Point-Counterpoint: 1957/1977

A playlist about changes.

Earlier this week, the guitarist, composer, astute listener (and dear friend) Kevin Hanson suggested on Facebook that one way to measure the passing of time is by the gap between iconic songs.

He noted a 24-year gap between Elvis Presley’s “Heartbreak Hotel,” from 1958, and Michael Jackson’s “Beat It,” from 1982. Dramatic! And the 28-year span from Nirvana’s “Smells Like Teen Spirit,” from 1991, and Doja Cat’s “Say So” from 2019.

His specific focus had to do with changes in record production, but it got me thinking about how music made decades apart offers perspective on shifts in culture, language, aspiration, modes of expression. I decided to try this with the playlist above, which pings between music released in 1957 and 1977. But of course, selecting any timeframe of significant duration – a decade, two decades, whatever – opens a different window into how rapidly styles of music -- and approaches to making it – can change.

What are the mile-marker start/end points you’d explore? Please share ideas for future Point/Counterpoint playlists….#nowronganswers.

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