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Songs of America: Patriotism, Protest, and the Music That Made a Nation
A celebration of America and the music that inspired people and illuminated eras, from the Revolutionary War to the present, by Pulitzer Prize winner Jon Meacham and Grammy winner Tim McGraw.
From "The Star Spangled Banner" to "Born in the U.S.A.," Jon Meacham and Tim McGraw take us on a journey through the eras and the music that helped to shape a nation. Meacham writes a celebration of the history and songs of the eras, and McGraw reflects on these songs as an artist and performer. Beginning with the battle hymns of the Revolution, and taking us through songs from the defining events of the Civil War, the two World Wars, the Great Depression, the Civil Rights movement, the Vietnam War, into the twenty-first century, Meacham and McGraw explore the songs that defined generations and the cultural and political climates that made them. The songs of America remind us where we've been, who we are—and what we can be.
From "The Star Spangled Banner" to "Born in the U.S.A.," Jon Meacham and Tim McGraw take us on a journey through the eras and the music that helped to shape a nation. Meacham writes a celebration of the history and songs of the eras, and McGraw reflects on these songs as an artist and performer. Beginning with the battle hymns of the Revolution, and taking us through songs from the defining events of the Civil War, the two World Wars, the Great Depression, the Civil Rights movement, the Vietnam War, into the twenty-first century, Meacham and McGraw explore the songs that defined generations and the cultural and political climates that made them. The songs of America remind us where we've been, who we are—and what we can be.
289 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 13, 2019
787 people are currently reading
3959 people want to read
About the author
Jon Meacham
69 books3,039 followersJon Ellis Meacham is an American writer, reviewer, historian and presidential biographer who is serving as the Canon Historian of the Washington National Cathedral since November 7, 2021. A former executive editor and executive vice president at Random House, he is a contributing writer to The New York Times Book Review, a contributing editor to Time magazine, and a former editor-in-chief of Newsweek. He is the author of several books. He won the 2009 Pulitzer Prize for Biography or Autobiography for American Lion: Andrew Jackson in the White House. He holds the Carolyn T. and Robert M. Rogers Endowed Chair in American Presidency at Vanderbilt University.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 362 reviews
February 17, 2020
Songs of America: Patriotism, Protest, and the Music that Made a Nation by Jon Meacham and Tim McGraw is a 2019 Random House publication.
I love reading books about music history. Naturally, this book piqued my curiosity, but I had no idea what to expect from it.
At first it was a little dry, but as we marched on through history, it got more interesting. There are so many great songs that reflect the feelings of more than one side of any given situation.
The book highlights the fact that there have been many times when our nation seemed more polarized than others, and there have always been two sides to any given situation. The songs showcased in this book reflect the various opinions of Americans all throughout our history.
Rarely ever were we all in agreement. Some voices overpowered others for a long time, but there have always been both patriotic songs and songs of protest- and yes, they can be both.
Music is an expression of emotion- ranging from pride to fear, from suffering to triumph. I thought the parallels were interesting and the history is very thought-provoking. Just as an example- the book examines Lee Greenwood’s massive hit- “God Bless the USA” alongside Bruce Springsteen’s "Born in the USA".
Lee Greenwood’s song is very patriotic, focusing on the promise and dreams of a country open to all, while Springsteen sings of broken promises and unfulfilled dreams. As the book points out- neither song is wholly right or wholly wrong- it’s a matter of perspective. But, no matter what your point of view, or unique circumstances- it’s still our country- we are all in this together.
You will recognize most of these songs, some are more obscure, but they all have a message- some we may no longer agree with- while others will always stand the test of time. I enjoyed the history, loved the two distinct voices- Jon’s and Tim’s- each bringing their own brand of expertise to the book.
I switched back and forth between reading the e- book version and listening to the audio version on Scribd. If possible- I recommend both print/digital and audio. The book has photographs you will want to see, and the audio adds some pizazz to the book, with an occasional bit of music playing in the background, plus Jon Meacham has a great speaking voice. For those who may be wondering- Tim McGraw does not sing on the audio version. LOL!
Also, be aware, there are few curious issues with the book. Some areas get a lot of attention, while others are hurriedly skimmed over. I’m not sure why that was, but it could have been a little more comprehensive in some places and lighted up in others. In other words, it sometimes lacked an appropriate balance.
There are probably many other songs that could have been highlighted, but this is not a ‘list’ book and there did seem to be a prominent theme, which was to highlight the various voices, with varying opinions, and how they expressed their plight through music.
For anyone who might be wondering about the tunes or melodies of these songs, there are many resources online, or maybe at your local library, to satisfy your curiosity on that front.
Overall, this was an interesting book with lots of rich history and inspiration. The patriotic and protest anthems are not as common now, but I’m thinking that instead of wasting time on vitriolic expressions on social media, we should consider utilizing the power of song, which has often brought us together in one voice, to express ourselves more meaningfully and productively, through verse and music.
I love reading books about music history. Naturally, this book piqued my curiosity, but I had no idea what to expect from it.
At first it was a little dry, but as we marched on through history, it got more interesting. There are so many great songs that reflect the feelings of more than one side of any given situation.
The book highlights the fact that there have been many times when our nation seemed more polarized than others, and there have always been two sides to any given situation. The songs showcased in this book reflect the various opinions of Americans all throughout our history.
Rarely ever were we all in agreement. Some voices overpowered others for a long time, but there have always been both patriotic songs and songs of protest- and yes, they can be both.
Music is an expression of emotion- ranging from pride to fear, from suffering to triumph. I thought the parallels were interesting and the history is very thought-provoking. Just as an example- the book examines Lee Greenwood’s massive hit- “God Bless the USA” alongside Bruce Springsteen’s "Born in the USA".
Lee Greenwood’s song is very patriotic, focusing on the promise and dreams of a country open to all, while Springsteen sings of broken promises and unfulfilled dreams. As the book points out- neither song is wholly right or wholly wrong- it’s a matter of perspective. But, no matter what your point of view, or unique circumstances- it’s still our country- we are all in this together.
You will recognize most of these songs, some are more obscure, but they all have a message- some we may no longer agree with- while others will always stand the test of time. I enjoyed the history, loved the two distinct voices- Jon’s and Tim’s- each bringing their own brand of expertise to the book.
I switched back and forth between reading the e- book version and listening to the audio version on Scribd. If possible- I recommend both print/digital and audio. The book has photographs you will want to see, and the audio adds some pizazz to the book, with an occasional bit of music playing in the background, plus Jon Meacham has a great speaking voice. For those who may be wondering- Tim McGraw does not sing on the audio version. LOL!
Also, be aware, there are few curious issues with the book. Some areas get a lot of attention, while others are hurriedly skimmed over. I’m not sure why that was, but it could have been a little more comprehensive in some places and lighted up in others. In other words, it sometimes lacked an appropriate balance.
There are probably many other songs that could have been highlighted, but this is not a ‘list’ book and there did seem to be a prominent theme, which was to highlight the various voices, with varying opinions, and how they expressed their plight through music.
For anyone who might be wondering about the tunes or melodies of these songs, there are many resources online, or maybe at your local library, to satisfy your curiosity on that front.
Overall, this was an interesting book with lots of rich history and inspiration. The patriotic and protest anthems are not as common now, but I’m thinking that instead of wasting time on vitriolic expressions on social media, we should consider utilizing the power of song, which has often brought us together in one voice, to express ourselves more meaningfully and productively, through verse and music.
July 1, 2019
3.5 From George Washington and the American Revolution to the present, Meacham charts the music and what it meant during that time period. Music has the ability to make one recall a specific time and place, to elicit sadness and joy, pride and pain. When a song is played it sparks a memory, and often, at least for me, I can remember exactly where I was and what I was doing when the don't was played. Washington recognizes the importance of song, and used it to keep his men marching on. My country this of thee, written to the tune of Britains, God save the Queen. Even Bruce Springsteen's album, the Rising, is mentioned. Meacham narrates the explanation for a certain town, placing it in its historical context, and then Tim McGraw reads the song. Silly me, I was hoping McGraw would sing the songs. Alas, that didn't happen.
