"The Cave" by Mumford & Sons

New to Me


Genre: Alternative

Instruments: acoustic guitar, keyboard, banjo, drums, triangle

First Impression: interesting blend of musical styles (rock, country), the banjo sounds out of place but it creates an interesting sound

How I Found This: it was mentioned in class so I figured it would be worth listening to

Form:
0:00-0:13 Instrumental Introduction: just an acoustic guitar
0:14-0:42 Verse 1: steady beat, lead vocals only, sounds as if it is only a guitar and possibly a triangle being played
0:43-1:02 Chorus: starts slowly with only guitar, more voices and instruments join halfway though
1:03-1:15 Banjo solo
1:16-1:28 Verse 2: same steady beat, guitar and drums, only lead vocals
1:29-1:45 Verse 3: banjo joins in, beat gets faster
1:46-2:06 Chorus: f aster beat, louder,  more voices singing
2:07-2:32 Verse 4: slows down, much like verse 1, introduction of more triangle towards end
2:33-2:43 variation of original chorus
2:44-3:04 Instrumental break with oh-ah vocals
3:05-END variation of original chorus: more vocal riffs, faster beat

"Baby" by Justin Bieber featuring Ludacris

New to Me


Genre: pop

Instruments: drums, synthesizers

First Impression: he really does sound like a 12 year old girl, the song itself isn't bad, but I can't get past the fact that he's so young, it's not nearly as bad as I thought it would be, very catchy chorus

How I Chose This: My sister is 13 and has been trying to get me to listen to it for forever

Form:
0:00-0:13 Oh-Ah vocal introduction
0:14-0:44 Verse 1: lead vocals with background singers making ohs-ahs, steady beat,
0:45-1:12 Chorus: layered vocals, steady beat, catchy melody
1:13-1:43 Verse 2: layered vocals, background singers, same steady beat except for in one section
1:45-2:12 Chorus: same as before but repeated twice
2:13-2:43 Verse 3: rapped by Ludacris, higher bass, same steady beat
2:44-3:11 Chorus: same as before but repeated multiple times
3:12-END repeated lines, oh-ah vocals

"Dirt Road Anthem" by Jason Aldean

New to Me


Genre: country

Instruments: drums, acoustic guitar, electric guitar, banjo, piano, triangle(?)

First Impression: sounds like most modern country, sounds as if he is trying to rap during verses

Lyrics: The song seems to be about taking a trip down memory lane and having grown up in a small town

How I Chose It: It came on my Pandora playlist

Form:
0:00-0:46 Chorus: vocals sung with backup
0:47-1:16 Verse 1: only instrument appears to be a guitar and maybe drums, vocals almost spoken rather than sung, much deeper and faster (almost if trying to rap)
1:17-1:45 Chorus: same as before
1:46-2:09 Verse 2: same instrumentation and vocals as previous verse
2:10-2:38 Chorus: same as previous
2:39-2:54 electric guitar solo
2:55-3:26 Chorus: starts much slower, more vocal riffs, different melody
3:27-end Electric guitar solo

"Shots" by Lil John and LMFAO

New to Me

Genre: hip-hop

Instruments: drums, bass, synthesizers

First Impression: loud, obnoxious, catchy, not something I would listen to

How I Found It: One of my best friends declared this the theme song to her life.....after listening to it I feel as though I have to have a talk with her

Notes: repeated lines are very catchy, lots of spoken lines, easy to dance to

Form:
0:00-0:18 lines being spoken introducing the artists and theme of the song
0:19-0:33 Musical Break with syllables being repeated over and over
0:34-0:47 Verse 1: Lead vocals, background people repeating lines and going "yeah"
0:48-1:04 Chorus: literally one word being repeated over and over again to a steady beat
1:05-1:17 Musical break
1:18-1:32 Verse 2: same as verse 1 but with different lyrics
1:33-1:47 Chorus: same as before
1:48-2:17 Verse 3: different melody, steady beat
2:18-3:06 Verse 4: much slower, halfway through begins to build in tempo
3:07-end incoherent syllables being repeated over and over again



"Fire with Fire" by The Scissor Sisters

New to Me


Genre: Alternative/Pop

Instruments: piano, electric guitar, drums, synthesizer

First Impression: upbeat, fast tempo, doesn't sound like anything I've listened to before, almost as if its a rock song trying to be a dance song

How I Chose It: It was a free download on iTunes

Form:
0:00-0:05 Piano Introduction
0:06-0:35 Verse 1: lead vocals, piano, possible synthesizers, steady beat
0:36-0:51 Chorus: same beat and instrumentation
0:52-1:04 Instrumental Break
1:05-1:33 Verse 2: beat getting faster, more upbeat, sounds as if something is building
1:34-2:03 Chorus: more upbeat, background vocals added
2:04-2:23 Verse 3: different than before, different melody, same beat
2:24-3:00 Verse 4: like verse 1, calmer, slower but seems as if something is building
3:01- 3:13 Instrumental Break
3:14-3:27 repeats lines from previous verse
3:28-end Chorus: same as before

"F*ckin' Perfect" by P!nk

Favorite


Genre: Pop

Instruments: piano, guitar, drums, violin

Why It's my Favorite: The reason I like this song so much is because of the message it sends. "Pretty pretty please/don't you ever ever feel/like you're less than f*cking perfect." There are times when you feel like you've messed things up beyond repair and that you're a failure, but this song negates that. Unlike most modern songs that talk about the importance of being perfect, P!nk is saying "You are perfect to me" and sometimes, that's all you need to hear.

Form:
0:00-0:20 Verse 1: vocals with simple piano chords
0:21-0:42 Bridge: more powerful, more instruments
0:43-1:06 Chorus: powerful,
1:07-1:48 Verse 2: slower tempo than bridge, layering of vocals, vocal riff towards end, introduction of violin
1:49-2:09 Chorus: same as before
2:10-2:33 Verse 3: completely different melody and vocals, almost rapped with backup singers present
2:34-2:43 Violin solo with oh-ah vocals
2:44-end Chorus repeated: different vocals, obvious layering of vocals, more riffs, same melody

"Save Me, San Francisco" by Train

Favorite


Genre: pop

Instrument: drums, piano, acoustic guitar, electric guitar

Vocals: lead vocals with oh-ah background singers, chorus sounds like it being sung by a group of people, gospel like choir comes in towards the very end

Why is it My Favorite: Musically, it sounds very different than what is being played by most artists today. The blend of acoustic and electric guitar is something that I enjoy.

Form:
0:00-0:07 Introduction: acoustic guitar with drums
0:08-0:43 Verse 1: lead vocals, very clear drums, steady beat, background vocals with oh-ah towards the end
0:44-1:01 Chorus1: sounds as if there is more than one singer,
1:02-1:10 Instrumental break with oh-ah vocals
1:11-1:44 Verse 2: same as verse 1, but with different lyrics; introduction of higher piano riffs
1:45-2:03 Chorus1: same as before
2:04-2:21 Chorus2: different lyrics than before
2:22-2:44 Verse 3: much slower, different melody
2:45-3:01 Chorus1: different than before musically but same original lyrics
3:02-3:18 Chorus2: same as before
3:19-end oh-ah vocals, gospel choir singing chorus in background, random lines sung by lead singer

"Fast Car" by Tracy Chapman

Favorite


Genre: rock


Instruments: acoustic guitar, drums, 


Vocals: Deep, can't easily tell whether it is a male or female singing


Lyrics: The lyrics tell the story of a couple who runs away for a better life, but things don't turn out the way they planned. "I'd always hoped for a better/Thought maybe together you and me would find it/I got no plans I ain't going nowhere/So take your fast car and keep on driving."


Why my Favorite: The simple melody of the song is something that I really love. The lyrics are catchy, and easy to sing along to. There is something about the song that envokes many memories. "So remember when we were driving driving in your car/The speed so fast felt like I was drunk/City lights lay out before us/And your arm felt nice wrapped 'round my shoulder/I had a feeling that I belonged/I had a feeling I could be someone." While I can't say that I ever ran away from home, the lyrics always remind me of driving around late at night with my friends. We never had any particular destination in mind, we just drove and talked and sang and laughed. Those nights left us feeling as if we nothing could stop us and that we would be there for each other no matter what, which is the same thing the couple in song are feeling. 

"Dog Days Are Over" by Florence + The Machines

Favorite


Genre: alternative

Instruments: synthesizer, hands clapping, piano, drums,

Why it's a Favorite: "The dog days are over/the dog days are done/ can you hear the horses?/because here they come." It's saying that you are about to be saved from the bad days your're currently facing. There is something about the beat that makes me want to jump around singing and dancing.

Form:
0:00-0:37 Verse 1: slow melody, soft vocals with only a synthesizer playing in the background
0:38-1:16 Verse 2: same melody, but a piano and hand clapping is introduced, vocals start to build in power
1:17-1:43 Chorus: melody begins to pick up, vocals become much more powerful, piano volume increases, obvious overdubbing of lead vocals
1:44-2:14 Verse 3: slows down again (melody and vocals), only piano in background
2:15-2:40 Verse 4: HUGE contrast, much faster melody and instruments, VERY powerful vocals
2:41-2:53 Chorus: faster, more upbeat than previous chorus
2:54-3:05 drum/hand clapping solo
3:06-3:18 Verse 4 Repeated
3:19-3:33 Chorus
3:34:end Chorus: performed by what sounds more like a choir of sorts

"Aftermath" by Adam Lambert

Favorite


Genre: Pop

Instruments: drums, electric guitar, bass, keyboard

Why is it My Favorite: I LOVE Adam Lambert's voice. His high notes are absolutely unbelievable. I saw him perform a stripped down version of this song live in concert over the summer, and it was absolutely amazing. It was just him and an acoustic guitar. While this is not that exact version, it is still amazing.

Vocals: uses a variety of different notes, obvious layering of vocals in some parts, uses background singing during chorus

Form:
0:00-0:38 Verse 1: steady beat, lead vocals only,
0:39-1:09 Chorus: layered vocals, louder instruments, faster beat
1:10-1:48 Verse 2: same as verse 1 but with different lyrics
1:49-2:24 Chorus: same as before
2:25-2:52 Bridge: different melody, oh-ah background vocals, more lead vocal riffs and higher notes
2:53-end Chorus: starts much slower with only strumming and vocals, more higher vocal riffs, more vocal layering and background singers, repeats lines over and over again, maintains a steady beat

"A Million Ways" by OK Go

Assigned Listening


Genre: Alternative


First Impressions: reminds me of the 80s

Instruments: drums, electric guitar, synthesizers, bass

Form:
0:00-0:29 Instrumental Introduction
0:30-0:42 Verse 1: lead vocals only
0:42-0:53 Verse 2: different melody and lyrics; leads right into chorus
0:54-1:10 Chorus: lead vocals with background yeah-yeahs
1:11-1:17 Instrumental Break
1:18-1:30 Verse 3: same as verse 1 but with different lyrics
1:31-1:44 Verse 4: same as verse 2 but with different lyrics
1:45- 2:02 Chorus: same as before
2:03-2:32 Verse 5: slower melody, variation of chorus, different background voices
2:33-end Chorus: same lines but some doubled, repeated, switched in order

