Thank You for a Great Semester

I'd like to take this final opportunity to thank you for two really great classes. I had a super time in class and I hope you did, too. So, thank you.

Have a fun (and safe) break. Please keep in touch.

 -D

Week 17: Bob Dyaln

Bob Dylan, "Subterranean Homesick Blues" (US #39, 1965)

Week 17: Bob Dylan
Mo 12.10
Class: Course review

UPDATE 12.13:
I received your final exams much sooner than I expected, so I have begun contacting everyone from my four sections about their final grades. It is a slow process, so please be patient. I have 100 people to email, and so it'll take time. I hope to have emailed everyone by Sunday.

The end is near!

Reflection 09: Yesterday—Reflections on Reading and Writing about Music (Optional Extra-Credit Assignment)

It's the last dance

Your extra-credit assignment asks that you reflect upon a semester's worth of reading and writing about music. What about the subject matter struck you as most interesting? What surprised you? Did you change your mind about any particular aspect of music? Were any preconceived notions of yours changed or challenged? Did you pick up any new favorites along thew way? In a reflection-style response, consider the experience of studying various aspects of music in an English composition class. 

Worth up to 10 extra-credit pts. 

Required:

• MLA Style
• Must be exactly two-full pages in length

Due: Via email by Wednesday, December 12th at noon

Music News: 12.06.12

• Pop Danthology mashes up 55 of 2012's biggest hits (LA Music Blog)
• Newly out Frank Ocean snags six Grammy nominations (Advocate)
• By the numbers: American Idol winners'  chart success by the numbers (Today)
• Let bygones be bygones: Metallica joins Spotify (CNET)
• Spin names its 50 best albums of 2012 (Spin)
  
• Mariah Carey, backed by Jimmy Fallon and The Roots, rocks "All I Want for Christmas is You" (Rolling Stone)

For Your Final Exam Preparation

Below are two sample prompts for your final exam this week. Also included is the rubric from which your essay will be scored.

• Sample Prompt 1
• Sample Prompt 2
• Grading Rubric

Here is a sample 1A prompt along with a corresponding annotated essay:

• Sample Prompt 3 (Jihad vs. McWorld)
• Sample Prompt 3 Annotated Essay (Jihad vs. McWorld) 

PowerPoint presentation:
The Mad Dash: Thesis Statements

Week 16: Whitney Houston

Whitney Houston, "I Will Always Love You" (US #1, 1992)

Week 16: Whitney Houston
Mo 12.03
Class: Final exam prep; Lecture—“The Mad Dash: Thesis Statements”

We 12.05
Class: Final exam prep; Lecture—“The Mad Dash: Essay Outlines”
Due: REFLECTION 8

Sa 12.08
FINAL EXAM: 8 AM, SCI 142*

Week 17: Bob Dylan
Mo 12.10
Class: Course review

*My four sections will be sharing this lecture hall with four sections belonging to Prof. Mohsenzadegan. That means there will be 200 students taking the exam in the same room, so please get there on time to ensure that you get a seat that works best for you.

Music News: 12.01.12

• Mackelmore bucks hip hop, promotes acceptance of gays (PRI)
• On World AIDS Day, Bono's fight against the disease continues (Time)
• Hugs and kisses: Rihanna and Chris Brown are affectionate on Instagram (New York Daily News)
• iTunes 11 finally arrives (Washington Post)
• Fans: Justin Bieber and Selena Gomez 4EVER (MTV)
• Florida teenager fatally shot over his loud music (Christian Science Monitor)

Reflection 08: Snowed Out—The Inundation of Christmas Music

How much is too much Christmas music?

It used to be that they wouldn't show up until at least the day after Thanksgiving—at the earliest. Any earlier than that and it just seemed too soon for them. But these days, the dust of Halloween has hardly settled before someone, somewhere, eagerly rolls them out. Whenever it is they come, Christmas songs come with a vengeance. And while some people can't wait to revel in holiday cheer, others quickly feel inundated by the near endless stream of Christmas songs. While these songs can be expected at a party or in a church, they can also be heard while on hold on the telephone or in every mall in America. How do you feel about holiday music? Which songs do you like and which do you detest? What is the line between this music celebrating the season and it spoiling the spirit? Finally, if you do not celebrate Christmas, how does holiday music affect you?

