Musical World

This is a book which aims to present Modern World History ‘as you’ve never heard it before.’

Following on from the author’s very successful previous book Musical Truth – a musical journey through modern black Britain, this book has a broader and more ambitious remit.

Readers take a 300-year trip through time exploring how forty songs or their singers can be seen to represent key moments in world history. Each chapter starts with a question, some of these are related to historical analysis such as ‘How did black culture make it into the pop mainstream?’ Some questions are musical, such as ‘what do you get if you mix technology, cultures and different styles of music?’ And some are philosophical: ‘how can music bring joy through pain?’

A wide range of musical genres is featured from national anthems and opera to Bollywood, disco, and reggae. As well as famous artists such as Elton John and Bob Marley, lesser-known performers are featured too, for example Big Mama Thornton who was performing Hound Dog long before Elvis Presley’s version. Sam Cooke’s A Change is Gonna Come and Fela Kuti’s Zombie demonstrate how songwriters and performers have used music as a form of protest and a force for change.

The historical incidents explored in the book range from The Voyager Space Programme to the Stephen Lawrence murder. Billie Holiday’s Strange Fruit is selected as it so memorably records the racist murder of black people in the United States.

Racism is a major focus throughout the book as well as nationalism, homophobia, gay rights and sexism. The Spice Girls Wannabe is described as a driver for female empowerment. The writer has ensured there is a balance of male and female artists represented. Music is drawn from across the world with the lasting legacy of colonialism running through the book.

The interconnections between peoples through musical creativity are shown in the unusual story of Under Me Sleng Teng with roots in Japan as well as Jamaica. Issues around musical fusion are explored; when this might celebrate marginalised cultures and when it might be more exploitative.

The writer feels strongly about the issues he explores and occasionally the language becomes a little emotive for a historical text, perhaps underestimating young readers’ ability to make their own judgements when presented with the stark and often shocking facts.

Although the book focuses on injustice there is also joy, celebration and hope showing many artists want to not only call out injustice but also to make the world a better place.

Written with knowledge and passion, Musical History is dedicated to anyone seeking unity in a world of music. Readers will be keen to seek out the tracks featured; a playlist will be available on YouTube.