National Myth and the First World War in Modern Popular Music

This book looks at the role of popular music in constructing the myth of the First World War. Since the late 1950s over 1,500 popular songs from more than forty countries have been recorded that draw inspiration from the War. National Myth and the First World War in Modern Popular Music takes an inter-disciplinary approach that locates popular music within the framework of 'memory studies' and analyses how songwriters are influenced by their country's 'national myths'. How does popular music help form memory and remembrance of such an event? Why do some songwriters stick rigidly to culturally dominant forms of memory whereas others seek an oppositional or transnational perspective? The huge range of musical examples include the great chansonniers Jacques Brel and Georges Brassens; folk maestros including Al Stewart and Eric Bogle; the socially aware rock of The Kinks and Pink Floyd; metal legends Iron Maiden and Bolt Thrower and female iconoclasts Diamanda Galás and PJ Harvey.

Explores how popular music depicts one of the most studied historical events Combines memory studies, cultural history and music in a major interdisciplinary study Utilises a range of approaches such as case studies and textual analysis

Auteur

Peter Grant is Senior Lecturer at City University London, UK. His previous books include Philanthropy and Voluntary Action in the First World War and The Business of Giving. He is a Fellow of the Royal Historical Society, a trustee of the Amy Winehouse Foundation and President of Kennington Cricket Club.

Contenu

Introduction.- 1. National Myth and the First World War.- 2. Remembrance, Memory and Popular Music.- 3. Words and Music.- 4. The Voice of the People.- 5. Butcher's Tales and Gunner's Dreams.- 6. Shrill Demented Choirs.- 7. Football in No-Man's-Land.- 8. The Gospel according to St Wilfred.- 9. Bombazine Dolls and Orders from the Dead.- 10. Conclusion: Music and the Centenary.