:

  • A Taste of Honey – Herb Alpert (60s Jazz/Pop)

  • Top of the World – The Carpenters (70s Soft Pop)

  • Let’s Stay Together – Al Green (Soul)

  • Can’t Take My Eyes Off You – Andy Williams (50s/60s Pop)

Create playlists by decade or subgenre to explore how Easy Listening evolved over time.

Conclusion / Explore More

Easy Listening is a versatile, cross-decade category that offers something for everyone. From the crooners of the 50s to mellow pop and jazz instrumentals today, the genre is defined by accessibility, melody, and relaxation.

To expand your collection, explore Soft Rock, Smooth Jazz, Adult Contemporary, or Easy Motown playlists to hear the many faces of Easy Listening.