Include at least three of the following in your discussion:

• "Centuries-old Christmas Carols Endure" (Tennessean)
• "Science Behind Why We Love, or Hate, Christmas Music" (WDIV)
• "The Ten Most Annoying Christmas Songs" (Gawker)
• "Ten Best Christmas Songs for Atheists" (Alternet)
• "Christmas Songs that Upset Me" (phillyBurbs.com)
• "Five Christmas Songs that Don't Suck" (Nerve)

Requirements:

• Must be in MLA Style
• Must be two full pages in length
• Must include a works cited page

Due: Wednesday, Dec. 5th

 

Week 15: Johnny Cash

Johnny Cash, "Ring of Fire" (US #1, 1963)

Week 15: Johnny Cash
Mo 11.26 Class: COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS

We 11.28 Class: Final exam prep; Lecture—“The Mad Dash: Prompts”

Upcoming:

Week 16: Whitney Houston
Mo 12.03
Class: Final exam prep; Lecture—“The Mad Dash: Thesis Statements”

We 12.05
Class: Final exam prep; Lecture—“The Mad Dash: Essay Outlines”
Due: REFLECTION 8

Sa 12.08
FINAL EXAM: 8 AM, LOCATION TBD

Week 17: Bob Dylan
Mo 12.10
Class: Course review

Music News: 11.24.12

 

• Holiday music has returned (and there's something for everyone) (Zimbio)
• R.E.M. + James Franco + Lindsey Lohan = new music video (Washington Post)
• Relenting: AC/DC finally release catalog on iTunes (USA Today)
• "Gangnam Style" > "Baby": PSY overtakes Justin Bieber as most viewed YouTube clip (Chicago Tribune)
• Lil Wayne to retire, focus his energies on skateboarding (Examiner)
• Survey: Adele's music best to help you fall asleep (Daily Mail)
• 
  

Week 14: Lady Gaga

Lady Gaga ft. Beyoncé, "Telephone" (US #3, 2010)

Week 14: Lady Gaga
Mo 11.19
Read: DURAN—Ton Lōc, “Funky Cold Medina” – Duran Duran, “All She Wants Is”
Class: Reading discussion; Presentations
Due: REFLECTION 7

We 11.21
NO CLASS—THANKSGIVING

Upcoming:

Week 15: Johnny Cash
Mo 11.26 Class: COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS

We 11.28 Class: Final exam prep; Lecture—“The Mad Dash: Prompts”

Week 16: Whitney Houston
Mo 12.03
Class: Final exam prep; Lecture—“The Mad Dash: Thesis Statements”

We 12.05
Class: Final exam prep; Lecture—“The Mad Dash: Essay Outlines”
Due: REFLECTION 8

Sa 12.08
FINAL EXAM: 8 AM, LOCATION TBD

Week 17: Bob Dylan
Mo 12.10
Class: Course review

Music News: 11.17.12

• British X Factor contestant receives encouraging tweet from Adele about accepting her own body (Daily Mail)
• Inside the brain of a rapper (NPR)
• Madonna visits Sandy-damaged Queens neighborhood (Gothamist)
• ...then goes Gangnam Style with the help of PSY (Entertainment Weekly)
• Pennies: How music streaming services compensates artists (Pitchfork)
• Jealous One Direction fans bully Czech supermodel (Daily Telegraph)

Reflection 07: Guilty as Charged—Confessing Our Musical Guilty Pleasures

Though we may not admit it, we all have them. And while they are near and dear to our hearts, often they are kept secret. Yet, our musical guilty pleasures serve an important role: they give us pleasure—even if we don't always own up to them. But why are guilty pleasures, so guilty? What sets this music apart from that which we enjoy openly? Can a song really be so bad it's good? This reflection is your opportunity to come out of the musical closet and reveal three of your musical guilty pleasures. 

