How is it that so many who wish to imprison "folk" music so tightly that it can't turn round, are content with "pop" music being undefined? Which of course it isn't. Ask one of the "youngsters" whose absence is discussed elsewhere. I'm sure you'll be told firmly that many tunes/songs you've mentioned are not "pop". My kids and grandkids call me many names for using the term so loosely. Try it youselves at home!

And if "pop" music is more loosely defined as "that produced/distributed by the music industry", (pace Jim Carroll) what do we call the vast amount of music (that the musically illiterate, never mind "folkies", would never class as "folk" music) written and played by (inter alia) young musicians (the ones who don't go to folk clubs or sessions), and played in pubs and clubs to the delight of their peers?

Tirade over.

But of course what is actually being discussed is "popular" music, that is to say, the music of the people; and how could we ever think that "folk" music had its roots in music and song that ordinary people enjoyed, and even joined in with?