Rock Music in American Popular Culture III More Rock 'n' Roll Resources

Rock Music in American Popular Culture III: More Rock 'n' Roll Resources explores the fascinating world of rock music and how it serves as a source of expression of cultural and social identity. Readers will examine how songs lyrics reflect and influence self-identity and cultural development in the United States.

Arranged by themes, Rock Music in American Popular Culture III examines a variety of social and cultural topics, including censorship, holiday songs, death, foolish behavior, hoaxes, jobs and the workplace, military involvements, novelty recordings, and patriotism. This nostalgic guide explores the meanings and messages behind some of the most popular rock 'n' roll songs that captured the American spirit, mirrored society, and defined events in our history.

Rock Music in American Popular Culture III: More Rock ’n’Roll Resources explores the fascinating world of rock music and examines how this medium functions as an expression of cultural and social identity. This nostalgic guide explores the meanings and messages behind some of the most popular rock ’n’roll songs that captured the American spirit, mirrored society, and reflected events in our history. Arranged by themes, Rock Music in American Popular Culture III examines a variety of social and cultural topics with related songs, such as: sex and censorship--“Only the Good Die Young” by Billy Joel and “Night Moves” by Bob Seger and The Silver Bullet Band holiday songs--“Rockin’Around the Christmas Tree” by Brenda Lee and “The Christmas Song” by Nat King Cole death--“Leader of the Pack” by The Shangri-Las and “The Unknown Soldier” by The Doors foolish behavior--“When a Man Loves a Woman” by Percy Sledge and “What Kind of Fool” by Barbra Streisand and Barry Gibb jobs and the workplace--“Don’t Stand So Close to Me” by The Police and “Dirty Laundry” by Don Henley military involvements--“Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy” by the Andrews Sisters and “War” by Edwin Starr novelty recordings--“The Purple People Eater” by Sheb Wooley and “Eat It” by Weird Al Yankovic letters and postal images--“P. S. I Love You” by The Beatles and “Return to Sender” by Elvis PreselyIn addition, a discography and a bibliography after each section give further examples of the themes and resources being discussed, as do extensive lists of print references at the end of the text.

Contents Preface Acknowledgements Introduction Concluding Observations The “Hot 100” Popular Music Books of 1971-1995: Key References for Rock Researchers Chapter 1: Child Performers A Selected Discography of Popular Recordings Featuring Preteen Performers, Traditional Childhood Stories, and Contemporary Preadolescent Perspectives, 1945-1985 Chapter 2: Christmas Songs Chapter 3: Death A Chronological Discography of Death Theme Recordings, 1953-1993 Chapter 4: Foolish Behavior What Kind of Fool Am I? Misunderstanding of Feelings Euphoria of Falling in Love Blindness to Future Events Surrender of Self Acceptance of Prolonged Abuse Some Suggestions from Experienced Individuals Other Fools Conclusion Selected Fool Song Discography, 1945-1995 Chapter 5: Honoring Excellence Bizarre Recognitions Collaborative Efforts Eulogy Releases Greatest Hits Compilations Holiday Hits Instrumental Acknowledgments Musical Locations Particular Songs Passing the Torch Record Companies Recordings that Inspired Superstars Rock ‘n’ Roll Heaven Saluting Composers Significant Musical Styles Song Hits of a Specific Artist Soundtrack Salutes Specific Dances Stylistic Acknowledgments Timeless Tunes Total Tribute Packages Wild Karaoke Chapter 6: Jobs and Workplaces Poverty and Unemployment Chapter 7: Novelty Recording Persistent Themes in Wartime Songs Discography of Wartime Songs and Their Themes The Cooper and Schurk Wacky Top 40 of Sexually Suggestive Recordings Chapter 8: Patriotism Chapter 9: Popular Music Chapter 10: Postal Images Selected Popular Recordings Containing Lyrical References to Letter Writing or Featuring Postal Service Terminology Chapter 11: Public Schools Images of Schools Images of Students Images of Teachers and Principals Images of Parents and the Community Images of Education Selected Discography of Education-Related Recordings, 1955-1980 Chapter 12: Rock Songs Chapter 13: Scholarship Chapter 14: Social Commentary American Political Concerns Unit l: Civil Authorities Unit 2: Military Involvements Unite 3: Public Education System Unit 4: Railroads Unit 5: Representative Government Unit 6: Other Sociopolitical Issues in Contemporary American Society International Political Concerns Chapter 15: Song Revivals Chapter 16: Tobacco Selected Songs Featuring Cigarette References and Tobacco Images and Themes, 1945-1995 Images and Themes Conclusions Chapter 17: Western Images Bibliography Index Reference Notes Included

B Lee Cooper, Frank Hoffmann, Wayne S Haney