Include at least three of the following in your discussion:

• "Why Do We Feel Guilty about ‘Guilty Pleasures’?" (Den of Geek)
• "The 10 Best Guilty Pleasure Songs of 2012" (Complex)
• "My Guilty Pleasure: 90s Boy bands" (Lovelyish)
• "28 Songs You Know The Words To (But Are Too Ashamed to Admit It)" (Live Music Guide)
• "10 Awesomely Bad Songs" (AOL Radio Blog)
• "Guilty Pleasures: What Music are You Embarrassed to Love?" (NPR Music)

Requirements:

• Must be in MLA Style
• Must be two full pages in length
• Must include a works cited page

Due: Monday, Nov. 19th

Talking to Girls About Duran Duran: A Video Playlist

To help you better understand the music that helped shape Rob Sheffield's formative years, below is a compilation of music videos that correspond with the chapters of his Talking to Girls About Duran Duran:    

1. The Go-Go's, "Our Lips are Sealed"
2. David Bowie, "Ashes to Ashes"
3. Ray Parker Jr. and Raydio, "A Woman Needs Love (Just Like You Do)"
4. The Rolling Stones, "She's So Cold"
5. The Human League, "Love Action (I Believe in Love)"
6. Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark, "Enola Gay"
7. Culture Club, "I'll Tumble 4 Ya"
8. Daryl Hall & John Oates, "Maneater"
9. Roxy Music, "More Than This"
10. Bonnie Tyler, "Total Eclipse of the Heart" 
11. Haysi Fantayzee, "Shiny Shiny"
12. A Flock of Seagulls, "Space Age Love Song" 
13. Chaka Khan, "I Fell for You" 
14. Prince and The Revolution, "Purple Rain" [acoustic cover] 
15. Paul McCartney, "No More Lonely Nights" 
16. Madonna, "Crazy for You" 
17. The Replacements, "Left of the Dial"  
18. The Smiths, "Ask"  
19. The Psychedelic Furs, "Pretty in Pink"
20. Lita Ford, "Kiss Me Deadly"
21. Tone Lōc, "Funky Cold Medina"
22. The New Kids on the Block, "Hangin' Tough"
23. Big Daddy Kane, "Aint No Half Steppin'" 
24. L'Trimm, "Cars with the Boom"
25. Duran Duran, "All She Wants Is"

In addition, here are some of Duran Duran's biggest hits from the 80s:

• "The Reflex"
• "Union of the Snake"
• "Planet Earth"
• "Rio"
• "Girls on Film" [NSFW]
• "The Chauffeur" [NSFW]
• "Hungry Like the Wolf"
• "New Moon on Monday"
• "The Wild Boys"
• "A View to Kill"
• "Is There Something I Should Know"
• "Notorious"
• "Save a Prayer" 

Week 13: Stevie Wonder

Stevie Wonder, "Superstition" (US #1, 1972)

Week 13: Stevie Wonder
Mo 11.12 NO CLASS—VETERAN’S DAY We 11.14
Read: DURAN— Hall & Oates, “Maneater” – Lita Ford, “Kiss Me Deadly” Class: Reading discussion; Presentations
Due: CLOSE READ ESSAY (DRAFT 2; ATTACH ONE COPY OF DRAFT 1)

Upcoming:

Week 14: Lady Gaga
Mo 11.19
Read: DURAN—Ton Lōc, “Funky Cold Medina” – Duran Duran, “All She Wants Is” Class: Reading discussion; Presentations
Due: REFLECTION 7

We 11.21
NO CLASS—THANKSGIVING

Music News: 11.09.12

Adam Lambert tapped to reign in VH1's Divas

• Adam Lambert joins the ladies for VH1's new Divas special as host (Entertainment Weekly)
• Now you can JAM with Google (CNET)
• Nobody does it better: A James Bond-inspired playlist (Times-Picayune)
• The science of what we (illegally) download (NPR)
• Me first: Usher jumps to the front of the line on Election Day (ABC News) 
• "Nobodies Business": Rhianna's new album to include a duet with Chris Brown (Entertainment Weekly)

Week 12: Bee Gees

Bee Gees, "How Deep is Your Love" (US #1, 1977)

Week 12: Bee Gees
Mo 11.05
Read: DURAN—The Go-Go’s, “Our Lips are Sealed” – Ray Parker Jr., “A Woman Needs Love” Class: SHORT ANSWER RESPONSES

