[kml_flashembed movie="http://www.youtube.com/v/d2smz_1L2_0" width="425" height="350" wmode="transparent" /]Born a New Yorker, Stefani Joanne Angelina Germanotta was gifted with an amazing talent. Embracing her amazing musical talent and intriguing individuality, she set forth to leave her mark in the entertainment world. Despite her controversial and sexually explosive performances, off stage you are left with a new perspective of who Stefani Germanotta really is. The new “Material Girl”, as many acclaim, has managed to make audiences raise questions not solely for her puzzling sense of style, but also for her unique artistry as a musician.

Her rise to fame took form at the tender age of four and escalated at the age of nineteen. Her unique style in music was inspired by her love of theater, pop and rock; influential figures that included, The Rolling Stones, Michael Jackson, Cyndi Lauper, The Beatles, David Bowie and even Donatella Versace. However, before adding singer to her musical resume, the young Germanotta wrote songs for various artists/bands that include The Pussycat Dolls and Fergie. Akon took notice that this talented songwriter also had the vocal gift to pursue a bigger career within the industry. Her début came in her first album, selling approximately eight million records. It is no wonder why at the age of twenty-four, Stefani was ranked seven on “The World’s Most Powerful Women” on the October 2010 issue of Forbes magazine.

Stefani is more than just an ordinary musician, she is an artist who cares about social issues in the world. Germanata aims to persuade her little monsters to join her in an influential crusade to speak out against social and political injustice. She is openly an advocate of various political matters; some which include, the current immigration law in Arizona, her movement against fur/animal rights, and of course, “Don’t Ask Don’t Tell.” Many people question her involvement in “Don’t Ask Don’t Tell”, but who better to represent this particular affair then a woman who is questioned of her sexual preference.

You might be asking yourself, who is Stefani Joanne Angelina Germanotta? To most under this name she is unknown, but in the entertainment industry she is our very own Lady Gaga. Her innovative “shock-art” is in many ways an interpretation of her visual dreams. We are able to have a glimpse of Gaga imagination within her song/video “Paparazzi,” from her first album, The Fame (album release date: October 28, 2008).

The lyrical styling and its music video perfectly embody Gaga’s relationship with music and fashion. This song is about, as Gaga says, “…wooing the paparazzi and wanting fame… its about everyone’s obsession with that idea. But it’s also about wanting a guy to love you and the struggle of whether you can have success or love or both.” The video delivers Gaga’s vision by incorporating couture accompanied by Gaga’s habit to raise questions as the video comes to its end. To its success, in the United States the single reached sixth on the Billboard Hot 100. In addition, in the 2009 MTV Video Music Awards, Gaga won Best Art Direction and Best Special Effects award for “Paparazzi.”

Elements Of Music:

1. Texture:

a.Homophonic

2. Timber:

a. Female voice (s)

b. Keyboard / Synthesizer

3. Melody:

a. Minor: Verse one, verse two and brigde

b. Major: Chorus

4. Harmony:

a. Consonance

5. Rhythm – Tempo:

a. Duple – Andante

6. Genre:

a. Retro – Pop

b. Dance – Pop

7. Composer:

a. Lady Gaga

8. Text by:

a. Lady Gaga

b. Rob Fusari

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Jack Hody Johnson was born and raised on the North Shore of Oahu, Hawaii to a well-known surfer father. He became a pro-surfer who started surfing at the age of 5. At 17, he became the youngest invitee to make the surfing finals at the Pipeline Masters. Unfortunately, his dream ended when he suffered a major accident at the Pipeline that put over 150 stitches in his forehead. In college, he developed an interest in music and played in a band. He started writing songs and making music and transitioned into the music career and came to be known for his work in the acoustic and soft rock genre. Johnson credits his songwriting influences as Bob Dylan, Jimi Hendrix, Radiohead, Ben Harper, The Beatles, Bob Marley, Neil Young, and A Tribe Called Quest. His wife is also a major inspiration whose presence is felt in most of his songs. He is married to his college sweetheart Kim and lives in Oahu with their three children.

