Category Fifth Listen

For this fifth and final listen, I’d like you to think about the musical lineage your song exists within. By lineage, I mean how the song connects to other songs in the history of music that cover similar issues and subject matter. Prior songs can be directly referenced, but that isn’t necessary — and I’m not talking about sampling here.

For example, consider the lineage of: Guthrie’s “This Land is Your Land” –> Jimi Hendrix’s “Star Spangled Banner” –> Springsteen’s “Born in the U.S.A” –> Green Day’s “American Idiot” –> Childish Gambino’s “This is America” –> to J.S. Ondara’s “American Dream.” Each of these songs exists as a critique of America and one or more of its policies, with a direct reference either in the lyrics or the title. They hint at a connection, even though it is not overt. But, and this is key, knowing about the prior song(s) adds a new level of understanding to the other song and so on. They construct a history of critique.

Lineages can also have songs made in reaction to other songs. For example, as we see this week, The Beatles “Help!” –> The Damned’s, “Help!” Or, as we see this week, songs by The Sex Pistols and The Class –> songs by Bikini Kill –> Riot Grrrl zines –> songs by Pussy Riot. In these examples, bands and their music lead to other bands, working against them or in concert with them.

So, for this listen, I’d like you to discuss 2 of your song’s lineages based on the subjects covered in your song. Create lineages of 3 – 5 songs and explore not just what connects them but how those connections enhance your understanding of your chosen song.