Chicago, Illinois, is one of the largest cities in the United States, with over 2.7 million residents filling its streets. Robert “Mac” Hanslip was one of these residents before he moved here to the University of Alabama. Mac says that much like “Sweet Home Alabama,” Fischer’s song is the anthem of the city, and he says that they would play the song before every game played by the Chicago Bulls. He also agrees strongly with the lyric “The folks who visit all wanna settle down,” because of how much his parents moved around until they found Chicago. The song was published in 1922, with several different musicians releasing their own versions throughout the years. The song “Chicago” by Fred Fischer is an important part of Chicago’s culture, with its style, lyrics, and societal importance. The song was written in the 1920s, back when big band jazz music was extremely …show more content…
popular. Fred Fischer wrote the song, and it has been recorded by several different artists, but the most well-known version is Frank Sinatra’s. The song begins with trumpets and saxophones playing a swinging intro, and it is something you’d hear straight from a 1920s movie or TV show. The jazz style is a huge part of Chicago’s musical history and songs like this are still popular and played regularly today. The lyrics of the song start shortly after the fanfare by the ensemble. They start with the following: “Chicago, Chicago, that toddlin' town/Chicago, Chicago, I'll show you around (You'll stay around).” These first few lyrics have caused confusion among non-Chicagoans and Chicagoans alike, who all wonder what on earth “toddlin’” really means. Mary Schmich describes the phenomenon like this, “Ashamed that I didn't know, I began consulting Chicagoans on the topic of toddlin' only to uncover a dirty civic secret: Nobody knows…to the average Chicagoan it makes as much sense as singing the alphabet” (Schmich 1). It is often used to describe someone who has trouble walking, like a young child (hence “toddlers”). It also describes windiness, but as you can see, that is not quite what Fischer was trying to say. His selection of the word “toddlin’” was probably more for lack of a better word. Schmich goes on by quoting an alliteration analyst, who calls it “pointless alliteration” (1). The song continues by saying, “Bet your bottom dollar you'll lose the blues in Chicago/Chicago/The folks who visit all wanna settle down/ (All wanna settle, in my hometown).” Mac says that these lyrics have a special meaning for him, where his parents moved around to several different places before they decided to settle down near Chicago. They song continues, saying “On State Street, that great street, I just wanna say/They do things they don't do on Broadway/You'll have the time, the time of your life/Bring all your friends, all your kids and your wife to Chicago/Chicago, my hometown/(Hey, now baby)/(Ooh baby) You'll have the time, the time of your life/Bring all your friends, all your kids and your wife to Chicago/Chicago my hometown/Oh, to Chicago, Chicago my hometown/(yeah)”.
The diction and syntax in the lyrics by themselves reflect the style of this era, without even having to hear the music. The rhyming of “State” and “Great” reflect the kinds of diction in songwriting that was popular in this time period. Fred Fischer’s “Chicago” is similar to “Sweet Home Alabama” in that it acts as the “anthem” of a particular place. Even though “Sweet Home Alabama” is more well known than “Chicago,” it does not diminish the importance of the song to Chicago’s residents. Mac says that they play the song before every Chicago Bulls game, and he remembers how at his very first Bulls game with his dad, the entire stadium sang along to the
song. In conclusion, “Chicago” by Fred Fischer is an important part of Chicago, Illinois’s culture and society, and like Mac said, it is much like “Sweet Home Alabama.” The style, lyrics, and societal importance is what makes it as such. His parents’ choice to settle down in Chicago, like the lyrics describe, show how much the song truly inspires and describes the city.
One half of the story was of a man named Daniel Burnham, who was a famous architect of his time. It’s in this half of the story that can you see the good part of the city. Pride can be seen mainly throughout his story. His life in these pages was based on the construction of the World Columbian Exposition which was a fair held in Chicago in 1893. This magnificent fair was in honor of one of America’s most well known discoverers, Christopher C. Columbus. This was the 400th anniversary of his discovery of the new world. Through Burnham’s pride and his determination, he was able to complete the fair in almost a year. However, it was not truly ready for opening day due to a few construction issues, such as the world’s f...
The book “A Long Way From Chicago” is an adventurous and funny story. The story takes place at Joey Dowdel’s Grandmothers farm house in the country. Joey and his sister Mary Alice were sent to their Grandma’s house during the summer because their parents had to go to Canada for their work. At first, Joey felt uncomfortable with his Grandmother because he had never met her before but eventually he got to know her and they became close friends.
Most people who grow up in Cincinnati cant wait to get out, but once they leave they can’t wait to come back because there is no other place like it. It has the small town “homey” feeling everybody grows to love, along with big city options that are easily accessible. Nobody ever wants to come to Cincinnati, but once they do, they realize how special it is, regardless of the territory. Its unique structure comes as surprise, yet, joyous experience and that’s what makes it special. East or West, North or South Who-Dey baby!
...usen and Sammy Cahn. The song has a definite swing rhythm and the saxophone and trumpets imitate Sinatra’s phrases.
When it comes to jazz music, there is one name that everyone knows, whether they’ve never listened to jazz before or if they’ve listened to it their whole lives. That name is Louis Armstrong. Armstrong was one of the pioneers of jazz music, from his humble beginnings in one of New Orleans roughest districts, “the Battlefield”, to playing concerts for sold out crowds in Chicago and New York City, Louis left a massive impact on the way America listened to music for a long time. One of his premier tracks, “West End Blues”, left an impact on jazz music, which other musicians would try to emulate for years.
