Words and music: songs in popular music 3106-SiMPOP-F
The course aims to prepare researchers to work with songs from scientific, journalistic, and artistic perspectives.
To achieve this goal, we will focus on the relationship between language and music. These relationships can be of various kinds. In this course, we will examine them in the context of popular music. Students will learn methods of researching songs, the main research problems, and important aspects and contexts.
The scope of the study is broad, ranging from vocalizations and specific "glossolalia" (Elisabeth Frazier, Lisa Gerrard) to the construction of meanings in songs sung in languages unknown to the listener (e.g., closer languages such as Slovak — Korben Dallas; more distant languages such as Norwegian — Kaizers Orchestra; and extremely distant languages such as Polynesian languages — Quinzequinze, as well as songs from "Vaiana"); listening to songs in familiar foreign languages; and listening to songs in one's native language. We will also explore song forms, including verse, verse-chorus, recomposed, and blues forms; phonostylistic techniques; sociolinguistic aspects; and narrative relationships and the construction of a musical persona. An important element will be analyzing song lyrics in relation to the music in which they are expressed. We will also examine songs as recordings and performances. We will juxtapose the external perspective (listener, critic, or musicologist) with the creator's perspective (self-reflection).
After the first class, we will provide a detailed course plan to take into account the interests and song examples proposed by the enrolled students.
Type of course
Mode
Course coordinators
Learning outcomes
I. KNOWLEDGE
K_W01, K_W02, K_W04, K_W06, K_W08
Students will have knowledge of/on:
- the scope of research in the field of “song studies”
- terms and concepts related to research on songs, ballads and other works combining words and music
- the function of songs in 20th- and 21st-century musical culture from a historical perspective
- the functioning of songs in contemporary popular culture, within the framework of musical styles and genres discussed in class
- the songwriters and their works presented in class
II. SKILLS
K_U01, K_U02, K_U03, K_U04, K_U05, K_U08
Students will acquire the skills to
- analyse songs in terms of form, harmony and function at a basic level, as well as in terms of melody and lyrics (linguistic devices used, meaning, cultural codes)
- analyse a piece in a cultural context and relate it to other songs and cultural texts
- distinguish between the meaning codes of a song: artistic, journalistic, educational, entertainment, religious, utilitarian
- present the results of their research on a song in the form of a paper (with the possibility of self-reflection on their own potential creativity)
III. SOCIAL COMPETENCES
K_K01, K_K02, K_K04
In terms of social competences, students
- recognise the influence of songs on social life
- recognise the importance of songs as a vehicle for cultural, countercultural and subcultural practices
- learn about the possibilities of integrating knowledge about songs and the ability to analyse them with social practices in which this knowledge and these skills can be used
Assessment criteria
Presentation in the form of an oral report accompanied by a multimedia presentation during class (approx. 15 minutes + presentation of the song itself) analysing a selected song based on knowledge gained during class, using theories discussed during class and presented in the bibliography. Performative self-reflection on one's own song, written before or during the class, is allowed.
Acceptable absences (both excused and unexcused): 2. Excessive absences (no more than 5) may be compensated for by preparing final assignments based on readings indicated by the instructor.
In special cases (documented by a long-term sick leave), the instructor allows for an increase in the limit of absences and assignments compensating for absences.
In order to obtain a final grade for the course, absences must be settled. The paper may be presented before the absences are settled, but the settlement must take place no later than the end of the first week of the semester in which the course is held.
In the case of BON rulings, individual arrangements may be made regarding absences and the method of assessment (depending on the BON's recommendation). The BON ruling should be reported to the lecturer without undue delay after receiving the document.
Practical placement
Not applicable.
Bibliography
Below is a selection of literature on the subject. The required and supplementary reading (including English-language texts) will be announced after the first class, once the students' preferences have been assessed and the artists to be studied in detail have been selected.
1. Antropologia rocka, red. P. Tański, „Kultura Współczesna” 2021, nr 2
2. Barańczak A., Słowo w piosence. Poetyka współczesnej piosenki estradowej, Zakład Narodowy im. Ossolińskich, Wrocław 1983.
3. Derlatka P., Poeci piosenki 1956–1989. Agnieszka Osiecka, Jeremi Przybora, Wojciech Młynarski i Jonasz Kofta, Wydawnictwo Poznańskie, Poznań 2012.
4. Florczyk T., „Rap to nie zabawa już”. Obrzeża genologii, czyli gatunki literackie obecne w tekstach polskich twórców hip-hopowych, Wydawnictwo Naukowe Uniwersytetu Humanistyczno-Przyrodniczego im. Jana Długosza w Częstochowie, Częstochowa 2020 [seria: Głośne Pióra].
5. Frith S., Sceniczne rytuały. O wartości muzyki popularnej, przeł. M. Król, Wydawnictwo Uniwersytetu Jagiellońskiego, Kraków 2011.
6. Gajda K., Szarpidruty i poeci. Piosenka wobec przemian społecznych i kulturowych ostatnich dekad, Wydawnictwo Naukowe Uniwersytetu im. Adama Mickiewicza, Poznań 2017.
7. Gamrat M., „La Cantologie”, czyli francuska szkoła badań nad piosenką (i jej potencjalne polskie implikacje), „Czas Kultury” 2021, nr 3, s. 7–14.
8. Kiec I., W szarej sukience? Autorki i wokalistki w poszukiwaniu tożsamości, Wydawnictwo Naukowe Scholar, Warszawa 2013.
9. Lisecka M., Narzędzia nauk o muzyce w badaniach nad piosenką: analiza demonstratywna –rekonesans, „Tekstualia” 2018, nr 2, s. 7–19.
10. Maleszyńska J., Apologia piosenki. Studia z historii gatunku, Wydawnictwo Naukowe Uniwersytetu im. Adama Mickiewicza, Poznań 2013
11. Piosenka literacka, „Tekstualia” 2018, nr 2 (53).
12. Polska w piosence (1989–2019), red. K. Gajda, M. Chrząstowska, Wydawnictwo Naukowe Uniwersytetu im. Adama Mickiewicza, Poznań 2020.
13. Poprawa A., Beatlesi Barańczaka [w:] W teatrze piosenki, red. I. Kiec, M. Traczyk, Poznańskie Studia Polonistyczne, Poznań 2005, s. 259–269
14. Song Studies, red. P. Tański, „Czas Kultury” 2021, nr 3.
15. Song Studies. Poetyka i polityka wytwarzania piosenki, red. W. Kuligowski, P. Tański, Wydawnictwo Instytutu im. Oskara Kolberga, Poznań 2021
16. Tański P., Głosy i performanse tekstów. Literatura – piosenki – ciało, Wydawnictwo Naukowe Uniwersytetu Mikołaja Kopernika, Toruń 2021.
17. Tański P., Nowe sytuacje polskiego rocka. Teksty – głosy – interpretacje, Instytut Kultury Popularnej, Poznań 2016.
Additional information
Additional information (registration calendar, class conductors, localization and schedules of classes), might be available in the USOSweb system: