Legend and Myth in Music

Myth/Legend #1: Robert Johnson sells his soul to the devil

There is much speculation on if Robert Johnson sold his soul to the devil. According to sources, Robert Johnson disappeared for a long span of time, and when he returned he was a genius with the guitar. Others say that the song lyrics he wrote were impossible to write without an initiation into a cult, or some group very similarly involved with voodoo, due to the extreme symbolism within the lyrics. Julio Finn suggests that the sudden turn towards potentially selling his soul to the devil was provoked by the death of his wife during childbirth. It is also suggested Johnson sought the help from a Root Doctor in order to harness his voodoo power. To do this, he learned to channel the power through his guitar the same way others channel it through their spirit and body. All of these claims are within the works of David Scotese. There is no actually evidence if Robert Johnson sold his soul to the devil.

Myth/Legend #2: Ozzy Osboure's taste for doves and bats

Ozzy Obsbourne has been speculated to have bitten the head off a dove during a meeting with the CBS executives where his wife Sharon had planned for three doves to be releases at the beginning. Also, during Osbourne’s “Bark At The Moon Tour” a fan threw a bat on the stage and Ozzy grabbed the bat and bit off it’s head. According to sources, he was going through a series of demonic stages in which he almost seemed possessed, but others believe his behavior was due to his drug and alcohol intake. He has admitted to both instances where he bit the head off of a live animal, but did not do so knowingly.

Myth/Legend #3: The mythology surrounding the Abbey Road cover

Many believe that the Abbey Road cover of the Beatles symbolizes the death of Paul McCartney. In the image, many claim they are walking in a funeral procession, and Paul is the member that is walking out of sync with the other members and is not wearing any shoes, plus his eyes are rumored to be closed. All of these signs indicate that he is in fact a walking corpse. In addition, Paul was a lefty, but in the picture he is holding a cigarette in his right hand; an oddity for him. There is also much speculation about the background of the cover that show signs of his death, but all are far stretched ideas. In reality, Paul McCarney is still alive and did not die in a car accident at the age of 27.

Myth/Legend #4: Bob Dylan goes electric

During the Newport Folk Festival Bob Dylan approached the stage with an electric guitar; something never seen before. The fans went into an uproar, but the biggest controversy was when Pete Seeger was allegedly running around backstage with an axe to chop the wires off the soundboard. He denied all claims of it. The festival was suppose to be about the musicians talent, and many did not want to see Bob Dylan play an electric guitar but an acoustic one. Stunned on the crowds reaction, Dylan went back on the stage and preformed a few hit singles with his acoustic guitar to give the crowd what they wanted.

Myth/Legend #5: Research on your own and choose your favorite

The myth I choose was the one that claims Elvis ever died but faked it to remove himself from the public eye. According to fans, they have seen Elvis in sores and around towns in Canada, however, all are wrong. Elvis is in fact dead, and many fans cannot get over his death thus they still believe he is alive.

Myth/Legend #6: The mythology presented in the Sgt. Pepper cover (click here). Identify and summarize the notoriety of 3 individuals whom you recognize and 3 individuals of whom you are ignorant.

The album cover of the Beatle’s “Sgt. Pepper” is uniquely its own creativity. Each face of the album has significance to the band, meaning men or women they admire, respect, honor, or would like to see in the crowd. The three recognizable characters on the album in my opinion are Shirley Temple, a child actress, Edgar Allen Poe, a writer, and Diana Dors, a famous actress. Three individuals that are not recognizable to me are Karlheinz Stockhausen, a composer,

Richard Merkin, an artist, and Simon Rodia, a creator of Watts Towers.

