'For You: The Next Stevie Wonder'

This was most likely my favorite part of the book. I grew up knowing that rock ‘n’ roll was connected to race during its emergence, but I did not know that the songs were considered sexually back then. Artists of the 1940’s, 1950’ and 1960’s were criticized for their songs that seem to promote sexuality. Altschuler uses good examples in the book by providing songs that had sexual lyrics like the song “Sixty Minute Man,” written by the Dominoes. The lyrics went as “There’ll be fifteen minutes of kissin’ / Then you’ll holler, please don’t stop / There will be fifteen minutes of teasin’, /And fifteen minutes of squeezin’ / And fifteen minutes of blowin’ my top” (pg. 86). Another set of lyrics that were criticized were from a song called Sexy Ways” by Hank Ballard and the Midnighters. The lyrics went as written “Wiggle, wiggle, wiggle / I just love your sexy ways; / Upside down, all around, / Any old way, just pound, pound, pound” (pg. 87). These sexual lyrics threw the parents into a panic during this time, because they thought that these lyrics were going to promote their children to go and have sex before wedlock. Which was a big thing during this time because through religion children were taught not to have sex before they were married. The parents and communities even went as far to visit the radio stations, record stores, and the record distributors and ask that for a ban on the production, the

With all this talent, it's no surprise that he was later on discovered by Ronnie White of the Motown band the miracles at the age of 11. With the help of his new record deal, Stevie was able to release his first debut album “Little Stevie Wonder the 12 Year Old Genius” just a year later. though Stevie had many challenges such as being blind and of course being an African American in the time period of mistreatment for people of color, he overcame the most important challenge of them all and that is how he was able to make an impact in not only the blind society and the African American society but also within The American culture which in many minorities cases have been quite a challenge. Of course four decades later now being in the year 2016, Stevie Wonder is still very much relevant as he was back in the 20th century. What he is most recognized for now is his work in the American culture and how he has become a leader deeply committed to

Stevland Hardway Morris began his journey in Motown. Motown is an American recording company; it is the first black recording company. That is where Stevland Morris got his nickname, Stevie Wonder. His producer gave him that name because he has a very angelic and soft voice which is very relaxing and it is very nice to listen to. His talent has made an impact on the music industry; he made a significant contribution to the world which influences a lot of peoples thinking and behavior.

Purple Haze from Jimi Plays Berkeley (released in 1975) – Purple Haze is one of those songs which intoxicate your thoughts and feelings at the same time. This song is like science fiction right out of his imagination translated into a musical masterpiece.

refused to play white covers and I believe this was an awesome stand he had because so

” Williams’ theory therefore suggests that the terms must necessarily co-exist in order to define each other. The “pervasiveness of consent ” therefore characterises the fifties, against which these Beat texts can be contrasted. Theodore Roszak’s 1969 article ‘The Making of a Counterculture,’ helps define beat ideology as “heightened self-expression and often a rejection of political and authoritative institutions… a negative spirit of the times coupled with a specific lifestyle .” Both On the Road and Howl and their author’s lifestyles of their writers reflect this criterion, in idiomatic and contextual terms, lending to the notion that they are, by the overall nature of their existence, countercultural texts. Roszak’s adolescent counterculture often seems the embodiment of Dean and Sal’s ‘beatitude’ in On the Road “when they pulse to music…value what is raunchy… flare against authority, seek new experience, ” but it is similarly descriptive of the naked, sometime vulgar language Ginsberg employs in Howl “who bit detectives in the neck… let themselves be fucked in the ass.” (13) The Beats admire the vibrancy naturally present among youth, and although this is a style for which their writing has been criticised, it is a move away from the traditionally

Stevie Wonder was born on May 13 in 1950. Stevie wonder is a singer and is known to many around the world. As a baby, the incubator he received provided too much oxygen to his brain which caused blindness. He showed interest in music at the age of eleven and learned to play the piano and the harmonica. He overcame his blindness by singing and playing musical instruments. He had dreams of singing professionally and showed an early interest in singing by performing in his church choir. At the age of eleven he met Ronnie White part of the Motown act the Miracles. Ronnie White brought Stevie to the Motown Records and recorded his first song called “I Call It Pretty Music. Stevie Wonder taught society to overcome their obstacles and follow

This essay will examine the main trends and ideologies associated with the 1980’s era and explore how these trends are reflected in one piece of music from the chosen time period. To accomplish this task, this essay will firstly analyse the prominent trends, ideologies and beliefs associated with the 1980’s era in America as this is the time period in which N.W.A rose to fame as a rap group. This essay will then introduce the rap group N.W.A and analyse their popular recording “Straight Outta Compton”, identifying and explaining the music style of the chosen song, paramusical elements and how these style elements are related to the ideologies of the particular style. This essay will then conclude by demonstrating how the chosen recording is

Stevie Wonder is one of the greatest known musician, singer, and performer in the United States and throughout the country. For most the first thing that comes to mind about Wonder is the fact that he is blind, but there is much more to his story. The journey that he has made to get where he is now may not be known by many. Wonder has had his share of struggles and hardships to overcome and has persevered through them all. Not only is Wonder an amazing artist, his personal triumphs are inspiring and place him a step above the rest.

My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy boasted an amazing maximalist approach that boarded on a hip hop opera symphony with lyrics that were memorable and verses that can rank as the best hip hop verses of all time. It was an album filled with legendary moments that music fans will remember for ages, and moments Kanye fan boys will yell at his concerts. This reaction by hip hop fans for My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy was immediate. For Yeezus, it was different. Yeezus’ minimalistic approach threw fans and critics off due to the very left field and experimental approach he took for this album, both sonically and thematically. In spite of this, Yeezus still manages to hold up it’s quality, value, and impact in comparison to his preceding albums while becoming one of the most important hip hop albums of all time.

Twenty years after it's release, Nas' debut album Illmatic continues to inspire the masses for it's ability to connect with listeners and paint vivid tales of struggle, triumph, and real life experiences of a kid from New York's Queensbridge housing projects. The album, which debuted April 19, 1994, has continued to sustain it's relevancy and remains classified as one of the greatest albums in hip hop over the past twenty years.

. During the 1980s, the way Americans perceived homosexuality, race, and violence was challenged. In response, Prince’s eccentric and extravagant music style and attire dismantled conventional gender barriers of what it meant to be masculine and feminine in American society. Therefore, his musical creations set an example by pushing the limits of authenticity and self-expression. Prince’s fearless dedication to breaking down conventional expectations of style, music, gender norms, and conformity can be seen in his vocals, instrument choice, and lyrics. In the late 1980s, Prince was a music icon who blended funk, soul, pop, and hip-hop and presented his work in an androgyny atmosphere to advocate for racial and gender equality. His musical creations and appearance had disrupted the societal confines that fenced in the minority groups and pushed the limits of what it meant to be a black man. Prince’s distinct attire, extravagant performances, and persona helped contribute to a new music era of funk-rock and challenged the taboo concepts of the 1980’s. Prince’s musical work impacted society by encouraging wildly free and creative behavior during a time where it was not acceptable to be who you were. In this paper, I will analyze the auditory significance of two of Prince’s songs: “If I was your girlfriend” (1987) and “I Would Die 4 U” (1984). Analysis for both songs were based on music videos and a scene from Prince’s film, Purple Rain. In addition to these songs, Prince’s

When Jacksons Thriller album came in 1982, it became one of the world’s best-selling albums of all time. Gail Mitchell of billboard.com said that, within only a year the album sold for over 65 million copies. It is the first ever album to be certified as a 32x multi-platinum album. In 1984 the album won a record-breaking eight Grammy Awards including album of the year, not to mention every single on the album reached Billboard Hot 100. Just the awards their selves speak for how amazing this album was. Thriller consisted of just seven singles starring many hits with “Billie Jean”, “Beat It”, “Thriller”, and “P.Y.T.” Each single was released at a different time first with, “The Girl Is Mine” on October 18, 1982 to Thriller being the final single released on January 23, 1984. Thriller was produced by Quincy Jones and recorded through Westlake Recording Studios.

Summer hit “Blurred Lines” is one of the radio’s most played songs currently. The song is placed at number one on America’s top 40 charts for the week of September 14th. While it is popular, the lyrics paint a story of someone who wants the singer, but is a good girl. The message of the song is blurring lines of morality. Not only is the song soliciting sexual themes, but it goes as far as using derogatory names towards the said good girl. Also, the song has strong themes of guilting someone into sex, claiming that not many can refuse T.I.’s pimping. The song

In 1984's Purple Rain, the title track is fictionally written and arranged by the women in Prince's character's (simply known as "The Kid") nightclub band. Out of egotism, The Kid refuses to play any of their compositions. After stage flubs and personal trauma, a humbled Kid performs "Purple Rain" in dedication to his father. He moves the audience, and regains the respect of his peers. It's considered his finest moment (and a defining point in the film). Art imitates life, because if I had to name one song that encompasses all that I've described about Prince's music and his methods, I'd say "Purple Rain." Welcome to my #1 favorite, everyone. I know, I know, how cliché, but clichés are so for a reason. Whatever they're about has stood the test of time and can be applied over and over. "Purple Rain" is a timeless classic and goes on the "Songs That Should Never Be Remade" list with Sam Cooke's "A Change is Gonna Come" and Etta James' "At Last." It endures because it's one of the most emotive pieces of music there is. The hopelessness that comes with not being able to prevent or reverse a loss pulsates in every word, note and chord from the first transfixing strum. The heartbreak swells with "Rain's" multiple peaks, predominately characterized by wailing guitars, falling strings and Prince's pleading vocals. He sings of regret with such intensifying anguish, it erupts into howls around the last 3:00 minutes. Yeah, the last 3:00 minutes of 8:43 total. You don't notice (I caught