Music-1020-01 Popular music in America

Have you ever listen to a song that sounded just so familiar but you couldn't put your finger on it? That is how I was with "Choo Choo Ch'Boogie." The catchy melody and syncopation of notes sounded so familiar, and as I continued to listen to it I realized that is sound just like Backyardagans "P.U.!" (the stinky swamp song). Those who do not know what I am talking about, my deepest condolences go out to you because clearly, you did not have a childhood. It was fascinating to see how this song produced in 1946 influenced a cartoon made in the early 2000s. Beyond influencing amazing children cartoons, Louis Jordan's, performer of "Choo Choo Ch'Boogie, influence many future Rock and Roll performers such as James Brown and Chuck Berry.  He also helped desegregate the music industry as he did many crossover hits set up by white producer Milt Gabler. However, dances or performances he played at were still segregated. Thow he and his band influenced ...

"Paper Doll" is an upbeat love song with a doo-wap feel. Most famously it is sung by the Mills Brothers.  The song is written by Johnny S. Black in 1915 who claims that he wrote the song after his girlfriend ran off with another boxer and he felt he was done with women. The song is written in double time meaning at first the base is played every other beat and then after some time every beat. This adds dimension to the song as well as gives it a good beat. The vocals are accompanied only by a guitar which allows for the harmonies sung by the brothers to be more prevalent. One brother sings the lead for the majority of the song with the others singing back up except for the particular parts when they harmonize.  The song tells of a man who would rather have a paper doll than “ have a fickle-mined real live girl” through the lyrics he talks about how she would always be there and how other flirty guys would have to talk to real girls while he luckily had his paper doll...

"How Deep is the Ocean" was composed by Irving Berlin in the early 1930s. After he composed the song he did think it would be very successful and discard the song idea before producing along with another jazz standard "Say It Isn't So," According to songbook1.wordpress.com.  After some time he produced the song. It debuted on the radio with the vocals song by Paul Whiteman and is a jazz standard today. Listening to the song it is no wonder it is a jazz staple as the lyrics are charming and the tune is memorable.  The message of the song is that of love and devotion. This message is evident with lyrics such as " how many times in a day do I think of you" and "if I ever lost you how much would I cry?" The version of the song we were given to listen to is of Bing Crosby whose smooth and crooning voice complements the message of love and devotion in the song as his voice makes it more intimate and feels more sincere. As mentioned before the s...

I found that "After the Ball's" classical feel and harkings to an older time to be pleasing and fun to listen; therefore, I chose it to focus on this week. The vocals are accompanied by a piano accompaniment that both add to the classical old-time feel and perfectly accompanies the vocals as the accompaniment becomes more prevalent when the vocalist does not sing and fades when she is singing. The major key keeps the music more light as the song talks about heartbreak making the song fun and melancholy The song is perfect to dance to as the accompaniment repeats itself and is consistent. It is written as a Walz which reflects the lyrics. The lyrics add to the dancing as they speak of a ball and dancing, though the message is more about the sadness after the ball.  The song is about a man's experience during and after the ball as he tells his niece why he is not married. At the ball, after he leaves his lover to get some drink, he sees a man "kissing my sweeth...

My name is Marian my favorite artist is by far Neil Diamond I also have a soft spot for Billy Joel and will listen to whatever's on the radio.😝