"When we try to think about what does it mean to be American, this almost impossible question, one of the ways we might try and answer that is through music," said Nate Sloan, a professor of musicology at USC's Thornton School of Music."What are the sounds that defined the American experience at different points in time?"Case in point: Ray Charles singing "America the Beautiful": Or "We Shall Overcome," performed by Mahalia Jackson: Asked what makes a quintessential American song, Sloan replied, "It has to be something that people can sing along to.
I think an American song needs to be communal."Here is Bob Dylan, and a crowd, singing "Blowin' In The Wind" at the Newport Folk Festival in 1963: "And beyond that, I think an American song can take a lot of different forms," Sloan said."I think it can be something that comments on society and our nation in some way."Bruce Springsteen sings "Born In The U.S.A." "Or, it can simply be a song that has stood the test of time," he said, like Hawaiian artist Israel "IZ" Kamakawiwoʻole's rendition of "Over the Rainbow." Sloan said, "What's so unique about our country is the plurality of cultures, ethnicities, backgrounds we have here." It's reflected in composer George Gershwin's beguiling mixture of classical and jazz in "Rhapsody in Blue." And when we asked our "Sunday Morning" jury about their other favorite songs, there was pretty much something for everyone.
Among the top favorites: "Respect," sung by Aretha Franklin.But if there is a #1, it's this Woody Guthrie tune: "This Land Is Your Land." "It's such a powerful homage to this country," said Sloan.
"It's not overly nationalistic.It doesn't take sides.
It's a message we can all relate to.This land is our land." The list is full of contrasts.
Billie Holiday's devastating song about lynching, "Strange Fruit" … … isn't far from the Beach Boys classic "God Only Knows." The songs on this list are kind of all ove...