My 1/2 cent: I think that huge pop and dance hits are consistently embraced internationally because their lyrics are irrelevant, and for the most part uninteresting, therefore eliminating what tends to be a barrier between cultures: language. Part of what would make a song "American" or at least relevant to the U.S. has got to be its subject, and therefore it's lyrics. Although style certainly has its cultural signature, the major genres appreciated in the U.S. are not unique to our continent (except maybe, as you noted, Americana... but I'd rather be represented by Led Zeppelin).

Sent by natalie | 2:21 AM ET | 08-11-2008

For me Zepplin has too much hobbitry and faux blues to sound American. I'd pick Johnny Cash as the quintessential American sounding musician.

Sent by Zebbart | 3:46 AM ET | 08-11-2008

You're right, rebellion is the key, which is why most Americana falls flat (except for that initial glorious blast from Uncle Tupelo.

I think of movements like bebop and free jazz, African-American gospel music from the 40s & 50s which was equally part spiritual and part metaphor for the civil rights movement, the first generation of political rappers (Public Enemy & Boogie Down Productions) and punk, of course.

It's funny about the Brits. You could make the case that the Clash sonically captured America as well.

Sent by Vortex | 8:25 AM ET | 08-11-2008

Led Zeppelin and Pink Floyd.

two of the world's most overrated bands.

Soundgarden rules all.

Thank you.

Jesus.

Sent by Yourlordandsavior | 10:33 AM ET | 08-11-2008

You wrote:
When I think of American music, I don't think of Americana. I think of rebellion, even if couched in beauty or a whisper. I think of friction, elation and clawing one's way toward contentment, at least momentarily...
I can tell you that is no longer true. As the leader of Post-Bands music - the first new music of this century, I find America now definitely safe and conservative - about as far from rebellion as the pendulum swings. I speak from 15 years experience as not only a musician advocating a new music beyond safe rock, but as an art revolutionary in art, literature, etc.
Rebellion has been bleached out of most of the US somehow.
It's a sad state of things because peaceful rebellion is how music , or arts or media, grows and develops

Sent by Tom Hendricks | 11:16 AM ET | 08-11-2008

The only band more American than Zep is AC/DC.

Sent by Bloodyserb | 11:45 AM ET | 08-11-2008

I think your last example (Led Zep.) sums up pretty well the argument that points out how artificial or arbitrary borders or specific "cultures" are... another good example would be the way in which the music of Ennio Morricone (an Italian composer) "created" or shaped the way in which a vast majority of people think and imagines the "American" West.

I think it is precisely in this era and times that the conception of an "american, french, german, etc." cultures are becoming more fluid... borders, nationalities and cultures as a social creation rather than natural.

Sent by horacio | 12:35 PM ET | 08-11-2008

Prediction: Your grandchildren will think that the Rolling Stones were an American band.

Sent by Devin | 1:05 PM ET | 08-11-2008

This is only pseudo related but I wanted to mention it. It has been surreal to watch the Olympics in China and hear American/British music being played during the competition. In particular, during the beach volleyball matches between teams that do not involve the US or Britain, they will play a lot of songs that I would hear here in the US. Shouldn't they be playing songs that would be familiar to the crowd (which is mostly Chinese) or, at least, to the athletes?

Does that mean that there are sports that are tied to certain countries and then songs that must be played as a result of that relationship?

Just thought I would toss that out there...

Sent by Ryan Patrick | 1:29 PM ET | 08-11-2008

United States = Elvis

The United States takes the best of other countries, pays them a few pennies and re-sells for $100 stateside.

Elvis ripped off black music and sold a safe product for consumption by the white masses.

Can you feel the self-loathing?

Sent by Chad - Hungary for Turkey | 2:28 PM ET | 08-11-2008

THe most American band: Ted Nugent : P

Creedence Clearwater Revival gets my vote.
Others: Tom Petty, Albert King, Roy Orbison,

Everything stems from the blues. THe different incarnations certainly have geographical distinctions, but they are all variations on the blues. Delta blues, Chicago blues, Southern rock, country music, jazz, funk, punk rock, raggae, etc... All take the simple 1, 4, 5 chord structure and add to it, speed it up, add a minor chord, or some variation to form a new sound.

Led Zeppelin overrated? I think not. Without Zeppelin there is no Soundgarden.

Sent by tim weeks | 2:39 PM ET | 08-11-2008

CCR comes immediately to mind. But I do also think of Loretta Lynn and the like because country, especially old-school, is so indisputably American.

Sent by Simone | 3:36 PM ET | 08-11-2008

Here's the key to American music. There isn't a single truly influential American musician who isn't black, Jewish, gay/bi, or from Oklahoma (Okies traditionally being the poorest and most dispossessed white people, and also that's a dodge to include Cash, Guthrie and Merle Haggard). The closest thing to an exception I could think of is Brian Wilson, who, while incredibly talented, was really just imitating Phil Spector (Jewish) and the Beatles (not American). Comfortable people don't make great art. It's generally the people who don't have a voice, or much of one, giving themselves a voice through their music, who make something memorable and meaningful. So there's your starting point.

