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Unraveling American History. Exploring Song Choices/Not ALL songs are covered…the OBVIOUS ones are NOT discussed. Billie Holiday was jazz singer whose performances often moved people to tears. She battled much in her life—racism, drug addiction, and relationships. She died too early.
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Unraveling American History Exploring Song Choices/Not ALL songs are covered…the OBVIOUS ones are NOT discussed
Billie Holiday was jazz singer whose performances often moved people to tears. She battled much in her life—racism, drug addiction, and relationships. She died too early. “Angel of Harlem”
Rodney King, a black motorist, was beaten in a routine traffic stop. His attackers (the police) were acquitted and the world rioted for 6 straight days. 53 people died. “April 29, 1992”
Charles Manson—the man who got me banned from 6th grade book reports • Air, Tree, Waters, Animals or All the Way Alive is what ATWA stands for…what was the philosophy Manson was trying to promote? “ATWA”
One of five marines who raised the flag at Iwo Jima • His death was a horrible one—one all too common for our veterans “Ballad of Ira Hayes”
Police raided an African-American drinking club…to find a party welcoming home Vietnam vets. A racial riot ensued. The numbers were startling…over 7000 were arrested; many were injured; a multitude were dead. “Black Day in July”
Systematic destruction of the Native Americans by our government—go figure, the destruction still continues today “Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee”
Some question the “legend” • Typical teenage girl who once was consumed in a life of drugs…she found her faith and supposedly tried to defend it on that infamous day in Littleton, Colorado. “Cassie”
Violent Femmes—you are going back to my college days here • Hailing from my home state, he brought us great shame. He was a serial killer and cannibal of 17 boys. He didn’t live to see a later life. “Dahmer is Dead”
Can there be a COOLER story than that of the infamous outlaws Bonnie and Clyde? I think not. “Demolition Lovers”
Dropped “Little Boy” on Hiroshima—forever changing the world. • Named after the mother of the pilot. “Enola Gay”
“Stop, children. What’s that sound? Everybody look what’s going down.” • The song takes on a true generational problem—its real inspiration came from the Sunset Strip riots “For What it is Worth”
Interested in the war with Iraq and our world’s reliance on black gold? Pick this song. “Heaven Runs on Oil”
Had its own life before Charles Manson hijacked the song. It was a prophetic song of racial tensions destroying our nation. You can also study its relation to my favorite freakazoid, Charles Manson “Helter Skelter”
Be prepared to be disturbed, really disturbed about this on-air suicide which was shown in classrooms throughout our nation. “Hey Man, Nice Shot”
Don’t ignore this song…one of the coolest topics to research. Have you seen the movie with Denzel Washington? Rubin Carter was a black boxer who, in my opinion, was FRAMED for murders he did not commit. He spent 20 years in jail—a wrongfully convicted man. “Hurricane”
I know you hate Mondays. The song’s origin is truly fascinating. A crazy woman opened up fire on a bunch of young kids at a playground…the end result fascinating? • Remember the House episode with Dave Matthews? This song was a crucial part of the episode. • *Did I fail to mention that Hugh Laurie is my biggest celebrity crush? I know he is old and that is creepy… “I Don’t Like Mondays”
Eddie Vedder tried to give life to a small story of a boy who committed suicide in his English class; it has a second story as well. “Jeremy”
Truly disturbing… • Not for the weak of heart • Beyond SICK serial killer “John Wayne Gacy”
One of the most fascinating stories on the list. “Don’t Drink the Kool-Aid” takes on new meaning. • GREAT documentaries on this historical event “Jonestown”
One of the stories on this list that makes me ashamed of my American ancestors…her SENSELESS death and the nation’s reaction to it REPULSES me “Lonesome Death of Hattie Caroll”
Dead? Alive? Who Knows? • This story is for the ECCENTRIC. “Man on the Moon”
Most twisted love story I have ever heard of…you know Mary Kay, the elementary teacher, who fell in love with her young student. She had kids with him, went to jail, and then still went after him. • What is wrong with the world today? “Mary Kay”
Reaction to the confession of the Boston Strangler murders. “Midnight Rambler”
Squeamish? Can’t handle a story about a man who skinned his victims and then wore their flesh? Don’t pick this topic. “Nothing to Gein”
Anti-war? Choose this song about the Kent State Riots. You will have a wealth of research. “Ohio”
Great song…not-so-great story that inspired the event. “Polly”
American bank robber romanticized by the American media. “Pretty Boy Floyd”
MLK’s assassination—a safe topic with a wealth of research. A great song to dissect. “Pride in the Name of Love”
Would love to have a group cover this song about the senseless murder of Matthew Shepard. “Scarecrow”
Safe song…great story…a ton of research “Sister Rosa”
A political convention having controversy and protests? No way. This event was a big one. “Someday”
Safe one about the Cuban Missile Crisis…a truly frightening event for our nation. “Talking Cuban Crisis”
Nice guy with a not –so-nice obsession. Girls about to go off to college…don’t pick the topic. “Ted, Just Admit It”
Calling fellow environmentalists “The Last Resort”
Science gurus unite • Our first attempt to develop a nuclear weapon…shame …shame…shame • Tons of research to help here “The Manhattan Project”
Mystery abounds with this ship that sank with NO distress calls. “The Wreck of the Edmund…”
Why do rappers sing about Watts? It has a story—then and now. “Trouble Every Day”
A biting social commentary on our race to the moon at the expense of more pressing social issues. “Whitey on the Moon”
