This class has broadened my knowledge in the music world. I really enjoyed and I am glad I ended up taking this class. Attending this class, gave me lots of insight on what the music world was like outside of my generation. Personally, the music genre I enjoyed the most was Motown. Motown gave African American a stepping stone and an opportunity to really shine and make money in the music industry. My two favorite decades to learn about was the 1960’s and 70’s. I didn’t realize how many songs I knew and enjoyed from those two decades. Artists like: The Temptations, The Supreme’s, Eagles, and more. I also found some new songs that I enjoyed, such as: Be My Baby, A Day in a Life, Summertime, and Roundabout. The Beatles, in the beginning, started off with an innocent sound, and towards the end the had a more experimental and psychedelic sound. In my honest opinion, I absolutely loved The Beatles when they were in the psychedelic stage. When they messed around and cut tape to make the cool sounds and effects in the song, it made the songs so interesting and fun to listen to. Not only was the beat and sounds cool, but the lyrics were pretty interesting as well. I really enjoy when I can listen and interpret a song. I feel like I can appreciate the music a lot more. I am glad I took this class because it gave me a different outlook on music. I even talk to people about what I learn, outside of the class.

While preparing for my Powerpoint presentation of a song, I came across a documentary of Lisa Left Eye Lopes, on of the singers from the American girl group, TLC. I originally was not going to watch it, until I found it on YouTube and decided to impulsively watch it at 3:00 in the morning. Lisa was  a very spiritual, open minded individual. After the group released their last album together, Left eye went “missing.” She started not appearing as much with the group to do interviews and such. She often went to Honduras to “cleanse herself and soul.” She left one time and did not tell anyone and there were headlines everywhere stating “Left Eye MISSING.” She was worried that she would lose fans because people would believe that she did it for attention. After Left Eye came back she decided she wanted to make a solo debut album. Right before her album was suppose to go out, the producer decided to not put it out. That completely devastated Left eye. She decided after that she was going to Honduras to cleanse her soul, but also she was going to make it a documentary about her life. If you have the opportunity to watch it, I highly suggest it. I think sometimes we forget that celebrities are human beings as well. Seeing Left Eye in this documentary is an eye opener especially when she talks about her childhood. The documentary ends by showing the car crash Left Eye got in that ended up killing her. It really saddened me to see this, because she had lots of potential to go on as a solo artist and she never really got to finish her music career the right way.

Music festivals were first established as early as the 1960’s in the United States. In class, we discussed the different festivals that were popular during this time. These festivals included: Monterey Pop Festival, Woodstock, and Altamont. Although the music festivals didn’t last very long, festivals continue to be a popular in today’s era. Given the new age of music and different sounds  we do not have the same music festivals as we did in the 60’s, but they continue to be fun and exciting events to attend. Some of these festivals are more family-friendly compared to some of the festivals in the 60’s, they even have a Disney Music Festival.  Some of the “new- age” major festivals are Coachella and lollapalooza. Coachella is held at Empire Polo Club in Indio, California. This festival includes many genres of music such as: rock, pop, indie, hip hop, and electronic music. Coachella is such a big and popular festival, that tickets sold out by 5pm the same day they went on sale. Coachella sold approximately 125,00 tickets in 2017. Lollapalooza is a 4 day festival that is located in Chicago, Illnois at Grant Park. The generes in this festival are alternative rock, heavy metal, pun rock, hip hop, and electronic music. Lollapalooza tickets sell out about an hour after they go on sale. As years pass, music festivals become more and more popular. With these festivals, comes new music, new sound and also the revival of old music. New artists and bands are discovered and a lot different artists involve children in their performances, to make it a more enjoyable event.

“Waterfalls” TLC

https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1Q1OwO143Qbq2PUfvOMfX4ukAmEpgdPqfGaFT9afr2C0/edit?usp=sharing

[Verse 1]

A lonely mother gazing out of the window

Staring at a son that she just can’t touch

If at any time he’s in a jam, she’ll be by his side

But he doesn’t realize he hurts her so much

But all the praying just ain’t helping at all

Cause he can’t seem to keep his self out of trouble

So he goes out and he makes his money the best way he knows how

Another body laying cold in the gutter

Listen to me

[Chorus]

Don’t go chasing waterfalls

Please stick to the rivers and the lakes that you’re used to

I know that you’re gonna have it your way or nothing at all

But I think you’re moving too fast

[Verse 2]

