Anatomy of 55 Hit Songs - The Top Singles That Changed Rock, R&b and Soul

Songs that sell the most copies become hits, but some of those hits become something more - iconic recordings that not only inspire a generation but also alter the direction of music. In this follow-up to his classic Anatomy of a Song, writer and music historian Marc Myers tells the stories behind fifty-five more rock, pop, R&B, country and reggae hits through intimate interviews with the artists who wrote and recorded them.
Part oral history, part musical analysis, Anatomy of 55 Hit Songs ranges from Creedence Clearwater Revival's 'Bad Moon Rising' to Dionne Warwick's 'Walk On By', The Beach Boys' 'Good Vibrations' and Black Sabbath's 'Paranoid'. Bernie Taupin recalls how he wrote the lyrics to Elton John's 'Rocket Man'; Joan Jett remembers channeling her rage against how she had been unfairly labeled and treated into 'Bad Reputation' and Ozzy Osbourne, Elvis Costello, Bob Weir, Sheryl Crow, Alice Cooper, Roberta Flack, John Mellencamp, Keith Richards, Carly Simon and many others reveal the emotions and technique behind their major works.

About the author

Marc Myers

Summary

Fifty-five oral histories of iconic rock and R&B hits based on the popular Wall Street Journal column 'Anatomy of a Song'.

Product details

• Authors: Marc Myers, Myers Marc
• Publisher: Atlantic monthly press
• Languages: English
• Product format: Paperback / Softback
• Released: 02.11.2023
• EAN: 9781611854251
• ISBN: 978-1-61185-425-1
• No. of pages: 416
• Subjects: Humanities, art, music > Music > General, dictionaries; Non-fiction book > Music, film, theatre > Pop, rock; Individual composers & musicians, specific bands & groups, MUSIC / Genres & Styles / General, MUSIC / Individual Composer & Musician, MUSIC / Lyrics, Pop Music, Popular Music, Composers and songwriters, Techniques Of Music / Music Tutorials