AMST/MUS 39B: Protest Through Song: Music That Shaped America

Includes much documentary information on the sources, copyright dates, composers, librettists, lyricists, and history of the most familiar melodies in Western music. Each entry includes a musical excerpt and the opening line(s) of text (when appropriate). Often called "Fuld" after the author, James Fuld.

The 14,500 entries are mostly biographical, covering a wide international spectrum of popular music in a broad variety of genres.There are also entries under certain key terms and musical and film titles. The artist entries conclude with discographies. Excellent source for names and dates of songs.

Often called "Kinkle" because of author.

Discography focus but still valuable for finding songs on subjects. Organized into three sections: the songs arranged by subject categories (in alphabetical order); record label codes listing; and subject index.
Superseded eds. are shelved in the stacks and circulate

Also features a catalog of about 4,400 songs mentioned in the articles.

Includes songs from the areas of folk songs and ballads; contemporary pop songs; nursery rhymes; sea chanteys; music-hall ballads; works from musical theater, film, radio, and television; political campaign songs; church carillons; school, college, and university songs; bugle calls; and advertising and commercial jingles. Also includes certain classical, ballet, and symphonic themes that have become world standards. Chapter 9 (pp. 621-719) offers a very handy "Thesaurus of Song Titles by Subject, Key Word, and Category."

Themes include characters and personalities; commutations media; death; education; marriage, family life, and divorce; military conflicts; occupations; materialism and workplaces; personal relationships, love, and sexuality; political protest and social criticism; poverty and unemployment; race relations; religion; transportation systems; urban life; and youth culture).

Chapter 6, "What's the Key?" (pp. 151-62) surveys each key's associated mood plus representative works that provide a quick guide to many of the most common pieces of the classical repertory. Chapter 7, "Music Played," (pp. 163-77), provides many ideas for what type of music occurred when. Beware: this book is definitely not for scholars--but it is full of material that may suggest pieces for background music.