We 11.07 Read: DURAN—The Rolling Stones, “She’s So Cold” – Culture Club, “I’ll Tumble 4 Ya” Class: Reading discussion, Writers workshop
Due: CLOSE READ ESSAY (DRAFT 1; BRING 2 COPIES); REFLECTION 06

Upcoming:

Week 13: Stevie Wonder
Mo 11.12 NO CLASS—VETERAN’S DAY

We 11.14 Read: DURAN— Hall & Oates, “Maneater” – Lita Ford, “Kiss Me Deadly”
Class: Reading discussion; Presentations
Due: CLOSE READ ESSAY (DRAFT 2; ATTACH ONE COPY OF DRAFT 1)

Music News: 11.03.12

• Huge: Taylor Swift's Red debuts with 1.2 million copies sold (Entertainment Weekly )
• Class act: Chris Brown dresses as a Taliban fighter for Halloween (Just Jared)
• Justin Timberlake apologizes for the "unsavory video" shown at his wedding (JustinTimberlake.com) 
• Also sorry: No Doubt pull new video, just hours after debut, due to "hurtful" Native American imagery (Spin )
• Sorry: iTunes update delayed until this month (USA Today ) 
• Lady Gaga speaks out for marriage equality in Maine, Maryland, Minnesota, and Washington (Buzzfeed) 

Close Read Essay

What can a careful analysis of each of these songs reveal?

Sometimes, it's not until a piece of art is examined in fine detail that new meanings arise. When cultural context, the artist's intentions, even your own prior knowledge, are set aside, a new way of "seeing" the art can emerge. This is the purpose of a close reading (sometimes called an explication). For this essay, you will conduct a close reading of a song. The goal is to delve deeply into this song, in hopes of uncovering new ways to understand it. You will have wide latitude in how you choose to engage it. You may look at the function of the song as a whole or highlight its minute details. (For example, one might do a close reading of the whole of Michelangelo's Mona Lisa or consider only the hands.) As always, ground your analysis in a strong thesis, supported by evidence from the song. Choose only one of the following songs, either lyrical or instrumental, for your analysis:

Instrumental songs—

1. "Psycho" (Suite for String Orchestra) [Music by Bernard Herrmann, 1960]
2. "Variations 1 - 4" [Music by Andrew Lloyd Webber, 1978)
3. "Claire de Lune" (Third movemnt of Suite bergamasque) [Music by Claude Debussy, 1905]
4. "L'Autre Valse D'Amelie" [Music by Yann Tiersen, 2001]
5. "The Great Pumpkin Waltz" [Music by Vince Guaraldi, 1966]
6. "March" (from "Raiders of the Lost Ark") [Music by John Williams, 1981]

Lyrical songs—

1. "The Way I Feel Inside" [Music and lyrics by Chris White, 1968]
2. "Diamonds are a Girl's Best Friend" [Music and lyrics by Jule Styne and Leo Robin, 1949]
3. "Carol Brown" [Music and lyrics by Bret McKenzie and Jemaine Clemen, 2009]
4. "The Land of Might-Have-Been" [Music and lyrics by Ivor Novello and Edward Moore, 1924]
5. "Human Nature" [Music and lyrics by Steve Porcaro and John Bettis, 1982]
6. "Help Me, Rhonda" [Music and lyrics by Brian Wilson and Mike Love, 1965]

All songs are available in the Dropbox section of this blog.

Requirements:

• MLA Style, including parenthetical citation
• 3-page minimum
• Include a works cited page

The best papers:

• Stay focused on a single song, veering from any outside considerations
• Have a concise thesis which clearly outlines your findings on the song
• Are informative in tone
• Clearly support their thesis with solid evidence, citing from the song's musical and/or lyrical structure
  
• Conclude with a summation of the song
• Properly cite evidence using MLA's parenthetical citation method
• Are in compliance with MLA Style

Due: Wednesday, Nov. 7th (Draft 1; Bring 2 copies)  

Reflection 06: Reel Songs—Music in Movies

How much is music a part of these iconic films?

