HIST 89.003 African American Music as History (FYS)
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This guide includes library and other resources to assist you in researching the background, production, and reception of your selected song. Use your research to situate the song in its recording, performance and marketing contexts to provide important insights into how music can shed light on African American history.
Websites and article databases (some require onyen for access)
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Google ScholarGo through this link to get full access to articles you find on Google
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Rock's BackpagesMagazine articles on rock and other popular music topics
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New York Times Historical NewspaperNYT articles up to approximately 2-3 years ago
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Oxford Music OnlineScholarly encyclopedia of music (broad coverage)
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AllMusicContains signed articles about artists and recordings. Go to Advanced search to search by genre or style.
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BillboardIncludes recent charts and artist biographies
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Billboard MagazineBrowse all issues (via Google Books) through 2011
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Articles PlusSearch for scholarly and news articles
Music Library Home Page
Books and e-books that contain information about the songs (onyen required for access to e-books)
Search the indexes to these books and e-books for information about your song or artist.
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A Change is Gonna Come: Music, Race, and the Soul of America (e-book) by Call Number: ML3479.W47 2006. Print version also in Music Library. Check catalog for availability -
Black Lives Matter and Music (e-book) by Call Number: Print version also in Music Library: ML3556.B57 2018. Check catalog for availability -
The Story Behind the Song: 150 Songs That Chronicle the 20th Century (e-book) by Call Number: Print version also in Music Library and Undergrad Library: ML3477.B36 2004. Check catalog for availability -
Music Is Power: Popular Songs, Social Justice and the Will to Change (e-book) by Call Number: Print version also in Music Library: ML3918.P67 S37 2020. Check catalog for availability -
Story Behind the Protest Song: a Reference Guide to the 50 Songs That Changed the 20th Century (e-book) by Call Number: Print version also in Music Library: ML3551.5.P58 2008. Check catalog for availability -
Anatomy of a Song: the Oral History of 45 Iconic Hits That Changed Rock, R&B and Pop (e-book) by Call Number: Print version also in Music Library and Undergraduate Library: ML3470 .M47 2016. Check catalog for availability -
Songs in the Key of Black Life (e-book) by Call Number: Print version also in Music Library and Undergrad Library: ML3521.N42 2003. Check catalog for availability -
Higher Ground: Stevie Wonder, Aretha Franklin, Curtis Mayfield, and the Rise and Fall of American Soul (e-book) by Call Number: Print version also in Music Library: ML400.W36 2004. Check catalog for availability -
The Jazz Standards: a Guide to the Repertoire (e-book) by Call Number: Print version also in Music Library Reference Room: ML128.J3 G56 2012 -
Behind the Song: the Stories of 100 Great Pop & Rock Classics by Call Number: Print version only in Music Library: ML3470.H4 1998. Check catalog for availability -
33 Revolutions per Minute: a History of Protest Songs From Billie Holiday to Green Day by Call Number: Print version only in Music Library and Undergrad Library: ML3780 .L97 2011. Check catalog for availability -
Dancing in the Street: Motown and the Cultural Politics of DetroitCall Number: Print version only in Music Library: ML3792.S65 2000. Check catalog for availability -
Smash HitsCall Number: Print version only in Music Library: ML3477.P44 2016. Check library catalog for availability
UNC catalog search
- A search in the Library Catalog can lead you to many books and e-books related to your topic.
- Search for your song in quotes, or for your artist
- Some sound recordings contain liner (program) notes that provide background information about the artists and songs on the recording. Ask for sound recordings at the Music Library Service Desk.
- Some music scores contain information about the songs (see Robert Johnson example below).
- Click on the Subjects tab for a book you are interested in to find more books like it.
- Make note of the Location of the item. Not all music-related material is in the Music Library!
This score of Robert Johnson's songs includes biographical information and notes on the songs. Music Library M1670.J68 R6 1992 (check library catalog for availability).
Music Library Hours
| Mon-Thurs | 9:00am-9:00pm |
| Friday | 9:00am-5:00pm |
| Saturday | closed |
| Sunday | 1:00pm-9:00pm |
- Last Updated: Jan 18, 2021 1:59 PM
- URL: https://guides.lib.unc.edu/HIST089_3JacksonSP2020
