Music often reflects the time in which it was written. Language can be used
artistically to express thought and evoke emotion. We will now be exploring
the language and themes in music.
You will write a two to three page paper on a song with a message (political/social/historical).
You will use NoodleTools to a) make an outline, b) take notes, and
3) create your works cited page and include parenthetical documentation (MLA
Advanced).
Songs (these YouTube videos of the artists/groups performing
their songs have been unblocked for this assignment)
Allentown Billy Joel
Downeaster
Alexa Billy Joel
Goodnight Saigon Billy Joel
Miami 2017 Billy Joel
Vincent Don McLean
American Skin Bruce Springsteen
Mother’s Little Helper Rolling Stones
Mr. Tambourine
Man Bob Dylan
Hurricane Bob Dylan
What's Going On Marvin Gaye
Ohio NeilYoung
Southern Man Neil Young
The Needle and the Damage
Done Neil Young
Bridge Over Troubled
Waters Simon and Garfunkel
Imagine John Lennon
Sunday Bloody Sunday U2
Eleanor Rigby The Beatles
Blackbird The Beatles
Universal Soldier Buffy
Saint-Marie
Eve of Destruction Barry McGuire
Rain on the Scarecrow John Mellencamp
Scarecrow Melissa Etheridge
Society’s
Child Janis
Ian
At Seventeen Janis
Ian
Tattoo Janis Ian
Hotel California The Eagles
White Rabbit Jefferson
Airplane
Ode ot Billy Joe Bobbie Gentry
*Can you pick your own song? Possibly, but it must be approved by Ms. Freidank
and it may not contain foul language or be an edited (censored) version.
Find the lyrics (these sites are not blocked)
Listen very carefully to your song while reading the
lyrics
Look for poetic devices (refer to this handout)
Note themes,
references to events, people,
places,
situations,
etc. Notice how the music makes you feel.
Research the themes, events, people places, events, situations,
group/artist, etc. Great resources are listed below.
Songs
If your song mentions people or for information on the artist or group,
try:
Events
If your song is about historical events, try: