Absolutely. This was the first thing that came to mind.
This past week I started teaching a course on the Sublime at an art school in Kansas City. I'm teaching it as a film studies course, and on the first day of class, I showed a bunch of videos that might possibly depict the sublime.
Most of my students had never heard it before, and they really appreciated an opportunity to listen to it with their eyes closed before rewatching it to see how he was doing it technically. We agreed it might be one of the most sublime pieces of American rock.
Agreed. I liked the live version that Pete Seegar & Bruce Springsteen did in DC at an event the day before Obama's inauguration. But that is just one I like (possibly out of sentimental attachment); there are many which include the original lyrics.
Not a song, but Rhapsody in Blue....my youngest son and I would travel the West, and inevitably, every other day or so, he'd put that on blast in the car, and boy, in those landscapes, was it a bracing evocation of America!
Yes! In my mind "Rhapsody in Blue" is completely fused with the idea of New York City in the 1920s. Similarly, his "Concerto in F." Moving to a completely different kind of American life, "Porgy and Bess." And of his songs, I'd add the relatively little-heard "Of Thee I Sing" which is a hilarious mash-up of a patriotic song and a love song.
Ten of my favorite songs that capture America today...and yesterday:
“Fast Car” — Tracy Chapman
America as escape, work, class, hope, disappointment, and the belief that another life might still be possible.
“Thunder Road” — Bruce Springsteen
America as open road, promise, restlessness, and romantic self-invention. If “Fast Car” is the wounded American dream, “Thunder Road” is the dream before the bill comes due.
Jimi Hendrix playing The Star Spangled Banner at Woodstock!
Absolutely. This was the first thing that came to mind.
This past week I started teaching a course on the Sublime at an art school in Kansas City. I'm teaching it as a film studies course, and on the first day of class, I showed a bunch of videos that might possibly depict the sublime.
Most of my students had never heard it before, and they really appreciated an opportunity to listen to it with their eyes closed before rewatching it to see how he was doing it technically. We agreed it might be one of the most sublime pieces of American rock.
American Tune, Paul Simon
George Gershwin Rhapsody in blue. Summertime also.
The Revolution Will Not Be Televised - Gil Scott Heron
Yes. Another forgotten great poet and musician.
Absolute must-haves in my opinion:
- Woody Guthrie, "This Land is Your Land" (the single song I'd push if I only got one, THE American song as far as I am concerned)
- Something by Bruce Springsteen... hard to pick
- Both "America" by Simon & Garfunkel and "American Tune" by Paul Simon
Also would be good:
- Copland's variations on SImple Gifts
- Songs about particular *parts* of America: e.g. Dar Williams "Iowa", or "Sweet Home Alabama"
I second "America" by Simon and Garfunkel.
I totally agree with "This Land Is Your Land."
All the verses, please. Not just the sanitized ones.
Copland’s Appalachian Spring would be an excellent choice as well.
I suggest Highway Patrolman by Springsteen
Great list! You have to make sure “This Land” has Woody’s original lyrics, which often get sanitized out:
As I went walking I saw a sign there,
And on the sign it said "No Trespassing."
But on the other side it didn't say nothing.
That side was made for you and me.
In the shadow of the steeple I saw my people,
By the relief office I seen my people;
As they stood there hungry, I stood there asking
Is this land made for you and me?
Agreed. I liked the live version that Pete Seegar & Bruce Springsteen did in DC at an event the day before Obama's inauguration. But that is just one I like (possibly out of sentimental attachment); there are many which include the original lyrics.
I prefer reality rather than mythology so:
Fortunate Son - Creedence Clearwater Revival
What’s Goin’ On - Marvin Gaye
Political Science - Randy Newman
Living in the City - Stevie Wonder
Slant 6 Mind - Greg Brown
Born in the USA (demo version) - Bruce Springsteen
Gonna Be Sinkin’ Soon - Norah Jones
Tell Somebody (Repeal the Patriot Act Now) - Rickie Lee Jones
My City is Gone - Pretenders
Nobody Home (alt. version - Chris Smither
This Land is Your Land - Woody Guthrie
Definite on Fortunate Son & Living in the City. Keeping it real!
Yes! Greg Brown's on my list too....and the rest are great as well!
Tracy Chapman. Fast Car
Guy Clark Desperados Waiting For A Train
Jim Webb Galveston
Joni Mitchell The Urge For Going
Curtis Mayfield. People Get Ready
John PHillips. Strange Young Girls
add Jerry Jeff's Mr Bojangles
Dancing in the Street, Martha Reeves & the Vandellas
American Pie
We didn't start the fire, Billy Joel
American Pie, Don McLean
Not a song, but Rhapsody in Blue....my youngest son and I would travel the West, and inevitably, every other day or so, he'd put that on blast in the car, and boy, in those landscapes, was it a bracing evocation of America!
Yes! In my mind "Rhapsody in Blue" is completely fused with the idea of New York City in the 1920s. Similarly, his "Concerto in F." Moving to a completely different kind of American life, "Porgy and Bess." And of his songs, I'd add the relatively little-heard "Of Thee I Sing" which is a hilarious mash-up of a patriotic song and a love song.
African American jazz born in the delta, being composed by a son of Russian Jews. Can you get more American than that?
I'm not an American, but I think you have to include some Tom Petty.
Surprised to be the first to mention Wichita Lineman
Ten of my favorite songs that capture America today...and yesterday:
“Fast Car” — Tracy Chapman
America as escape, work, class, hope, disappointment, and the belief that another life might still be possible.
“Thunder Road” — Bruce Springsteen
America as open road, promise, restlessness, and romantic self-invention. If “Fast Car” is the wounded American dream, “Thunder Road” is the dream before the bill comes due.
“Roadrunner” — The Modern Lovers
Suburban America, radio, highways, loneliness, Massachusetts, neon, motion. It’s Whitman via Stop & Shop.
“Walking in Memphis” — Marc Cohn
America as musical pilgrimage: gospel, blues, Elvis, Beale Street, spiritual hunger, secular myth. Very good for “when you hear America singing.”
“For What It’s Worth” — Buffalo Springfield
America in protest mode: confusion, tension, paranoia, public unrest. Essential, though perhaps too obvious.
“The End of the Innocence” — Don Henley
America looking back at itself with sadness and moral exhaustion.
“Miami 2017” and “Allentown” — Billy Joel
Work, decline, industrial memory, and the American bargain coming apart.
“Everyday People” — Sly & The Family Stone
Communal America
“Big Sky Country” — Chris Whitley
America as landscape
The Boxer - Simon & Garfunkel
As well as Merle Haggard's "If We Make It Through December".
Sam Cooke - "A Change is Gonna Come"