"Party in the USA" by Miley Cyrus

Assigned Listening

Genre: pop

Instruments: drums, electric guitar, maracas

Vocals: lead vocals, background sounds ("Whoa" and laughter), background singers repeat lines and oh-ah

Notes: Mentions popular musicians such as Jay-Z and Britney (Spears)

Form:
0:00-0:44 Verse 1: steady beat, music changes during last few seconds
0:45-1:09 Chorus: same beat, melody is easy to hum along too
1:10-1:44 Verse 2:same same as verse 1, but with different lyrics
1:45-2:09 Chorus: same as before
2:10-2:29 Verse 3: very different, same beat but slower melody and vocals
2:30-2:53 Chorus: same as before but with oh-ah background vocals
2:54- Chorus: same as original but background vocals repeat lines sung by lead vocals with background laughter and last line is yelled rather than sung

"Telephone" by Lady Gaga featuring Beyonce

Assigned Listening


Instruments: piano, drums, synthesizer, harp

Vocals/Sounds: 2 sets of lead vocals, Beyonce more hip-hop and Lady Gaga more pop, background vocals, obvious layering/overlaying of vocals, sound effects (telephone rings, call waiting sounds, ect.)

Lyrics: The lyrics of this song warn about the dangers of bringing your phone to a club because your dancing will be getting in the way  of answering your phone.

Form:
0:00-0:31 Introduction: slower melody, harp, LG is singing, gets faster with background vocals and sound effects
0:32-0:46 Verse 1: upbeat, LG singing, steady beat
0:47-1:34 Chorus: change in melody
1:35-1:50 Verse 2: sung by Beyonce, high bass, more of a hip-hop feel
1:51-2:13 Verse 3: much slower tempo, sung by both, tempo gets faster
2:14-3:50 Chorus: same as before but repeated in different orders
3:51-3:32 Verse 4: random lines from previous verses repeated
3:33-END random spoken lines and sound effects

"Straight Outta Compton" by N.W.A.

Assigned Listening


Genre: Hip-hop


Instruments: turn tables, sound effects

Lyrics: Talk about the struggles of life in the inner city. It focuses on street violence, police brutality and weapons.

First Impression: very different than modern hip-hop (not easy to dance to)

Form:
0:00-1:21 Verse 1: every two lines rhyme last word, steady beat
1:22-1:28 Chorus: introduction to next rapper
1:29-2:36 Verse 2: same as verse 1 but a different rapper
2:37-2:51 Musial Break
2:52-3:51 Verse 3: same as verses 1&2 but a different rapper
3:52-END Musial Break

"Walk This Way" by Aerosmith & Run DMC

Assigned Listening

Genre: hip-hop

Instruments/Techniques: drums, electric guitar, scratching

Other Notes: very interesting blend of rock and hip-hop music

Form:
0:00-0:17 Introduction: instruments (turn table, drums, electric guitar)
0:18- 0:36 Verse 1: rapped by Run DMC
0:37-0:45 Electric Guitar solo
0:46-1:02 Verse 2: rapped by Run DMC
1:03-1:22 Chorus: sung by Aerosmith
1:231:39 electric guitar solo
1:30-1:57 Verse 3: rapped by Run DMC but Aerosmith vocals come in towards the end
1:58-2:07 Electric guitar solo
2:08-2:24 Verse 4: sung and rapped by both Run DMC and Aerosmith
2:25-2:43 Chorus: sung by Aerosmith
2:44-end Electric guitar solo & Aerosmith screeching

"Smells Like Teen Spirit" by Nirvana

Assigned Listening


Genre: grunge/alternative

Lyrics: Seem to be talking about a group of people (or an entire generation) who feels like they are owed something (here we are now/entertain us). Parts of the songs lyrics make no sense to me.

Instruments: drums, electric guitar

Form:
0:00-0:32 Instrumental introduction: starts with electric guitar playing melody alone, drums and more guitars join with a faster tempo, then slows down with drums holding a steady beat and electric guitar
0:33-0:53 Verse 1: calm vocals, with drums and electric guitar
0:54-1:05 Bridge: vocals and instruments building in intensity
1:06-1:31 Chorus: more intense, faster tempo
1:32-1:47 Guitar/Drum solo much like introduction, intensity slowly diminished as time passed
1:48-2:04 Verse 2: same as verse 1 but with different lyrics
2:05-2:19 Bridge: same as before
2:20-2:53 Chorus: same as before
2:54-3:33 electric guitar solo: maintains steady tempo but tempo begins to wain towards end
3:34-3:50 Verse 3: same as previous verses but with different lyrics
3:52-4:05 Bridge: Same as before
4:06-end Chorus: ends differently with lead vocals chanting "a denial" over and over again

Other Notes: maintains a steady fast beat throughout

"Losing My Religion" by REM

Assigned Listening


Genre: alternative

Instruments: drums, electric guitar, acoustic guitar

Lyrics:
0:00-0:14 Musical Introduction
0:15-0:45 Verse 1: steady beat, guitar and piano, lead vocals
0:46-1:32 Chorus: same steady beat,
1:33-2:32 Verse 2: same as verse 1 with different lyrics
2:33-2:50 Part of Chorus repeated
2:51-2:58 Musical Break
2:59-3:04 Bridge: different melody
3:05-3:52 Chorus: same as before
3:53-4:06 Bridge repeated
4:07-END Musical Break

"Born in the USA" by Bruce Springsteen

Assigned Listening


Genre:pop/rock

Instruments: drums, bass, electric guitar, acoustic guitar, synthesizer

Lyrics: Talk about life after the Vietnam War for a soldier who has returned home.

