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American Studies 235 Social History of Popular Music

Homework 7

Listen to the Billie Holiday playlist posted and then answer the following.

1. “Strange Fruit” is a song about lynching. This was an issue of major national concern when Billie Holiday recorded it. We might say it was about capital “P” politics. But she also sang often about matters having to do with small “p” politics: the politics of the home, romantic relations, and so on. Write about one type of small “p” politics (relationships, work, etc.) you hear being articulated in one of these songs. What is the singer’s approach to the subject? What is the “argument” being made by the song and this performance of it?

2. Pick one song from this list and write a few lines of description of it without making reference its lyrics. What does it sound like? What mood does it evoke? What is the relationship of the voice to the other instruments?

3. Watch this televised performance of Billie Holiday singing “Fine and Mellow” () How is the song enhanced by her physical performance—her body language, expressions, and so on. What would you lose if you could not see Holiday as well as hear her?

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