What type of musical content did Tin Pan Alley primarily focus on?

Tin Pan Alley primarily focused on commercial popular songs, which played a crucial role in the development of American music throughout the late 19th and early 20th centuries. This era saw the rise of the music publishing industry, where songwriters and composers created catchy melodies and lyrics intended for mass consumption. These songs often addressed themes relevant to the everyday lives of people, appealing to a wide audience and therefore becoming staples in entertainment venues, social gatherings, and eventually radio and recording industries.

Commercial popular songs from Tin Pan Alley shaped the landscape of modern music by blending various genres and styles, making them accessible and enjoyable for the public. This focus on creating songs that could achieve commercial success through sheet music sales, performances, and later recordings set the groundwork for the pop music traditions that followed.