This week, you will be listening to music by Black Pop artist, Michael Jackson. Michael Jackson is a direct link between the Motown Music we listened to previously, and 1980s pop music. He came from a musical background, and the vocal group he was in, The Jackson 5, were considered Motown’s last great act.
We will also shift gears some, and listen to some of the neotraditional trends of the 80s and 90s, such as the renewal of Rock and Roll, the Blues Revival and socially aware female singer-songwriters.
Please be sure to read through the entire assignment, as there will be several parts to it again.
In addition to your etextbook, you should expect to complete some research online to respond to these questions. Be sure to use vetted resources—if you aren’t sure what a reliable source is, remember, you can use the CRAP test to determine if your source is reliable!
sources:
Campbell, M. (2019). Popular music in America. 5th ed. Cengage Learning.
This unit addresses the new sounds and rhythms of rock in the 80s and more commercially dominant music sounds of “Pop” music in this decade. You will read about the positive and negative implications of MTV and how the emergence of the music video brought about changes in the consumption of music.
- Chapter 18: Beyond Rock in the 1980s (pgs. 332-355)
Instructions:
Part 1: Michael Jackson’s Thriller
• On the internet or your phone, look up the official music video for Michael Jackson’s Thriller.
• After watching this music video, answer the following questions in a word document:
o Describe this video and explain why you believe it became such a mega hit.
o Share a brief biography of Michael Jackson.
o Thriller is considered characteristic of post-1980s pop music. Describe what makes it characteristic. Be sure to include information about the rhythm, use of electronic instruments and conventional instruments and Jackson’s voice.
Part 2: The Renewal of Rock and the Resurgence of Blues Music
• On the internet or your phone, listen to ONE the following:
o The Traveling Wilburys, “Handle With Care”
o The Rolling Stones, “Start Me Up:
o Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, “I Won’t Back Down”
o Stevie Ray Vaughn, “Voodoo Child”
o Robert Cray, “Strong Persuader”
• After listening to your selection, answer the following questions in a word document:
o Is your choice representative of a resurgence of rock music or blues music? Explain why you made this determination.
o Share a brief biography of each of the band/artists you chose.
o Name the members of each of these bands.
o Examine the lyrics and share the lines which are your favorite and/or made an impression on you.
o What are the ideas being addressed in each of these songs?
o What is the date that the original music was written? What is the date that this original recording was made/released ?
o Has anyone else recorded the song you have chosen? If so, find one YouTube recording of a “cover” of the song you have chosen if it is available. If nothing is available, please indicate that as well.
o List the instruments you hear in these recordings. Are each of these songs the same or different instrumentation?
o What was your favorite thing about the performances/recordings?
o What emotions did the performances/recordings make you feel when you heard it?
Part 3: Socially-conscious Female Singer-Songwriters
• On the internet or your phone, listen to ONE the following: o Suzanne Vega, “The Queen and the Soldier”
o Tracy Chapman, “Fast Car”
• After listening to your selection, answer the following questions in a word document:
o Share a brief biography of each of the artist you chose.
o Examine the lyrics and share the lines which are your favorite and/or made an impression on you.
o What are the ideas being addressed in each of these songs? How does the song you chose illustrate the artist’s social-consciousness?
o What is the date that the original music was written? What is the date that this original recording was made/released ?
o Has anyone else recorded the song you have chosen? If so, find one YouTube recording of a “cover” of the song you have chosen if it is available. If nothing is available, please indicate that as well.
o List the instruments you hear in these recordings. Are each of these songs the same or different instrumentation?
o What was your favorite thing about the performances/recordings?
o What emotions did the performances/recordings make you feel when you heard it?
Requirements:
• Three to four pages in length, excluding the Reference page. • APA format, including an in-text citation for referenced works. • At least four resources.