It's difficult to imagine the movie-going experience without music. For over 100 years, music has been an integral part of what makes the movies so special. Many films are regarded as legendary, in part, due to their musical soundtracks. Below is a list of iconic scenes made even more memorable through their use of song. Choose one of the following scenes to examine how music enhances its overall effect. For example, how does the music effect you, as a viewer? Are you being manipulated? And if so, how? What emotions are being elicited? What would change in the scene if the music were omitted? Finally, can you imagine this scene with different music? What would be gained and lost?

Choose one of the following:

1. "As Time Goes By" from Casablanca (1942, Music and lyrics by Herman Hupfeld)
2. "Put the Blame on Mame" from Gilda (1946, Music and lyrics by Allan Roberts and Doris Fisher)
3. "The River Kwai March" from The Bridge on the River Kwai (1957, Music by Malcom Arnold)
4. "Moon River" from Breakfast at Tiffany's (1961, Music by Henry Mancini)
5. "The Sound of Silence" from The Graduate (1967, Music and lyrics by Paul Simon) 
6. "As Time Goes By" from What's Up, Doc? (1973, Music and lyrics by Herman Hupfeld)
7. "Main Title" from Jaws (1975, Music by John Williams) 
8. "Gonna Fly Now" from Rocky (1976, Music and lyrics by Bill Conti, Carol Connors, and Ayn Robbins)
9. "Night Fever" from Saturday Night Fever (1977, Music and lyrics by The Bee Gees)
10. "Can You Read My Mind? (Love Theme)" from Superman (1978, Music by John Williams) 
11. "Main Title" from Halloween (1978, Music by John Carpenter)  
12. "Rhapsody in Blue" from Manhattan (1979, Music by George Gershwin)
13. "Chariots of Fire" from Chariots of Fire (1981, Music by Vangelis)
14. "Saying Goodbye" from E.T.: The Extra-Terrestrial (1982, Music by John Williams) 
15. "Old Time Rock and Roll" from Risky Business (1983, Music and lyrics by George Jackson, Thomas E. Jones III, and Bob Seger)
16. "If You Were Here" by from Sixteen Candles (1984, Music and lyrics by The Thompson Twins)
17. "Love is Strange" from Dirty Dancing (1987, Music and lyrics by Mickey Baker, Sylvia Vanderpool, and Ethel Smith)
18. "Unchained Melody" from Ghost (1990, Music and lyrics by Alex North and Hy Zeret) 
19. "Bohemian Rhapsody" from Wayne's World (1992, Music and lyrics by Freddy Mercury)
20. "You Can Never Tell" from Pulp Fiction (1994, Music and lyrics by Chuck Berry
21. "These Days" from The Royal Tenenbaums (2001, Music and lyrics by Jackson Browne)
22. "Starálfur" from The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou (2004, Music and lyrics by Sigur Rós) 
23. "Brokeback Mountain 2" from Brokeback Mountain (2005, Music by Gustavo Santaolalla)
24. "Anyone Else but You" from Juno (2007, Music and lyrics by Kimya Dawson and Adam Green)
25. "You Make My Dreams" from (500) Days of Summer (2009, Sara Allen, Daryl Hall, and John Oates) 

Requirements:

• Must be in MLA Style
• Must be only one full page in length
• Must include a works cited page

Due: Wednesday, Nov. 11th 

Week 11: Frank Sinatra

Frank Sinatra, "That's Life" (US #4, 1966)

Week 11: Frank Sinatra
Mo 10.29
Read: OWEN—Pg. 151 - 200
Class: Reading discussion; Presentations

We 10.31
Read: eR—“Writing about Music” (University of Calgary), “A Guide to Writing about Music, Pt. 2: Thinking” (Invisible Oranges), “The NPR 100: The Most Important American Musical Works of the 20th Century” (NPR)
Class: Reading discussion

Upcoming:

Week 12: Bee Gees
Mo 11.05
Read: DURAN—The Go-Go’s, “Our Lips are Sealed” – Ray Parker Jr., “A Woman Needs Love”
Class: SHORT ANSWER RESPONSES

We 11.07
Read: DURAN—The Rolling Stones, “She’s So Cold” – Culture Club, “I’ll Tumble 4 Ya”
Reading discussion, Writers workshop
Due: CLOSE READ ESSAY (DRAFT 1; BRING 2 COPIES); REFLECTION 06

Music News: 10.25.12

If there was any question who Katy Perry is voting for ...