Form:
0:00-0:34 Verse 1: steady rock beat, lead vocals
0:35-0:49 Chorus
0:50-1:05 Verse 2- same beat, different lyrics, more instruments
1:06-1:20 Chorus
1:21-1:36 Verse  3- same as previous verses, but with different lyrics
1:37-1:50 Instrumental Break
1:51-2:21 Verse 4- same as before, but with breaks between the lyrics
2:22-2:38 Verse 5-  same as before
2:39-2:59Chorus: same as before
3:00-end Instrumental music until end

"Thriller" by Michael Jackson

Assigned Listening


Genre: Pop

Instruments: drums, clapping, synthesizer, sound effects (slamming doors, laughing, creaking)

Form:
0:00- 0:12 Musical Introduction
0:13-0:43 Verse 1: lead vocal with some backup
0:44-1:04 Chorus: steady beat, background vocals repeating lines and doing oh-ah vocals
1:05-1:10 Musical break
1:11-1:40 Verse 2: same as verse 1, but with different lyrics
1:41-1:58 Chorus: same beat and melody but with different lyrics
1:59-2:20  Bridge: much slower
2:21-2:51 Verse 3: same as verse 1&2 but different lyrics
2:52-3:28 Chorus: different lyrics, repeated twice
3:29- musical break with spoken words telling a story (voice different than vocals), some background singers, evil laughter and sound effects

"Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)" by Eurythmics

Assigned Listening


Genre: pop

Instruments: synthesizer, drums, piano, bells of some sort

Form:
0:00-0:10 Instrumental Introduction: synthesizers
0:11-0:25 Chorus: steady beat, synthesizer, vocals
0:26-0:41 Verse 1: sames beat but louder, vocals backed with someone else
0:42-0:52 Break: heavy beat with oh-ah vocals
0:53-1:07 Chorus: steady beat, with layered vocals
1:08-1:19 Break: oh-ah vocals
1:20-1:33 Verse 2: call and response between two different sets of vocals
1:34-1:50 Synthesizer solo
1:51-2:05 Verse 1: repeated exactly the same
2:06-2:16 Break: oh-ah vocals
2:17-2:30 Chorus: exactly the same as before
2:31-2:47 Chorus: faster beat, only drums and vocals, louder oh-ah background vocals
2:48-end Chorus: back to original form repeated until end

"What's Love Got to Do With It?" by Tina Turner

Assigned Listening


Genre: Pop

Instruments: drums, synthesizers

Lyrics: The lyrics are about being scared to be in love.

Other Notes: steady rock beat, reggae-style after beat

Form:
0:00-0:19 Instrumental Introduction
0:20-0:52 Verse 1: lead vocals, call and response between vocals and synthesizer towards end
0:53-1:11 Chorus: same steady beat, lead vocals with backup singers singing along
1:12-1:43 Verse 2: same as verse 1, but with different lyrics
1:44-2:02 Chorus: same as before
2:03-2:21 synthesizer solo
2:22-2:41 Bridge: slower melody but same beat
2:42-3:00 Chorus: same as before
3:01-end Chorus: different notes, more vocal riffs, more ohs and ahs

"Give Up the Funk" by Parliament

Assigned Listening


Genre: funk

Instruments: bass, guitar

Notes: very loud, very low bass, wide variety of voices

"Rapper's Delight" by Sugarhill Gang

Assigned Listening


Genre: Hip-Hop

"The Message" by Grandmaster Flash & The Furious Five

Assigned Listening 


Genre: Hip Hop

"I Shot the Sheriff" by Bob Marley

Assigned Listening


Genre: Reggae

Instruments: guitar, synthesizer, drums

Form:
0:00-0:21 Chorus: steady beat with background vocals
0:22-0:46 Verse 1
0:47-0:53 Musical Break
0:54-1:39 Verse 2: background ohah vocals
1:40-2:03 Chorus: same as before
2:04-2:37 Verse 3: steady beat that gets slower towards the end
2:38-2:58 Chorus: same as before
2:59-3:30 Verse 4
3:31-3:44 Chorus: different beat and melody than before
3:45-END Synthesizer solo

"Psycho Killer" by Talking Heads

Assigned Listening


Genre: Rock

Instruments: drums, electric guitar, bass

First Impression: sounds like he's talking to a beat rather than singing

Notes: steady rock beat

Form:
0:00-0:25 Musical Introduction
0:26-0:41 Verse 1: steady rock beat
0:42-1:22 Chorus: same steady beat, different melody
1:23-1:40 Verse 2: more like talking than singing, same steady beat
1:41-2:15 Chorus: same as before
2:16-2:53 Verse 3: in another language, different beat and melody
2:54-3:53 Chorus- same as before
3:54-END musical break

"Crocodile Rock" by Elton John

Assigned Listening


Genre:Pop/Rock

Lyrics: Reflect on early Rock'n'Roll. Creates the idea that rock and roll is no longer part of music, it is simply a thing of the past.

Instruments: piano, bass, drums, (possible synthesizer or flute?)

