Thoughts on our Second Course of Popular Music

In our first lesson we talked about the main purpose of the course – to try to figure out what makes a popular song last ‘forever’ (well at least for 40-90 years!). We listened to ‘This Diamond Ring’, you seemed to like it for a variety of reasons, Together sound, good band, similar to other songs yet a bit different.  We discussed the observation that sometimes the covers are the versions that we love and remember. Here are more songs you didn’t know were covers.

You seemed to like the swingy version of “My Heart Stood Still” better than the soft rock version of the Mamas and Papas. The song has clever words, a great melody, and a structure (AABA) that we recognize whether we know it or not (did I mention that Jerome Kern who wrote the music also pioneered this song structure?). It is from 1927, a great year to begin our course.

We talked about what popular songs are and what they convey. Are religious songs popular? Are national anthems popular songs? The border is not so clear-cut.

What is the recipe for a successful popular song. Danceability perhaps? Same but different? Please watch this video, I may ask about it on the exam. What is Noah Askin’s conclusion?

We compared the voices and authenticity of Billie Holiday and Bing Crosby in two songs from the thirties. We should keep the presenter and his/her voice in mind throughout the course, given that almost all popular songs have singers and lyrics.

We talked about the importance of radio, phonograph, talking movies (The Jazz Singer) and modern musicals (Showboat). The music of Showboat? Also written by Jerome Kern, with Oscar Hammerstein III writing the lyrics.  The introduction of swing (4/4 tempo) in the thirties. Also Jerome Kern.

In our third class, we featured George and Ira Gershwin and some of their most beloved and remembered songs. Which of them did you like most? Why?

Keep in mind that there were other great songwriters of the era that we try to acknowledge: Jerome Kern, Irving Berlin, Harold Arlen, Cole Porter, Frank Loesser, Duke Ellington. We will try to include at least a song or two from each.

We started to put our list of parameters together. What are the criteria for a great popular song that we have discussed up till now? Are we still missing anything?

The music – melody, chord progression, rhythm, etc.

The words – both meaning and sound

similar but different

structure

hook

danceability

mood setting

sense of belonging

cleverness

voice of singer

authenticity

energy

harmonies and instrumental

Can you apply these to the song we sang last week?

And then maybe explain to me your love for this one:

And now it’s off to the movies!! Were the Oscar judges able to pick songs that withstood the test of time?

And then we will take a look at the golden age of big bands, and then musicals. What was their magic?