Popular Song vs. Theatre Song

Abstract

Chapter 2 follows up on the material of earlier chapters with an extensive description and comparison of rock songs and theatre songs. First, the commonalities of all songs are reviewed, and a connection is made between song and human behavior. The notion of popular song and musical theatre as commercial enterprises is established. Following this is a detailed breakdown of the essential yet separate qualities of popular songs and theatre songs, both music and lyrics, and the connection between text and music. Each genre is examined through its definitive characteristics, then the two types of song are compared. Last is a discussion of the integration of popular songs and rock styles into theatre scores, divided into archetypal themes for songs of all kinds.