History of Rock and Roll

Readings and Musical Examples

Class 1 (September 28): Introduction to the course; musical terms; 19th-century

Musical examples:

  1. Gilberto Gil, "Chuck Berry Fields Forever" (1978)
  2. The Hutchinson Family, "Get Off The Track" (1844)
  3. Henry Russell, "Woodman! Spare That Tree!" (1837)
  4. Charles K. Harris, "After the Ball" (1892)

 

Class 2 (October 3): Ragtime, Jazz, and Tin Pan Alley

Readings: Reebee Garofalo, Rockin' Out, Introduction and Chapter 1

Musical Examples:

  1. Nora Bayes, "Over There" (1917)
  2. Al Jolson, "Hello Central! Give Me No Man's Land" (1918)
  3. Rudy Vallee, "Life is Just a Bowl of Cherries" (1931)
  4. Bing Crosby, "Brother Can You Spare a Dime?" (1932)
  5. Scott Joplin, "Maple Leaf Rag" (composed 1899; recorded 1916/1986)
  6. Jelly Roll Morton, "Maple Leaf Rag" (1938)

 

Class 3 (October 5): Blues and Country

Readings: Garofalo, Chapter 2; Walser, Chapter 1

Musical Examples:

  1. Fiddlin' John Carson, "The Little Old Log Cabin in the Lane" (1923)
  2. Bessie Smith, "St. Louis Blues" (1925)
  3. Jimmie Rodgers, "Waiting For A Train" (1928)
  4. Blind Willie Johnson, "Nobody's Fault But Mine" (1927)
  5. Robert Johnson, "Cross Road Blues" (1936)
  6. Bob Wills and his Texas Playboys, "Steel Guitar Rag" (1936)
  7. Meade "Lux" Lewis, "Honky Tonk Train Blues" (1937)
  8. Count Basie and His Orchestra, "Doggin' Around" (1938)

 

Class 4 (October 10): Rhythm and Blues

Readings: Garofalo, Chapter 3

Musical Examples:

  1. The Golden Gate Quartet, "Swing Down Chariot" (1946)
  2. Louis Jordan, "Ain't Nobody Here But Us Chickens" (1947)
  3. Wynonie Harris, "Good Rockin' Tonight" (1948)
  4. The Dominoes, "Sixty Minute Man" (1950)
  5. Jackie Brenston, "Rocket 88" (1951)
  6. Hank Williams, "I'll Never Get Out of This World Alive" (1952)
  7. Ruth Brown, "(Mama) He Treats Your Daughter Mean" (1953)
  8. Frank Sinatra, "I've Got You Under My Skin" (Cole Porter, 1936; recorded 1956)
  9. Muddy Waters, "Mannish Boy" (1955)

 

Class 5 (October 12): Rock and Roll

Readings: Garofalo, Chapter 4, pp. 93-116; George Lipsitz, "Cruising Around the Historical Bloc: Postmodernism and Popular Music in East Los Angeles" (in the course reader)

Musical Examples:

  1. T-Bone Walker, "Call It Stormy Monday" (1943)
  2. Willie Mae "Big Mama" Thornton, "Hound Dog" (1953)
  3. Big Joe Turner, "Shake, Rattle, and Roll" (1954)
  4. Bill Haley and His Comets, "Shake, Rattle, and Roll" (1955)
  5. Chuck Berry, "Maybelline" (1955)
  6. Chuck Berry, "Rock and Roll Music" (1957)
  7. Little Richard, "Tutti Frutti" (1955)
  8. Fats Domino, "Ain't It a Shame" (1955)
  9. Ritchie Valens, "La Bamba" (1959)

 

Class 6 (October 17): Doowop and Rockabilly

Readings: Garofalo, Chapter 4, pp. 116-48

Musical Examples:

  1. The Swan Silvertones, "Mary Don't You Weep" (1959)
  2. The Abyssinian Baptist Gospel Choir, "Said I Wasn't Gonna Tell Nobody" (1960)
  3. Ray Charles, "I Got a Woman" (1954)
  4. The Moonglows, "Sincerely" (Harvey Fuqua-Alan Freed), (1955)
  5. Elvis Presley, "Hound Dog" (1956)
  6. Elvis Presley, "Heartbreak Hotel" (1956)
  7. Carl Perkins, "Blue Suede Shoes" (1956)
  8. Bo Diddley, "Bo Diddley" (1955)
  9. Jerry Lee Lewis, "Great Balls of Fire" (1957)
  10. Buddy Holly, "Peggy Sue" (1957)

 

Class 7 (October 19): Reactions to Rock and Roll

Readings: Garofalo, Chapter 5; Walser, Chapter 2

Musical Examples:

  1. Harry Belafonte, "Banana Boat (Day-O)" (1957)
  2. Chubby Checker, "The Twist" (1960)
  3. The Beach Boys, "Surfin' USA" (1963)
  4. Leslie Gore, "It's My Party" (1963)
  5. Leslie Gore, "Judy's Turn to Cry" (1963)
  6. Leslie Gore, "You Don't Own Me" (1963)
  7. The Wailers, "Simmer Down" (1964)
  8. Boukman Eksperyans, "Kalfou Danjere" (1992)
  9. Van Halen, "Runnin' with the Devil" (1978)

 

Class 8 (October 24): Girl Groups, Motown, Folk Music

Readings: Garofalo, Chapter 6, pp. 183-200

Musical Examples:

  1. The Ronettes, "Be My Baby" (1963)
  2. The Shangri-Las, "Leader of the Pack" (1964)
  3. Diana Ross and the Supremes, "Where Did Our Love Go" (1964)
  4. The Four Tops, "Reach Out I'll Be There" (1966)
  5. Marvin Gaye, "I Heard It Through the Grapevine" (1968)
  6. Woodie Guthrie, "This Land is Your Land" (1944)
  7. Bob Dylan, "Blowin' in the Wind" (1962)
  8. Bob Dylan, "Like a Rolling Stone" (1965)
  9. Impressions, "People Get Ready" (Curtis Mayfield) (1965)

 

Class 9 (October 26): The British Invasion; Black is Beautiful

Readings: Garofalo, Chapter 6, pp. 200-217; Barbara Ehrenreich et al, "Beatlemania: Girls Just Want to Have Fun"

Musical Examples:

  1. The Beatles, "She Loves You" (1964)
  2. The Kinks, "You Really Got Me" (1964)
  3. The Animals, "House of the Rising Sun" (1964)
  4. Rolling Stones, "(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction" (1965)
  5. Simon and Garfunkel, "The Sounds of Silence" (1965)
  6. The Byrds, "Turn! Turn! Turn!" (1965)
  7. Wilson Pickett, "In the Midnight Hour" (1965)
  8. James Brown, "Papa's Got a Brand New Bag" (1965)
  9. Aretha Franklin, "Respect" (1967)

 

Class 10 (October 31): The Counterculture

Readings: Garofalo, Chapter 6, pp. 217-38

Musical Examples:

  1. The Who, "My Generation" (1965)
  2. Jefferson Airplane, "White Rabbit" (1967)
  3. The Beatles, "Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds" (1967)
  4. The Doors, "Break on Through (To the Other Side)" (1967)
  5. Jimi Hendrix, "Purple Haze" (1967)
  6. Jimi Hendrix, "The Star Spangled Banner" (1969)
  7. Janis Joplin, "Piece of My Heart" (1968)
  8. Cream, "Crossroads" (1969)
  9. Sly and the Family Stone, "Everyday People" (1968)
  10. The Grateful Dead, "Truckin'" (1970)
  11. Crosby, Stills, Nash, and Young, "Ohio" (1970)
  12. Neil Young, "The Needle and the Damage Done" (1972)

Midterm Exam: November 2

 

Class 11 (November 7): Art Rock, Soul, Soft Rock

Readings: Garofalo, Chapter 7, pp. 239-73

Musical Examples:

  1. The Moody Blues, "Nights in White Satin" (1967)
  2. Procol Harum, "A Whiter Shade of Pale" (1967)
  3. Pink Floyd, "Money" (1973)
  4. Rush, "Limelight" (1981)
  5. Miles Davis, "Bitches Brew" [excerpt] (1969)
  6. Marvin Gaye, "What's Going On" (1971)
  7. Stevie Wonder, "Living for the City" (1973)
  8. Barry White, "Your Sweetness is My Weakness" (1978)
  9. Joni Mitchell, "Help Me" (1974)
  10. Bruce Springsteen, "Born to Run" (1975)
  11. Cui Jian, "I Have Nothing" (1991)

 

Class 12 (November 9): Pop vs. Punk

Readings: Garofalo, Chapter 8, pp. 301-34 (Note: reading is out of order)

Musical Examples:

  1. The Carpenters, "We've Only Just Begun" (1970)
  2. Elton John, "Rocket Man" (1972)
  3. Boston, "More Than a Feeling" (1976)
  4. Steely Dan, "Deacon Blues" (1977)
  5. Bob Marley, "Get Up Stand Up" (1973)
  6. Velvet Underground, "Heroin" (1969)
  7. Patti Smith, "Gloria" (1975)
  8. Ramones, "Pinhead" (1977)
  9. Sex Pistols, "God Save the Queen" (1977)
  10. Talking Heads, "Once In a Lifetime" (1980)
  11. Fela Anikulapo-Kuti, "Zombie" (1976)

 

Class 13 (November 14): Women's Music, Country, Metal, Glam

Reading: Garofalo, Chapter 7, pp. 273-300; Walser, Chapter 4

Musical Examples:

  1. Chris Williamson, "Waterfall" (1975)
  2. The Eagles, "Hotel California" (1977)
  3. Dolly Parton, "9 to 5" (1980)
  4. The Allman Brothers, "Statesboro Blues" (1971)
  5. Lynyrd Skynyrd, "Freebird [live version]" (1977)
  6. Santana, "Black Magic Woman" (1970)
  7. Led Zeppelin, "Whole Lotta Love" (1969)
  8. Black Sabbath, "Iron Man" (1970)
  9. Deep Purple, "Highway Star" (1972)
  10. Led Zeppelin, "Stairway to Heaven" (1971)

 

Class 14 (November 16): Disco, Funk

Reading: Garofalo, Chapter 8, pp. 334-52; Walser, Chapter 5

Musical Examples:

  1. Manu Dibango, "Soul Makossa" (1973)
  2. The O'Jays, "Love Train" (1972)
  3. Parliament, "P. Funk (Wants to Get Funked Up)" (1975)
  4. Donna Summer, "Love to Love You Baby" (1975)
  5. The Trammps, "Disco Inferno" (1977)
  6. Bee Gees, "Stayin' Alive" (1977)
  7. Earth, Wind, and Fire, "September" (1978)
  8. Gloria Gaynor, "I Will Survive" (1978)
  9. Village People, "Y.M.C.A." (1978)
  10. Sylvester, "You Make Me Feel (Mightly Real)" (1979)
  11. Cher, "Believe" (1998)

 

Class 15 (November 21): MTV, Superstars, Mega-Events

Essay Assignment Due

Reading: Garofalo, Chapter 9

Musical Examples:

  1. Michael Jackson, "Black or White" (1991)
  2. Prince, "1999" (1982)
  3. Prince, "Kiss" (1986)
  4. Bruce Springsteen, "Born in the U.S.A." (1984)
  5. Tina Turner, "Private Dancer" (1984)
  6. Ani DiFranco, "Letter to a John" (1994)
  7. Madonna, "Material Girl" (1985)
  8. Madonna, "Like a Prayer" (1989)
  9. Artists United Against Apartheid, "Sun City" (1985)
  10. Paul Simon, "The Boy in the Bubble" (1986)
  11. U2, "Where the Streets Have No Name" (1987)

November 23: Thanksgiving Holiday; no classes

 

Class 16 (November 28): Heavy Metal

Optional extra credit assignment distributed in class

Reading: Garofalo, pp. 395-408: Walser, Chapter 3

Musical Examples:

  1. Van Halen, "Eruption" (1978)
  2. Ozzy Osbourne, "Mr. Crowley" (1981)
  3. Ozzy Osbourne, "Suicide Solution" (1981)
  4. Judas Priest, "Electric Eye" (1982)
  5. Yngwie Malmsteen, "Black Star" (1984)
  6. Bon Jovi, "Living On a Prayer" (1986)
  7. Metallica, "Master of Puppets" (1986)
  8. Guns N' Roses, "Welcome to the Jungle" (1987)
  9. Living Colour, "Cult of Personality" (1988)
  10. Marilyn Manson, "Minute of Decay" (1996)

 

Class 17 (November 30): Hip Hop

Reading: Garofalo, pp. 408-42; Robin D. G. Kelley, "Kickin' Reality, Kickin' Ballistics: 'Gangsta Rap' and Postindustrial Los Angeles"

Musical Examples:

  1. Sugarhill Gang, "Rapper's Delight" (1979)
  2. Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five "The Message" (1981)
  3. Kool Moe Dee, "How Ya Like Me Now" (1987)
  4. Run-D.M.C., "Walk This Way" (1986)
  5. Salt-N-Pepa, "Tramp" (1986)
  6. MC Lyte, "Lyte As a Rock" (1988)
  7. Public Enemy, "Fight the Power" (1989)
  8. Kid Frost, "La Raza" (1990)
  9. Ice Cube, "When Will They Shoot?" (1992)
  10. Body Count, "Cop Killer" (1992)
  11. Boyz II Men, "On Bended Knee" (1994)
  12. Tupac, "Tradin' War Stories" (1996)
  13. Eminem, "The Way I Am" (2000)

 

Class 18 (December 5): "Alternative to What?"

Reading: Garofalo, Chapter 11

Musical Examples:

  1. Nirvana, "Smells Like Teen Spirit" (1991)
  2. REM, "Losing My Religion" (1991)
  3. Pearl Jam, "Jeremy" (1991)
  4. Garth Brooks, "We Shall Be Free" (1992)
  5. P J Harvey, "Ecstasy" (1993)
  6. Nine Inch Nails, "Closer" (1994)
  7. Beck, "Loser" (1994)
  8. Roni Size, "Timestretch" (1994)
  9. Yothu Yindi, "Treaty" (1992)
  10. Cibo Matto, "The Candy Man" (1996)
  11. Moby, "Natural Blues" (1999)
  12. Dixie Chicks, "Goodbye Earl" (1999)
  13. Britney Spears, "Oops...I Did It Again" (2000)

 

Class 19 (December 7): Review, Make-up, Class Presentations, and Discussion

Optional extra credit essay due

Final Exam: Friday, December 15, 11:30-2:30