Also, interesting that the most recent artist mentioned thus far has been Uncle Tupelo, who started recording about 20 years ago. Who's current and distinctly American? The first group that came into my head, oddly enough, is Gnarls Barkley - combining disparate elements to make something new is quintessentially American too.

Sent by Gringo Starr | 4:24 PM ET | 08-11-2008

In my opinion this brings up something I've been thinking a lot about as an educator of urban youth - what does it mean to be "American"? We could talk about this question forever as it is fascinating and the definition changes depending on who you are talking with. So what is American music? I'm not sure there is a real answer. Maybe Elvis IS the closest since (as someone else pointed out) he brought black music to a white audience, and everything about America is tied up in the race/class issue. We are (almost) all immigrants, etc.

As for other countries, I do that bossa nova is the quintessential Brazilian sound. Although we westerners can enjoy it and appreciate it, it is indigenous to that area. The Irish have a specific music as well. I'm not sure about Canada, but I'd be curious to find out!

Sent by Gretchen | 5:39 PM ET | 08-11-2008

unfortunately for me lately all i can think of is the jonas brothers because they are freaking everywhere! it's horrible but true.

i would have to agree with the choosing of johnny cash vote.

my personal america? sonic youth

Sent by xina | 6:29 PM ET | 08-11-2008

For me, the ultimate American band is Silver Jews. I feel like they fully embrace being American to the point, sometimes, that they may come across as being too stereotypical.. yet their music remains passionate and personal enough to assure you that they're not mocking it.

That said, I don't think I would go for something so 'obvious' if I were writing music to represent a country. There are so many different aspects of music that could tie it to a region, it would be wrong to single out one genre or one period of time to represent millions of people and centuries of history. In short, I'd be stuck. I'd probably just do a Girl Talk style mash-up of all the bands you mentioned.

PS. who else was hoping to see "They're called Janet and Corin" after that first sentence?

Sent by Leah | 6:40 PM ET | 08-11-2008

I'd say the American sound lies somewhere between a hijacked British raw power (which you hint at with your Led Zeppelin comment) and a rehashed countrified Americana that every band is recording these days (I'm looking in your direction Bright Eyes and Fleet Foxes, as much as I love you). Which is a very bleak thing for me to say, considering that I see the Stooges as the beginning of punk rock rather than the Sex Pistols and I always wonder what would have become of rock and roll had Buddy Holly not died. Would he have gone on a journey similar to the Beatles and the Rolling Stones? Would we have pictures of Bob Dylan hanging out with Buddy Holly in the back seat of a limousine, rather than Dylan and John Lennon? It's one for the roses.

Sent by Nick L. | 9:43 PM ET | 08-11-2008

there is here in the GWN such a thing as the Canadian Sound which at its core is really a melodic americana... more folk than rock... maybe starting with Hank Snow or later Ronnie Hawkins into The Band and Neil Young, then Gordon Lightfoot, Handsome Ned, Blue Rodeo, Lowest Of The Low, Joel Plaskett,The Sadies, Cuff The Duke...

Sent by http://www.durhamregion.typepad.com/will_mcguirk/ | 11:16 PM ET | 08-11-2008

THE RESIDENTS!!!

Sent by daniel | 9:13 AM ET | 08-12-2008

the thing is only problematically formulated. In the late Eighties, in St. Louis, no one cultivated Americana more than Uncle Tupelo, singing songs about hoppin' freights. Nonetheless, what they did with Woody Guthrie's lyrics was terrific, I thought. Yet David Byrne is very American in his reaching out for the world sources of our urban dance musics.

Sent by Jeff | 9:22 AM ET | 08-12-2008

agree with you, LZ is my all time favorite group, but also am a fan of johnny cash, favorite led zep song?

Sent by annie | 10:47 AM ET | 08-12-2008

it's gotta be the Boss.

BORN IN THE U.S.A.BORN IN THE U.S.A.BORN IN THE U.S.A.BORN IN THE U.S.A.BORN IN THE U.S.A.BORN IN THE U.S.A.BORN IN THE U.S.A.BORN IN THE USA

PS. It drives me bat shit crazy how many times the song repeats "Born in the USA".

Sent by tim weeks | 11:42 AM ET | 08-12-2008

That would indeed be a challenge...
from the top of my head, Id say the "musical" sound that best describes America... would be some sort of cross between 50's rock... think Chuck Berry riffs with a whole lot of Elvis to give it that UMPF... crossed with the distortion, the fuzz, and the angst of Seattle, from Hendrix to Nirvana to Pearl Jam (and all those others) It would definetly need a touch of the blues and a touch of grunge, at least thats what I would go for...

