Analysis Of ' Songs Of Rebellion '

Rock and Roll was the start of a new revolution in America. It introduced the world to many of the famous artists that continue to be a part of our lives today. "Artists who became popular in the 1950s such as Elvis, began to pave the way for others such as Jerry Lee Lewis and Buddy Holly" (The History of Rock 'n' Roll until 1960). With the introduction of rock 'n' roll, there came many new changes to the lives of many Americans. Rock and Roll was a major contributor for the change in teens' behavior in the 1950s because it encouraged new freedoms for teenagers, encouraged new fads among teenagers, and caused a generation gap.

Rock ‘n’ Roll began and evolved around the late 1940’s and 1950’s time frame. There were many groups that participated in the creation and origin of Rock ‘n’ Roll, however the two primary groups were rhythm and blues and country music. “The origins of rock ‘n’ roll are often described in a way that could be represented by an algebraic formula: r&b + c&w = r&r” (Garofalo & Waksman, 2016, p. 56). While the formula is rather simplistic, it ignores the many groups of individuals, social and cultural influences that impacted the formation of Rock ‘n’ Roll. As Rolling Stone’s Robert Palmer (1990) noted:

Glam rock is usually viewed as an inconsequential rock sub-genre. It is often forgotten in the abundance of genres that originated in the 1970s, and it is often neglected completely as a major genre at all in America. Critics slammed the new genre, calling it hype-driven and plastic. One argument held that glam rock was typically seen as insignificant because it did not have a long life, nor did it capture the attention of the world. Glam rock was popular in the UK, but even there, it was short-lived and only popular amongst teens who missed out on the pop culture and hippie ideology of the late 1960s. Glam rock, then, may seem a genre that is worth forgetting, except that glam rock laid the foundations of the modern popular music

Rock and roll (often written as rock & roll or rock 'n ' roll) is a genre of popular music that originated and evolved in the United States. The music we know as rock and roll emerged as a defined musical style in the mid 1950s, even though a form of it had been on the horizon for at least a decade or so. A quarter of the American population moved during World War II, and that is what brought southern, rural, sacred and secular traditions into contact with urban-based music and its audiences. Rock and roll drew on many different styles. It derived most directly from the rhythm and blues music of the 1940s, which it developed from earlier blues, boogie-woogie, jazz and swing music. It was also influenced by gospel, country, western, and traditional folk music. With the combinations of all of these genres of music, that help to create this new style of music excited a worldwide generation of young listeners. Even though it had the attention of young listeners it started to upset the already established social, cultural and musical authorities. With this new music style coming into full affect along with new dances and people having voicing out their own opinion caused a lot of turmoil. Many people began to question this new genre of music and labeled it as the devil music while other loved it and couldn’t help but dance

Rock ‘n’ roll has played a major role in some known historical developments post World War 2. Music plays a significant part in America 's Cold War culture. Music gave us a sense of new technologies and helped the world to prosper. It also is linked with African Americans living in the South. Music was known for shaping the lives of the people during the 1950s and 1960s. Music was geared towards the youth, race, ethnicity, gender and class. “All Shook Up: How Rock ‘n’ Roll Changed America” by Altschuler, Glenn C, tells us the story of the birth of rock and roll during the concrete years of 1955 to 1965. Altschuler gives us a overview of how rock ‘n’ roll has an historical context. “ For two years the Times printed dozens of

Rock N Roll exists today because of the endless feelings that is generated by us human beings and also because the image of all the artists throughout its history has left an impact on the memories of generations. From the wailing and screaming Chuck Berry who invoked his amped up electric guitar to the handsome southern boy Elvis Presley who gave Rock N Roll its boy image for many young teenagers looking for an idol outside of their home. Americas youth finally had an outlet to finally describe what they really felt when it came to love, having parties, terrible breakups, misunderstood thoughts, or strife’s at work and

