Music and the American Dream

[dvorreyer]

Using songs to introduce a unit on the American Dream. Looking for songs that are pessimistic, realistic, and idealistic about America - so far have used "American Tune" by Paul Simon, "Pink Houses" by John Mellencamp, and "America" by Neil Diamond, and I am thinking about adding "American Idiot" by Green Day if I can find the radio edit. Any other ideas?

[Rajesh Barnabas]

I think Hendrix's rendition of the national anthem is necessary. Bullet the Blue sky from U2 has a reference to America at the end, not to mention theme related. Street Dreams by Nas uses the harp loop from Sting. Pretty good comparison, I think to American themes from a street point of view.