Song Spotlight: “I Get Around”

Black and white photo of five clean cut young white men in 1960s style - The Beach Boys. Song spotlight genre label reads "early surf rock."

Mood: Positive, Restless Themes: Travel, Family Bands, The California Sound Tempo: Allegro, Upbeat Genre/Style: Early Surf Rock In the midst of the winter months, sometimes it is nice to change up the scenery and break out of the regular day to day routine, even if it is only through music and pictures. Why not take…

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Song Spotlight: “The Spring Breeze Kisses My Face (春风吻上我的脸)”

Chinese style lanterns against a red decorative background. Song spotlights label reads, "Lunar New Year"

Mood: Lively, Happy  Themes: Lunar New Year, Spring, Chinese Pop Tempo: Moderate, Danceable Genre/Style: Chinese music, Lunar New Year music The Lunar New Year is one of the most important holidays celebrated among Asian communities. Lunar New Year is known by different names across different cultures and communities around the world. The Chinese Lunar New…

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Song Spotlight: “59th Street Bridge Song/Feelin’ Groovy”

Photo of a young Simon and Garfunkel. Song spotlights genre label reads, "folk rock."

Mood: Cheerful Themes: Happiness, Famous Duos, Simon and Garfunkel Tempo: Moderate Genre/Style: Folk Rock Simon and Garfunkel were a musical duo that rose to fame in an unusual way in the 1960s.   Paul Simon and Art Garfunkel initially went to grade school together, where they learned to harmonize and write songs together. Their first…

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Song Spotlight: “Sweet Caroline”

Photo of a pink rose, slightly open, on a white background. Song spotlights genre label reads, "soft rock/pop."

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…

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Song Spotlight: “Freedom”

Cartoon image of a white bird standing on a guitar neck in blue with green headstock. Yellow fingers wrap around the neck of the guitar. Song spotlights genre label reads, "rock"

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…

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Song Spotlight: “El Grillo”

Brown cricket sitting on a green leaf with a lighter green background. Song spotlights genre label reads "renaissance."

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…

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Song Spotlight: “I’m Coming Out”

Rainbow flag, with horizontal stripes in red, orange, yellow, green, blue, and purple. Song spotlights genre tag reads "disco/funk/soul"

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…

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Song Spotlight: “Rhinestone Cowboy”

Black outline of a cowboy hat over a background of translucent drops on a gray background. Song spotlight genre label reads "county."

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,…

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Song Spotlight: “Respect Yourself”

Photo of three black women in matching checkered dresses and two black men in suits - the Staple Singers at their height of popularity - Song Spotlight genre label reads "Soul/Rock"

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…

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Song Spotlight: “Raindrops Keep Fallin’ On My Head”

Closeup image of water droplets bouncing off a hard surface. Song spotlight label reads "1960s pop"

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…

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