• Katy Perry shows her Obama pride in Nevada (New York Daily News )
• ... meanwhile, Ricky Skaggs opens for Romney in Iowa (Des Moines Register )
• Justin Bieber, meet Oprah (MTV)
• iTunes gets no love at the Apple event in San Jose this week (Hypebot)
• An unlikely connection: American Idol's Phillip Phillips and the San Francisco Giants' Buster Posey (MLB)
• ... and Phillips' "Home" has just been certified double platinum (Entertainment Weekly )

Week 10: Adele

Adele, "Lovesong" (Never charted, 2011)

Week 10: Adele

Mo 10.22 

Read: OWEN—Pg. 51 – 100 

Class: Lecture—"Close Reads: A How-To"

We 10.24 

Read: OWEN—Pg. 101 - 150 

Class: Guest lecture—Andrew Hill, Wind Ensemble at SJSU

Upcoming:

Week 11: Frank Sinatra
Mo 10.29
Read: OWEN—Pg. 151 - 200
Class: Reading discussion; Presentations

We 10.31 

Read: eR—“Writing about Music” (University of Calgary), “A Guide to Writing about Music, Pt. 2: Thinking” (Invisible Oranges), “The NPR 100: The Most Important American Musical Works of the 20th Century” (NPR) 

Class: SHORT ANSWER RESPONSES

Music News: 10.20.12

• Willow Smith takes Adele's Skyfall out for a quick spin (Entertainment Weekly )
• You can't kill dubstep (Time )
• Deadmou5 and the rise of electronic dance music (Chicago Tribune )
• Attention illegal downloaders: The Copyright Alert System is coming soon (Spin)
• Madonna shockingly touts guns in her Denver show, only 15 miles from the Dark Knight shooting site (New York Daily News )
• iTunes 11 due by the end of the month (AppleInsider)

Week 09: Led Zeppelin

Led Zeppelin, "Stairway to Heaven" (Never charted, 1971)

Week 09: Led Zeppelin
Mo 10.15

Class: Reading discussion; Presentations

We 10.17

Read: OWEN—Pg. 1 – 50

Class: AUTOBIOGRAPHICAL ESSAY

Due: REFLECTION 05

Upcoming:

Week 10: Adele 

Mo 10.22 

Read: OWEN—Pg. 51 – 100 

Class: Lecture—“Introduction to the Rock Musical”

We 10.24 

Read: OWEN—Pg. 101 - 150 

Class: Guest lecture—Andrew Hill, Wind Ensemble at SJSU 

Music News: 10.13.12

• Punk'd: Justin Bieber pulls elaborate stunt to debut new single (MTV)
• The Boss to stump for Obama in swing states (Rolling Stone )
• Meanwhile, Mitt Romney "free" to use Kid Rock's songs (MTV)
• Lady Gaga honored for her activism by Yoko Ono (Christian Science Monitor)
• X Factor's missing Panda is found (Yahoo!)
• Sweeping changes hit some of Billboard's genre charts (Complex)

Reflection 05: California, Here I Come—Songs of the Golden State

Red Hot Chili Peppers, "Californication" (US #69, 2000)

In 1965, The Mamas & the Papas, stuck in a dreary New York City, pined for a warm Los Angeles day in "California Dreamin'":

All the leaves are brown
(All the leaves are brown)
And the sky is gray.
(And the sky is gray)
I've been for a walk
(I've been for a walk)
On a winter's day.
(On a winter's day).

I'd be safe and warm
(I'd be safe and warm)
if I was in LA
(If I was in LA)
California dreamin'
(California dreamin') on such a winter's day.

The Mamas & the Papas were certainly not alone in longing for California. For decades, hundreds of artists have drawn inspiration from California, and their songs are as diverse as the state itself. For this reflection, examine three of the following songs (one whole California, one NorCal, one SoCal). In your examination, consider how the state is portrayed through all aspects of the song (e.g. melody, lyrics). What images are used? What emotions are evoked? Is it a realistic portrayal of the state or a fantasy? Finally, is the California of these songs something you've experienced?