Rock accompanied and often gave shape to the dissenting and counter-cultural movements that engulfed the world. In the United States, rock music could no longer ignore social conditions, and even musicians who had largely steered clear of commentary were compelled at the least to consider politics as a subject for their work. At the same time the counter-cultural embrace of rock music screened over the deep fissures that were becoming clear in American life. The riots of 1968 revealed a society fundamentally divided over war, race, and equality, and music both engaged and reflected those conflicts. Rock music was forever linked to the ferment of social change and widespread dissent of all generations against American actions and social conditions that violated the nation’s professed beliefs” (Tribeca Film Institute). Rock music represented the dissenting and counter-cultural movements around the world. Lyrics within this genre spilled out social problems that were occurring. It was then forever linked to the ever increasing social changes and decrease of all generations against American actions. “The use of rock, roll, rock and roll, etc., with reference to sexual intercourse, is traditional in blues, a form of popular music that evolved in the 1950's from rhythm and blues, characterized by the use of electric guitars, a strong rhythm with an accent on the offbeat, and

Whether or not you’re a fan of rock music, there is no denying the impact it has had on the music world. Rock and roll music was born in the fifties and was one of the first American music forms to embody the sounds of many different genres such as jazz, blues, country, and R&B in one unique sound. Because rock and roll was influenced by so many different types of music, it reached a wider audience and brought people from different regions and more importantly different races. This genre of music has surely influenced much of society and has evolved and changed greatly with the years and with changes in technology. One major event, arguably the most important, that sparked the birth of rock and roll was the creation of the electric guitar.

Rock music, much like anything perennial in this world, evolved from plucked guitars and pop-like lyrics to contemporary social commentary and experimental sounds to everything in between. What parents all around the world detested for its vulgarity as exemplified by Elvis’s televised pelvic thrusts is now considered classic while the very same generation is shocked by Miley Cyrus’s award ceremony performances. That being said, it is in my opinion that “rock” is an ever-morphing set of ideals that is held together by a core belief in the power rebelliousness of youth. The sound of rock can be anything from a steel drum quartet to an electronic DJ as long as there is still a vibe of rebellion in the lyrics or structure. If a song or artist is

Rock ’n’ Roll music is a subgenre of the meta-genre, Rock. Freed (2009, 169) described it by saying, “rock ’n’ roll is really swing with a modern name.” Ennis (1992, 253) identifies, ‘First, early rocknroll allowed every performer to draw on the full musical resources of pop, country, and rhythm and blues.’ and on rockhall.com (2014) his viewpoint is expanded upon, The more immediate roots of rock and roll lay in the so-called "race" music, or rhythm & blues, and "hillbilly" music, or county & western of the Forties and Fifties.

Rock n Roll allows the youth to enjoy themselves, it allows them to relax and it allows them to be happy (Gilbert 1). However, the positive impact of the music upon them is overshadowed by the resistance from the adults and the parents. According to Eugene Gilbert’s article “What Young People Think”, “A majority of interviewed looked upon Rock n’ Roll with fear and trepidation. “It looks like a Roman orgy when those kids get together”…” (Gilbert 1).

In the United States, rock and roll music could no longer ignore social conditions. Artists had to start contributing to the events going on around them as part of their

controls the death of not only rock and roll but also other genres. However, social and culture

Almost all of the various forms of music that garnered commercial success in the United States in the 20th century began as representing a countercultural movement. Such was the case with the rock and roll movement of the 1960's that took place and which was the voice and spirit of rebellion that was the culmination of many different areas of social unrest related to the Vietnam War to a newfound sense of women's rights. Young people throughout the country were no longer satisfied with attempting to live like their parents and forefathers did; they wanted to experiment with finding a new way of life not based on capitalism. This idea was

The rise of rock and roll during the 1950’s can either be seen as a force of revolution or one of recession depending upon the attitude one holds towards the genre. During the peak of rock and roll’s popularity, it was viewed as the newest and “hippest” genre of music for American teenagers. It began as a twist on blues, soul, and jazz, and slowly morphed into a legacy of its own. Like blues, soul, and jazz, rock and roll’s legacy can be attributed to the African American people and their culture. Though, what distinguishes rock and roll from its predecessors, is the social ramifications it presented in not just the music industry, but also for the Civil Rights movement. In Glenn C. Altschuler’s piece, “All Shook Up - How Rock 'n' Roll Changed America,” he explains how rock and roll both strengthened and weakened the Civil Rights movement during the 1950s.