It was the chapter on the slave songs that most interested me, and though I have read other books on the subject, this provided me with further information. Sorrow songs, expressing the human experience of the slaves. "The highest joy and deepest sadness." What I had never realized it that many of these songs carried messages, codes of a sort. Tubman used a song to tell the others she was leaving, escaping.
Not a in-depth study, but a nice, interesting introductory to meaningful songs through the ages.
ARC from Edelweiss.
It was the chapter on the slave songs that most interested me, and though I have read other books on the subject, this provided me with further information. Sorrow songs, expressing the human experience of the slaves. "The highest joy and deepest sadness." What I had never realized it that many of these songs carried messages, codes of a sort. Tubman used a song to tell the others she was leaving, escaping.
Not a in-depth study, but a nice, interesting introductory to meaningful songs through the ages.
ARC from Edelweiss.
August 20, 2019
Tone deaf. Unable to “ carry a tune in a bucket.” Doesn’t matter. We sing. We sing in church. We sing at concerts. We sing in the car. Music is important to us.
Historian Jon Meacham and country artist Tim McGraw look at the role music has played throughout the development of the U.S. in Songs of America: Patriotism, Protest and the Music that Made a Nation. From the Liberty Song in 1768 to Only in America in 2005, we have relied on songs to make our views known, to inspire others to join us and our cause, and to ease the pain of unbearable crises. As the authors point out The Battle Hymn of the Republic was sung by one faction in our nation during the Civil War. I Wish I Was in Dixie land, by the other. These songs mirrored our debates and dissensions. These songs also gave comfort to their respective side.
Meacham provides context for the music of each period detailing the events, conflicts and controversies there within. McGraw gives the viewpoint of a performer and artist. He looks at the more personal effect of music. As he said singing Lift Every Voice and Sing helps ease the pain of spirituals and hymns.
This is a sweeping survey of music in America’s story. Many interesting pairings are discussed. Happy Days are Here Again and Brother Can You Spare a Dime are certainly diverse. There are many interesting stories told in relation to the songs that are highlighted. I found it sad to think that Meerapol wrote Strange Fruit because he “really hated lynching.” How sad to think that there was even lynching to hate. This book might just give you a new insight into what you are currently listening to.
Historian Jon Meacham and country artist Tim McGraw look at the role music has played throughout the development of the U.S. in Songs of America: Patriotism, Protest and the Music that Made a Nation. From the Liberty Song in 1768 to Only in America in 2005, we have relied on songs to make our views known, to inspire others to join us and our cause, and to ease the pain of unbearable crises. As the authors point out The Battle Hymn of the Republic was sung by one faction in our nation during the Civil War. I Wish I Was in Dixie land, by the other. These songs mirrored our debates and dissensions. These songs also gave comfort to their respective side.
Meacham provides context for the music of each period detailing the events, conflicts and controversies there within. McGraw gives the viewpoint of a performer and artist. He looks at the more personal effect of music. As he said singing Lift Every Voice and Sing helps ease the pain of spirituals and hymns.
This is a sweeping survey of music in America’s story. Many interesting pairings are discussed. Happy Days are Here Again and Brother Can You Spare a Dime are certainly diverse. There are many interesting stories told in relation to the songs that are highlighted. I found it sad to think that Meerapol wrote Strange Fruit because he “really hated lynching.” How sad to think that there was even lynching to hate. This book might just give you a new insight into what you are currently listening to.
dnf
July 16, 2019For an audiobook, what a missed opportunity!
This had the potential to be a truly great audiobook. Given the format, I was expecting that excerpts of the songs would be added to the audiobook recording. To my surprise, Tim McGraw read the lyrics. Without performances of the songs, this is sadly a pretty lackluster audiobook. I returned on Libby before finishing because this just didn't live up to its potential.
This had the potential to be a truly great audiobook. Given the format, I was expecting that excerpts of the songs would be added to the audiobook recording. To my surprise, Tim McGraw read the lyrics. Without performances of the songs, this is sadly a pretty lackluster audiobook. I returned on Libby before finishing because this just didn't live up to its potential.
May 4, 2019
Oh, I so enjoyed reading this book! From the beginning with the beautiful and inspirational Overture on The History of Music by Jon Meacham, I did not want to stop reading this history of America through music.
Music brings a deep association with the events and places I have experienced. When I hear a song I can place myself in a specific place and point in time. The Green Berets by Barry Sadler came out when I was fourteen. It had pride of country and was an appealing march. I bought a ceramic green beret pin at a drug store counter.
But the patriotic support of the war was short-lived and the backdrop of my teenage years was filled with anti-war music including Turn, Turn Turn, Where Have All the Flowers Gone? and Give Peace a Chance.
The music of my life tracked the social changes going on. The songs about women waiting for men became feminist anthems. Love of country was replaced by calls for justice and equity. Love songs were still popular, but cooler were the protest songs for social change with messages of universal love, peace, inclusion, anti-authority, and dropping out of the system.
The music of patriotism is inevitably the music of protest, Meacham writes, adding that history is not just read, but is something we also hear. And he notes that history is a continual process. He holds hope that we "can overcome fear, that light can triumph over darkness, that we can open our arms rather than clench our fists." Music reminds the nation of where we have been and points to what we can become.
The authors begin with pre-Revolutionary songs such as John Dickinson's 1768 The Liberty Song which rallied the colonies to unite in a righteous cause and move through history to Bruce Springsteen's protest anthem Born in the U. S. A. Each song placed in its historical and cultural setting.
Over There was George Cohen's "bugle call"
evoking the American Revolution's Yanke Doodle in its patriotism.
"Johnny get your gun...show the "Hun" you're a son-of-a-gun"
"And we won't come back till it's over, over there."
The music discussed by Meacham and commented on by McGraw includes the well-known and well-beloved but also lesser-known songs that were influential in their day. They all represent America at a specific historical era: The Revolutionary War, the War of 1812, slavery and abolition, the Civil War, minstrel shows and racism, WWI and WWII, the social movements of Civil Rights and equal rights and voting rights, the reactive rise of the Klan and Jim Crow, the cultural division of the 1970s, and the political divisions of the last fifty years.
WWI saw patriotic music like America, Here's My Boy
with a mother offering her 'boy' to the cause...
and anti-war protest music like I Didn't Raise My Boy to be a Soldier.
McGraw's contributions are inserted in text boxes. He addresses the songs from a musician's viewpoint and from a personal, emotional response.
Songs of America is a book of history, filled with stories that trace the complicated American experiment in democracy.
In 1938 Irving Berlin's God Bless America was debuted on Kate Smith's CBS radio show. Woody Guthrie's This Land Is Your Land was originally titled God Blessed America and questioned the inequality behind the American promise.
History is an argument without end, Meacham shares. Americans have argued and fought, and dissent and protest continue, but this book offers the promise that "America is not finished, the last notes have not yet been played," and calls us to lift every voice and sing in the continuing great national conversation.
I received an ebook from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for a fair and unbiased review.
Music brings a deep association with the events and places I have experienced. When I hear a song I can place myself in a specific place and point in time. The Green Berets by Barry Sadler came out when I was fourteen. It had pride of country and was an appealing march. I bought a ceramic green beret pin at a drug store counter.
But the patriotic support of the war was short-lived and the backdrop of my teenage years was filled with anti-war music including Turn, Turn Turn, Where Have All the Flowers Gone? and Give Peace a Chance.
The music of my life tracked the social changes going on. The songs about women waiting for men became feminist anthems. Love of country was replaced by calls for justice and equity. Love songs were still popular, but cooler were the protest songs for social change with messages of universal love, peace, inclusion, anti-authority, and dropping out of the system.
The music of patriotism is inevitably the music of protest, Meacham writes, adding that history is not just read, but is something we also hear. And he notes that history is a continual process. He holds hope that we "can overcome fear, that light can triumph over darkness, that we can open our arms rather than clench our fists." Music reminds the nation of where we have been and points to what we can become.
