I like Country Roads a lot myself. I have a plaque in my house that says, “Country roads, take me home.” I live in Virginia, not West Virginia, but we actually have more of the landmarks he mentions in the song, like the Blue Ridge Mountains, and the Shenandoah River.
Oh Shenandoah is my favorite, though. You can probably guess what part of Virginia I live in. 😊
I don’t think of “Country Roads” as an “old American” song. It is very evocative of America, but it was written in 1971. By comparison, “Sweet Caroline” came out in 1969, and I hope no one thinks of that as an American traditional folk song.
I’m not even convinced that “Country Roads” symbolizes the 1970’s. It’s a great song, but despite its baffling reputation as an era of great popular music, the 1970’s churned out a lot of very popular drek. “Muskrat Love” is my call for a typical 1970’s song.
Black is the Color. It’s a traditional Appalachian folk tune. The lyrics originated in Scotland because it references the River Clyde but the most popular version is set to music composed by an American guy.
That is not a terribly old song and it’s just a pop ditty. I’d say probably anything by Woody Guthrie or Phil Ochs or Pete Seeger, if we’re counting songs that recent, or Simple Gifts, written in 1848 in Maine.
We really popped off with ‘Yankee Doodle Dandy’, especially when you consider it was originally created by the British to make fun of Americans, and we stole and taunted them with it.
Fortunate Son and For What it’s Worth. Both excellent songs, perfectly paired with the only war to have its own soundtrack. Technically For What it’s Worth is about some riots in Hollywood but it speaks to the tension both in Vietnam and on campuses and cities throughout the US.
“Pack up your troubles in your old kit bag, “The Entertainer,” “Happy days are here again,” “Moonlight Serenade.” For the first half of the 20th century.
Old MGM/Warner Bros movies definitely leave the impression that during the WWII and early postwar years it was definitely Kate Smith belting out Irving Berlin’s “God Bless America”.
“old american” Kids these days…..
We need to talk about the definition of OLD.
AND TO ANSWER THE QUESTION
Star Spangled banner, Francis Scott Key
And for the modern
We Didn’t Start the Fire
Song by Billy Joel ‧ 1989
So many songs mentioned were great at the time, but didn’t speak to the time.
Take me home country road was written in 1970 and released on 1971. For a lot of the country the early 1970s were what people think the 1960s were. Woodstock was in 1969.
“Joy to the World” by Three Dog Night. Would be more appropriate for the early 1970s.
While at the same time “Fortunate Son” by Creedence Clearwater Revival 1969, spoke to a lot of guys in the military/Vietnam at the time.
Of course there is the disco era, The Bee Gees’ song “Stayin’ Alive” 1976-84 you could go to a club and …
Cats in the Cradle by Harry Chapman. Listen to the lyrics and you will learn something about society and the chase for the mighty dollar and the consequences.
“Hard Times Come Again No More” (1854) by Stephen Foster is a hauntingly beautiful song that is often stuck in my head. It reminds me of the boom and bust cycles, often regional, endemic in mid-19th century that sent so many to seek new places to live, while those who stayed suffered with the deprivation that economic depression brought.
Comments
American Pie or Fortunate Son.
Don’t Stop Believing.
Livin on a prayer.
How is “country roads” a symbol of the era it was released?
It’s a good song, but it’s not exactly what I think of when I think “70s music”.
What period?
Anything by woody Guthrie screams 20s-40s for me
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ft0vkKCadgk
Country Joe and the Fish – Vietnam Song
Dixie
Jelly Roll Morton’s “Black Bottom Swamp” is peak 1920s hot jazz, IMO.
Edit: (For less piano, but full band, it’s “Grandpa’s Spells”, Red Hot Peppers’ version).
The Battle Hymn of the Republic really catches the civil war period.
“Jailhouse Rock” by Elvis Presley (1957)
“American Idiot” really encapsulates the angst of the early 2000s to me.
Espresso by Sabrina Carpenter really hit me where I was at last summer.
I will not be taking questions at this time.
Stars and Stripes Forever, Philip Sousa
“Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy (of Company B)” for WW2
I like Country Roads a lot myself. I have a plaque in my house that says, “Country roads, take me home.” I live in Virginia, not West Virginia, but we actually have more of the landmarks he mentions in the song, like the Blue Ridge Mountains, and the Shenandoah River.
Oh Shenandoah is my favorite, though. You can probably guess what part of Virginia I live in. 😊
“In The Big Rock Candy Mountain”
From the Great Depression
An ooooold timey song, fantasizing about a time when food and good things will be plentiful again for everyone
I don’t think of “Country Roads” as an “old American” song. It is very evocative of America, but it was written in 1971. By comparison, “Sweet Caroline” came out in 1969, and I hope no one thinks of that as an American traditional folk song.
I’m not even convinced that “Country Roads” symbolizes the 1970’s. It’s a great song, but despite its baffling reputation as an era of great popular music, the 1970’s churned out a lot of very popular drek. “Muskrat Love” is my call for a typical 1970’s song.
Black is the Color. It’s a traditional Appalachian folk tune. The lyrics originated in Scotland because it references the River Clyde but the most popular version is set to music composed by an American guy.
https://songofamerica.net/song/black-is-the-color-of-my-true-loves-hair/#:~:text=English%20composer%20Cecil%20Sharp%20heard,written%20by%20John%20Jacob%20Niles.
Here is Nina Simone’s version because I think it’s my favorite run at it:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cA5DsqQ0Fjg
This is America by Childish Gambino
Sixteeen Tons by Merle Travis
It really encapsulates the life of a coal miner and life in a company town at the time.
