It is from the blues that all that may be called American music derives its most distinctive characteristic.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- The blues genre is the foundational source of unique American musical traits.
- In plain terms
- American music gets its unique sound from the blues.
- What can you take from it?
- Understand the roots of a culture to understand its output.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- What defines American music?
- How do roots shape culture?
Another view
It might simplify other contributions to American music.
More from James Weldon Johnson
The glory of the day was in her face, The beauty of the night was in her eyes.
Permalink to quote #5 How would you have us, as we are? Or sinking 'neath the load we bear? Our eyes fixed forward on a star? Or gazing empty at despair?
Permalink to quote #7 Every race and every nation should be judged by the best it has been able to produce, not by the worst.
Permalink to quote #4
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