Other Notes: steady rock beat throughout

Form:
0:00-0:41 Verse 1: steady beat, upbeat tempo, lone lead vocals
0:42- 1:06 Chorus
1:07- 1:19 Instrument solo of some sorts (almost sounds like a synthesizer, but could be piano or flute)
1:20-1:45 Verse 2: same as before but with different lyrics
1:46-2:11 Chorus: same as before but with different lyrics
2:12-2:24 Instrumental solo: same as before
2:25-2:49 Verse 1 repeated: same as before
2:50-3:15 Chorus: same as before
3:16-end Instrumental Solo
3:16- Instrumental Solo: same as before

"Bad Girls" by Donna Summer

Assigned Listening


Genre: Disco

Instruments: synthesizers, drums, electrics guitar, whistle

First Impression: easy to dance to

Form:
0:00-0:15 Introduction: A Capella "toot-toot beep beep"
0:16-1:04 Musical Break
1:05-1:20 same as introduction but set to music
1:21-1:35 Chorus: fast tempo, background singers
1:36-2:10 Verse 1
2:11-2:17 Musical Break
2:18-2:31 Chorus: same as before
2:32-3:07 Verse 2
3:08-3:27 Chorus: different lyrics
3:28- 3:42 Verse 3
3:43-4:00 Musical Break
4:01-4:46 Repeat of introduction but repeated multiple times
4:47-END Random lines from previous verses repeated while background singers repeat introduction

"Respect" by Aretha Franklin

Assigned Listening


Genre:

Instruments: Electric guitar, sax, piano,

Vocals: powerful, background singers

Form:
0:00-0:30 Verse 1: lead vocals, background vocals (in a call and response-like set up)
0:30-0:51 Verse 1.2: same vocal setup, lyrics start off different than before but end the same way as in previous verse
0:51-1:11 Verse 2: same vocal set up, different lyrics and beat
1:12-1:27 Saxophone Solo
1:28-1:48 Verse 3: same vocal set up, different lyrics
1:49-end Verse 4: completely different meoldy, call and response between lead and background vocals, different l

"Papa's Got a Brand New Bag" by James Brown

Assigned Listening

Genre:

Instrument: Bass, sax, tuba, trumpet

Initial Reaction: reminds me of early jazz and blues

Form:
0:00-0:24 Verse 1: call and response between vocals and instruments
0:25-0:46 Verse 2: same as verse 1 but different lyrics
0:46-1:22 Verse 3: different than previous verses, call and response less evident
1:23-1:46 Verse 4: like verse 3, but different lyrics
1:47-end random words, notes lines, ect.

"Sounds of Silence" by Simon and Garfunkel

Assigned Listening


Genre: rock

Instruments: acoustic guitar, drums

First Impression: I definitely heard this before (I looked it up...it's from the Graduate)

Form:
0:00-0:37 Verse 1: slow tempo, only acoustic guitar, quiet voices
0:38-1:11 Verse 2: introduction of drums, faster tempo
1:12-1:46 Verse 3: voices getting progressively louder
1:47-2:21 Verse 4: just like verse 3 but with different lyrics
2:22-END Verse 5: same as verse 3&4

"Like A Rolling Stone" by Bob Dylan

Assigned Listening


Genre: Rock

Instruments: acoustic guitar, banjo, harmonica, bells, electric guitar

First Impression: an interesting blend of rock and country

Form:
0:00-0:10 Musical Introduction
0:11-0:58 Verse 1: steady beat, interesting voice (gravelly)
0:59-1:23 Chorus: almost sounds as if he is speaking at points rather than singing, strange bell sound
1:24-1:32 Harmonica/Guitar solo
1:33-2:21 Verse 2: same as verse 1 but with different lyrics
2:22-2:50 Chorus: same as before
2:51-3:01 Instrumental solo
3:02-3:49 Verse 3: starts faster, more attempts at vocal riffs
3:50-4:18 Chorus: same as before
4:19-4:29 Instrumental break
4:30-5:18 Verse 4: starts faster
5:19-5:48 Chorus: starts with a different melody
5:49-end Harmonica solo

"Eleanor Rigby" by The Beatles

Assigned Listening

Genre: Rock and roll

instruments: violins, cello

Lyrics: Tell the story of a lonely women. If there is a deeper meaning, it is lost on me.

Form:
0:00-0:13 Introduction: repeated vocals sung by group
0:14-0:31 Verse 1: vocals performed by one person, violin only for instruments
0:32-0:45 Chorus: same tempo as verse, one singer, violin only
0:46-1:02 Verse 2: same as verse 1 but with different lyrics
1:03-1:16 Chorus: same as before
1:17-1:30 introduction repeats
1:31-1:45 Verse 3: same as previous verses with different lyrics
1:46-end Chorus: same lead vocals, but with background repeating what is being sung

"Please, Please Me" by The Beatles

Assigned Listening


Genre: Rock'N'Roll

Instruments: electric guitar, saxophone, drums

Vocals: multiple people singing lead vocals, background singers, oh-ah background vocals

Form:
0:00-0:08 Musical Introduction
0:09-0:20 Verse 1: multiple people singing lead vocals
0:21-0:32 Chorus: background singers with one person singing lead
0:33-0:49 Verse 2: same as verse 1 but with different lyrics
0:50-1:02 Chorus: same as before
1:03-1:32 Verse 3: different melody and beat
1:33-1:45 Chorus: same as before
1:46-END Oh-Ahs

"My Girl" by The Temptations

Assigned Listening


Genre: R&B

Instruments: electric guitar, snapping, bass, trumpets

Form:
0:00-0:27 Verse 1: guitar picking, lead vocals only
0:28-0:45 Chorus: lead vocals with backup singers repeating lines, introduction of horns
0:46-1:04 Verse 2: same beat as verse 1, but with horns
1:05-1:21 Chorus: same as before
1:22-1:50 Instrumental break with ohs and ahs
1:51-2:08 Verse 3: same as verse 2
2:09-2:25 Chorus: same as before
2:26-end fades out on variation of chorus