The authors begin with pre-Revolutionary songs such as John Dickinson's 1768 The Liberty Song which rallied the colonies to unite in a righteous cause and move through history to Bruce Springsteen's protest anthem Born in the U. S. A. Each song placed in its historical and cultural setting.
Over There was George Cohen's "bugle call"
evoking the American Revolution's Yanke Doodle in its patriotism.
"Johnny get your gun...show the "Hun" you're a son-of-a-gun"
"And we won't come back till it's over, over there."
The music discussed by Meacham and commented on by McGraw includes the well-known and well-beloved but also lesser-known songs that were influential in their day. They all represent America at a specific historical era: The Revolutionary War, the War of 1812, slavery and abolition, the Civil War, minstrel shows and racism, WWI and WWII, the social movements of Civil Rights and equal rights and voting rights, the reactive rise of the Klan and Jim Crow, the cultural division of the 1970s, and the political divisions of the last fifty years.
WWI saw patriotic music like America, Here's My Boy
with a mother offering her 'boy' to the cause...
and anti-war protest music like I Didn't Raise My Boy to be a Soldier.
McGraw's contributions are inserted in text boxes. He addresses the songs from a musician's viewpoint and from a personal, emotional response.
Songs of America is a book of history, filled with stories that trace the complicated American experiment in democracy.
In 1938 Irving Berlin's God Bless America was debuted on Kate Smith's CBS radio show. Woody Guthrie's This Land Is Your Land was originally titled God Blessed America and questioned the inequality behind the American promise.
History is an argument without end, Meacham shares. Americans have argued and fought, and dissent and protest continue, but this book offers the promise that "America is not finished, the last notes have not yet been played," and calls us to lift every voice and sing in the continuing great national conversation.
I received an ebook from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for a fair and unbiased review.
October 31, 2019
Songs of America: Patriotism, Protest, and the Music That Made a Nation was a delightful book to read over the Independence Day weekend, as it was a journey of America's history brought to life through its songs. From the music during the American Revolution and the War of 1812 to songs of the Civil War and the fight for civil rights and the abolition of slavery, featuring Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass. Also explored in music was the long struggle for the cause of women's suffrage and equal rights. It continues to highlight the music in the wake of World Wars I and II, wonderful patriotic and moving songs capturing the mood and economics of the country at that time. There is a wonderful section told through music of the continuing struggle for civil rights as fought by Martin Luther King and Presidents John Kennedy and Lyndon Johnson during the tumultuous 1960's and the escalation of the Vietnam War. This book concludes with the attack on the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001, featuring the music of the times, including Bruce Springsteen as well as old favorites like Irving Berlin's God Bless America and Katherine Lee Bates, America the Beautiful, important in our healing process. It is a patriotic look at the historical context of music in our sometimes tumultuous history at a time that we may need it.
"Such are the sounds of our history, whispers from the American pageant. They are glimpses and glimmers from our common story, a story of promises made and broken, of reform and reaction--a story fundamentally shaped by the perennial struggle between what Abraham Lincoln called 'the better angels of our nature' and our worst impulses."
"Such are the sounds of our history, whispers from the American pageant. They are glimpses and glimmers from our common story, a story of promises made and broken, of reform and reaction--a story fundamentally shaped by the perennial struggle between what Abraham Lincoln called 'the better angels of our nature' and our worst impulses."
June 29, 2019
Let's be clear about one thing: This is not a songbook. Lyrics, when they appear, accompany the historical narrative written by co-author Jon Meacham with occasional sidebar insights by country music star Tim McGraw (a friend and neighbor of Meacham). Some of the songs mentioned are of praise, others of protest - but all (ahem!) underscore what was happening at various times of crisis from the Revolutionary War to the Great Depression, 9/11 and more.
Personally, I'm a huge fan of music; history, not so much. But brought together here, they make for a very interesting, enlightening book from which I learned quite a bit (one of the more surprising facts being that the lyrics of quite a few of the songs we all know and love were added to already-written tunes).
I also did not know that there's an Abolitionist version of "My Country 'Tis of Thee" in which the line "Sweet land of liberty" became "Stronghold of slavery." I was unaware that the lyrics of some well-known spirituals were used as signals to those seeking freedom in other lands like Canada (in the "Coming for to carry me home" line of "Swing Low, Sweet Chariot," home is not a reference to Heaven). And "Dixie" was written specifically to be sung by white men in blackface, perhaps in minstrel shows which, for the record, remained popular in my small home town till not long before I graduated from high school in 1959.
Particularly since the book is a relatively short 289 pages (nearly half of the length is comprised of notes and reference material), I'm not even going to try to offer up more in-depth information. The authors do caution that many songs that have the potential to be mentioned here are not. One of those omissions most notable by me, for instance, is Pete Seeger's "Where Have All the Flowers Gone" - a long-time favorite that makes my eyes tear up every time I hear it. While I'd like to have seen a couple more examples to accompany each of the significant events of history, I understand that what's here is meant to be representative, not all-inclusive. As such, it is well worth reading.
And if you're like me, it'll stick with you for a while. Days after finishing the book, I can't get Woody Guthrie's catchy "This Land is Your Land" out of my head. Oh, but did you know the original version of this popular rah-rah America anthem contains rarely sung verses of political protest? Imagine that!
Personally, I'm a huge fan of music; history, not so much. But brought together here, they make for a very interesting, enlightening book from which I learned quite a bit (one of the more surprising facts being that the lyrics of quite a few of the songs we all know and love were added to already-written tunes).
I also did not know that there's an Abolitionist version of "My Country 'Tis of Thee" in which the line "Sweet land of liberty" became "Stronghold of slavery." I was unaware that the lyrics of some well-known spirituals were used as signals to those seeking freedom in other lands like Canada (in the "Coming for to carry me home" line of "Swing Low, Sweet Chariot," home is not a reference to Heaven). And "Dixie" was written specifically to be sung by white men in blackface, perhaps in minstrel shows which, for the record, remained popular in my small home town till not long before I graduated from high school in 1959.
Particularly since the book is a relatively short 289 pages (nearly half of the length is comprised of notes and reference material), I'm not even going to try to offer up more in-depth information. The authors do caution that many songs that have the potential to be mentioned here are not. One of those omissions most notable by me, for instance, is Pete Seeger's "Where Have All the Flowers Gone" - a long-time favorite that makes my eyes tear up every time I hear it. While I'd like to have seen a couple more examples to accompany each of the significant events of history, I understand that what's here is meant to be representative, not all-inclusive. As such, it is well worth reading.
And if you're like me, it'll stick with you for a while. Days after finishing the book, I can't get Woody Guthrie's catchy "This Land is Your Land" out of my head. Oh, but did you know the original version of this popular rah-rah America anthem contains rarely sung verses of political protest? Imagine that!
June 16, 2019
This was kind of a dud for me. I love music and I always love learning about a song's history, but this fell flat (pun intended). Some songs had tons of info about them, others had just brief mentions. Protest songs of the Vietnam era were largely limited to CCR's "Fortunate Son", despite there being several other anti-war songs from that time. The Kent State shootings were mentioned, but not the "Ohio" song by Crosby, Stills and Nash, at least not that I could see.
Even older patriotic songs were given short shrift. So we find out "Yankee Doodle Dandy" came from an English tune, but that's it. Nothing on the lyrics to it or their meaning. Irving Berlin's "God Bless America" was limited to two paragraphs and more attention was given to "The White Cliffs of Dover". Both were good WWII songs, but "God Bless America" seems a little more important than the "White Cliffs of Dover".
And some of the songs didn't even have the full lyrics. Where Meacham starts talking about "The Star-Spangled Banner", he omits the opening lyrics.
It was also haphazardly put together. Sections jumped around and seemed to lack focus. Tim McGraw's commentaries were interesting and it was cool to learn some of the tidbits about the different songs, but a lot of it just seemed tone deaf and not music to my ears.
Even older patriotic songs were given short shrift. So we find out "Yankee Doodle Dandy" came from an English tune, but that's it. Nothing on the lyrics to it or their meaning. Irving Berlin's "God Bless America" was limited to two paragraphs and more attention was given to "The White Cliffs of Dover". Both were good WWII songs, but "God Bless America" seems a little more important than the "White Cliffs of Dover".
