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Just think of all the music that’s distinctly American. Jazz. Rock and roll. Motown. The blues. Zydeco. (And if we didn’t invent it here, we found a way to make it better.) We tap our toes, we dance, we thrill to the music of America.
Hoagy Carmichael, Songwriter
Yes, I do have a soft spot for songwriters. They’re the heart of American popular music, but the least appreciated (and compensated)....
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“I Fall to Pieces” by Patsy Cline
It was the Billboard Hot Country chart’s number one song for the year 1961. Sometimes those songs become classics, sometimes they...
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Dick Dale, Surf Music Pioneer
You may remember Dick Dale from the soundtrack of Quentin Tarantino’s Pulp Fiction. That rapid staccato guitar playing...
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“My Girl,” The Temptations
I’d like to know how many times I danced to this song during my teenage years. Seems every band, regardless of the type of music they...
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Rosemary Clooney
Yes, she’s the aunt of George Clooney. But Rosemary Clooney was a huge success in her own right, as both an actress and a singer....
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“Stand By Me,” Song
When Mike Stoller came up with the bass line that begins “Stand By Me,” he had one of his greatest moments as a composer. Then...
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Neil Diamond
Earlier today, I went to check something on my post about Neil Diamond – and found I hadn’t written one. While everyone will...
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“Graceland,” Paul Simon
From the title track on, “Graceland” showcased Paul Simon’s willingness to experiment. Much of it was recorded in South...
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“Enter Sandman”
The best introduction to a song. Ever. The first 1:10 instrumental of “Enter Sandman” is an adrenaline rush that is unmatched...
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Smokey Robinson
Smokey Robinson and Berry Gordy, Jr. have each had a tremendous impact on the other’s career. Gordy liked Smokey’s group...
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