“Angel” is the fourth song from his fourth album Sleep Through Static, which was released on February 2008. One fascinating fact about this album is that it was recorded using nothing but solar power. The song “Angel” is a mellow love song, which seems like he is singing for his wife. This song is like any other love songs out there, but still very heartwarming and unique in its own way. The song is short but very personal and powerful. Listening to it, any girl would probably wish that she were the subject of this song.

Elements of Music

1. Texture

a. Homophonic

2. Timbre

a. Male voice

b. Guitar

3. Melody

a. Major

4. Harmony

a.   Consonant

5. Rhythm-Tempo

a. Andante

6. Rhythm- Meter

a. Duple

7. Genre

a. Acoustic

8. Composer

a. Jack Johnson

9. Lyrics

a. Jack Johnson

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Helter Skelter was a song which Paul McCartney wrote for the Bealtes. His inspiration for the track comes from reading a 1967 interview with The Who’s Pete Townshend. He described their latest single, “I Can See for Miles,” as the “loudest, rawest, dirtiest song The Who had ever recorded.” After listening to the song Paul believed that the song was not as Pete had described and decided to create a song accordingly. People also say that Paul wrote this song as a response to the people that said he only wrote ballads. The symbol of the helter skelter ( a sort of british amusement ride) represented the rise and fall of the roman empire.

This track in my opinion is a quintessential example of the Bealtes lifestyle. A sort of crazy up and down world in which nothing quite makes sense in a good way. At the end of a strenuous recording session Ringo concludes by throwing his drum sticks and yelling “I’ve got blisters on my fingers!!!.” This actually made it into one of the albums. Some people also argue that this song was a important step to creating heavy metal.

Something noteworthy is the interpretation that Charles Manson had from this song. He claimed it was a foretelling of the future social wars. I think he was just crazy.

Texture- polyphonic
Timbre -vocals, guitar, 6-string bass, and sound effects (through brass instruments), drums, and trumpet
Melody- major and minor (pentatonic)
Harmony-dissonant
Rhythm Tempo- Allegro moderato
Rhythm Meter- quadruple
Genre- Rock
Composer- John Lennon and Paul McCarney
Written by Paul McCartney

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Robin Charles Thicke was born on March 10, 1977 in Los Angeles, California. He is a singer, songwriter, composer, musician and actor. The main instrument he uses in many of his songs is the piano. Like many musical artists in his genre of music, R&B and classic soul, he talks a lot about love and charming the ladies. Robin was inspired by such great artists as Marvin Gaye, Stevie Wonder, Prince, and the Beatles. Some accomplishments in his musical career include writing and producing songs for Michael Jackson, Mary J Blige, Christina Aguilera, Pink, Mark Anthony and Jennifer Hudson. The hit single, “Lost Without You” from the album The Evolution of Robin Thicke, is what really got his name out there. The song “Sex Therapy” is off his new and current album Sex Therapy. This song and album might sound vulgar and perverse at first but it is definitely not. Robin Thicke states, “There’s all of the stress that we feel throughout the day, and you need something to release that tension. You need some good music and some good food, and you need your woman or your partner. The sex part is easy, but the therapy part is about love and about having somebody you can work through the tension with. And I have had somebody most of my life to work through the stress with, who’s my best friend. That’s why I realized as I’ve gotten older, more important than anything in my life—money, fame, celebrity, a nice house—what I really need is to have a great relationship and connection with my woman. And that comes from some sex therapy.” The music video starts with a car pulling up into the driveway. Robin is coming home from work and meets his girlfriend inside the house,  which is the next scene which is the still the beginning of the song. From then on till the end are just sensual scenes of Robin and his girlfriend, whoever she may be. This song is pretty much what he states where after having a stressful day, you need something to get out all that tension and sex would be it, especially with a woman you love.

