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