The History of Rock and Roll in Ten Songs by Greil Marcus
It’s the kind of title that is bound to start arguments in pubs and social media, which is surely deliberate.
The objective is to pick ten songs that tell the history of rock & roll, and you’re probably already making your own list which may possible include That’s Alright Mama, Johnny B Goode, Good Vibrations, Strawberry Fields Forever, Stairway to Heaven, Rapper’s Delight, Stayin’ Alive, Anarchy in the UK, Smells Like Teen Spirit, or Common People but if so, just hold your horses.
This is intended as an alternative history of rock and roll in ten very unpredictable songs, some well-known, some completely obscure. It’s a more than worthy objective, but I’m not sure the author has completely pulled it off.
It’s not that he doesn’t know his subject deeply or chose inappropriate examples – in fact the choices are brilliant and his explanations incredibly detailed. It’s more that he seems to go off on wild tangents, spending several pages of several chapters describing particular movie scenes in intimate detail only for the purpose of essentially saying, ‘It’s a bit like that.’ In fact, it could almost have been The History of Rock ’n’ Roll in Ten Movies, which might be a good idea for a follow-up.
It’s this kind of padding out that suggests the premise was a bit too long for a major magazine article but not quite enough to fill 250 pages.
Having said that, the book is full of great quotes and even the most knowledgeable music fan will learn something from it. It’s worth it just for Guitar Drag, easily the most powerful chapter in the book. Despite the book being frustrating in parts, you will definitely come away with a new perspective.
Another bear’s opinion: Three pints of flat beer.
Sláinte,
Spencer
