Analysis of Music in the 1970's and 1920's

“Music expresses that which cannot be put into words and that which cannot remain silent (Hugo, 2007).”Whether you grew up in the Roaring 20’s or in the Disco 70’s, music was a strong source of fun and entertainment. It is an art of sound in time that expresses ideas and emotions in significant forms through the elements of rhythm, melody, harmony, and color. If you ever heard the phrase “Do the Hustle” you would most likely be referring to the disco era of the 1970’s compared to the “jazz age” of the 1920’s. Both eras with their common and uncommon comparisons made a historical and unforgettable impact on today’s music.

Music of the 1970’s saw the rise of disco, which became one of the biggest genres of the decade, especially in the mid-to-late 1970s. Although the hype was short lived many great hits formed from this genre. The Bee’s Gee’s released their well known song “Stayin’ Alive,” The Village People released the “YMCA,” and “Macho Man,” plus many more. Other than disco, funk, jazz fusion, smooth jazz and soul continued to prominent throughout the decade. One major genre that played an important part in the Western music scene was Rock. Sub-genres of rock, in particular glam, hard rock, progressive, art rock, and heavy metal amounted a substantial amount of success during this decade.

A number of other genres, throughout the decade, maintained a significant following. One genre that was slow to start was Hip-Hop, while it emerged in the 1970’s it didn’t become significant until the late 1980’s. Although Classical music began to lose impetus, it gave way to a new generation of composers through invention and theoretical development. The decade was also distinguished for its assistance to electronic music, which rose in reco...

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...ath to dominate their field and branch off into other dominating sub-genres. Those genres, especially in the 1920’s, created the foundation of what we see today in the 21st century. The genres and the creativity produced in these decades were accompanied by entertaining dance and shows that provided the people with a comfortable diversion from their outward life. In addition, music remained a way of spiritual and fun release of the mind and energy. With the radio acting as a distribution center for music, it became a national pastime in which it still ranks number one today for it’s easy access and reaching fields. In conclusion, although the 1920’s saw the birthplace of what is generally known today as the foundation of modern music, the 1970’s matched innovation and creation in the industry which is why music is still a staple in the lives of many people today.