I always do get amazed when you hear about bands crossing boarders and with big fan followings over sees... one of my fav bands Blackfire, have toured Europe more then the US in the last few years... whod have though a band of Navanjo's would virtually be more popular in Germany than the US?

and lastly...
when it comes to soundtracks...
nothing beats "Deadman" in my mind... as Neil Young's guitar just makes that movie sooooooooooo unbelievably more intense...

Sent by Kramer | 12:02 PM ET | 08-12-2008

How about David Byrne for overrated?

Sent by Jerry | 5:36 PM ET | 08-12-2008

When I think american music I think Mingus, how can we talk about american music with out jazz?

Sent by Michael sentkewitz | 5:41 PM ET | 08-12-2008

Maybe I'm crazy, but my own personal America sounds like Fugazi.

Sent by stephanie | 7:56 PM ET | 08-12-2008

Scott Joplin and Ragtime. There is no blues or Jazz without ragtime music.

Sent by Brian from NH | 9:05 AM ET | 08-13-2008

I'm with Michael S. What about Louis Armstrong?

Sent by Becki | 10:59 AM ET | 08-13-2008

I'm not going to comment on what music constitues 'America', but since you mentioned Icelandic music - I can think of no band that better conjures images of where they are from than the Icelandic band Sigur Ros. Their music is like looking at a sonic portrait of Iceland. I think that is what counts the most - what images or feelings does the music create in your head, and where do they lead you - more than where geographically is this group or that person from.

I guess once again we confront how wonderfully subjective music can be. I, for one, wouldn't trade that for the world.

Sent by Kyle | 12:23 PM ET | 08-13-2008

I pre-ordered that book based on this blog entry. My sweetheart & I are driving cross-country in a move to Washington State, and plan to read the corresponding essay as we cross each state line. The book is coming out the day before our drive, so the timing is perfect. I hope it's good!

Sent by Jessica Promdress | 2:18 PM ET | 08-13-2008

It's important to remember that the Mighty Zep hit it much bigger in the US than in the UK. I believe the difference between UK and US music is that UK music is more about melody and grace, while US music is more about energy and credibility.

By the way, before I knew much about Sleater-Kinney I got hold of The Woods and told everyone I knew that it was the most Zeppeleny album I'd heard since Physical Graffiti. Also, on my favorite forum there was a poll of which band people would most like to see re-united and Sleater-Kinney won decisively (got my vote).

Sent by Steven Graning | 1:52 PM ET | 08-14-2008

Jazz and its variants I agree must be included in the discussion. When I listen to the range of music from Bill Frisell it hits all the marks, sans vocals, that speak of American music to me. With that I do have to include Johnny Cash, Buddy and Julie Miller, and James Brown as others who bring it home.

Sent by Jim | 9:25 PM ET | 08-14-2008

Have any of you whipper-snappers ever heard of Stephen Foster? Sousa?
Everything else seems quite noisy...except that young fellow playing the new modern jazz music, Jelly Roll Morton. Oh, and The Residents do indeed harkin to a simpler America of yesteryore.

Sent by Ned Folkerth | 11:24 AM ET | 08-15-2008

Iggy Pop seems to incorporate all the musical influences I WANT to think of as American. The old America, anyway. The current one probably sounds more like frickin Maroon5, or whichever bikini'ed tools of the corporatocracy are currently passing themselves off as a singing group.

Sent by m-argo | 1:07 PM ET | 08-15-2008

"America" aka "las Americas" is as much about roots-based music as about "experience." And with so much BS going on about building walls (real and psychological), The Powers that Be should listen to more Ozomatli, Rage Agaiinst the Machine, and the most-Americas band I know, Los Lobos.

Sent by Un Vato | 3:30 PM ET | 08-17-2008

Led Zepplin set to Sinclair is pretty interesting.

Sent by Corey Crossfield | 2:31 PM ET | 08-18-2008

Um.... I think...The B52s are it. Pop, weird, ups and downs qualitatively and morally. Some pandering, some rugged individualism. etc. Band that I wish embodied us: Social Distortion!!!!! Now that would be a cool country. F---in love Sleater-Kinney too.

Sent by CWOODS | 8:45 PM ET | 08-20-2008

When I think of American music, I usually think of the track American Music by the Violent Femmes

Sent by Milo | 12:23 PM ET | 08-21-2008

Bob Dylan is the embodiment of "American Music". Hard to define, rebellious to the end, ever changing, and simply ROCKING. Anything "American" is hard to define, our whole nation is built on the premise of the "melting pot". Who, what, when was/is American? There is no one answer, the closest thing I can come up with is Bob Dylan, a shifting, undefinable, enigma of a musician.

Sent by Fano | 9:15 PM ET | 08-23-2008

no dylan??

Sent by seagirt | 11:14 AM ET | 08-25-2008