Works Cited

Myth/Legend #1: Robert Johnson sells his soul to the devil

1. Scotese, David W. Did Robert Johnson sell his soul at the crossroads?Mudcat Cafe,1997.Web. 31 Oct. 2010.

Myth/Legend #2: Ozzy Osboure's taste for doves and bats

2. Watkins, Terry. Ozzy Osbournes the rest of the story. Dial-the-Truth Ministries, 2001. Web. 31 Oct. 2010.

Myth/Legend #3: The mythology surrounding the Abbey Road cover

3. Abbey Road. Deadman Radio. 2005. Web. 31 Oct. 2010.

Myth/Legend #4: Bob Dylan goes electric

4. Corbett, Ben. “Bob Dylan Goes Electric.” About.com. New York Times Company. n.d, Web. 31 Oct. 2010.

Myth/Legend #5: Research on your own and choose your favorite

5. White, Dave. “Top 10 Rock Music Myths.” About.com. New York Times Company. n.d, Web. 31 Oct. 2010.

Myth/Legend #6: The mythology presented in the Sgt. Pepper cover

6. Haber, David. The Internet Beatles Album. Beatles News, 2010. Web. 31 Oct. 2010.

Song Analysis #2 Lyrics

"Part of Your World"
Music by: Alan Menken
Lyrics by: Howard Ashman
Walt Disney Music Company

Maybe He's Right
Maybe There Is Something The Matter with me With Me
I Just Don't See How A World That Makes Such Wonderful Things
Could Be Bad

Look at this stuff
Isn't it neat?
Wouldn't you think my collection's complete?
Wouldn't you think I'm the girl
The girl who has everything?

Look at this trove
Treasures untold
How many wonders can one cavern hold?
Looking around here you'd think
Sure, she's got everything

I've got gadgets and gizmo's a-plenty
I've got woozits and whatzits galore
[You want thingamabobs? I've got 20!]

But who cares?
No big deal
I want more

I wanna be where the people are
I wanna see
Wanna see 'em dancing
Walking around on those
[What do you call 'em? oh, feet!]

Flipping your fins you don't get to far
Legs are required for jumping, dancing
strolling along down the
[What's that word again?] street

Up where they walk
Up where they run
Up where they stay all day in the sun
Wandering free
Wish I could be
Part of that world

What would I give
If I could live
Out of these waters?
What would I pay
To spend a day
Warm on the sand?
Bet'cha on land
They understand
Bet they don't reprimand their daughters
Bright young women
Sick of swimming
Ready to stand

And ready to know what the people know
Ask 'em my questions and get some answers
What's a fire and why does it
[What's the word?] burn
When's it my turn?
Wouldn't I love
Love to explore the shore up above?

Out of the sea
Wish I could be
Part of that world

What would I give to live where you are
What would I pay to stay here beside you
What would I do to see you, smiling at me
Where would we walk
Where would we run
If we could stay all day in the sun
Just you and me
And I could be..
Part of your
world..[gets distracted by dog]

I don't know when
I don't know how
But I know something's starting right now
Watch and you'll see
Someday I'll be
Part of your
world.

Pop Culture Assignment

The modern American culture can be classified to a point by using the top songs from the Rolling Stone’s list as of October 7, 2010. Each song is very unique in terms of the lyrics; however, many conform to main subject matters such as love, life, and happiness. Most of the songs in at least the top ten are from genres of hip hop and rap; an extremely different view from previous generations. Each song, Teenage Dream by Katy Perry, Just a Dream by Nelly, and Dynamite by Taio Cruz represent the modern American culture through uses of poetic devices that relay messages of love, life, and happiness.

According to the Rolling Stone top songs in America, Teenage Dream by Katy Perry ranked number 3 for many consecutive weeks. The song’s content is concerned with wishing she had life of a teenager creating a very dramatic tone. The lyrics suggest a romance that is more of a whim with higher physical aspects than what is socially accepted. It also promotes the idea of taking chances and not looking back towards past mistakes. The song has many hyperboles, one of which being, “We can dance until we die.” Also, it incorporated other poetic merit by using symbolism in numerous lines, an example being “ My missing puzzle piece” explaining how he completes the singer. This song suggests that the modern American culture is much more daring and more ostentatious lifestyle than previous decades. This song portrays that the current generation listens to more upbeat, fast songs that encourage high aspirations that may not be accepted by the older generation. In this particular song, the female is the one pushing the male to escape his boundaries, proving that the sexes are equal today. Instead of career success, Teenage Dream perceives a good relationships as terms of success in life; a very different outlook. Katy Perry’s song creates a positive tone, but controversial practices.