"Good Vibrations" by The Beach Boys

Assigned Listening


Genre: pop/rock

Instruments: drums, maracas, whistle, guitar, flute

Form:
0:00-0:29 Verse 1: slow beat one person singing lead vocals
0:30-0:57 Chorus: differnt sounding instruments, deeper vocals, faster beat, different melody
0:58-1:21 Verse 2: just like verse 1, but with different lyrics
1:22-1:49 CHorus: same as before
1:50-2:06 Musical Break
2:07-2:21 Verse 3: different melody
2:22-3:02 Verse 4- much slower beat to start, vocals die off and go into musical break
3:04-END Chorus- same as before

"Charlie Brown" by The Coasters

Assigned Listening


Instruments: clarient, drums, trumpet, guitar, sax

Form:
0:00-0:07 Verse 1: single steady beat
0:08-0:22 Chorus: much faster tempo, last line much deeper, background vocals
0:23-0:31 Verse 2: same as verse 1 but different lyrics
0:32-0:45 Chorus: same as before
0:46-1:01 Verse 3: more upbeat, different melody
1:02-1:07 Verse 4: same as verse 1&2 with different lyrics
1:08-1:22 Chorus: same as before
1:23-1:45 Musical Break (sax solo)
1:46-1:53 Verse 4 Repeated
1:54-2:08 Chorus: same as before
2:09-END musical break

"Don't Be Cruel" by Elvis Presley

Assigned Listening


Genre: Rock'n'Roll

Instruments: drums, electric guitar, piano

Vocals: lead vocals with background singers providing oh-ahs and bop-bops

Form:
0:00-0:22 Verse 1: steady beat, lead vocals with background singers
0:23-0:39 Verse 2: same as verse 1 with different lyrics
0:40-0:49 Verse 3: different than before, longer notes
0:50-1:04 Verse 4: same as verses 1&2, but with different lyrics
1:05-1:12 Verse 5: same as verse 3, but with different lyrics
1:13-1:29 Verse 6: same as verses 1,2&3 but with different lyrics
1:30-1:39 Verse 3 repeated
1:40-1:49 Verse 7: lines repeated from previous verses, oh-ah background vocals added
1:50-end Verse 3 repeated

"Long Tall Sally" by Little Richard

Assigned Listening


Genre: Rock'n'Roll


Instruments: piano, drums, electric guitar, saxophone

Lyrics:

Form:
0:00-0:05 Verse 1
0:06-0:15 Chorus
0:16-0:21 Verse 2
0:22-0:31 Chorus
0:32-0:37 Verse 3
0:38-0:46 Chorus
0:47-1:18 Instrumental Break (Sax solo)
1:19-1:23 Verse 2 Repeated
1:24-1:33 Chorus
1:34-1:38 Verse 3 Repeated
1:39-1:49 Chorus
1:50-END random lines repeated over and over again

"Maybellene" by Chuck Berry

Assigned Listening


Instruments: electric guitar, drums

Vocals: deep, only lead vocals

Form:
0:00-0:16 Chorus:steady beat, AAB form
0:17-0:30 Verse 1: steady beat, oom-pah beat
0:31-0:39 Chorus: same as before
0:40-0:53 Verse 2: same as verse 1 but with different lyrics
0:54-1:04 Chorus: same as before
1:05-1:28 Instrumental Break (Guitar solo)
1:29-1:40 Chorus: more vocal riffs, faster tempo than before
1:41-1:54Verse 3: faster tempo than before
1:55-2:05 Chorus: same as before
2:06-END Instrumental lead out

"Mystery Train" by Elvis Presley

Assigned Listening

Genre: Rock'n'Roll

Tempo: much faster than previous version

Instruments: electric guitar, drums, spoons (?)

Form:
0:00-0:33 Verse 1: AAB form, lead vocals, guitar, drums, steady beat
0:34-1:00 Verse 2: same instrumentation, different lyrics and AABC form
1:01-1:31 Verse 3: same as verse 2 but different lyrics
1:32-1:45 Instrumental Break (electric guitar solo)
1:46-END Verse 2 Repeated

Comparison: I like this version better. The faster tempo made the song seem more interesting.

"Mystery Train" by Junior Parker

Instruments: guitar, drums, piano, saxophone

Tempo: Slow

Vocals: clear, only lead vocals

Form:
0:00-0:37 Verse 1: AAB form, only lead vocals
0:38-1:08 Verse 2: AAB form, introduction of sax
1:09-1:36 Instrumental Break
1:37-2:03 Verse 3: AAB form, no sax
2:04-END Instruments fade out

"Sh-Boom" by The Chords

Assigned Listening


Instruments: tuba, sax, clarinet, drums, guitar

Form:
0:00-0:05 Introduction: repetition of lines a Capella
0:06-0:22 Verse 1:background vocals deeper then lead vocals, steady beat
0:23-0:42 Verse 2: same as verse 1 but with different lyrics
0:43-0:56Verse 3: slower melody, much deeper vocals, clarinet
0:57-1:09 Verse 2 Repeated
1:10-1:22 Random syllables being repeated
1:23-1:52 Instrumental Break (Sax solo) with background vocals
1:53-2:04 Verse 2 repeated
2:05-END Random syllables being repeated

"Sh-Boom" by The Crew Cuts

Lyrics: This song was about how life would be if two people loved each other.

