Conveying Lived Experience through Rock and Pop Music Lyrics

Conveying Lived Experience through Rock and Pop Music Lyrics explores seven decades of lyrics to elucidate themes about the human experience. The opening chapters discuss romantic relationships and break ups. Subsequent chapters consider lyrics describing nostalgia, as well as those about leaving home, going on the road, and returning home. Then, successive chapters examine the outsider in society, those experiencing mental illness, and alcohol and drug use. Next, songs of social and political critique are surveyed, followed by an examination of utopian and dystopian lyrics. The final chapters analyze songs using prophetic voices and those about the afterlife. This survey shows how lyrics convey the lived experience of people in contemporary society.

David C. Wright, Jr. is professor emeritus of history and government at Misericordia University.

Acknowledgments
Introduction
Chapter 1 Tales of Love and Desire
Chapter 2 Depictions of Intimacy Loss
Chapter 3 Nostalgic Songs: The Phenomenology of Loss and Yearning
Chapter 4 Songs of Leaving Home, Going on the Road, and Returning Home
Chapter 5 Portraits of the Outsider
Chapter 6 Accounts of Fleeing Social Reality through Alcohol and Drug Use
Chapter 7 Representations of Mental Illness
Chapter 8 Music of Social and Political Critique
Chapter 9 Images of Utopia and Dystopia
Chapter 10 Lyrics in the Prophetic Voice
Chapter 11 Visions of Heaven and Hell
Conclusion
Bibliography
Discography
About the Author