Little precious has a natural obsession for temptation

But he just can’t see

She gives him loving that his body can’t handle

But all he can say is, “Baby it’s good to me”

One day he goes and takes a glimpse in the mirror

But he doesn’t recognize his own face

His health is fading and he doesn’t know why

Three letters took him to his final resting place

Y’all, don’t hear me

[Chorus]

Don’t go chasing waterfalls

Please stick to the rivers and the lakes that you’re used to

I know that you’re gonna have it your way or nothing at all

But I think you’re moving too fast

Don’t go chasing waterfalls

Please stick to the rivers and the lakes that you’re used to

I know that you’re gonna have it your way or nothing at all

But I think you’re moving too fast

[Verse 3: Left Eye]

Come on!

I seen a rainbow yesterday, but too many storms

Have come and gone, leaving a trace of not one God-given ray

Is it because my life is ten shades of gray, I pray

All ten fade away, seldom praise Him for the sunny days

And like His promise is true, only my faith can undo

The many chances I blew to bring my life to anew

Clear and blue and unconditional skies

Have dried the tears from my eyes, no more lonely cries

My only bleeding hope is for the folk who can’t cope

With such an endurin pain that it keeps ’em in the pourin rain

Who’s to blame for tooting ‘caine into your own vein

What a shame, you shoot and aim for someone else’s brain

You claim the insane, and name this day in time

For falling prey to crime

I say the system’s got you victim to your own mind

Dreams are hopeless aspirations in hopes of coming true

Believe in yourself, the rest is up to me and you

[Chorus]

Don’t go chasing waterfalls

Please stick to the rivers and the lakes that you’re used to

I know that you’re gonna have it your way or nothing at all

But I think you’re moving too fast

Don’t go chasing waterfalls

Please stick to the rivers and the lakes that you’re used to

I know that you’re gonna have it your way or nothing at all

But I think you’re moving too fast

One thing that stuck out to me in our lecture, was the mashup between Aerosmith and Run DMC. It was interesting to hear a mixture of metal and rap. I think this was a huge publicity stunt for both of the bands. Aerosmith died out, but whenever they made this mashup, it made them blow up. Plus, Run DMC was just new coming out, so being featured with an old time band was huge for this group. It both aspects it helped them grow and become famous. Back then, the idea of mixing a rap song and a metal song was mind boggling, which is relatable to present day.

Currently, the United State’s mind is blown with Lil Nas X, “Old Town Road, ” especially the remix with Billy Ray Cyrus. The thought of mixing a rap song and a country song is satisfying and at the same time, unsettling. The lyrics, “Ridin’ on a tractor. Lean all in my bladder. Cheated on my baby. You can go and ask her. My life is a movie. Bull ridin’ and boobies. Cowboy hat from Gucci. Wrangler on my booty,” do not make sense with a country theme. You don’t really think of a cowboy drinking lean, or cheating on his girl (and if he did, he is gonna write about how upset he is that she left and how he regrets it.)

That possibly bridged the gap between white and black audiences. When watching the video of the mashup, I could not help but notice the audience, which was predominantly white,  in the background whenever Run DMC came out. The  crowd was going crazy for them, even after they “crashed” Aerosmith’s concert.

https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1QfKiZvvGSA0lh22XFqd5qMotGaCK6BC1KssAsi-ANSQ/edit#slide=id.g5244d9f2bf_0_0

I Want You Back lyrics:

[Intro: Michael]

Uh-huh huh huh huh

Let me tell ya now

Uh-huh

[Verse 1: Michael]

When I had you to myself

I didn’t want you around

Those pretty faces always made you stand out in a crowd

But someone picked you from the bunch

One glance was all it took

Now it’s much too late for me to take a second look

[Chorus: Michael + (Jackson 5)]

Oh baby give me one more chance

(To show you that I love you)

Won’t you please let me

(back in your heart)

Oh darlin’ I was blind to let you go

(let you go baby)

But now since I see you in his arms

(I want you back)

[Post-Chorus: Michael + (Jackson 5)]

Yes I do now

(I want you back)

Ooh ooh baby

(I want you back)

Ya ya ya ya

(I want you back)

Na na na na

[Verse 2: Michael]

Tryin’ to live without your love

Is one long sleepless night

Let me show you girl

That I know wrong from right

Every street you walk on

I leave tear stains on the ground

Following the girl

I didn’t even want around

Let me tell you now

[Chorus: Michael + (Jackson 5)]

Oh baby all I need is one more chance

(To show you that I love you)

Won’t you please let me

(back to your heart)

Oh darlin’ I was blind to let you go

(let you go baby)

But now since I see you in his arms

Uh-huh

[Bridge: Michael]

A buh buh buh buh

A buh buh buh buh

All I want

A buh buh buh buh

All I need

A buh buh buh buh

All I want

A buh buh buh buh

All I need

[Chorus 2: Jermaine, Michael, and (Jackson 5)]

Oh, just one more chance

To show you that I love you

Baby! Baby!