Ranked number 4 on the Rolling Stone top songs in America is Just a Dream by Nelly. The subjects matter of the song is about how the singer lost the one he loved, and he cannot get her back because his love was not enough. He views their relationship as only just a dream, and not as reality. The song has a depressing, hopeless tone of a man who is facing a terrible heartbreak. The lyrics suggest a hint of irony when Nelly repeats “it was only just a dream” when he is talking as if it is real because the pain is real. Also, he alluded to the fact he wished he married her in the line, “Shoulda put it down. Shoulda got that ring” references an engagement ring and proposing to her. The aspect the song provides for modern American culture is based on heartbreak and loss; concepts that are not new to society but have always been around. However, some lyrics suggest a deeper relationship but a quick recoery into a new one; a rarity to find decades ago and still in some cultures. Many young teenagers prefer to listen to songs of heartbreak to make them feel not alone in terms of their own relationship standings. There is not a clear dominance of male over female, or vice versa, however it is suggested that the male needs and wants the female hinting at her having the control. The entire atmosphere of this relationship is very different and open than songs of previous generations showing a clear distinction of the modern American culture.

Sixth in rank on the Rolling Stones top songs of America is Dynamite by Taio Cruz. A typical dance club song, Dynamite is about living life to the fullest in means of partying all night. The song hints at giving up or letting of something in the line, “I wanna celebrate and live my life.” He also includes a woman in the lyrics, convincing her to do the same, and take it to the extreme of partying all night and being on fire figuratively like dynamite. The uses of metaphors and hyperboles strenghtens the lyrics to have an intense feeling. An example of a metaphoric simile is, “ We gon' light it up. Like it's dynamite” insinuading an increase of energy to spark dancing as intense as dynamite. One of the hyperboles includes, “I'm gonna be the last one standing.” The modern American culture that is seen through this song is taking some time to oneself to just live life and have fun. Many Americans live in a high-stress enviroment and do not know when to take a break. This song is very eergetic with a euphoric theme; very common in today’s music. As with the previous songs, there is not a clear division between the genders; both need to take a break from their busy lives. The beat is very contrasting to older generations of music, but still relays a distinct concept that applies to everyone in today’s generationa and earlier.

Society changes yearly, and sometimes monthly that creates the overall American culture. Today’s modern American generation is the number one consumer of the music media for numerous reasons of popularity and availibility. The songs are much more expletive than previous generations, but that can be attributed to the more open culture towards life, relationships, and other topics. Many songs are centered around dancing, and being upbeat, but others are about deeper meaning. It is cleansing to see equal gender roles within each song, and in terms of success it is still measured by fame, and money, but also happiness. The aspect of happines has not changed overtime because it is still extrememly valuable to every generation. Music is a large role of life, and it will continue to influence every generation in numerous ways.

Song Analysis Lyrics

A Whole New World

Composed by Alan Menken with Lyrics by Time Rice

1992 Walt Disney Records

I can show you the world

Shining, shimmering, splendid

Tell me. princess, now when did

You lasy let your heart decide?

I can open your eyes

Take you wonder by wonder

Over, sideways and under

On a magic carpet ride

A whole new world

A new fantastic point of view

No one tells us no

Or where to go

Or say we're only dreaming

A whole new world

A dazzling place I never knew

But when I'm way up here

It's crystal clear

That now I'm in a whole new world with you

Now I'm in a whole new world with you

Unbelievable sights

Indescribable feeling

Soaring, tumbling, freewheeling

Through an endless diamond sky

A whole new world

Don't you dare close your eyes

A hundred thousand things to see

Hold your breath - it gets better

I'm like a shooting star

I've come so far

I can't go back to where I uses to be

A whole new world

Every turn a surprise

With new horizons to pursue

Every moment red-letter

I'll chase them anywhere

There's time to spare

Let me share this whole new world with you

A whole new world

That's where we'll be

A thrilling chase

A wondrous place

For you and me

Song Analysis 1: " A Whole New World" Composed by Alan Menken Lyrics by Tim Rice

" A Whole New World"

Composed by Alan Menken Lyrics by Tim Rice

1992 Walt Disney Records

Emotionally riveting, but daring with reality against dreams Alan Menken and Tim Rice created a masterpiece titled “A Whole New World.” Despite being a featured song in the popular Disney film, Aladdin, “A Whole New World” contains a varied in-depth analysis. In particular, being a children’s song it has the ability to seem repetitive without a clear focus, but Menken and Rice were able to salvage their main ideas without compromising the aspects of a children’s song. The magical duet adds to the overall tone of the song, but also the astounding poetic devices and figurative language used creates a mystical atmosphere. Menken and Rice composed a miraculous song through the uses of several poetic devices and an underlying theme that catches the amazement of all audiences.

The use of poetic devices within a song can provide an overall enhancement. A common device used with children’s songs is alliteration, due to repetition having a lasting effect in the mind. One of the many examples includes, “Shining, shimmering, splendid” (1:2). Another prominent device is objectification, “Take you wonder by wonder” (2:6) by giving the idea of wonder to be a concrete substance which in reality it is not. Hyperbole is used to describe the circumstances in which the main characters are escaping into a new world together by saying, “Let me share this whole new world with you” (8:37). The couple cannot literally share the whole world together; however, the words insinuate an intense feeling of emotion felt towards each other. The song also provokes certain imagery that corresponds with dreams, and seeing things that are not necessarily the same for each person, “Unbelievable sights, indescribable feelings, soaring tumbling, freewheeling through an endless diamond sky” (6:20-23). The imagery helps the audience experience the journey that the duet provides by instigating the senses. Throughout the song there are hints of numerous poetic devices that enhance the lyrics as a whole while keeping the overall childish atmosphere.

Encompassing a song under a particular theme is challenging, however, Rice and Menken manage to take the challenge using their abstract allusions and use of allegory. The theme in question is dreams; a complex, opinionated topic with many possibilities. Throughout the song, Rice and Menken allude to the discovery of an actual new world, what is now referred to as America. The journey throughout the song is taken on a magic carpet to distances never seen, and with the hope of entering a whole new world; a world to escape to, a world many took as being the great discovery of all time. For a great while America was called the New World, due to it’s mysterious nature and promises; the same concepts the song brings to the audience with their journey. However, many can relate this song to an allegory of a classic life lesson; to start over, to escape. The magic carpet ride symbolizes leaving, while the descriptions of the night are of the place they want to travel to. At the conclusion the song mentions that is was “a thrilling chase a wondrous place” (9:40-41) leading to that these dreams cannot last; the excitement will not stay and the new world will not be different than where the individual came from creating the allegory. Both the allusion and allegory relate to the common theme of dreams; the entire song is about experiencing new wonders that have “a hundred thousand things to see” (7:26).

Menken and Rice achieved a great challenge with creating “A Whole New World.” They are notable for their uses of poetic devices such as alliteration, hyperbole, and imagery as well as allusion and allegory. At the time of the songs production, it was in high competition with other Disney classics such as The Little Mermaid and Beauty and the Beast which released only a year before Aladdin. Menken and Rice had to focus on the strengths of their orchestra while retaining the childlike atmosphere. The lyrics in correspondence with the music create a song worth remembering that leaves a lasting impression.