Supremely American Popular Song in the 20th

This is a study of the way in which popular words and music relate to American life. The question of what popular song was, and why it came into existence, as well as how each song fitted within the context of the larger 20th century society are considered and explained clearly and fruitfully. The author also offers insight into why musical styles were seen to change as they did during this time period.

Nicholas Tawa is professor emeritus of music at the University of Massachusetts in Boston and cofounder of the Sonneck Society for American Music.

Acknowledgments

vii

Introduction

ix

1 Preliminary Considerations

1

(29)

The 19th Century's Close

The African-American Input

The New Breed of Songwriters

Going After the Public

Song in the Public Consciousness

Notes

2 A Closer Look at the Jazz Age

30

(36)

Zeroing In on the 1920's

Shouters and Crooners

The Natural World of Popular Song

Songs: Earnest and with Feeling

The Torch Song

Novelties and Dance Songs

Disaster Strikes

Notes

3 Swing Time

66

(37)

Entertainment Circles

The Swing Era Begins

The Transformation of the Singer

Songs for the Recovery

Novelties and Other One-of-a-Kind Songs

Serious Songs

Light Love Songs

The More Sober Love Songs

Notes

4 Change: Different Music Cultures Come to the Fore

103

(44)

The Generational Cold War

Getting Music to Young People

African-American Music

Country and Western

Folklike Music

Rockabilly and the Start of Rock 'n' Roll

Notes

5 White-American and British Songs in a Decade of Turmoil

147

(44)

Traditional Popular Music

Varieties of Country Music

The Counterculture

Folk to Folk-Rock

California Dreaming

The British Invasion

Notes

6 Black-American Music Comes to the Fore in the 1960's

191

(23)

Soul Music

Funk

Motown

Notes

7 Out of the Seventies

214

(49)

Traditional Popular Music in the Seventies and Beyond

Country and Western in the Seventies

The Rise of the Singer-Songwriter

Reggae Migrates to the United States

Disco and the Urge to Dance

The Rebellious Posture: Heavy Metal

Progressive to Punk

Notes

8 The Eighties and Nineties

263

(36)

Country and Western Persists

Changes in the Musical Landscape

Celebrities in the Adolescent Arena

New Options: Grunge, Alternative, and Indie

Hip-Hop and Rap Take Over

Notes

9 A Temporary Ending

299

(16)

Popular Culture at the Turn of the Century

Counterthrust

The Onset of the Older Fan

In Conclusion

Notes

Selected Bibliography

315

(8)

Index

323

(10)

About the Author

333

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Supremely American Popular Song in the 20th Century

Summary

Author Biography

Table of Contents

Supplemental Materials