And some of the songs didn't even have the full lyrics. Where Meacham starts talking about "The Star-Spangled Banner", he omits the opening lyrics.
It was also haphazardly put together. Sections jumped around and seemed to lack focus. Tim McGraw's commentaries were interesting and it was cool to learn some of the tidbits about the different songs, but a lot of it just seemed tone deaf and not music to my ears.
August 31, 2021
Songs of America is a beautiful blend of history and music that shaped the dynamic of our nation. This book is a great addition to your history books. Music was used as a tool of justice. "In a sense, songs are the soul of a moment," observed Martin Luther King Jr.
This book takes us through the insight of hymns used on the battlefields, songs that inspired movements like the Civil Rights Movement, the Great Depression, and other noteworthy songs behind the history and journey that celebrate America. I think the collaboration between historian Jon Meacham and singer Tim McGraw is an instrumental partnership to remind us what we can be in this country, based on where we've been and who we are. Music helps us to connect to the sentiments of the population, to help us get through some challenging times, and to give us a deeper appreciation that empowers our freedoms in this country and helps us evolve to change for the better.
"If art is to nourish those roots of our culture, society must set the artist free to follow his vision wherever it takes him. We must never forget that art is not a form of propaganda, it is a form of truth." -President John F. Kennedy
This book takes us through the insight of hymns used on the battlefields, songs that inspired movements like the Civil Rights Movement, the Great Depression, and other noteworthy songs behind the history and journey that celebrate America. I think the collaboration between historian Jon Meacham and singer Tim McGraw is an instrumental partnership to remind us what we can be in this country, based on where we've been and who we are. Music helps us to connect to the sentiments of the population, to help us get through some challenging times, and to give us a deeper appreciation that empowers our freedoms in this country and helps us evolve to change for the better.
"If art is to nourish those roots of our culture, society must set the artist free to follow his vision wherever it takes him. We must never forget that art is not a form of propaganda, it is a form of truth." -President John F. Kennedy
May 31, 2020
*GoodReads Giveaway*
It took me some time to get into this. I was hoping to get it in time to celebrate our local music fest. I wanted to immerse myself in music, its celebration and what it meant for our times. I had this vision in my head that I was going to turn this book into part of my adventure. I was going to read this book and parcel out its historical significance while experiencing the music of our current times to see how it spoke to our current times. Whether the music was a point of resistance or rallying cry for the people I wanted to be there in the thick of it. Although I enjoyed my day at the festival by the time I received my copy my excitement for the book had waned. It did not help that Songs of America did not meet my expectations. I had thought it would be more revolutionary and so I found it to be a bit bland for the first few chapters. Now here I am nearly a year later picking it up where I left off. I admit I also borrowed the audiobook from my library. I thought if I heard Tim McGraw singing these songs of patriotism that it would make me more motivated to finish the book. But alas, this may be the only audiobook co-authored by an actual living legend that has absolutely NO SINGING. That was disappointing and a bit flat I might add but I did find that as I got to later chapters I was more interested. Perhaps because these later chapters deal with the Civil Rights movement. I don't know exactly but it did lead me to add another star to my rating. My suggestion to anyone interested in reading this book is to pick up the print edition. It makes for a beautiful table copy and has many powerful images throughout each chapter.
It took me some time to get into this. I was hoping to get it in time to celebrate our local music fest. I wanted to immerse myself in music, its celebration and what it meant for our times. I had this vision in my head that I was going to turn this book into part of my adventure. I was going to read this book and parcel out its historical significance while experiencing the music of our current times to see how it spoke to our current times. Whether the music was a point of resistance or rallying cry for the people I wanted to be there in the thick of it. Although I enjoyed my day at the festival by the time I received my copy my excitement for the book had waned. It did not help that Songs of America did not meet my expectations. I had thought it would be more revolutionary and so I found it to be a bit bland for the first few chapters. Now here I am nearly a year later picking it up where I left off. I admit I also borrowed the audiobook from my library. I thought if I heard Tim McGraw singing these songs of patriotism that it would make me more motivated to finish the book. But alas, this may be the only audiobook co-authored by an actual living legend that has absolutely NO SINGING. That was disappointing and a bit flat I might add but I did find that as I got to later chapters I was more interested. Perhaps because these later chapters deal with the Civil Rights movement. I don't know exactly but it did lead me to add another star to my rating. My suggestion to anyone interested in reading this book is to pick up the print edition. It makes for a beautiful table copy and has many powerful images throughout each chapter.
July 12, 2019
Disappointing - I expected more (or different). Too much history, not enough music.
July 10, 2020
As I read this book, I listened to and sang along with YouTube videos. Having grown up in rocking town, I enjoyed the chapter where the writers discussed folk rock and soul music. I had to make myself stop listening to the music so I could finish the book. So many good memories.
Read with GR Non Fiction Book Club.
Read with GR Non Fiction Book Club.
March 2, 2022
I received this as a gift from a group of great friends. I had previously known that I wanted to read it as I have such great respect for the main author, Jon Meacham, and love his commentary on a wide variety of topics. He certainly delivered a great study on the impact of music throughout American history be it proactively to cause some action/reaction and/or reactively to respond to some major event or issue. American history and politics are and have long been for me a major focus so this way of dissecting our history was quite intriguing. The bonus in this was Tim McGraw who contributed delightful musings on songs, songwriters, etc. from the first calls for independence through to wars, political issues and campaigns to civil rights, women’s rights and LGBT rights movements and on to new possibilities for this country of ours even in the midst of strife and discord. I loved it and highly recommend it for history buffs who also have a love of music. This connection between those two worlds is a fun and entertaining way to give yourself a brief refresher course in US History.
Favorite quotes:
“Politicians, preachers and songwriters are really in the same business - using sound to move hearts and change minds.” (McGraw)
“In a dissonant world, every moment of harmony counts and if we can share music, we might just shout in anger a little less and sing in unity a bit more. Or so we can hope.” (Meacham)
Favorite quotes:
“Politicians, preachers and songwriters are really in the same business - using sound to move hearts and change minds.” (McGraw)
“In a dissonant world, every moment of harmony counts and if we can share music, we might just shout in anger a little less and sing in unity a bit more. Or so we can hope.” (Meacham)
August 23, 2019
Don't simply read "Songs of America."
Have YouTube close by so you can listen to U.S. history while you relive it — and sometimes learn that history — through its music.
Author Jon Meacham colors the highlights of America's past with anecdotes and insight, plus lessons that needed to be learned — and in some cases still need to be learned. It's anything but the boredom inducing tomes of history class.
And songster Tim McGraw adds context from the musical world to many of the key pieces that played a part in America's development and ongoing story. His writing is joyfully tight and poignant; don't skip a single one of his sidebars.
What I found enlightening was going to YouTube to listen especially to songs with which I was unfamiliar. Pieces like:
• "Swing Low, Sweet Chariot"
• "I Didn't Raise My Boy to be a Soldier" (a WWI protest song)
• "Brother, Can You Spare a Dime?" (the Great Depression era, sung by, unexpectedly, Bing Crosby)
• Woody Guthrie's "Dust Bowl Blues"
• "Strange Fruit" (sung by Billie Holiday, about the lynching of black people)
• "You'll Never Know" (a WWII favorite sung by Vera Lynn).
Music becomes markers in U.S. history, with songs like "The Battle Hymn of the Republic" doting the war between the states; "Over There" denoting WWI and "Born in the USA" in the aftermath of the Vietnam War.
Elvis is there, and Bob Dylan and Johnny Cash with his "Singing' in Vietnam Talkin' Blues," one you won't want to miss hearing. Aretha, of course, Peter, Paul and Mary, Lee Greenwood, The Animals and SSgt. Barry Sadler with his "The Ballad of the Green Berets." Marian Anderson, Irving Berlin Mahalia Jackson, Duke Ellington, Sam Cooke and many more.