Whole California:
Leslie Gore, "California Nights"
Phantom Planet, "California"
LL Cool J, "Going Back to Cali"
Eagles, "Life in the Fast Lane" 
Al Jolson, "California, Here I Come"
Carole King, "Back to California"
2Pac, "California Love" 
The Presidents of the United States of America, "Fuck California"
Joni Mitchell, "California"
The Beach Boys, "Surfin' USA"
Eagles, "Hotel California"
The Decemberists, "California One/Youth and Beauty Brigade"
Katy Perry, "California Gurls"
The Beach Boys, "California Girls"
Sammy Hagar, "I Can't Drive 55"

Northern California:
Linda Ronstadt, ""Talk to Me of Mendocino"  
Johnny Cash, "Folsom Prison Blues"
The Doobie Brothers, "Ukiah"
Journey, "Lights"
Tony Bennett,  "I Left My Heart in San Francisco"
Otis Redding, "(Sittin' On) The Dock of the Bay"
Scott McKenzie, "San Francisco (Be Sure to Wear Flowers in Your Hair)"
Judy Garland, "San Francisco" 
Chris Isaak, "San Francisco Days"
Creedence Clearwater Revival, "Lodi"
Dionne Warwick, "Do You Know the Way to San Jose" 
The Thrills, "Santa Cruz (You're Not that Far)"

Southern California:
Dwight Yoakam, "Streets of Bakersfield"
Jan and Dean, "The Little Old Lady from Pasadena"
Doris Day, "Hooray for Hollywood"
Collective Soul, "Hollywood"
Bob Seger and The Silver Bullet Band, "Hollywood Nights"
Randy Newman, "I Love LA"
Missing Persons, "Walking in LA"
Hole, "Celebrity Skin"
Sheryl Crow, "All I Wanna Do" 
Red Hot Chili Peppers, "Under the Bridge"
The Doors, "LA Woman"
Tom Petty, "Free Fallin'"
Frank Sinatra, "LA is My Lady"
Tom Waits, "San Diego Serenade"

Here are some of the most popular websites for song lyrics:

• Lyrics.com
• A-Z Lyrics
• LyricsFreak
• MetroLyrics

Requirements:

• Must be in MLA Style
• Must be two full pages in length
• Must include a works cited page

Due: Wednesday, Oct. 17th

Week 08: Judy Garland

Judy Garland, "The Man that Got Away" from A Star is Born (US, 1954)

Week 08: Judy Garland

Mo 10.08

Read: eR—“You Are What You Hear: What Your Favorite Music Says About You” (NPR Music), “Six Songs of Me” (GuardianMusic), “Does Music Define You?” (NPR Music)

Class: Reading discussion; Presentations

Due: REFLECTION 04

We 10.10

Read: eR—“Music Defines Me” (Aggie Central), “The Sound of a Generation” (NPR Music), “The

Songs That Define Us” (ConversantLife)
Class: Reading discussion; Presentations

Due: EDITORIAL ESSAY (FINAL DRAFT)

Upcoming:

Week 09: Led Zeppelin

Mo 10.15

Class: Reading discussion; Presentations

We 10.17

Read: OWEN—Pg. 1 – 50

Class: AUTOBIOGRAPHICAL ESSAY

Due: REFLECTION 05

 

Music in the News: 10.03.12

Fans got a sneak peak at the new James Bond theme this week

• Adele's theme for the upcoming James Bond film is leaked online (Mashable)
• All hell breaks loose: It's Mariah Carey vs. Nicki Minaj at American Idol's judging table (Los Angeles Times)
• ... and their fans draw battle lines (MTV)
• The compact disc turns 30, starts showing its age (NPR Music) 
• Violence erupts at the BET Awards (The Hollywood Gossip)
• Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak: iTunes should run on Android devices (CNET)

Reflection 04: Girl, You Rock—Understanding Feminist Anthems

Beyoncé, "Me, Myself, and I" (US #4, 2003)

Music has always been a source of inspiration for people. And women, in particular, have used music to share stories, strengthen bonds, and celebrate femininity. This has been no different since the beginning of  the rock and pop era. Early on, female artists often used their songs as feminine rallying cries. Thus, so-called "feminist anthems" have remained a mainstay of American popular music. Bold songs about sexuality, infidelity, sexism, self-esteem, and a range of other topics, aren't uncommon from female artists. In fact, these songs are often unsung during times when the society, as a whole, isn't ready for them. For this reflection, examine four of the following female-empowerment songs. In your analysis, consider what these songs are really about? Who or what are they challenging? And how do these songs reflect the point in history in which they were written?

