1900-1950
"Crossroads Blues"- Robert Johnson
Robert Johnson was first said to be a bad guitar player, until his wife and child died. He went of the "map" for a while and came back an amazing guitarist. His legend is that he went to the crossroads and sold his soul to the devil in exchange to be able to play his guitar well. His death at the age of 27 have made more people speculate that the devil came to collect.
Johnson's music is very rough and unedited, which is expected because of when it was released. Personally i like hearing the tiny flaws in the music because it makes it actually sound like music that a real person is playing; and not computer generated sound.
"Easy Rider"- Huddie Ledbetter
Recorded June 17, 1940
Huddie Ledbetter was one of the artist that travelled with John and Alan Lomax across the country recording songs. I enjoy this song alittle better than the Robert Johnson one because it is a bit more refined. I also enjoy the way his voice sounds, it compliments the music that he is playing perfectly. Ledbetter was once in prison and was released and pardoned from jail twice because he sang pleas to the Texas and Louisianna governors.
"Strange Fruit"- Billie Holiday
Poem Written by Abel Meeropol-1936
The poem was written so Abel could express how he felt about the photogragh he saw of two men being lynched. It was first performed by Meeropol, his wife, and singer Laura Duncan at Madison Square Garden. The song was introduced to Billie Holiday by the founder of the the cafe society and she performed it at the club in 1939. Strange Fruit is more "jazzy" and sadder than the other two songs. Her voice and the piano acompaniment help gather tension, that builds until the end. Holiday's accompianist said the Holiday wuld break down after everytime she sang it, because it reminded her of her father.
1950-1970
"Be My Baby"(1963)- The Ronettes
Be My Baby is a very uplifting song about love, and being together. The song was one example of the "wall of sound" Phil Spector used. The song has been inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame aswell.
The most predominant instruments in the song are the drums, tambourine, and the guitar. Estelle, and Veronica(Ronnie) are sisters, and mainly listened to rock and pop when they were growing up. Their grandmother encouraged the two sisters and their cousin Nedra hormonize together. The girls soon became very good at singing songs like "goodnight sweatheart". In 1963 Phil Spector noticed the girls potential and signed them. Since then they have sung several very popular songs including "be my baby" and "baby I love you".
"My Generation"(1965)-The Who
My Generation is a good rock song that you can't help but tap your foot to. The song is on the album My Generation. The band has said this album doesn't reflect what they can actually do as a band, but critics think the album "My Generation" is one of The Who's best albums. The Who was one of the bands that was apart of the British invasion. Even now their music is listened to by teens. The song "My Generation" is still relevant today when you look at teenagers.
"Paint it, Black"(1966)- The Rolling Stones
"Paint it, Black" by the Rolling Stones is a much more traditional "Rock" song. The song was written by Mick Jagger, and Keith Richards, Brian Jones contributed to the main guitar riff. When I think about the song "Paint it, Black" in my head I hear that Guitar riff, and I think it is the most recognizeable thing about the song. The song has been recently associated with the Vietnam war because it has been used in many vietnam war movies. Many T.V. shows have used the song aswell. I enjoy this song because it is a classic, that is very recognizeable to anyone wether or not they listen to this type of music.
1970-2000
"Heart of Glass"(1979)-Blondie
The song "Heart of Glass" had been around for several years before Producer Mike Chapman came along and gave the song more of a disco twist than it had before. The band Blondie was ridiculed by fellow musicians after the songs release because of it's disco sound. Punk/ New wave bands had been rebelling against the mainstream disco music, where Blondie embraced. The band has no ill will towards the song for being disco, because it helped propel them into the spotlight. The bands instruments include guitar, bass, drums, and a keyboard.
"Bohemian Phapsody"(1975)-Queen
The song "Bohemian Phapsody" was written by Freddie Mercury in his home in west london. It is made up of three different parts, almost like three different songs. The song was a commercial success in the UK and stayed at the top of the charts for nine weeks; and then graced the top of the charts again in 1991 when Freddie Mercury died. The song was criticised by many people for being too confusing. Many younger people know the song because it was used in the movie "Wayne's World". I love this song just because of the way it sounds, I even think the fact that it is confusing and all over the place is one of the most charming thing about it.
"You an Me"(1994)- The Wannadies
The wannadies are a band from swedan that was formed in 1988. Most of their success has come from their song being used in leonardo Dicaprio version of Romeo + Juliet. Unfortunately the band split up in 2009. What I enjoy about the song is that it is cheerful. I was first introduced to the song thorugh Romeo + Juliet, but once I heard it the first time i instantly fell in love with the way the lead singers voice sounded, and the way the instruments are played together.
2000's
"Smile"(2006)-Lily Allen
Lily Allen's "Smile" is about how her boyfriend cheated on her, and how she got back at him. The song encorporates ska elements to it's music. Some critics say that it has turned Lily Allen into a pop princess. The song is off of Lily Allens First album "Alright, still", the song is the main track off the album. I enjoy the song because of the way it is put together, I like the way her voice "meshes" with the music. I also like the song because it is something that you can easily sing to.
"1 2 3 4"(2007)-Feist
Feist is a canadian born singer who has worked with many groups and people including broken social scene. She started her first band at the age of 15 and has continued to make music since then. She moved to Paris after she recorded "Let it Die" which is her label debut. I enjoy listening to songs by Feist because she isn't only a singer, she is an artist who works hard at what she does. 1 2 3 4 was a huge commercial success getting her 5 juno's.
"Haven't Met You Yet"(2009)-Michael Buble
Michael Buble is usually an artist that covers older jazz songs, but every time he releases a new album there is at least one original song on it. "Haven't Met You Yet" has been very successful. I enjoy Michael Buble's music usually because his voice matches the sound of the songs perfectly. His music usually cheers me up no matter what mood I'm. "Haven't Met You Yet" is a song about love like most of his songs, this one refers to the fact that he hasn't found his true love yet but he won't stop trying. I like Michael Buble's music because it's bringing back a genre that most people have forgotten about.
