The 1950s and ’60s were decades marked by exhilarating highs and heartbreaking lows; this list explores some of the best tragic songs from this era. Many male listeners of 70s radio shows were overcome with emotion when this song played on the radio, even with its muted honky-tonk beat and soothing honky-tonk melody, when its […]
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In the 1950s, dance music and styles rapidly proliferated. Rock ‘n’ roll became one of the most popular forms of dancing music with its vibrant rhythm and uninhibited nature encouraging even those most self-conscious to get up and dance. Group dances like the Madison emerged during this time period. This dance style featured couples walking
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At this time, the first electronic music studios were established. Delia Derbyshire from BBC Radiophonic Workshop became widely-renowned for her 1963 electronic rendition of Doctor Who theme theme. Schaeffer held the inaugural public performance of musique concrete music in France. This type of performance explored timbre rather than pitch and rhythm. The first electronic music
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In the 1920s, small radio stations began broadcasting live barn dance music tailored to rural audiences on local radio stations. Over time this genre, featuring traditional string bands playing fiddle and banjo along with single voices harmonising closely into close harmony harmony singing, became known as country or hillbilly music; its energetic yet realistic rural
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The 1950s was an exciting decade of youth culture and rock & roll music, and these popular dance songs from this era represent its spirit! Get up and dance along! Earth Angel by The Penguins is an iconic doo-wop song featuring soft vocal harmonies and a soothing slow tempo, making it ideal for strolling, a
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There were various developments which ultimately contributed to modern electronic music. Audio-frequency technology had advanced so much that sine and square wave generators, amplifiers, quality control equipment, filter circuits and loudspeakers were readily available for purchase. Radiodiffusion Francaise (RDF) broadcast composer Pierre Schaeffer’s Etude aux chemins de fer on 5 October 1948, marking its debut
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In the 1950s, music created an atmosphere conducive to dancing. Rock ‘n’ roll introduced new dance styles that quickly evolved. American Bandstand even featured an entire episode devoted to this dance! One popular dance was the Stroll, in which two people dance along a line together. Doo-wop songs like Earth Angel (Will You Be Mine)
British rock musicians were increasingly inspired by Jamaican styles. For instance, The Eagles’ 1977 hit song “Hotel California” included a reggae rhythm as part of its structure. Ska beat has also had an influence on artists of other nationalities; Ian Dury incorporated it into pub-rock group The Clash; Georgie Fame sang with an accent from
Before the fifties, there was little opportunity for female solo country artists. Kitty Wells revolutionized this situation when her groundbreaking record, an updated take of an old traditional song, made her famous and set an important precedent that would later influence artists such as Loretta Lynn. Lefty Frizzell’s song depicts this change. Country music in
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