Rock Songs

Abstract

Chapter 6 brings the discussion of acting and music together in examples of rock songs, some of which musical theatre singers might add to their repertoire. Each song is examined in terms of the important points raised in earlier chapters: lyrical content, form, tone, style, groove, purpose, and historical context. The selections cover the full period of the growth of rock music, from its rock ’n’ roll roots to the present day, encompassing as wide a variety of styles and sub-genres as possible, and explaining common crossovers among styles. Suggestions are offered for performance approaches by musical theatre singers to these and related songs.