Unit 34: Contemporary Songwriting Techniques Task: You have been asked to create a audio/visual presentation that analyses a range of iconic songwriters and songs and the genres/styles in which they operate/d. Your presentation should address the following features for a minimum of four different genres/styles: Genre – what is the style of music? Lyrical Context – what are the lyrics about? How were they constructed? Do they rhyme? Etc. Song Construction- What is the order of sections? What key is the song in? What instruments are playing? Is there a specific hook/riff/chord pattern? Historical Context – When was the song written? Does it have any historical context or importance? How has the song been used since?

Bob Dylan "Blowin' in the Wind" Genre – Folk: This form of Folk is a genre that evolved out of traditional music during the 20th century. However much of the characteristics remain the same to make sure it still sounds like folk music. Folk music usually was associated with a national culture, commemorates historical and personal events and is transmitted through oral tradition. Lyrical Context – The theme is thought to be Dylan comparing his own political sensibility in comparison to newspapers blowing in New York streets and Alleys. Song Construction- Originally the song was written with only 2 verses. However after it’s first public performance Dylan added an extra verse. What key is the song in? Historical Context – The song was recorded on July 9 1963 and has been considered the anthem of the 1960s civil rights movement.

Dolly Parton “9 to 5" Genre – Country Pop: Country Pop is a subgenre which was the result of country music’s desire to reach a more mainstream audience. In doing this the objective was to gain a larger audience within pop music without alienating it country listeners. Lyrical Context – The song owes it’s title to an organization founded in 1973 with the aim of bringing about better treatment for women in the workplace. Song Construction - It is in F# key. Historical Context – It was recorded in 1980. The song can be considered a symbol of independence for Women.

Kurt Cobain “Smells like Teen Spirit" Genre – Grunge: Grunge is a subgenre of alternative rock. It’s name came from it’s use of distorted guitars being played in a sludgy pace and form. This is used to help it sound Grungier hence it’s name. Lyrical Context – This song was heavily influenced by that of the pop band “The Pixies”. Kurt Cobain came up with this name when his friend Kathleen Hanna pointed out that he smelled like the deodorant “Teen Spirit” which his then- girlfriend was wearing. Song Construction- He used the Pixies’ sense of dynamics; being a quiet and soft and then loud. It is in F minor key. Historical Context – It was recorded on May 1991. Does it have any historical context or importance? How has the song been used since?

Lennon and McCartney "A Hard Day´s Night" Genre – Rock & Roll: This is a genre which originated a mixture of predominantly African-American genres including Blues, Jazz, Boogie and Gospel as well as western Swing and Country music. Common characteristics include using electric guitars, drum sets and oral performance. Lyrical Context – The song was inspired when Beatles drummer Ringo Starr said “'It's been a hard day…' '...night!’ after doing a job which lasted the whole day. And came to use the title 'A Hard Day's Night.’” Song Construction – The song is thought be in a mixture of D minor, F major and G major key. The song is immediately identifiable by the first chord. Historical Context – The song was written and recorded in the period of 2001 – 2002. The song was the fifth of seven songs by the Beatles to hit #1 in a one-year period, an all-time record on the US charts. This song eventually won a Grammy and was ranked 154 on Rolling Stone’s “Greatest Songs of All Time” list. Lennon and McCartney

Chuck Berry "Johnny B. Goode" Genre – Rock and Roll Lyrical Context – The song is about a poor country boy who plays the guitar like “just like ringing a bell” and who’s name might be in lights some day. Song Construction- The song is in B-flat major and F major key. Historical Context – It was initially inspired Berry’s piano player, Johnnie Johnson. The song was ranked number 7 on Rolling Stone’s “500 Greatest Songs of All Time”.

Bob Marley “3 Little Birds” Genre – Reggae: Reggae is a sound which was strongly influenced by Mento and Calypso music of the Caribbean as well as American Jazz and Rhythm and Blues. Characteristics of this genre include off beat chords played each bar. Lyrical Context – The lyrics are thought to be about three canaries that used to fly next to his home. However a reggae trio named I Threes claimed that it was about them. Song Construction- What is the order of sections? The song is in A key. Historical Context – The song was written and recorded in 1977. Its is Bob Marley's most beloved and popular song in his catalogue Bob Marley

Eminem “Lose yourself” Genre – Hip-Hop: Hip-Hop music is a sound which was introduced when music of Dancehall and Reggae had met Funk and Jazz music. It’s characteristics include “rapping” which is spoken word poetry performed while a backing track is playing. The backing track usually contains samples and drum machine patterns. Lyrical Context – The lyrics explicitly sum up the background of Eminem's character in 8 Mile, B. Rabbit, with the first verse summing up much of the plot of the movie. As this is a hip-hop song a majority of lyrics rhyme. Song Construction- The sections are: Intro, Verse, Chorus, Verse, Chorus, Verse, Chorus, Outro. The song is in D minor key. Historical Context – The song was written while Eminem was on set of 8 Mile during 2001 - 2002. This song is one of the the only 3 hip-hop songs on Rolling Stone’s “500 Greatest Songs of All Time” list.

Comparison Of all of these genres, Folk is the most traditional. However Hip-Hop sounds the most distinct from all of the other genres simply because vocal use and instrumentation is completely different. Reggae’s most distinct feature is it’s common performance is Jamaican patois and it’s of beat chords. Grunge is more slurred music with distorted guitars however sounds the most like Rock and Roll. Country Pop shares similarities with that of Folk the most. However Rock and Roll also shares similarities with Folk music. Grunge, Rock and Roll, Country Pop and Folk all sound the most similar because their origins are the most similar. Reggae shares its origins with Hip-Hop as well as Hip-Hop being a derivative form of Reggae despite Hip-Hop being the least traditional.