The American Songbook is a reference to various compilations of some of the most influential songs in American history. Many of the songs come from folk music traditions and gospel music of Native Americans and immigrant groups, while others are based on European classical traditions. In the early 20^th century Broadway musicals and films brought many musical elements from folk, gospel, bluegrass, blues and jazz together. Around 1920 writers flocked into New York City to music publishing groups to crank out songs for elaborate musical productions for stage and screen. The region in New York was referred to as ‘Tin Pan Alley’ because of street venders selling pots and pans. Eventually, Rock and Roll and TV became important and demanded ‘new’ songs for the teen market and TV advertisement.

Various groups have attempted to archive or preserve these songs and their relationship to American culture and identity. The Smithsonian Folkways Recordings were one of the first and continue to publish diverse American songs. The American Songbook Preservation Society also seeks to preserve original influential works for posterity. Many popular singers have issued their own album of the American Songbook. In our course we will work our own American Songbook of 20 songs that reflect different times and context of American identity and culture with an emphasis on the 20^th century. We will discuss these songs in class and you will print the lyrics. The American songs and the readings in Brown and Ling will be the primary information for your Final Exam.