I'd heard the phrase "Okie from Muskogee" but didn't know it was a song. It would play well again in the Red States today. It's counterpoint could very well be "Mississippi Goddam," written and sung by Nina Simone, shortly after the assassination of Black civil rights advocate Medgar Evers and the bombing of a church in Birmingham, Alabama, that took the lives of four black children.
A personal favorite: "Waist Deep in the Big Muddy." Pete Seeger wrote that as anti-war song while the U.S. was embroiled in Vietnam. Listen to it, and see if you find it might be about current times as well.
Have YouTube close by so you can listen to U.S. history while you relive it — and sometimes learn that history — through its music.
Author Jon Meacham colors the highlights of America's past with anecdotes and insight, plus lessons that needed to be learned — and in some cases still need to be learned. It's anything but the boredom inducing tomes of history class.
And songster Tim McGraw adds context from the musical world to many of the key pieces that played a part in America's development and ongoing story. His writing is joyfully tight and poignant; don't skip a single one of his sidebars.
What I found enlightening was going to YouTube to listen especially to songs with which I was unfamiliar. Pieces like:
• "Swing Low, Sweet Chariot"
• "I Didn't Raise My Boy to be a Soldier" (a WWI protest song)
• "Brother, Can You Spare a Dime?" (the Great Depression era, sung by, unexpectedly, Bing Crosby)
• Woody Guthrie's "Dust Bowl Blues"
• "Strange Fruit" (sung by Billie Holiday, about the lynching of black people)
• "You'll Never Know" (a WWII favorite sung by Vera Lynn).
Music becomes markers in U.S. history, with songs like "The Battle Hymn of the Republic" doting the war between the states; "Over There" denoting WWI and "Born in the USA" in the aftermath of the Vietnam War.
Elvis is there, and Bob Dylan and Johnny Cash with his "Singing' in Vietnam Talkin' Blues," one you won't want to miss hearing. Aretha, of course, Peter, Paul and Mary, Lee Greenwood, The Animals and SSgt. Barry Sadler with his "The Ballad of the Green Berets." Marian Anderson, Irving Berlin Mahalia Jackson, Duke Ellington, Sam Cooke and many more.
I'd heard the phrase "Okie from Muskogee" but didn't know it was a song. It would play well again in the Red States today. It's counterpoint could very well be "Mississippi Goddam," written and sung by Nina Simone, shortly after the assassination of Black civil rights advocate Medgar Evers and the bombing of a church in Birmingham, Alabama, that took the lives of four black children.
A personal favorite: "Waist Deep in the Big Muddy." Pete Seeger wrote that as anti-war song while the U.S. was embroiled in Vietnam. Listen to it, and see if you find it might be about current times as well.
July 26, 2019
From "The Liberty Song" of John Dickinson, to "Born in the USA" by Bruce Springsteen, this book goes through the highlights of America's political history in song. Music, as it turns out, was as important to the political theory of George Washington as it was to MLK. Music may not start a movement, but no movement can succeed long or against great odds without powerful songs to motivate and inspire its followers, and sometimes, even convert its opponents. In the 1950s, when Civil Rights activists in the South were getting arrested, they would sing songs like "We Shall Overcome." The tunes were so compelling that even the policemen making the arrests would start swaying their heads, tapping their toes or even humming along, until they caught themselves doing it. Movements today should take note. Where's a song about the Green New Deal?
November 1, 2019
Everything from the “Star Spangled Banner” and “Yankee Doodle Dandy” to “Born in the USA” and “I’m Proud to be American” and all the songs in between. Our Patriotic songs, protest songs, songs that reflected the America’s highs, the guided through our hard times, and often sent us off to war. This is a history of America through its music. A very interesting take on who we were and who we have become. Primarily written by John Meachem with some input in the songs themselves by Tim McGraw.
August 4, 2022
In the chapter "Archie Bunker v. The Age of Aquarius," Jon Meacham cites the words of scholar and historian Craig Werner, "Music doesn't create movements, but if a movement exists, it can power and drive that movement." This is an intriguing tour of American history powered and driven by the songs that inspired, gave hope, gave praise, gave comfort, told a story, galvanized people, and still do all this. It's also a history of American songs birthed by the events in American history. Meacham's writing keeps the history from being dry, and he keeps a tight focus on the power of music to move people, and to express discord without rancor.
A pleasant bonus are the reflections of Tim McGraw on highlight songs. Readers will find new appreciation for some of these songs, some we are familiar with and others less so. As an artist and performer, his remarks on selected songs can be moving while consistently fleshing out the story and meaning of the lyrics. I'd like to have had more of his reflections.
This is an excellent book to use in an American history class.
The book's concluding paragraph is, I think, worth repeating: "Artists and audience, activists and observers, we're all still reaching for an understanding of how we might make our union a bit more perfect. For the song of America is not finished; the last notes have not yet been played. In that spirit, in that cause, now and always, let us lift every voice, and sing."
And, if you collect songs, you may be adding songs to your collection as you read this book.
A pleasant bonus are the reflections of Tim McGraw on highlight songs. Readers will find new appreciation for some of these songs, some we are familiar with and others less so. As an artist and performer, his remarks on selected songs can be moving while consistently fleshing out the story and meaning of the lyrics. I'd like to have had more of his reflections.
This is an excellent book to use in an American history class.
The book's concluding paragraph is, I think, worth repeating: "Artists and audience, activists and observers, we're all still reaching for an understanding of how we might make our union a bit more perfect. For the song of America is not finished; the last notes have not yet been played. In that spirit, in that cause, now and always, let us lift every voice, and sing."
And, if you collect songs, you may be adding songs to your collection as you read this book.
May 6, 2022
This is a wonderful history of American music. All Americans know at least some of these songs and have sung them many times. It’s good to know how they came to be. I do wish they’d included a cd or a playlist, though.
This unbiased review is based on a copy won through the Goodreads Giveaway program.
This unbiased review is based on a copy won through the Goodreads Giveaway program.
May 17, 2020
Biographer Jon Meacham and country music artist Tim McGraw make an unlikely writing team, but the two paired up to write a book about American music. The book's focus is on patriotic songs and songs of protest. Beginning with songs of the Revolutionary War period and extending into recent times, the two examine the songs that struck a chord with our nation. Included in the volume are songs from slavery and from the civil rights era, songs supporting women's suffrage, and other similar occasions. Of course, war time also yielded a large repertoire of patriotic music. While the book seems well-researched, the hidden endnotes create an appeal with the average American rather than with academics.
July 8, 2019
A fantastic book! It surprised me how much I enjoyed the history lesson that this book really is. It kept the stories entertaining and basic enough to not bore anyone. The photos were fantastic and I loved learning about all the songs too.
June 10, 2019
Now a days we take music and the meaning for granted. This book was kind of the history of music and some songs that impacted our country all these years later. The authors did an amazing job at doing research and telling the story of some well known songs and how they came about. Some of these songs I grew up singing and can’t ever remember where they came from. Like most some of the stories told in this book we were taught in school and others I don’t ever remember hearing. It gives me a whole new appreciation for those who came before us and paved the road for us in one way or another. The authors also manager to right a story or those lives and how their lives where impacted by the times and what took place.
I have always loved history and I feel like this book gives you a whole other look into the history of music and how poetry was just as important to song writing even in the 1700's when America was found. With everything going on in our government it was a reminder of what our forefathers intended for our country, and how even some of this men failed at their best intention. Over all if you like music of any kind or like history I would recommend this book if gives you a whole new respect for both. I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley. I was under no obligation to post a review and have given my honest opinion.
I have always loved history and I feel like this book gives you a whole other look into the history of music and how poetry was just as important to song writing even in the 1700's when America was found. With everything going on in our government it was a reminder of what our forefathers intended for our country, and how even some of this men failed at their best intention. Over all if you like music of any kind or like history I would recommend this book if gives you a whole new respect for both. I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley. I was under no obligation to post a review and have given my honest opinion.
June 15, 2019
What a fun book! I enjoyed reading about the songs, some familiar to me and others not, which made our country. The format of the book was accessible, moving more or less chronologically from the American Revolution to the aftermath of 9/11.