Instruments: tuba, sax, drums, clarinet

Vocals: lead vocals with background singers

First Impressions: Broken up into sections

"Shake, Rattle and Roll" by Bill Haley and the Comets

Assigned Listening


Genre: rock n roll

Instruments: drums, electric guitar, bass,tuba, sax

First Impression: sounds more like a big band

Form: AAB Form
0:00-0:22 Verse 1
0:23-0:40 Chorus
0:41-0:56 Verse 2
0:57-1:13 Chorus
1:14-1:31 Instrumental Break
1:32- 1:47 Verse 3
1:48-2:07 Verse 4
2:08-END Chorus

Compared to Other Version: There are more background singers in this version; I like this one more

"Shake, Rattle and Roll" by Big Joe Turner

Genre: Jazz

Instruments: drums, tuba, piano, saxophone

First Impression: sounded more like jazz, I enjoyed his voice

Form: AAB
0:00-0:23Verse 1
0:24-0:42 Verse 2
0:43-1:00 Verse 3
1:01-1:20 Chorus
1:21-1:38 Sax solo
1:39-1:57 Verse 4
I:58-2:15 Chorus
2:16-2:35 Verse 5
2:36-end Chorus

"Something's Gotta Give" by Frank Sinatra

Comparison

Comparing to "Nancy (With the Laughing Face)" by Frank Sinatra (same artist)

Instrumentation: drums, saxophone, trumpet, bass

Lyrics: The lyrics seem to be about fighting the urge to get together with someone.

Comparison: This song sounds very jazzy and big band compared to "Nancy."

"The Call Me Big Mama" by Big Mama Thornton

Comparison

Comparing to "Hound Dog" by Big Mama Thornton (Same Artist)

Instrumentation: saxophone, drums, piano

Lyrics: The lyrics talk about what is like to be the artist.

Comparison: I think they sound very similar, but this is more up-tempo with more call and response between vocals and instrumentation.

"Witchcraft" by Frank Sinatra

Comparison

Comparing to "Nancy (With the Laughing Face)" by Frank Sinatra (same artist)

Instruments: sax, tuba, drums, flute, clarinet

Lyrics: The song uses a metaphor in the lyrical styling. By witchcraft, it seems the lyrics are actually referring to sex. 

Comparison: "Nancy" is about love, while this song is more about sex.

"That's Life" by Frank Sinatra

Comparison


Comparing to "Nancy (With the Laughing Face)" by Frank Sinatra (same artist)

Instrumentation: saxophone, trumpet, tuba, bass, drums, piano

Lyrics: The lyrics of this song talk about the ups and downs you face in life.

Comparison: This song features a lot more background vocals. There is call and response between the lead vocals and background singers at some points. "Nancy" features only Frank's lead vocals with no background singers in any form.

"My Way" by Frank Sinatra

Comparison


Comparing to "Nancy with a Laughing Face" by Frank Sinatra (same artist)

Instrumentation: drums,  flute, piano, violin,

Lyrics: The song talks about looking back at the end of something and being proud of what you accomplished.

Comparison: "Nancy" sounded much more like music from the Minstrelsy shows than this did. "My Way" built up to a great crescendo while the other song stayed relatively even from beginning to end.

"I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry" by Hank Williams

Assigned Listening


Genre: Country & Western

Instruments: guitar, banjo

Voice: obvious twang, deep

Lyrics:  about loneliness and wanderlust

Other Notes: no discriminable chorus

"It Wasn't God Who Made Honky-Tonk Angels" by Kitty Wells

Assigned Listening


Genre: country western

First Reaction: sounds a lot like Reba McEntire

Voice: twang, whiny

Instruments: guitar, piano, drums

Lyrics: song about relationships between men and women

"Hound Dog" by Big Momma Thornton

Assigned Listening

Era: Postwar Era

Genre: Blues

First Impressions: I had no idea anyone besides Elvis sang this

Instruments: Electric guitar, drums, possibly a trumpet?

Voice: raspy, deep

"Choo Choo Ch'Boogie" by Louis Jordan

Instruments: piano, bass, guitar, sax, clarinet

First Impression: can easily be danced to;

Genre: Jazz

Era: Post War Era

Vocals: clear, smooth

Form:
.17 (instrumental intro)
.34 (verse 1)
.45 (chorus)
1.03 (instrumental break)
1.20 (verse 2)
1.31 (chorus)
1.59 (sax solo)
2.16 (verse 3)
2.27 (chorus)
2.40 (instrumental break)

"Nancy (with the Laughing Face)" by Frank Sinatra

Assigned Listening

First Impression: seems to be a call and response between each line of vocals and and instruments

Instruments: violin, clarinet, flute, trumpet (but it sounds different), bass, piano

Voice: deep, velvety

Lyrics:  The song appears to be a love song. Nancy appears to be the true love of the singers life.

"Great Speckled Bird" by Roy Acuff

Assigned Listening

Era: Swing Era

Genre: Country & Western

Vocals: goat like; obvious twang

Instruments: guitar, bass, drum, violin, keyboard

Lyrics: Talk about women and religion

Other Notes: simple call and response between vocals and guitar

"New San Antonio Rose" by Bob Willis And His Texas Playboys

Assigned Listening


Instruments: horns, trumpet, bass, drums, clarinet, vocals, tuba

Era: Swing Era

Vocals: male and female; very deep male;

Form:
.43 (introduction with instruments and some spoken lines by female)
1.20 (male vocals)
1.39 (male vocals with obvious horns and female spoken lines)
1.57 (male vocals)
2.16 (horns solo with few female spoken lines)
end (all instruments, no spoken lines)

