ROCK ‘n ROLL ‘n THE OUTSIDERS

Themes from “The Outsiders” Forbidden love Social exclusion Friendship

“ Heartbreak Hotel”: Elvis Presley Well, since my baby left me, I found a new place to dwell. It's down at the end of lonely street at Heartbreak Hotel. You make me so lonely baby, I get so lonely, I get so lonely I could die. And although it's always crowded, you still can find some room. Where broken hearted lovers do cry away their gloom. You make me so lonely baby, I get so lonely, I get so lonely I could die. Well, the Bell hop's tears keep flowin', and the desk clerk's dressed in black. Well they been so long on lonely street They ain't ever gonna look back. You make me so lonely baby, I get so lonely, I get so lonely I could die. Hey now, if your baby leaves you, and you got a tale to tell. Just take a walk down lonely street to Heartbreak Hotel.

“You’ve Got to Hide Your Love Away”: The Beatles Here I stand head in hand Turn my face to the wall If she's gone I can't go on Feeling two-foot small Everywhere people stare Each and every day I can see them laugh at me And I hear them say Hey you've got to hide your love away How can I even try I can never win Hearing them, seeing them In the state I'm in How could she say to me Love will find a way Gather round all you clowns Let me hear you say Hey you've got to hide your love away

“I’m So Lonesome I Could Cry”: Hank Williams Hear that lonesome whippoorwill He sounds too blue to fly The midnight train is whining low I'm so lonesome I could cry I've never seen a night so long When time goes crawling by The moon just went behind the clouds To hide its face and cry Did you ever see a robin weep When leaves begin to die? Like me, he's lost the will to live I'm so lonesome I could cry The silence of a falling star Lights up a purple sky And as I wonder where you are I'm so lonesome I could cry

"My Generation“: The Who People try to put us d-down (Talkin' 'bout my generation) Just because we get around (Talkin' 'bout my generation) Things they do look awful c-c-cold (Talkin' 'bout my generation) I hope I die before I get old (Talkin' 'bout my generation) This is my generation This is my generation, baby Why don't you all f-fade away (Talkin' 'bout my generation) And don't try to dig what we all s-s-say (Talkin' 'bout my generation) I'm not trying to cause a big s-s-sensation (Talkin' 'bout my generation) I'm just talkin' 'bout my g-g-g-generation (Talkin' 'bout my generation) This is my generation This is my generation, baby Why don't you all f-fade away (Talkin' 'bout my generation) And don't try to d-dig what we all s-s-say (Talkin' 'bout my generation) I'm not trying to cause a b-big s-s- sensation (Talkin' 'bout my generation) I'm just talkin' 'bout my g-g-generation (Talkin' 'bout my generation) This is my generation This is my generation, baby People try to put us d-down (Talkin' 'bout my generation) Just because we g-g-get around (Talkin' 'bout my generation) Things they do look awful c-c-cold (Talkin' 'bout my generation) Yeah, I hope I die before I get old (Talkin' 'bout my generation) This is my generation This is my generation, baby

To DO! In small groups, students are to select two modern songs. These two songs must relate to two of the different themes discussed throughout The Outsiders. Lyrics to these songs are to be submitted with a short presentation explaining how the songs relate to the themes and to The Outsiders. If class time is available, students could present their songs and rationale to the class.

What you’ll need: song title date recorded/performed topic of lyrics characteristics of lyrics/central message of the song lyrics artist(s) background of artist formal/stylistic musical characteristics historical context at time of recording/performance – connection of song to issues at time of recording/performance

I MUSIC a. Ensemble: What instruments are present? b. Rhythmic Emphasis: What is the dominant beat? What instrument or instruments carry this beat? c. Vocal Style: What words would you use to describe the vocal delivery? d. Instrumental Solo: Is there an instrumental solo? If so, what instrument? II LYRICS a. What are the song’s major themes? Does it tell a story? b. Is there an explicit or underlying political or cultural message? III ARTIST’S HISTORY What are the important elements of the artist’s personal history and career that enhance your understanding of the music? IV SOCIETAL CONTEXT How did the surrounding political and cultural climates influence the artists and their work? V STANCE Which elements of the artist’s live performances and public actions or behavior provide us with a clearer understanding of the music itself?