1965-2015: Music Analysis

During the 1900s, passion of composing music arose and encouraged many young teens to create garage bands and elder to perceive music as career. Famous musicians like Robert Johnson, Bill Monroe, and Elvis Presley were seeking the same. Although many were composing songs, most of them adapted their own versions from many which created a list of similarities and differences between them. Most commonly similar were themes or forms yet some differentiated in delivery style or instrumentation. Many artists got more creative and used similar instruments but give a twist into the sound play. This can be seen in the script or heard in the audio of the songs “Walkin’ Blues” and “Blue Moon of Kentucky” like many others.

The Sixties were an exciting revolutionary period of time with great social and technological change. Some people called it the “decade of discontent” because of the race riots in Detroit and La, and the demonstrations against the Vietnam War. Other people called it the decade of “peace, love, and harmony”. It was called this because of the peace movement and the emergence of the flower children. (Britannica) The sixties were about assassination, unforgettable fashion, new styles of music, civil rights, gay and women’s liberation, Vietnam, Neil Armstrong landing on the moon, peace marches, sexual freedom, drug experimentation, and Woodstock. All of these components caused a revolutionary change in the world of popular Music.

Some things have come and gone, but when someone’s feeling sad or happy, music is always there to inspire them and make them feel better. The difference is that through the decades, happy and sad music have had opposite rythyms and beats. The music that we listen to today is a wide variety. Our parent’s generations mostly had music from the 70s, 80s, or 90s. The comparisons between them are all different. The most favored modern music pertains to rap, hip-hop, and pop. Knowing that information will help to understand the comparisons between the decades.

Before starting my day, I usually put on a earphone and press “shuffle play” on my Throwback playlist on my Spotify account. The most recent five songs that I have listened to before writing this assignment was You Rock My World - With intro by Michael Jackson, Baby, I’m Back by Baby Bash, Just The Two Of Us by Grover Washington, Charlene by Anthony Hamilton, and Show Me The Way by Earth Wind & Fire. Interestingly I have never heard these songs until last year because I was only exposed to music that was on the radio station such as 94.9 or 106.1 where newest and trending songs were played most often. Since three of those songs were produced in early 2000’s and the other two produced between the 1970s and 1980s, I was never able to come across

In these songs, lyrics were repeated. Repetition draws the listener’s attention to particular words or phrases. In the song, Time of Your Life, the singer repeats the line, “It’s something unpredictable, but in the end it’s right. I hope you had the time of your life.” This line is repeated throughout the song multiple times. The singer is emphasizing the fact that anything can happen when you make your choice but in the end, you have to just relax and be happy. He wants the audience to really understand it. In the other song, the line, “Move along, move along. Just to make it through” The singer is repeating the term, “Move along” because that is the main message in this song. It is to move along when things seem bad. The singer wants the audience to really get the message and to feel good when they relate to this song. These lines connect to the theme because they are talking about moving on in tough situations and being satisfied with the outcome. These lyrics were emphasized well. Besides repetition, the singers also used symbols and juxtaposition to

generation has songs that are popular to them and that they will never forget the lyrics to.

These songs can be compared and contrasted through three main ideas: production, musicality, and popularity. The first topic to discuss regards the beginning of every song in the world, the production. The production of a song is very important, as every song created needs to

The first song I will be introducing you to will be September by Daughty. A little bit of a background on the song an artist a little bit. September was released on the " Leave This Town" Album in 2009. The artist Chris Daughty a.k.a ( Daughtry) . Was a contestant on the fifth season of American Idol in 2006. His career sky rocketing after America Idol. Chris daughtry has multiple hits signgles. The reason I chose the song September for The Good Old Days album is the memories from my first boyfriend. The song is specifically set for that kind of memory. as in the lyrics " Half the time passed away , All the trouble that we gave < AN all the days we spent out by the lake, Has it all gone to waste?" This verse in the song is basically saying

The paper will focus on comparing two different songs by discussing their context and highlighting the similarities and differences between both chosen songs. The comparison will be based on the background information for each song as well as peripheral information about the albums. The comparison will also include any contextual similarities and differences between the songs. The two chosen songs for the comparison are: 'Woodstock' by Joni Mitchell and 'The Times They Are a-Changin' by Bob Dylan.

Many say that music has evolved over the years. This essay shall explore the elements of two versions of one song. It shall discuss the correlations and disparities of these songs and confer how it has been revolutionised to entertain the audiences of today.

In those times the songwriters would not even think about writing a pop song about the subjects they write about today. Another difference is the instruments, today pop concerts like this John Mayer concert had guitars and drums. Whereas, previous eras would most likely have more string instruments. Like many pop songs in this era John Mayer employed an AABA form in his concert. Meaning that he had two verses with a similar idea and then a new idea was introduced in the chorus and finally the original idea reappeared. The songs in this concert reflect many stories that would relate to the audience’s life. For instance, the song Belief emphasizes the need for belief in things to succeed in life. Most likely, this would relate to all the people in the audience pulling more people into the excitement of the performance and creating a story. This relatability made the music more upbeat and created a happy mood in myself and many other people around me. The most prevalent theme in the songs that John Mayer produced is the happiness that will come to people if they succeed. The most memorable part of the music was the happy upbeat songs that he played. When the slow songs did present themselves, the audience did not seem to be as into the music. The backup guitarist and drummer both showed the emotion of the music in the way that they played faster to more upbeat and happy songs and slower for more somber songs. John Mayer’s voice also reflected emotion in the way that his voice carried

A theme in songs can help you point out what an author is trying to say, some want you to see it clearly, just like this one. “Hall Of Fame” really talks about prosperity and

“We’re In This Love Together” (1981) is like a poem. It is a new love kind of song and being in a honeymoon state. “L is for Lover” (1983) is about appreciating the love in your life, whether it is old or forth-coming. This is not about waiting for love. “Boggie Down” (1983) is feeling good about yourself. It is putting on your Sunday best, going out to have a good time, and cutting up. This song was his call to the dance floor, showing his R&B ability and incorporating scatting. His voice communicates “let’s party” lyrics. The chord lingers: “I can be what I want to / And All I have to do is boggie down.” “Mornin’” (1983) employs people to routinely practice optimism and positivity in their lives. This is a way to give oneself a pick me up. “Black and Blues” (1983) is more of a story. It is an expression for the bruises that he had. First, he is alone and bruised. Then, he finds a neighbor, and they both find a solace and healing in having each other as friends. Jarreau’s songs were written when I was a young adult, coming of age. I was finding my voice, place in the world, and his music helped me do these. His music included themes such as: faith, love, hope, healing, and promise. Thus, his music became standard for listeners, showing his love of humanity, and he found a way to help them in his own

1. Janis Ian wrote this song over 25 years ago. Are there themes in her lyrics that were only present in 1975, or are they present now as well? Do you think that these things will be true when the song is played in another 25 years?

Lyrics of previous Billboard Number One hit songs in the Rhythm & Blues genre are analysed and inferences are made on the meaning behind the lyrics.