Erik Larson’s book Devil in the White City is full of magic and madness that has shaped the society of the late 19th century that is specific to in Chicago. The issues that have been handled through this time frame that are addressed in this book is that how Chicago was known to be the black city at first, and how the city hoped that hosting the World’s fair would increase their reputation. Secondly, the magic of a man named Daniel Burnham that did put the plans of the world fair in Chicago into life and the obstacles that he had overcame. Next, once the world fair was complete, it has made Chicago “The White city,” by its dazzling designs and attractions that made it memorable. Then, the madness of H.H. Holmes and how his evil deeds has seemed to undermine the world fair and the things that are going on within it with his murders and treachery that does grip Chicago once his evil deeds have been found out. Finally, the events that happened in the world fair that relate to the issues that occur in the late ninetieth century within the United States. The city of Chicago was in a desolate condition before it hosted the World Fair.
The jazz band I observed played a series of six different songs. Although all the songs were categorized as jazz, each song had its own special style and sound to it. The band consisted of three different players. Paul Meyers, the guitarist and composer, Andy Eulau, the bassist, and Dave Rataczak, on drums. The songs performed were entitled “Love for Sale” by Cole Porter, “Once I Loved” by Antonio Carlos Jobim, “Stars” by Paul Meyers, “Blues for Mel” also by Paul Meyers, “Last Night When We Were Young” by Harold Arlen, and “Samba Novo” by Luis Eca.
...ts out. In fact that prompted them to play as loud as possible in order to overwhelm the Creoles. Buddy Bolden was one of the blacks that had the ability to do just that. Along with his strong sound that he strived for, he improvised standard ragtime and blues pieces. Unfortunately he didn’t have as much control over his life that he had over his trombone. He became an alcoholic, contracted syphilis, and then ultimately dies in a mental institution. It is sad that he died without knowing his contribution to the development of what we now call jazz. I made a conscious decision to highlight the information in this book that I had never read about in the past. On the contrary you should know that this book contains very detailed information on the parts of black American music history that is popular in today's society. It covers everything from slave songs to Motown.
Following this Water’s moved to Chicago where in the noisy and raucous clubs and nightspots, his country style had to change. The rural and acoustic sound of Delta was transformed into the edgy ...
Chicago is an American musical with music by John Kander, lyrics by Fred Ebb and a book by Ebb and Bob Fosse. Set in Prohibition-era Chicago, the musical is based on a 1926 play of the same name by reporter Maurine Dallas Watkins about actual criminals and crimes she reported on. The story is a satire on corruption in the administration of criminal justice and the concept of the "celebrity criminal." Fred Ebb explains: “So I made it [Chicago] a vaudeville based on the idea that the characters were performers. Every musical moment in the show was loosely modeled on someone else: Roxie was Helen Morgan, Velma was Texas Guinan, Billy Flynn was Ted Lewis, Mama Morton was Sophie Tucker,” (Kander, Ebb, and Lawrence 127). Velma indeed is a reincarnation of Texas Guinan who “acted as hostess…for the entertainment…she was also a born press agent, constantly inventing stories and promoting herself,” (Slide 218). Roxie’s “Funny Honey” Amos is eerily reminiscent of Helen Morgan’s “Bill” from Kern and Hammerstein’s 1927 classic Showboat. Amos, too, in his “Mr. Cellophane” number, imitates Ziegfeld Follies star Bert Williams’ iconic hit “Nobody” “right down to Williams’ famous costume of oversized clothes and white gloves,” (Miller).
The Chicago Cubs are an interesting part of Illinois history, even if they are not always successful. The history of Wrigley Field, the famous players, and the stories behind every game are why Chicago loves the Cubs. It is the atmosphere of the friendly confines when you walk in through those gates. It is jumping out of your seat when the ball is being hit out of the park. It is things as little as singing the 7th inning stretch with all the other Cub fans around you. Rooting for the underdog is special, and that is why Cub fans are so loyal. The history, players, and stories of Chicago Cubs Baseball are the reasons why it is an important part of Illinois history.
Jazz is referred as “America’s classical music,” and is one of North America’s and most celebrated genres. The history of Jazz can be traced back to the early era of the 20th century of the U.S. “A History of Jazz” presents From Ragtime and Blues to Big Band and Bebop, jazz has been a part of a proud African American tradition for over 100 years. A strong rhythmic under-structure, blue notes, solos, “call-and response” patterns, and
Many musicians moved to Chicago and jazz was no longer a music of the carefree and lighthearted spirit. Chicago-style jazz reflected the lucrative yet dangerous air of the city. This was during the time period of prohibition.
During the 1940’s the world found itself entangled in World War II. However, in the United States, a movement known as the Chicago Renaissance flushed through Illinois. An era of black literature, music and culture began. Specifically, jazz music became increasingly popular and was the popular hit of most hotspots located in Chicago and may other cities in the nation. In the painting Nightl...
New Orleans has always been a big music town, for there has always been brass bands that played in the streets for parades, or for families to give comfort during a funeral.... ... middle of paper ... ... (The Influence of Jazz & Blues on Modern Music.”).