Disco polo is a genre of popular dance music, created in Poland in the 1980s. It was initially known as "sidewalk music" () or "backyard music" (). This genre, being a part of the musical folklore, had great popularity in the 1990s, with its peak in 1995-1997. Then the genre gradually declined in popularity up to the early 21st century. The comeback of disco polo happened in the winter of 2007. The Polish PWN dictionary defines the genre as a Polish variant of disco music, with simple melodies and often ribald lyrics. The service Rate Your Music defines disco polo as a Polish variant of dance-pop. Characteristics Classic disco polo songs are characterized by simple chord progressions and melodies, and take further influence from the steady rhythms found in folk music. These are often accompanied by syncopated samples of drums, synthesizers and keyboard instruments. The genre is dominated by compositions in the 4/4 time signature. Lyrics are often sentimental and playful, written around themes of love and sometimes holidays. History Roots of the genre The genre originates from music played at weddings by bands with a repertoire of Polish folk music and wedding songs. Later, electronic instruments were adopted over traditional acoustic instruments. The most common lyrical themes included melodramatic lyrics about unrequited love. The genre was additionally influenced by other popular music styles within Europe, namely Italo disco, a music genre which originated in Italy and was mainly produced from the late 1970s to the late 1980s. Pioneers of the genre include the band Bayer Full, which was founded on November 19, 1984, and Top One, formed in 1986. In the late 1980s and early 1990s, more bands emerged, such as Akcent, Atlantis, Boys, and Fanatic. Blue Star, a record label in Reguły was the first official record label that published disco polo in Poland. This burgeoning style of music was coined by label owner Sławomir Skręta as piosenka chodnikowa, or "sidewalk music", which was a reference to the main means of distribution: records were sold primarily in stalls on streets and bazaars. Scenes were centered in Białystok and other cities in the province of Podlasie, with regional scenes in Żyrardów and Sochaczew. "Mydełko Fa" ("The Fa Soap"), recorded in 1991 by Marek Kondrat and Marlena Drozdowska, was created as a parody of the genre, but ended up popularising it further. Sidewalk music was played in country picnics, county