Mood: Happy Themes: Love, 1970s, Sports Tempo: Quick, Upbeat Genre/Style: Soft Rock/Pop We’re in the midst of baseball season, and with it comes the beloved songs that are featured in baseball games, from the old standard “Take Me Out to the Ball Game” to the new classic “Sweet Caroline.” Neil Diamond wrote “Sweet Caroline” in…

Mood: Reflective Themes: Woodstock, 1960s Tempo: Quick, Upbeat Genre/Style: Rock Summer is the time of music festivals. Outdoor summer music festivals combine the bright and sunny weather with the music we love. Festivals are not complete without good music, good company, and some ice cold drinks. One music festival that was especially famous for its…

Mood: Humorous, Happy Themes: Bugs, Humorous Classical Music Tempo: Moderate, Danceable Genre/Style: Renaissance, Italian frottola Here we are in summertime. The warm temperatures revive the plants, flowers and trees. As the plants bloom and blossom, so do the bugs. While some bugs are more enjoyable than others, they have served as an inspiration for songwriters…

Mood: Celebratory Themes: Pride, 1980s, Disco Tempo: Moderate Genre/Style: Disco/Funk/Soul June marks LGBTQIA2s+ Pride month every year, to honor the 1969 Stonewall Uprising in Manhattan, which was a significant turning point for the gay liberation movement in the United States. Pride celebrations can involve many things, from learning more about the history of Pride, attending…

Mood: Optimistic Themes: Fame, 70s Country Tempo: Moderate Genre/Style: Country Glen Campbell was a well rounded performer who started out in the music industry as a session musician. In his time as a session musician, he had recorded 586 tracks in three years for artists such as the Beach Boys, Elvis Presley, the Everly Brothers,…

Mood: Confident Themes: Respect, Social Activism Music, Family Bands Tempo: Moderate Genre/Style: Soul, Rock The Staple Singers were a family band, featuring the Staples family, and founded by Roebuck “Pop” Staples, who was the father of the family. They got their early start in Chicago singing at church, and they quickly rose to prominence, singing…

Mood: Optimistic Themes: Spring, Rain, Positivity  Tempo: Moderate Genre/Style: 1960s pop music It is finally spring again! Though it is early in the season, I am happy to welcome the rain and the flowers that will soon follow. I can’t help but hum the song “Raindrops Keep Fallin’ on My Head” as I walk out…

Mood: Supportive, Optimistic Themes: Weather, Moods Tempo: Moderate Genre/Style: Folk-Pop The Beatles are well known across generations and are known for their rock and folk-pop songs. George Harrison wrote the lyrics and melody to this song after experiencing a variety of stress from work, personal trials, and difficult times with the band. On a whim,…

Mood: Relaxed Themes: Transportation, Country songs Tempo: Moderate Genre/Style: Country Roger Miller was said to be the Class Clown of Country Music. With his humorous novelty songs, he used his voice as an instrument, with rhythmic vocalizations and catchy melodies. His songs often speak to comedic situations and light hearted or true to life topics…

Mood: Supportive Themes: Love, Community Tempo: Slow Genre/Style: Soul Diana Ross is known for her solo work and her time spent with the iconic singing group, The Supremes. The featured song of our spotlight,”Reach Out and Touch (Somebody’s Hand)” was the first track she released at the start of her solo career. Diana Ross even…