Week 9 - Reflective Blog

 1. In regards to the clip from Oklahoma, "People Will Say We're In Love," find the lyrics to the song (or write them out). Do the lyrics behave like poetry? Why or why not? What features make these words particularly appropriate for singing? Substantiate your opinion with facts from our textbook. 

LAUREY

Why do they think up stories that link my name with yours?

CURLY

Why do the neighbors chatter all day, behind their doors?

LAUREY

I know a way to prove what they say is quite untrue.
Here is the gist, a practical list of "don'ts" for you.
Don't throw bouquets at me
Don't please my folks too much
Don't laugh at my jokes too much
People will say we're in love!
Don't sigh and gaze at me
Your sighs are so like mine
Your eyes mustn't glow like mine
People will say we're in love!
Don't start collecting things
Give me my rose and my glove.
Sweetheart they're suspecting things
People will say we're in love.

CURLY

Some people claim that you are to blame as much as I.
Why do y' take the trouble to bake my favorite pie?
Grantin' your wish, I carved our initials on that tree.
Jist keep a slice of all the advice you give so free.
Don't praise my charm too much
Don't look so vain with me
Don't stand in the rain with me
People will say we're in love!
Don't take my arm too much
Don't keep your hand in mine
Your hand feels so grand in mine
People will say we're in love!
Don't dance all night with me
Till the stars fade from above.
They'll see it's alright with me
People will say we're in love.


I believe this song behaves like poetry because it has rhythm, stanzas, and it rhymes. I believe music is a form of poetry. Most good music has a poetic rhythm to it.


2. Billie Holiday's troubled private life was known to her public well before the publication of her autobiography, which told of her relationships with abusive men. How might that knowledge have shaped at least some of her audience's reception of this record? Conversely, Cole Porter kept his homosexuality out of the public eye his entire life. Only after his death have his songs come to be regarded as expressions of desires not condoned by the social mores of his time. Are Porter's sexual preferences important to an understanding of the song? Why or why not?


The knowledge of Billie Holiday's troubled relationships with abusive men may have shaped her audience's reception of the record because when people know about the artist, their music comes to life. Most artist write music from their own personal experiences.

In regards to Cole Porter, I also believe that his music was a way of expressing how he felt and who he was. People may not have realized it until after he died, but it is important to know about the artist who wrote the music to better understand it.

Reflection on my Annotated Bibliography

The annotated bibliography was hard at first. I originally wanted my topic to be "American Music and Fashion", but I couldn't find enough information about the subject. I then decided to research "American Music in Today's Culture" and found an abundance of information. What I found most interesting is how much information is available in our book pertaining to American music culture. I think that with my research and the reading from the book, I won't have any problems with the final report. What I don't like about this project is the number of resources we needed. For the amount of time we have for our project realistically, we don't have time to read two entire books. Other than that I don't really have any concerns.

Three Ideas

Here are my three ideas for our final project:

Idea One: American Music in Today's Culture

I think exploring the music we listen to today and how it some what represents our present culture is something I think is interesting. It's hard to listen to music from early 1900s and understand it because we weren't around during that period of time. The only thing we can do is research the music to find out what the culture it represents. That could be boring for people with no interest of the past. It's sad to say, but our generation doesn't care about what music represented in the 1900s. We could show people culture representation of today's music and how it corresponds to the past.

Idea Two: American Music and Fashion

A lot of today's music mention today's latest fashions and name brands. (Gucci, Jordan's, Firarri's (sp?), etc.) If we go back to different generations we may be able to tie in fashions for decades ago and how it has changed today.

Idea Three: Southern Living and American Music

I think this would be an easy topic for me to research because I've been listening to country music since I was a little girl so I'm familiar with how it has changed through the years and how it's stayed the same. I think that showing how country music is more about southern living where they care about working hard the American way, loving God, and their family. I think that country music is the best representation of American music.

Please let me know if my ideas seem to broad or not broad enough! :)

Culture Representation

I can remember being a little girl and going to Mamaw's house and watching CMT country music videos all day long. Still to this day, when music videos are on, she is watching it. American country music best represents my culture because it brings back so many memories to not only of my childhood, but I can relate to county music today. I feel like country music is the American way of life. We love God, work hard, take care of our families, and have a little fun in between. I chose the video of Alan Jackson "Remember When." because it brings back the culture of the way life used to be and how much it has changed today.

Another one of his songs that I grew up listening to, and remember the video to this day is "Chattahoochee." This song puts me back to my childhood watching the video and it reminds me of my young adulthood. The little things in life like going to the river, jumping of rope swings, fishing, and just learning about life is what this song makes me think of.

I think deep down, we all have a little country in us! :)

Least-Favorite Genre of Music

My least favorite genre of music would have to be heavy metal. Don't get me wrong, I love alternative music like Puddle of Mud, Nickleback, Black Stone Cherry, etc. etc. I just don't care for heavy metal that is so load and people in the crowd are having mosh pits. To me I find mosh pits insane! It has no harmony what-so-ever. The banks sound like they are screaming. I like to know the lyrics of the music and like when I can relate myself to the music. I also like music that has a great band, too. With that being said, I try to give hard rock a chance.

I know that most artist now days can't even play a guitar. For example, George Strait. I may get a lot of hate on this, but the man doesn't even write his own music and he stands (or sits) on stage and strums along on his guitar. Now don't get me wrong, I do like his music and I love country music, but him as an artist.. not so much. I don't believe he deserves Country Artist of the Year every year. Here is an upbeat video of him live singing "Write this down." I think the guitar is just an "accessory" to his wardrobe.

My Favorite Live Performance

Justin Timberlake's 2013 VMA performance is my favorite live performance. I never was a huge Timberlake fan. I liked him, but he wasn't my favorite. After this performance, I had a whole new opinion of him. He is very talented. The VMA's that last year was at the Barclay's Center in Brooklyn, New York. Justin performed over 15 minutes (wow). That is talent. To be a great performer, you have to be able to entertain the crowd. Not just sing in a microphone. He can dance, sing, and entertain an audience like no other.

My favorite part of the performance was when he reunited with NSYNC, the pop boy band. Took me back to my childhood. I liked how he involved his history in music in his performance. NSYNC broke up in 2002. I think I was heartbroken.

Justin Timberlake is 33 years old. He has been a performer since Disney's Mickey Mouse Club and Star Search. I'm older than some of you in class, so you all may not remember that. You can tell that he loves what he does, and he has worked hard to get where he is now. I admire that.

Introduction

Hello!

My name is Melody Hendrix, well actually Melody Breedlove. I just recently got married this summer. I currently live in Poca, WV, where we bought our first home two years ago. I am 25 years old. I first got my Associate's Degree from KVCTC, and I'm currently a Junior here at WVSU working on my Bachelor's of Science in Marketing.

I work full time as an Administrative Assistant for the WV Court of Claims in the Crime Victim Compensation Fund, and I wait tables/bartend every other weekend (which I plan on quitting very soon- PTL!) The very most important things to me in life are my children. I have a 3 year old little girl named Ella, and a 1 year old little boy named Carson. I strive to give them the best in life, and everything I do, is for them.


This course is required for my major, and I'm glad I waited to take because it gives me a break from my business courses. As of right now, I don't have any concerns about this course. I have taken many online classes. I pretty much like all music, but I love country music the most. I'm a HUGE Luke Bryan and Eric Church fan. I usually go to all the country concerts that come to town. I got front row to Eric Church next month.