Dark as a Dungeon as well.
Lots of jazz and great depression era music are symbols of their time.
God Bless America by Irving Berlin.
Oval Room by Blaze Foley.
American patrol by Glenn Miller
That is not a terribly old song and it’s just a pop ditty. I’d say probably anything by Woody Guthrie or Phil Ochs or Pete Seeger, if we’re counting songs that recent, or Simple Gifts, written in 1848 in Maine.
My Country ‘Tis of Thee. The lyrics were written in the 1830s using the same melody of the British anthem “God Save the King” as a 🖕to the monarchy.
We really popped off with ‘Yankee Doodle Dandy’, especially when you consider it was originally created by the British to make fun of Americans, and we stole and taunted them with it.
https://www.kennedy-center.org/education/resources-for-educators/classroom-resources/media-and-interactives/media/music/story-behind-the-song/the-story-behind-the-song/yankee-doodle/
Any old zydeco song mentally transports me back to when there were only dirt roads and everyone spoke French.
Pretty much any jimi hendrix song encapsulates the 60s for me (esp his performance of the star spangled banner at Woodstock)
For me, a child of the 60s, anti-war songs. “We Are Stardust, We Are Golden,” for one.
Rhapsody in Blue
Fortunate Son and For What it’s Worth. Both excellent songs, perfectly paired with the only war to have its own soundtrack. Technically For What it’s Worth is about some riots in Hollywood but it speaks to the tension both in Vietnam and on campuses and cities throughout the US.
“American Patrol” for the WWII era, even moreso than “In the Mood”.
Yankee Doodle
To me, “old American” suggests pre-WWI, maybe up to WWII. If it’s familiar to the boomer generation, it’s not old music.
For What It’s Worth — Buffalo Springfield
The Night Chicago Died
“Pack up your troubles in your old kit bag, “The Entertainer,” “Happy days are here again,” “Moonlight Serenade.” For the first half of the 20th century.
60’s – Live For Today, by The Grass Roots
70’s – Rollercoaster of Love, by The Ohio Players
80’s – Everybody Have Fun Tonight, by Wang Chung
90’s – Hey Jealousy, by The Gin Blossoms
America, F*ck Yeah!
The battle of New Orleans by Johnny Horton
In the Mood – Glenn Miller. It seems like anytime you see a dance scene in a movie based in the 40s, this one is playing.
Two songs by Dylan represent the 60’s. “The Times They Are A Changing” and “Blowin In The Wind”.
Old MGM/Warner Bros movies definitely leave the impression that during the WWII and early postwar years it was definitely Kate Smith belting out Irving Berlin’s “God Bless America”.
The Entertainer, Scott Joplin
Rednecks by Randy Newman probably
America by Simon and Garfunkel, hits with that late 60’s Boomer wanderlust vibe.
I’m too young for it, but I get a sense of it from that
I’m An Asshole, 80’s -90’s rabid, consumerist, self-aware, performative edginess.
“old american” Kids these days…..
We need to talk about the definition of OLD.
AND TO ANSWER THE QUESTION
Star Spangled banner, Francis Scott Key
And for the modern
We Didn’t Start the Fire
Song by Billy Joel ‧ 1989
So many songs mentioned were great at the time, but didn’t speak to the time.
Take me home country road was written in 1970 and released on 1971. For a lot of the country the early 1970s were what people think the 1960s were. Woodstock was in 1969.
“Joy to the World” by Three Dog Night. Would be more appropriate for the early 1970s.
While at the same time “Fortunate Son” by Creedence Clearwater Revival 1969, spoke to a lot of guys in the military/Vietnam at the time.
Of course there is the disco era, The Bee Gees’ song “Stayin’ Alive” 1976-84 you could go to a club and …
“Boys of Summer” by Don Henley.
How does Misery Business fit the 00s?
“Which side are you on?” Florence Reece in 1931.
Remember the Battle of Blair Mountain west Virginia
City of New Orleans by Woody Guthrie.
The Entertainer by Scott Joplin is used to reference that time period and is very recognizable
Yankee Doodle. Most don’t know what a dandy or macaroni is.
The times they are a changing by Bob dylan
“Tear the Fascists Down” – Woody Guthrie
Literally about WWII and killing Nazis. It needs a comeback.
“Rhapsody in Blue” by George Gershwin.
Billie Holiday’s “Strange Fruit” is probably one of the most important songs of that time.
The unedited “This land is our land”
King Porter Stomp exemplifies the ’30s thanks to Don Redman and Fletcher Henderson even though Jelly Roll Morton wrote it in the teens.
This Land Is Your Land. With ALL the verses.
“Going Down the Road Feeling Bad” is an icon of the Great Depression. So is “Brother, Can You Spare a Dime?”
Gimme Shelter by the Stones and Ohio by Crosby Stills Nash and Young
Cats in the Cradle by Harry Chapman. Listen to the lyrics and you will learn something about society and the chase for the mighty dollar and the consequences.
Poncho and lefty
The Times They Are A-changin’
“Hard Times Come Again No More” (1854) by Stephen Foster is a hauntingly beautiful song that is often stuck in my head. It reminds me of the boom and bust cycles, often regional, endemic in mid-19th century that sent so many to seek new places to live, while those who stayed suffered with the deprivation that economic depression brought.
This Land Is Your Land
Woody Guthrie, yup
Does Holiday by Green Day count? It’s about 20 years old now.
Though I’d say it’s more reflective of now rather than then.
For the WWII era it’s “I’ll Be Home for Christmas.”