Elements of Music

1. Texture
a. Homophonic

2. Timbre
a. Male Voice
b. Keyboard
c. Synthesizer
d. Percussion

3. Melody
a. Major

4. Harmony
a. Consonant

5. Rhythm – Tempo
a. Lento to maybe Andante

6. Rhythm – Meter
a. Duple

7. Genre
a. Contemporary R&B

8. Composer
Robin Thicke

9. If there is text, who wrote the text
Robin Thicke

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Jack Johnson is one of the most popular singer-songwriters in the U.S.  As his famous songs, there are “better together,” “Angel,” “Good people,” “Sitting waiting wishing,” etc. He grew up in Hawaii which was the most influential effect for him to always write some free and relax songs. He always play guitar or ukulele in his songs singing with a very soft voice.

Songs written by him are also influenced by Bob Dylan, Nick Drake, Cat Stevens, Ben Harper, Fugazi, The Beatles, Simon & Garfunkel, Jimmy Buffett, Bob Marley, Kids in Trees, Neil Young, Sublime, and A Tribe Called Quest.

Lots of people from all around the world love to listen to his songs when they need relax. He is one of the icon which make people feel more free and rest.

“Banana Pancakes” is published in the third album of Jack Johnson- In between Dreams.

This song is telling people that we should more relax and have freedom from the busy, and stressful life.

We should put down all of the stress, and feeling the freedom of our life.

Elements of Music:

1. Texture
– Homophonic

2. Timbre
– Male Voice
– Guitar

3. Melody
–  Major

4. Harmony
– Consonant

5. Rhythm – Tempo
– Moderate-walking tempo

6. Rhythm – Meter
– Duple

7. Genre
– Pop

8. Composer
-Jack Johnson

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Led Zeppelin is a British rock band that debuted as ‘The New Yardbirds” during 1968. The quartet had Jimmy Page on guitar, Robert Plant as the singer, John Paul Jones on the bass guitar and piano, and John Bonham on the drums. After the name change, Led Zeppelin released four albums during the next two and a half years. Led Zeppelin IV, or ZOSO, was the band’s breakthrough album and is one of the best selling albums of all-time. “No one ever compared us to Black Sabbath after this record.” – John Paul Jones. Their greatest impact on American soil was the fusion of blues, acoustic folk rock and country into a harder, more intense style of rock and roll. Just as the Beatles changed music forever in the ’60’s, Led Zeppelin brought hard rock and metal to America in the ’70’s and changed the path of American rock, influencing hundreds of future rock stars, including Guns ‘N Roses and Alice in Chains.

“Stairway to Heaven” is the signature song on ZOSO, an eight minute plus performance that highlights the band’s versatility While there are many different interpretations of what the song is trying to tell the listener, including satanic worship, it might best described as the band’s spirit quest; trying to incorporate all the best talents of the band members into one song.  It can also be described as a journey to find your soul and purpose in life. Best known for guitarist Page’s virtuoso solo, Jones uses Baroque-era recorder in the opening minutes and an electric piano later in the song. “Stairway to Heaven” is the most played song in American radio history and has won multiple honors, including one of The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame’s 500 Songs that Shaped Rock and Roll. This honor was given to the songs that were most significant in shaping the course of rock and roll. Led Zeppelin is also one of the inspirations for the band Stillwater in the Academy Award-winning Almost Famous written by Cameron Crowe.

Elements of Music

1. Texture
a. Homophonic

2. Timbre
a. Male voice – tenor
b. Acoustic guitar
c. Electric guitar
d. Bass Guitar
e. Drums
f. Electric Piano
g. Recorder

3. Melody
a. Minor

4. Harmony
a. Consonant

5. Rhythm – Tempo
a. Walking pace mostly, but speeds up to fast in the last couple of minutes

6. Rhythm – Meter
a. Duple

7. Genre
a. Blues Rock, Folk Rock, Hard Rock

8. Composer
a. Jimmy Page

b. Robert Plant

9. Lyrics
a Robert Plant