Ten great genre songs about songs and genres

As a long-time music enthusiast with a particular affinity for genre-defying tunes, I find myself deeply moved by songs that pay homage to the very genres they belong to. Having grown up in the ’90s, I was fortunate enough to witness the birth and evolution of several musical movements, from hip hop’s golden age to the rise of punk rock and the unrelenting power of metal.

When working with groups of young artists, you’ll often observe a common theme. Regardless of the art form – be it novel writing, screenplay creation, poetry composition, or painting – the initial works produced by numerous talented young individuals are deeply personal. They express themselves and draw inspiration from their own lives and experiences.

Typically, they receive this guidance. The age-old adage goes, “Write about what you’re familiar with.” Yet, storytellers might still be drawn to narrating experiences from their own lives even if they hadn’t come across this suggestion beforehand.

At times, artists switch genres or tale themes in their work; at other times, they remain devoted to a single narrative, delving further into its intricacies. Neither approach is inherently better.

Songs about genres can tell you more than you think

Musicians are similar to others in this regard. The trend of singing about one’s own experiences has been prominent in hip-hop music, but it’s important to note that throughout pop music history, artists have incorporated their personal backgrounds into their songs. They often reflect on the past. For instance, Billy Joel identified himself as the “Piano Man,” and Waylon Jennings longed for “Luckenbach, Texas.” Eventually, musicians express themselves through compositions based on their own experiences.

As a seasoned music enthusiast with a lifetime of listening under my belt, I’ve come across a multitude of songs that masterfully capture the essence of reminiscing and poking fun at the past. From the soulful croons of blues to the witty lyrics of country tunes, there’s a wealth of musical expression waiting to be explored.

Primarily, I’m in search of high-quality tunes spanning various genres of music. Many recommendations originate from those within the music scene – practitioners or experts in the field. However, it’s not uncommon for an outsider to offer a unique perspective on the subject as well.

Generally, I prefer upbeat and enjoyable tunes. However, many talented songwriters struggle with not overthinking the significance of their themes.

Music effectively engages listeners by captivating their attention with a compelling rhythm and tune. Once hooked, a song can explore various lyrical themes. For instance:

In chronological order, ten songs about ten genres.

ROCK & ROLL – “ROCK & ROLL MUSIC” by Chuck Berry (1957)

A good place to start is with one of the foundational songs from a genre that significantly influenced western pop music in the latter part of the 20th century. Chuck Berry released “Rock and Roll Music” in 1957, providing an early roadmap for this emerging sound. The boogie-woogie piano played a major role in the arrangement, yet the guitar shone brightly too.

At this pivotal point in time, Berry looks back to jazz and tango as precedents before asserting that rock and roll, with its distinct backbeat, is the current trend. Within just a few years, the most popular bands from both sides of the Atlantic – The Beatles and The Beach Boys – would echo Berry’s belief by recording covers of his song.

FUNK – “DANCE TO THE MUSIC” by Sly & the Family Stone (1968)

I’ve always been fascinated by how Sylvester Stewart, a pioneering figure in the music industry, seamlessly merged soulful black tunes with rocking white beats from the get-go. As an ardent fan, I can tell you that he started out as a disc jockey and record producer back in the day. His innovative fusion of these genres paved the way for some of the earliest forms of modern music diversity.

In his second album, the title track was an unstructured, impromptu demonstration of playing funk. He initiated a roll call, starting with drummer Greg Errico, then moving on to Freddie Stone on the guitar. Subsequently, Larry Graham, an exceptional bass player, infused the track with funkiness as he came into the blend. Lastly, Sly took over the organ, and his horn players, Cynthia Robinson and Jerry Martini, completed the song, turning it into a delightful medley of funk maestros, each showcasing their unique skills while maintaining harmony.

COUNTRY – “ARE YOU SURE HANK DONE IT THIS WAY” by Waylon Jennings (1975)

In Austin, it’s a local requirement for those aiming to start a career as an outlaw country musician to record a cover of this particular song. Consequently, many renowned artists such as Waylon and his Highwaymen friends, Steve Earle, Robert Earl Keen, Travis Tritt, Clint Black, Alabama, The Mavericks, and even Chequered Past with Michael Des Barres have all taken on this musical tradition. Notably, Hank Williams, Jr. also recorded the song.

I’ve always been a country music fan, and I can’t help but be drawn to songs that tell a story about the struggles and triumphs of artists in the industry. One such song that resonates deeply with me is Waylon Jennings’ classic “Are You Sure Hank Done It This Way?”

In musical terms, the song retains a certain level of constraint, leading numerous artists to try and give it a rawer, more authentic Hank Williams feel. Regardless of your preferred rendition, this timeless classic is an indestructible piece of modern country music history.

BLUEGRASS – “TATER TATE AND ALLEN MUNDY” by John Hartford (1976)

In the early 1970s, John Hartford produced two exceptional modern bluegrass albums for Warner Bros., titled “Aereo-Plane” and “Morning Bugle.” Unfortunately, these albums didn’t receive much recognition, leading Warner Bros. to cease working with him. For the rest of his career, Hartford recorded for smaller labels such as Flying Fish Records and later Rounder Records after they acquired Flying Fish.

In his second album for Flying Fish, Hartford returned to the simple roots of bluegrass music. As a virtuoso with a knack for stringed instruments, he single-handedly handled all the instrumentation. The track “Tater Tate and Allen Mundy” was an unadulterated tribute to bluegrass legends. Hartford commenced with a cappella vocals, crooning “Bluegrass music echoing in the park,” before his fiddle added to the melody.

Approximately one minute into the performance, Hartford starts his list of acknowledgments, starting with Lester Flatt. Up until this point, the tune has been moving slowly. However, towards the end, Hartford quickens the pace to match a typical bluegrass rhythm, achieving this solely through his vocal skills. I can’t say for sure, but I estimate that he mentions around 75 individuals in total during his shout-outs, including the title characters – Tater Tate on the fiddle and Alan Munde on the banjo (whose name is misspelled in the song’s title).

SWING – “SULTANS OF SWING” by Dire Straits (1978)

You can certainly make the case that this song isn’t typical of swing or rock and roll genres. Instead, it seems to blend elements of jazz and blues with a touch of swing rhythm. The presence of horns and complex chord progressions adds to this assessment. Feel free to label it jazz-rock if that fits your classification better.

In order to allow “Sultans” to represent any genre instead of just jazz, I intentionally left out a jazz tune from this list. The Sultans of Swing, as they’re called, fit perfectly for this purpose. Mark Knopfler masterfully paints a vivid picture in this small dive club setting and treats us to two stunning guitar solos. This song is deeply connected to its innovative concept, which deviates from the common theme of road songs. Though many musicians have written about life on the open road, road songs are a distinct genre. Knopfler chose to go against the flow.

In simple terms, this song tells the story of a house band that’s content with their current situation, lacking the expertise or drive to advance. They don’t feel the need for change since they play for the joy it brings them. The artist invites us into their world on a chilly, rainy evening and allows the rhythmic melodies to penetrate our very core.

GRUNGE – “TALKIN’ SEATTLE BLUES” by Todd Snider (1994)

A musician from Nashville, known for his folk tunes, strums an acoustic melody accompanied by harmonica. He labels this composition as “blues.” However, this song actually explores the grunge culture in an astute and humorous way, as masterfully expressed by Snider.

I’ve seen it all in my years of following the music scene – bands coming and going, struggling to find their footing, striving for that elusive success. But the story of this particular group is one that always leaves me in awe. They were just another nameless band, toiling away in obscurity, until they packed up and moved to Seattle.

In a live recording from 2003’s “New Truths and Hotel Rooms” (renamed as “Talking Seattle Grunge Rock Blues”), Snider brilliantly modifies the song’s lyrics. He alters the closing of a verse where a record executive expresses his admiration for their work but doubts about selling an album without any music. I replied, “Sir, you’ve been saying that very thing throughout the year.” Impressive stuff! Eventually, Snider’s mythical grunge band succumbs to the rise of a group that hadn’t even formed yet – Guns n Roses.

HIP HOP – “I USED TO LOVE H.E.R.” by Common (1994)

In the year 1994, when Lonnie Lynn was known by his stage name Common Sense, he dropped a noteworthy track titled “I Used to Love H.E.R.” This piece stands out for its candid perspective on a genre that wasn’t widely popular yet. Common Sense invites us on a storytelling journey through hip hop’s history over a mellow jazz backdrop, flavored with Coltrane influences and a sample from George Benson.

In “I Met Her,” Common says he encountered a girl at age ten who possessed an extraordinary soul. This line inspired Kanye West for his song “Homecoming.” Continuing the narrative, Common shares in “Slim” that Joe was unique and authentic when she was hidden from the world.

Later on, his girlfriend adopted an Afro-centric and political outlook, and subsequently, she relocated to the West Coast where her influence broadened significantly. Ultimately, she was swallowed up by corporate entities who manipulated her into distorting her authentic self for mass marketing purposes.

In the last part of the song before the ending, Common refers to his girl as being akin to hip hop itself. By this point, you may have already deduced this meaning, but it didn’t lessen the impact of the track. The lyrics were subtly powerful and continued to impress long after the revelation of their significance.

BLUES – “PLAYING THE BLUES” by Keith Dunn (1998)

Keith Dunn, an accomplished harmonica player in the blues genre, holds within him an impressive collection of various American music styles prevalent throughout the last century. His recordings reflect these diverse influences, yet they ultimately return to his deep-rooted love for the blues. Kick-starting his most heartfelt blues tribute, he introduces a few harmonica licks as an invitation and then shares, “Let me tell you a tale, dear audience – Of musicians who devotedly play the blues.”

He continues sharing the remainder of his experiences, discussing various truths about the life of a musician. From “the devil’s hand in hand with club owners” to learning that “you’re a blues artist, and you’ll never find peace by settling down.” (or) He shares more of his journey, speaking about the realities of being a musician – from “working with devils disguised as club owners” to discovering that “you’re a blues musician, and you can’t expect to live a settled life.”)

I’m a big fan of Dunn’s music, and in one of his songs, it’s just him and his harmonica taking center stage. Some people might say that other tunes are about the blues, but when it comes down to it, none compare to this simple yet powerful performance. Take “Birth of the Blues,” a 1926 classic made famous by Frank Sinatra and covered by numerous legends. While it has its merits, nothing quite captures the essence of the blues like Dunn’s solo act with his harmonica in hand.

“The Jazz piece ‘Birth of the Blues’ by Freddy Cole barely touches upon the blues genre. However, when Freddy sings ‘Singing the Blues,’ it remains a jazz composition. On the other hand, Dunn, who has resided predominantly in the Netherlands throughout his adult life, genuinely expresses the feelings of the blues.”

PUNK – “PUNK ROCK 101” by Bowling for Soup (2003)

“Keep in mind the lag – Towards the final line.” With this caution, Jaret Reddick carries on writing his guide to punk culture, filled with dickies and sweatbands, spiked hair, and new Vans. He delves deeper into the musical disagreement between Fat Mike and Bon Jovi, encapsulated in a tale of a broken heart. However, it’s important to note that he doesn’t truly explore anything deeply, and this narrative is more sarcastic than melancholic.

In simpler terms, the author is expressing a different perspective regarding the satire’s approach to punk rock in BFS. Instead of seeing it as disrespectful, the author suggests that the piece aims to criticize the monotonous and overused elements of punk rock during the early 2000s, which had lost some of its original vitality due to repetition. The author also points out that criticism is often a sign of deep affection for something.

METAL – “METAL IS FOR EVERYONE” by Freedom Call (2016)

I’ve always found poetry to be a beautiful and powerful form of expression. The lines you provided, “No qualifiers are needed here. Metal is for everyone – The sound is made from steel – Bound for pride and victory – The law of right and wrong,” resonate deeply with me, given my lifelong appreciation for metal music.

this German power metal band connects metal music to broader representations of power – think kings, dragons, and heroes. The relentless drumming of Ramy Ali and the powerful rhythm guitar riffs of Lars Rettkowski march in unison. Chris Ray’s chanting voices repeat the inclusive message conveyed by the title, making it resonate with you, even if metal music isn’t your usual cup of tea.

If you prefer something more heavy and less symphonic than the suggested song, consider giving Sweden’s Dream Evil’s “The Book of Heavy Metal” (released in 2004) a try instead.

As someone who has spent years immersed in the world of music, I can’t help but be fascinated by the intricacies of genre songs and the people behind them. From the passionate ballads of country singers to the upbeat rhythms of pop stars, each genre tells a unique story about the human experience.

2024-07-21 13:01