I appreciated the diversity of songs discussed - songs by indigenous peoples, the spirituals sung by enslaved people, anthems sung by suffragists and civil rights activists, patriotic songs and protest songs.
I also enjoyed he sidebars by Tim McGraw, which brought a professional musician’s sensibility to the discussion. Thanks to NetGalley for providing an ARC copy for my review.
I appreciated the diversity of songs discussed - songs by indigenous peoples, the spirituals sung by enslaved people, anthems sung by suffragists and civil rights activists, patriotic songs and protest songs.
I also enjoyed he sidebars by Tim McGraw, which brought a professional musician’s sensibility to the discussion. Thanks to NetGalley for providing an ARC copy for my review.
July 20, 2019
I was randomly selected by Random House to receive a free copy. This did not impact my review. First of all, the publisher did not stint on this book. The cover is sturdy and the paper is heavy weight glossy - don't drop this one on your foot. To be honest, I was expecting songs with some history thrown in for perspective. Instead, I read a book on American politics. I learned things I had not known so the time was not wasted but this was not the book I had anticipated reading. From the notes to readers at the beginning, there is repeated material from some of Mr. Meacham's earlier works. I appreciated the insight from Tim McGraw and wished he had a larger footprint within the book.
February 14, 2020
I always loved my American History classes in my youth so I am perhaps impartial. This book was a wonderful history lesson mapping songs most impactful from the beginning of the US with historic events. The pictures and added context boxes with Tim McGraw breaking down the music meaning was really good. Glad this caught my eye at the library!
July 8, 2019
3.75 stars
Very interesting look at the history of music in America (got a bit dry in spots, especially early parts of the book discussing the Revolutionary War). I was surprised how many songs I wasn't familiar with, but found most of them on UTube.
Very interesting look at the history of music in America (got a bit dry in spots, especially early parts of the book discussing the Revolutionary War). I was surprised how many songs I wasn't familiar with, but found most of them on UTube.
July 21, 2019
Heavy on narrative, light on song. Often has so much commentary and historical background, it buries the songs it is trying to illustrate. Way too many quotations that are extraneous to the music itself.
May 28, 2021
Review title: Lift every voice and sing
“A folk song,” [Woody] Guthrie wrote, “is what’s wrong and how to fix it or it could be who’s hungry and where their mouth is or who's out of work and where the job is or who's broke and where the money is or who's carrying a gun and where the peace is.” (p. 124). His lost is prescient and precise. These are the songs Meacham and McGraw write about in this book about the music, heart, politics, and spiritual soul of America. While a bit too light on comprehensive coverage of the history and the music to earn a five-star classic rating, what is here is definitely worth the reading.
Biographer and historian Meacham provides the words and country music star Tim McGraw the music (in the form of brief sidebars on what the songs mean to him as a musician) as they take a quick trip through the role of the music that has inspired or been inspired by politics and protest in American history, starting with "The Liberty Song" from 1768 and going through the songs like Bruce Springsteen's "My City of Ruins" inspired by 9/11.
Meacham makes the point in his introduction that history, and music, isn't just something we learn, it is something we hear (p. 3). The hearing of the music, both its words and tunes, has great emotional and political impact. The strongest impacts for me in this collection are the tunes that are declared or considered national anthems. Here is McGraw on Dixie, the unofficial national anthem of the Confederacy, a song written in 1859 by a white Ohio minstrel performer and first performed by white minstrel singers in blackface on a New York City stage "pretending to be blacks who were supposed to be pining nostalgically for the South . . . suggesting that the 'land of cotton' was preferable to the free North" (p. 81):
Race (or Caste, in the term used by Isabel Wilkerson's recent bestseller) will never be an easy problem to untangle in America, even--or especially--in our popular culture because of its deep penetration into minds and memories.
"Lift Every Voice and Sing" is considered the Black National Anthem, as I had heard before reading about its history and reading its lyrics here for the first time, and has been proposed as a new national anthem for America. Stop and listen to a version on YouTube as you read the lyrics; it is beautiful music and its hopeful and haunting lyrics are worthy of such an honor. Ray Charles's version of America the Beautiful I have often said would be my choice for the national anthem, and Barack Obama agrees with me here (p. 116).
While not associated with any songs we still sing regularly, the women's sufferage movement spawned music when Susan B. Anthony registered to vote in 1872 after reading a newspaper editorial exhorting its readers to register, without referencing gender. She overcame the reluctance of the registrars by pointing out that neither the 14th Amendment nor the New York state constitution listed gender as a requirement for voting. While she was duly registered, she was arrested and convicted when she exercised her vote, despite her statement in court 'My natural rights, my civil rights, my political rights, my judicial rights, are all alike ignored.' (p. 98). The music of patriotism and protest can sing loudly and proudly in defense of all four sources of our rights and liberties.
This volume is nicely produced, well illustrated, and referenced with footnotes and bibliography. Read and listen to the music of our history.
“A folk song,” [Woody] Guthrie wrote, “is what’s wrong and how to fix it or it could be who’s hungry and where their mouth is or who's out of work and where the job is or who's broke and where the money is or who's carrying a gun and where the peace is.” (p. 124). His lost is prescient and precise. These are the songs Meacham and McGraw write about in this book about the music, heart, politics, and spiritual soul of America. While a bit too light on comprehensive coverage of the history and the music to earn a five-star classic rating, what is here is definitely worth the reading.
Biographer and historian Meacham provides the words and country music star Tim McGraw the music (in the form of brief sidebars on what the songs mean to him as a musician) as they take a quick trip through the role of the music that has inspired or been inspired by politics and protest in American history, starting with "The Liberty Song" from 1768 and going through the songs like Bruce Springsteen's "My City of Ruins" inspired by 9/11.
Meacham makes the point in his introduction that history, and music, isn't just something we learn, it is something we hear (p. 3). The hearing of the music, both its words and tunes, has great emotional and political impact. The strongest impacts for me in this collection are the tunes that are declared or considered national anthems. Here is McGraw on Dixie, the unofficial national anthem of the Confederacy, a song written in 1859 by a white Ohio minstrel performer and first performed by white minstrel singers in blackface on a New York City stage "pretending to be blacks who were supposed to be pining nostalgically for the South . . . suggesting that the 'land of cotton' was preferable to the free North" (p. 81):
And so I have to reconcile my memory of this song with its history and its purpose. I grew up in Northeast Louisiana, surrounded by cotton fields, on a street beside a cotton gin in the one-stoplight town of Start. My stepdad, Horace, was a truck driver who hauled cotton seed all over the Southeast, and I spent a lot of time as a kid riding along with him, listening to 8-track tapes of country-music icons Merle Haggard and George Jones. Those are some of my favorite childhood memories. Cotton and country music were how I grew up, so when I hear the refrain “I wish I was in the land of cotton...” I sing along and think about my little postage stamp of earth, with a reflexive emotional longing to go back to the simplicity of being a kid in Louisiana.
Then, though, my brain kicks in, and I remember all that the song represents to so many others, and what history, not my heart, tells me it means. “Dixie” is an inescapable part of Southern and of American history, and I have no doubt that it portrays a pro-slavery point of view and relegates African Americans to the most un-American of places: a place where human beings are considered inferior because of the color of their skin and the circumstances of their birth. That may have been who we were, but it can’t be who we are. (p. 83)
Race (or Caste, in the term used by Isabel Wilkerson's recent bestseller) will never be an easy problem to untangle in America, even--or especially--in our popular culture because of its deep penetration into minds and memories.
"Lift Every Voice and Sing" is considered the Black National Anthem, as I had heard before reading about its history and reading its lyrics here for the first time, and has been proposed as a new national anthem for America. Stop and listen to a version on YouTube as you read the lyrics; it is beautiful music and its hopeful and haunting lyrics are worthy of such an honor. Ray Charles's version of America the Beautiful I have often said would be my choice for the national anthem, and Barack Obama agrees with me here (p. 116).