"Ko-Ko" by Duke Ellington

Assigned Listening


Era: Swing Era

Instruments: horns, trumpet, bass, piano, sax, clarinet, vocals, tuba, drums

Form:
.10 (drum solo)
.19 (horn intro)
.32 (seems as if there is a conversation going on between the horns and tuba)
1.16 (clarinet, sax, trumpet solos with vocals in background)
1.30 (instrument free for all)
1.44(conversation between horns and bass)
End (massive finale)

"Taking a Chance on Love" by Benny Goodman

Assigned Listening


Era- Swing

First Impression-

Instruments- trumpets, saxophone, clarinet, trombone, bass, drums

Rhythm- beat held steady by bass

Form-
      .06
      .19 (call and response between sax and clarinet)
      .27 (sax solo)
      .42 (call and response)
      .52 (vocals with call and response to sax)
      1.22 (change in vocals)
      1.40 (change in vocals again)
      1.57 (all instruments together)
      2.02 (sax solo)
      2.15
      2.20 (clarinet solo)
      2.33 (sax solo)
      2.49 (all instruments together)
      2.58 (clarinet solo)

"Wrappin' It Up" by Fletcher Henderson & His Orchestra

Assigned Listening

Era: Swing Era

Instruments: clarinet, sax, trumpet, bass, tuba, horns, 

Form:
.09
.18
.45 (repeat of before)
1.05 (clarinet solo)
1.23 (sax solo)
1.33 (trumpet solo)
1.40 (change in tempo)
1.59 (trumpet solo)
2.10 (strange horns)
2.19 (different strange horns)
end (mix of different horns)

"Cross Road Blues" by Robert Johnson

Assigned Listening


Genre: Blues

Instruments: guitar

Voice: Scratchy

Form:
.14 (guitar)
.20 (vocals/guitar call and response AAB form)
.55 (vocals/guitar call and response)
1.26 (vocals/guitar call and response)
1.56 (vocals/guitar call and response AAB form)

"Blue Yodel No. 2" by Jimmie Rodgers

Assigned Listening


Genre: Hillbilly Music

Instruments: guitar, banjo, bass

Lyrics: about losing a love and becoming depressed

Form:
.27 (verse 1-AAB)
.42 (Yodeling)
1.02 (verse 2-AAB)
1.17 (Yodeling)
1.29 (Banjo solo)
1.50 (AAB)
2.05 (yodeling, but different than before)
2.28 (verse 3-AAB)
2.40 (yodeling)
3.02 (verse 3-AAB)
End (yodeling, different than before)

"Gospel Ship" by The Carter Family

Assigned Listening


Genere: Hillbilly Music

Vocals: have an obvious twang, harmony during the chorus, raspy

Instruments: banjo, bass, piccolo

Lyrics: appear to be about death, but use metaphors to deliver the message

"That Black Snake Moan" by Blind Lemon Jefferson

Assigned Listening


Genre: blues

Instruments: guitar

First Impression:

Vocals: deep, obvious twang

Form: Call and response between guitar and vocals throughout the entire song

"St. Louis Blues" by Bessie Smith

Assigned Listening


Genre: Blues

Instruments: Trumpet, clarinet, sax, piano

First Impression: Call and Response between vocals and sax

Lyrics: seem to be about lost love and wanderlust

Vocals: deep, powerful

"I Got Rhythm" by Ethel Merman

Assigned Listening


Era: Tin Pan Alley

Instruments: piano, violin, trumpet, bass, clarinet

Voice: deep, powerful, scratchy

Lyrics: seem to be about looking at looking at the positive side of situations

"April Showers" by Al Jolson

Assigned Listening


Era: Tin Pan Alley


Lyrics: tell the story of hope; not to give up because things will be better after the "April Showers"

Voice: goat-like, deep

Instruments: horns, trumpets, clarinet, flute,

"My Blue Heaven" by Gene Austin

Assigned Listening


First Impression: soothing

Instruments: Violin, piano, whistle of some sort

Voice: higher

Other notes:
-call and response with vocals and piano

"Tiger Rag" by The Original Dixieland Jazz Band

Assigned Listening


Era: Jazz

Form: changes most noticeable at...
      .15
      .23
      .31 (flute solo)
      .38
      .46
      .53
      1.01
      1.16 (repetitive)
      1.31
      1.46
      2.01 (change from before)
      2.17 (change in horns)
      2.31
      2.47

Instruments: piccolo, banjo, flute, horn, trumpet, trombone, tuba

"Castle House Rag" by Europe's Society Orchestra

Era: Jazz Age

Instruments: flute, trumpet, clarinet, tuba, trombone, horn, bass, drum, something making washboard sound

Form:
.04
.19 (all instruments; sounds unorganized until last few seconds)
.34
.51
1.00
1.07
1.21 (similar to beginning)
1.26 (totally different with chiming)
1.36
1.42 (repetitive)
1.54 (repetitive)
2.08 (repetitive)
2.24
3.10 (speedsup; free for all with instruments)
end (drum solo)

"After the Ball" by Charles K. Harris

Assigned Listening

Era: ragtime

First Impression: Harris's voice is very scratchy; music reminds me of something I would hear on a carousel.

Instruments: piano

Voice: scratchy, pitchy

Lyrics: Tell the story of a lost love

"Jeanie with the Light Brown Hair" by Stephen Foster

Assigned Listening

Instruments: flute, violin, trumpet, bass, guitar

Tempo: slow

Form:
.14 (flute intro)
.47 (chorus--vocals with flute; bass introduced at .33)
1.02 (verse 1)
1.08 (flute solo)
1.27 (chorus again, but different)
1.43 (flute solo)
2.14 (verse 2)
2.30 (verse 3)
2.34 (flute solo)
2.56 (chorus different)
3.27 (flute & violin  solo)
3.44
End (chorus but different)