"Secular items are never to be sung or played at a Catholic funeral, such as romantic ballads, pop or rock music, political songs, football club songs, " he adds.

BBC: Catholic Church in Australia bans pop music at funerals

As well as, of course, inspiring those three minute pop ballads that now make up the soundtrack of our lives.

FORBES: Sex and Love and The Business of "I Do"

The performances of the 25 finalists were as diverse as ever with emotional ballads, mock opera, classic pop and a half-hearted attempt at some hybrid-rap.

BBC: Norwegians celebrate in Moscow

Ever since she began her career as an acoustic singer-songwriter in the early '80s, Patty Griffin has specialized in sweet, smart ballads with shades of blues, pop, folk and country.

NPR: Patty Griffin in Concert

Beginning with Track 10, the thumping "Starships, " "Roman Reloaded" veers into radio pop, serving up club anthems, clobbering ballads and, on the Dr. Luke-produced "Young Forever, " the most shameless Rihanna-wanna-be song ever recorded, a tune worthy of the ambition.

CNN: Review: Nicki Minaj's 'Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded'