MUS 507A

Characteristics of Folk, Surf & Dance Music Styles

FOLK MUSIC

lyric content dealt with serious matters of social and/or political concern

aimed at the 18-24-year-old group, v. rock, which was aimed at young teens

albums were the primary medium, v. single releases

return to acoustic instruments only; electric guitars and electronic studio effects seemed artificial to folk artists

more traditional use of the voice–no shouting, on pitch, controlled singing

lyrics were clear, easy to understand–they carried the all-important message!

melodic lines similar to pop–interesting contours

Artists: The Kingston Trio; Peter, Paul & Mary; earlier folk artists include: Pete Seeger, Woody Guthrie, etc.

SURF MUSIC

lyric content dealt with "fun" things, such as cars, girls, beach parties; surfers seemed indifferent to the more serious social and political issues

single releases were plentiful

surf music groups had no prob’ with electric instruments

geographic center of surfer movement was southern California, which led to norms of dress, hair styles, etc. that spread around the country (tanned skin, bleached hair, cutoffs, sandals, etc.)

lyrics were generally clear, easy to understand

the movement inspired many movies with beach/surf themes, starring folks such as Frankie Avalon, Annette Funicello, etc.

Artists: Beach Boys, Jan and Dean, Dick Dale, etc.

DANCE CRAZE

the first, and probably premier, dance-craze tune was The Twist.

Checker and The Twist were popularized on American Bandstand. In fact, Checker’s cover of this tune was supposedly suggested by Dick Clark (A.B. host)

dance songs typically relied on the 12-bar blues structure

many songs contained dance "instructions" in the lyrics of the song

many of the dances were individual dances, where partners did not touch

Artists: Chubby Checker (real name Ernest Evans–C.C. was a play on Fats D.), Sam Cooke, Isley Brothers, Danny and the Juniors, etc.

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