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By Jahkier Turner

Synopsis: Throughout history there are many examples of how stories have been told through song. Here, you will see my perspective of the songs that tell some of the most powerful stories, through the decades.

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So, I'm sure none of us were around during this time, which would make it harder, in some cases to be able to identify a story within songs from this period in time. Nevertheless, I believe that Yankee Doodle Boy, by Billy Murray, which is a patriotic song speaks to some of the contempt that still existed after the end of the Boxer Rebellion which ended in 1904.

The link to this song is on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=im-4H6FGy-Y.

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The Yankee Doodle Boy - Billy Murray (1905)

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"The Yankee Doodle Boy", also well known as "(I'm a) Yankee Doodle Dandy" is a patriotic song from the Broadway musical "Little Johnny Jones" written by George M. Cohan (1878-1942) in 1904. An early hit recording of the song was sung by Cohan's contemporary and fellow Irish-American Billy Murray in 1905.

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During this decade, WWI would break out and force the U.S. to enter, due to the fact that American soldiers were first deployed in France, most songs were about seeing France. This song, 'Goodbye Broadway, Hello France' by the American Quartet, represents the idea that most songwriters of this period were writing about.

The link to this is on You tube at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q7se0rsuFzE

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Goodbye Broadway, Hello France -- American Quartet

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The 1920's was known as the Roaring Twenties, due to major economic success in the U.S. It was symbolized musically by the flourishing of Jazz and Ragtime, both which are genres that songwriters used to signify the fun of club life in this particular era.

The link to this video is https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7atwjmPcxng

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Duke Ellington Orch. - Jubilee Stomp (1928)

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The 1930's was the time in which America went through the Great depression. Many people were out of jobs, social tensions were high, and the government didn't seem to have answers. However, Music was the one thing that did help people through this time. Many people, especially artists expressed their frustrations through song. This particular named 'Oh Brother, Can You Spare a Dime?', explains the struggles of the time in the title itself, the song really puts the icing on the cake.

The link to this song is https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eih67rlGNhU

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The 1940's were characterized, not only by WWII, but America's step forward in proclaiming themselves as a world power. Many citizens exemplified great patriotism during this time. Captain America debut in the second year of the war. Along with comic writers, musicians were expressing it through music very effectively. Kay Kyser explained America's position perfectly.

Link:

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Praise the Lord and Pass the Ammunition | Kay Kyser (Lyrics)

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Yup, kay kyser version, from WWII Lyrics: Praise the Lord and pass the ammunition Praise the Lord and pass the ammunition Praise the Lord and pass the ammunition And we'll all stay free Praise the Lord and swing into position Can't afford to be a politician Praise the Lord, we're

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The 1950's, in spite of the happening of the Vietnam War, the decade was mixed with social tensions with the war and the beginning of the desegregation of the South, which was met with a lot of backlash. Many Blacks felt as though the president was doing enough for them. In 1954 J.B. Lenoir, put words and music together to create, 'Eisenhower Blues.'

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Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.

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This decade could be symbolized by so many songs, as the decades to come after it, however I feel as though that this particular songs really speaks to the adversity that Blacks faced trying to be treated as people.

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Sam Cooke - A Change Is Gonna Come (Official Lyric Video)

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This era was filled with people who began to follow a lifestyle coined as Psychedelic. This was along with the massive movement of those beginning to use marijuana, and cocaine. However, it was mainly the funk that got people to really participate. One of the best? The one, the only, Funkadelic.

Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bN1xFZ2vfwY

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1980's (The beginning of a musical Renaissance)

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1980's (The beginning of a musical Renaissance)

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This decade was filled with what many recognize as 'Reaganomics', a form of politics that didn't work for America. This period was also filled with a turn towards rock and hip hop. Fortunately, these two very different genres could come together to create a masterpiece that will last the ages. It's by RUN DMC and Aerosmith.

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This decade (my favorite of all) was defined by the presidency of Bill Clinton, and the policies that mostly had a positive effect on the Black community for a change. However, the country saw the rise of crime and most people at the time associated with gangs. Though disillusioned it gave for Artists like the group Bone Thugs n Harmony to voice their opinion.

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Bone Thugs n Harmony - Thuggish Ruggish Bone

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This decade was characterized by multiple things, especially 9/11, which terrorized the nation and caused the U.S.'s allies to question their international authority, America responded with efforts to support those who died in the attack. Along with support from citizens, music artists also spoke up about how they felt about the attacks. One of the most personal influences, Hezekiah Walker, in my eyes, says it the best.

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This decade, which is the decade of the rise of millennial generation, has been characterized by major advances in technology, especially social media. Also, the social climate has dramatically changed, a society where everyone has to be politically correct, in order for everyone's feeling's to be OK. However, most millennials are really just trying to live their life. Again I think that this song personally speaks to what I believe some are saying about today's society. The walls group can sing it better than I could ever tell it though.

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Looking at the songs through the decades, I think that the stories that they told were different. All of the artists were of different backgrounds and had different lifestyles, which I think contributes to the varying stories that their songs told. In the 1940's, when America was becoming a world power, the music of the time symbolized Americans pride in being Americans. I also see that it shows you how times have changed. For example, you see the slow slow paced calm music at the turn of the century, but almost six decades later we are infusing 808's and bass boosting fast pace music, which can also shows you that people considered back in the 1900 as good music is far different from what we would generally consider as good music, which speaks to the progress we've made and it also speaks to the progress that we have yet to make, too. Though some songs show you the overlap in eras, which speaks to the cooperation of people and different groups of people agreeing on a central theme. However, for the most part I don't think that there is a central theme in between these songs.

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So Long, Farewell from The Sound of Music (Official HD Video)