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American Culture and Song Lyrics: Home

Song Previews from the 1910s to Present

American Memory Timeline

 "Sets of selected primary sources on a variety of topics in United States History. The sets are arranged by chronological period.

The primary source excerpts were chosen because they deal with important and interesting topics in U.S. history. Each excerpt is linked to the complete primary source in American Memory from which is has been drawn".

Digital History

Once on site, roll over the grid and select your time period's media, documents or textbook box. Information on what you selected will come up and you will also be able to find out information on events, people, film, images and history of that time period.

Suggested Databases

Related Music Websites

 "A collection of carefully vetted internet resources to provide assistance with understanding music history, song research, and access to other teaching resources like museums and lesson plans".  Click on the picture to access the site.

What Songs Tell Us About People and Society

American Film Institute's : 100 Greatest Songs from the Movies   

The NPR 100 : the most important American musical works of the 20th century   A special series of reports produced by National Public Radio.

The World's Music Charts    The site lists the top 100 songs and albums from most years, as well as every song or album that has been a hit anywhere for the top 1000 artists (including their collaborations) since the year 1900. Every entry includes a complete list of the charts that it featured in, and a complete list of original sources is provided.

National Juke Box - Library of Congress  Offers free, online streaming access to historical sound recordings. Includes Sony Music’s entire pre-1925 catalog, consisting of thousands of recordings produced by Columbia Records, OKeh, and Victor Talking Machine Co.

Get Up, Stand Up : The story of pop and protest   The website for a PBS program that traces the birth of protest songs back to the American union movement and delves into the history of politics and protest in black music. Includes segments on The Preacher and the Slave and We Shall Overcome.

Performing Arts Encyclopedia

       

New Hanover County Public Library Resources

Rock and Roll : An American Story