Write about four of the following songs:

1. Lesley Gore, "You Don't Own Me" (1963) 
2. Nancy Sinatra, "These Boots are Made for Walking" (1966) 
3. Aretha Franklin, "Respect" (1967) 
4. Loretta Lynn, "Don't Come Home a' Drinkin' (With Lovin' on Your Mind)" (1967) 
5. Dolly Parton, “Just Because I’m a Woman” (1968) 
6. Helen Reddy, "I Am Woman" (1971) 
7. Gloria Gaynor, "I Will Survive" (1978) 
8. Sister Sledge, "We are Family" (1979)
9. Joan Jett, "Bad Reputation" (1981) 
10. Cyndi Lauper, "Girls Just Want to Have Fun" (1984)
11. Janet Jackson, "Control" (1986) 
12. Kate Bush, "This Woman's Work" (1988) 
13. Madonna, "Express Yourself" (1989)  
14. Mary Chapin Carpenter, "He Thinks He'll Keep Her" (1993)  
15. Queen Latifah, "U.N.I.T.Y." (1993)
16. Salt-N-Pepa, "Ain't Nuthin' But a She Thing" (1994)
17. Hole, "Doll Parts" (1994)
18. Alanis Morissette, "You Oughta Know" (1995)  
19. Erykah Badu, "Tyrone" (1997) 
20. No Doubt, "Just a Girl" (1995)  
21. TLC, "No Scrubs" (1999) 
22. Dixie Chicks, "Goodbye Earl" (2000) 
23. Destiny's Child, "Independent Woman, Pt. I" (2000) 
24. Madonna, "What it Feels Like for a Girl" (2000)  
25. Destiny's Child, "Survivor" (2001) 
26. Christina Aguilera ft. Lil' Kim, "Can't Hold Us Down" (2003) 
    
27. Beyoncé, "If I Were a Boy" (2008) 
28. Alicia Keys, "Superwoman" (2008)
29. Jordan Sparks, "I am Woman" (2011)
30. Kelly Clarkson, "Stronger (What Doesn't Kill You)" (2012)

Here are some of the most popular websites for song lyrics:

• Lyrics.com
• A-Z Lyrics
• LyricsFreak
• MetroLyrics

Requirements:

• Must be in MLA Style
• Must be two full pages in length
• Must include a works cited page

Due: Monday, Oct. 8th

Week 07: Rodgers & Hammerstein

Rodgers & Hammerstein, "Oh, What a Beautiful Mornin'" from Oklahoma!   (US, 1943)

Week 07: Rodgers & Hammerstein
Mo 10.01
Read: WARS—“Mutual Denials in the Hip Hop Wars” – “Six Guiding Principles for Creativity, Consumption, and Community in Hip Hop and Beyond”
Class: Reading discussion; Lecture—“The Most Common Grammatical Errors—And How to Avoid Them”

We 10.03
Class: Writers workshop; Reading discussion
Due: EDITORIAL ESSAY (DRAFT 1; BRING 2 COPIES)

Upcoming:

Week 08: Judy Garland

Mo 10.08

Read: eR—“You Are What You Hear: What Your Favorite Music Says About You” (NPR Music), “Six Songs of Me” (GuardianMusic), “Does Music Define You?” (NPR Music)

Class: Reading discussion; Presentations

Due: REFLECTION 04

We 10.10

Read: eR—“Music Defines Me” (Aggie Central), “The Sound of a Generation” (NPR Music), “The

Songs That Define Us” (ConversantLife) Class: Reading discussion; Presentations

Due: EDITORIAL ESSAY (FINAL DRAFT)