While not associated with any songs we still sing regularly, the women's sufferage movement spawned music when Susan B. Anthony registered to vote in 1872 after reading a newspaper editorial exhorting its readers to register, without referencing gender. She overcame the reluctance of the registrars by pointing out that neither the 14th Amendment nor the New York state constitution listed gender as a requirement for voting. While she was duly registered, she was arrested and convicted when she exercised her vote, despite her statement in court 'My natural rights, my civil rights, my political rights, my judicial rights, are all alike ignored.' (p. 98). The music of patriotism and protest can sing loudly and proudly in defense of all four sources of our rights and liberties.
This volume is nicely produced, well illustrated, and referenced with footnotes and bibliography. Read and listen to the music of our history.
July 20, 2020
I made several notes throughout this book. But before I mention them I wanted to comment that before we moved the family, to TN 3 years ago, my kids went to a public charter school, John Adams Academy, in CA. They wore uniforms in Red, White, & Blue, said the Pledge of Allegiance every morning, and sang patriotic songs daily. The school used teaching skills based on the founding fathers and rarely used actual books. When we moved to TN, my kids teachers were so impressed with my kids intellect and how they quickly caught on to new subjects and material. Notes:
Enjoyed Chapter 2, specifically the Star Spangled Banner. This history reminded me of a paper I wrote in college on our National Anthem. Secondly, in high school, I was the "home" game Anthem singer for all ours sports. That experience also propelled me in college to sing the Anthem for home games at American River Junior College, Sacramento City College, and California State University, Sacramento. I was also privileged to sing the National Anthem at an NBA Sacramento Kings game, in front of approximately 10,000 people. That was an amazing!! I also really enjoyed the Harriet Tubman part. Yesterday, I finished the book Harriet Tubman: The Moses of Her People, so it was nice to put these two books together.
Finished through Chapter 5. Chapter 4 was fabulous. Perhaps it is because I was so familiar with the songs more than other chapters. George M Cohan is my new favorite person. In his lifetime, Cohan published over 300 songs and created over 50 musicals! Chapter 5 was America the Beautiful. The song was a contender for the U.S. national anthem, along with “My Country ‘Tis of Thee” and “The Star Spangle Banner”. The song compares the beauty and grandeur of the country to the ideals and principles presented in our Declaration of Independence and Constitution. The descriptions of our national treasures (both natural and man-made) and the praise for those who came before us are used to help see the value of the social contract that binds us together as a nation. It brought together our "Human Brotherhood". I love the statement in this chapter that read, "there is only one class of people, it is WE THE PEOPLE"! That was profound.
Finished the book today. Chapter 6 marked the era of Martin Luther King, Jr. The most prolific statement was "Songs are the soul of movement." Mention of Medgar Evers, the American Civil Rights Activist, was discussed here. Recently finished the book, Ghosts of Mississippi: The Murder of Medgar Evers, the Trials of Byron De La Beckwith, and the Haunting of the New South, and this chapter brought about much of the feelings I had of that book. This chapter also really got into "Politicians, Singers, and Preachers all being in the same business to use sound to move hearts and change minds". So true that statement is. This chapter also brought me into the music I started to grow up with and love. Nina Simone was/is one of my favorite singer/songwriters. It was very interesting history to learn she didn't want to get involved in the movement of civil rights. It wasn't until the murder of Medgar Evers and 4 black children at a church that changed her mind and "Mississippi, God Damn" was a result, a song I listened to often.
Chapter 7 really brought me into the music I grew up on with music from the late 60's and the 70's. Creedance Clearwater Revival among my all time favorites to this day. I really enjoyed reading about Johnny Cash, a artist who was often overlooked. His song and words of "Ragged Ol' Flag" was riveting and memorizing.
I appreciate the Chapter 8 was not wholly about 9/11 and Osama bin Laden. While those events are part of our history, we have heard it and know it. It was the songs themselves that came from that event that struck a chord within every American; among them Bruce Springsteen's "Born in the USA" and Lee Greenwood's "God Bless the USA". Listening to either of those songs will certainly make any American PROUD TO BE AN AMERICAN. I encourage you to listen to the latest rendition of "God Bless the USA" performed by Lee Greenwood, Home Free, and The Singing Sergeants. Have the Kleenex in hand. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gs0fx...
This would have been 5 stars had they included actual music in the audio. It was missing and it was felt that it was missing. I think the book could have been so much more with it included.
Enjoyed Chapter 2, specifically the Star Spangled Banner. This history reminded me of a paper I wrote in college on our National Anthem. Secondly, in high school, I was the "home" game Anthem singer for all ours sports. That experience also propelled me in college to sing the Anthem for home games at American River Junior College, Sacramento City College, and California State University, Sacramento. I was also privileged to sing the National Anthem at an NBA Sacramento Kings game, in front of approximately 10,000 people. That was an amazing!! I also really enjoyed the Harriet Tubman part. Yesterday, I finished the book Harriet Tubman: The Moses of Her People, so it was nice to put these two books together.
Finished through Chapter 5. Chapter 4 was fabulous. Perhaps it is because I was so familiar with the songs more than other chapters. George M Cohan is my new favorite person. In his lifetime, Cohan published over 300 songs and created over 50 musicals! Chapter 5 was America the Beautiful. The song was a contender for the U.S. national anthem, along with “My Country ‘Tis of Thee” and “The Star Spangle Banner”. The song compares the beauty and grandeur of the country to the ideals and principles presented in our Declaration of Independence and Constitution. The descriptions of our national treasures (both natural and man-made) and the praise for those who came before us are used to help see the value of the social contract that binds us together as a nation. It brought together our "Human Brotherhood". I love the statement in this chapter that read, "there is only one class of people, it is WE THE PEOPLE"! That was profound.
Finished the book today. Chapter 6 marked the era of Martin Luther King, Jr. The most prolific statement was "Songs are the soul of movement." Mention of Medgar Evers, the American Civil Rights Activist, was discussed here. Recently finished the book, Ghosts of Mississippi: The Murder of Medgar Evers, the Trials of Byron De La Beckwith, and the Haunting of the New South, and this chapter brought about much of the feelings I had of that book. This chapter also really got into "Politicians, Singers, and Preachers all being in the same business to use sound to move hearts and change minds". So true that statement is. This chapter also brought me into the music I started to grow up with and love. Nina Simone was/is one of my favorite singer/songwriters. It was very interesting history to learn she didn't want to get involved in the movement of civil rights. It wasn't until the murder of Medgar Evers and 4 black children at a church that changed her mind and "Mississippi, God Damn" was a result, a song I listened to often.
Chapter 7 really brought me into the music I grew up on with music from the late 60's and the 70's. Creedance Clearwater Revival among my all time favorites to this day. I really enjoyed reading about Johnny Cash, a artist who was often overlooked. His song and words of "Ragged Ol' Flag" was riveting and memorizing.
I appreciate the Chapter 8 was not wholly about 9/11 and Osama bin Laden. While those events are part of our history, we have heard it and know it. It was the songs themselves that came from that event that struck a chord within every American; among them Bruce Springsteen's "Born in the USA" and Lee Greenwood's "God Bless the USA". Listening to either of those songs will certainly make any American PROUD TO BE AN AMERICAN. I encourage you to listen to the latest rendition of "God Bless the USA" performed by Lee Greenwood, Home Free, and The Singing Sergeants. Have the Kleenex in hand. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gs0fx...
This would have been 5 stars had they included actual music in the audio. It was missing and it was felt that it was missing. I think the book could have been so much more with it included.
July 13, 2019
There were things I thought this would be that it isn’t. I thought they would pick a dozen songs and tell how they tell the bigger picture. They actually mention many more songs and dozens of artists. I also thought musician Tim McGraw would dissect lyrics or why songs are played the way they are. Is this better on guitar vs. piano? Fast vs. slow. From the format of the book, McGraw has these asides where he really adds fluff.
There was a lot of good here. I looked up and discovered some new songs. I loved the song, Our Day Will Come by Ruby and the Romantics. The bossa nova melody, the harmony and the simple beauty of the lyrics. After this book, the song has a new dimension I never heard. I loved that insight.
I want to find more of these songs on the web and these artists. This was a good intro to some and details into others I really liked.