Baby! Baby!

Baby! Baby!

(I want you back)

[Jackie + (Jackson 5)]

Forget what happened then (I want you back)

[Jermaine]

Let me live again

[Chorus 3: Michael + (Jackson 5)]

Oh baby I was blind to let you go

But now since I see you in his arms

(I want you back)

[Jackie]

Spare me of this cause

[Jermaine]

Gimme back what I lost

[Outro: Michael]

Oh baby I need one more chance ha

I tell ya that I love you

Oh! Oh! Oh! I want you back!

One thing that has stuck with me throughout our discussions in class, is about different races doing covers to songs, or singing songs that are made from another race. Honestly, I believe that is just nonsense. I think music appreciation is extremely important, and there should not be a genre of music for just one race to enjoy. I do not think people should look down on others for doing covers of their songs. I believe that if someone takes the time to cover someone elses song, it is because they really enjoyed it and were inspired by it. I do not think that it is a competition thing at all. I also do not think that the songs worth gets devalued if the opposite race sings it, but I do see where people could get upset over that though. Maybe people are going about it the wrong ways then as well. Maybe when someone does a cover of a song of important cultural background, some tribute needs to be made. Not only just monetary value but a formal, written reason why they chose to sing and cover the song they did. Maybe that would help with all the controversy. But truthfully, as a society, we need to stop segregating things. Instead of saying, “this particular genre is only made for whites to sing and whites to listen to,” we need to have more of an open mind. Music is a way for everybody to come together, but we will never be able to get that way if we keep labeling genres as “black and white.”

Technology has changed music in many ways. You could go back all the way to the invention of guitars or any musical instrument. I believed what piece of technology that really changed music, was the Walkman. The fact that you could take your favorite music around with you and listen to them on your own, really isolating yourself from the world in a way, blew the minds of many. Some discouraged the idea, as like any new idea or product, because they could not understand why anybody would want a tape player that would not record, but once they were marketed, they were a huge hit. From that point on, the way we listen to music changed drastically. After the Walkman, we got the portable cd player, which hit home for me. I got one of those as a kid and I loved it. I would listen to my kids bop cd’s and my “Jojo” cd’s in it. I remember getting so upset because anytime you were listening to it the car, and you hit a bump, the cd would skip and most of the time you would have to turn it off and turn it back on again. After the portable cd player, we had mp3 players, and let’s not lie we all ended up using Limewire to illegally download music even though it gave the computer lots and lots of viruses. After the mp3 player, we got Ipods, which then inevitably gave us the Iphone, which many people have. If it was not for the invention of the Walkman, a music device, around the late 1970’s, we probably would not have the phones we do today.

After a class discussion about how people are critiquing Greta van Fleet for being too much like Led Zepplin, I realized that music today is not original. Music styles, rhythms, and lyrics have been shared and taken multiple times. A couple years back, I remember hearing on the news that the Beach Boys were threatening to sue Katy Perry for not crediting them for “California Girls.” I believe that it is nearly impossible to not copy someone’s style or lyrics at some point. One of my favorite songs, at the moment, is called “Undecided” by Chris Brown. I really liked this song because it has such a cool, positive beat and rhythm. It wasn’t until I played the song in the car with my mom until I realized that the beat and music, that I loved so much, was taken from a song that was one of my moms favorite songs, “I Love Your Smile,”  by Shanice. I was completely astonished. This song that I thought was a completely new style, was not. It was originally Shanice’s then taken by Chris Brown. The more I thought about it, the more it made sense to me. My favorite genre is hip hop, and especially in this genre, everything is shared, from lines to beats to anything. I honestly think that is one of the main reasons that I enjoy listening to hip hop. Familiarity is important. I believe that if something is too original, it would deflect more listeners than attract them.

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