There was a lot of good here. I looked up and discovered some new songs. I loved the song, Our Day Will Come by Ruby and the Romantics. The bossa nova melody, the harmony and the simple beauty of the lyrics. After this book, the song has a new dimension I never heard. I loved that insight.
I want to find more of these songs on the web and these artists. This was a good intro to some and details into others I really liked.
August 24, 2019
“… music as an unsung force in our nation’s history.” — Doris Kearns Goodwin, blurb, back cover
Fun. This book falls between a coffee-table book and a history book. Wherever you fall on the political spectrum, you will find something to like in here. The great standards, folk and protest music drew me to the book. In all, we learn about a couple hundred songs with their roots, context and influences.
The book published in June without a word about the songs or the coarsening culture over the past three years.
In these pages we can listen to our history. Music, tunes and lyrics shaped our deeds, writes Jon Meacham. The book begins with long-forgotten tunes popular before the Revolution.
A few favorite comments and observations along the way:
“The Star-Spangled Banner” focused on the flag rather than on abstractions as did earlier songs. The difficult melody came from a well-known English song. So here we were, an English tune for a song that became our anthem.
“My Country ’Tis of Thee.” Samuel Francis Smith wrote a hymn to the nation about the American experiment, which unfolded as the living embodiment of the Enlightenment ideals of education, exploration and invention to advance humanity. The power of the song comes from the strength of first-person writing: “My country 'tis of thee …” not our country tis of thee.
Meanwhile, African spirituals filled the air in the South. Mahalia Jackson told Studs Terkel that gospel songs were not about Heaven but about getting to Canada or a safe city in the North, a liberation here on earth. That would have been heaven. (The New York Times Magazine published an excellent seven-page article on Aug 18, 2019 about black music in America, tracing its roots to the first slave ship that arrived here four hundred years ago. The country’s music became an amalgamation of interracial collaboration over these many years. )
Katherine Lee Bates wrote the poem “America The Beautiful” after going to Pikes Peak. Obama described the version by Ray Charles as “the most patriotic piece of music ever performed because it captures the fullness of the American experience, the view from the bottom as well as the top, the good and the bad and the possibility of synthesis, reconciliation, transcendence.” I drove up to Pikes Peak a few times during my Colorado days. An awe-inspiring view. Easy to see how it would inspire “America The Beautiful.”
“Happy Days Are Here Again” published before the stock market crash that began The Great Depression. FDR adopted it as his campaign theme song at the Democratic National Convention, a decision that fit his optimism that he gave to the country in a difficult time.
Meacham, the author, concedes that every reader will wonder some songs did not make the book. “Appalachian Spring,” by Aaron Copland in the mid-forties, comes to mind.
Also, songs of America can include songs from England. Vera Lynn, during World War II, sang “(There’ll Be Bluebirds Over) The White Cliffs of Dover” as well as “We’ll Meet Again,” a couple of fine sentimental tunes that spoke to us and our friends across the Atlantic.
Then we come to the modern era.
Vietnam dominated the culture for ten years with the war in Nam and a war at home as protesters resisted and clashed with the older generation. Music spoke to us and for us.
“Fortunate Son,” by John Fogerty and Creedence, bemoans the ability of the rich and well-connected to elude military service. “We Gotta Get Out of This Place” became an anthem for those of us who went to Nam. But the song also spoke to/for protesters because “we” all needed to get out of that place. A few good paragraphs here about that period. For a book-length discussion, read We Gotta Get Out of This Place: The Soundtrack of the Vietnam War.
Springsteen came later. He described “Born in the USA” as a protest song, a “GI blues.”
Our hearts fell to the floor while we all walked around dazed and slack-jawed on 9/11. Ten days later, music made sense as musicians consoled and inspired us on that great telethon. Neil Young sang and played “Imagine.” Dixie Chicks “I Believe in Love.” The final three songs capped the program. Paul Simon “Bridge Over Troubled Water.” Celine Dion gave us “God Bless America, fronting a gospel choir. Willie Nelson led the company to close the program with “America The Beautiful, the only performance that night that drew applause.” This book inspired me to see again the two-hour program, carried on thirty-five television networks and eight thousand radio outlets. A fine moment of American music in all its manifestations. Something for everyone.
A fine book with an unusually good appendix that runs for eighty pages, including a useful index and bibliography as well as excellent endnotes.
Fun. This book falls between a coffee-table book and a history book. Wherever you fall on the political spectrum, you will find something to like in here. The great standards, folk and protest music drew me to the book. In all, we learn about a couple hundred songs with their roots, context and influences.
The book published in June without a word about the songs or the coarsening culture over the past three years.
In these pages we can listen to our history. Music, tunes and lyrics shaped our deeds, writes Jon Meacham. The book begins with long-forgotten tunes popular before the Revolution.
A few favorite comments and observations along the way:
“The Star-Spangled Banner” focused on the flag rather than on abstractions as did earlier songs. The difficult melody came from a well-known English song. So here we were, an English tune for a song that became our anthem.
“My Country ’Tis of Thee.” Samuel Francis Smith wrote a hymn to the nation about the American experiment, which unfolded as the living embodiment of the Enlightenment ideals of education, exploration and invention to advance humanity. The power of the song comes from the strength of first-person writing: “My country 'tis of thee …” not our country tis of thee.
Meanwhile, African spirituals filled the air in the South. Mahalia Jackson told Studs Terkel that gospel songs were not about Heaven but about getting to Canada or a safe city in the North, a liberation here on earth. That would have been heaven. (The New York Times Magazine published an excellent seven-page article on Aug 18, 2019 about black music in America, tracing its roots to the first slave ship that arrived here four hundred years ago. The country’s music became an amalgamation of interracial collaboration over these many years. )
Katherine Lee Bates wrote the poem “America The Beautiful” after going to Pikes Peak. Obama described the version by Ray Charles as “the most patriotic piece of music ever performed because it captures the fullness of the American experience, the view from the bottom as well as the top, the good and the bad and the possibility of synthesis, reconciliation, transcendence.” I drove up to Pikes Peak a few times during my Colorado days. An awe-inspiring view. Easy to see how it would inspire “America The Beautiful.”
“Happy Days Are Here Again” published before the stock market crash that began The Great Depression. FDR adopted it as his campaign theme song at the Democratic National Convention, a decision that fit his optimism that he gave to the country in a difficult time.
Meacham, the author, concedes that every reader will wonder some songs did not make the book. “Appalachian Spring,” by Aaron Copland in the mid-forties, comes to mind.
Also, songs of America can include songs from England. Vera Lynn, during World War II, sang “(There’ll Be Bluebirds Over) The White Cliffs of Dover” as well as “We’ll Meet Again,” a couple of fine sentimental tunes that spoke to us and our friends across the Atlantic.
Then we come to the modern era.
Vietnam dominated the culture for ten years with the war in Nam and a war at home as protesters resisted and clashed with the older generation. Music spoke to us and for us.
“Fortunate Son,” by John Fogerty and Creedence, bemoans the ability of the rich and well-connected to elude military service. “We Gotta Get Out of This Place” became an anthem for those of us who went to Nam. But the song also spoke to/for protesters because “we” all needed to get out of that place. A few good paragraphs here about that period. For a book-length discussion, read We Gotta Get Out of This Place: The Soundtrack of the Vietnam War.
Springsteen came later. He described “Born in the USA” as a protest song, a “GI blues.”
Our hearts fell to the floor while we all walked around dazed and slack-jawed on 9/11. Ten days later, music made sense as musicians consoled and inspired us on that great telethon. Neil Young sang and played “Imagine.” Dixie Chicks “I Believe in Love.” The final three songs capped the program. Paul Simon “Bridge Over Troubled Water.” Celine Dion gave us “God Bless America, fronting a gospel choir. Willie Nelson led the company to close the program with “America The Beautiful, the only performance that night that drew applause.” This book inspired me to see again the two-hour program, carried on thirty-five television networks and eight thousand radio outlets. A fine moment of American music in all its manifestations. Something for everyone.
A fine book with an unusually good appendix that runs for eighty pages, including a useful index and bibliography as well as excellent endnotes.
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