CQUniversity Unit Profile.

Choose one song that was first recorded in the 1970s or 80s and has been re-recorded by another artist in the same or different decade. This song cannot be one covered in unit material or in the textbook (Covach, John, & Flory, Andrew. (2018). What's that sound? : An introduction to rock and its history (Fifth ed.). New York: WW Norton & Company Incorporated.).

Once you have found the recording of the song in its earliest form and a different recording (cover) of this song by a different artist, complete the tasks below:

A: Using the unit textbook as a guide, create a ‘Listening Guide’ (see page 9 of textbook) for each of the two songs (original and cover). The listening guide should include:

• Name of artist; title of song; catalogue number and brief description. The form of the song
• The time-signature(s) used
• The instrumentation used
• A time structure marking each main event
• A link to the song online (YouTube, SoundCloud etc.)

B: Using the Listening Guides you have created, write 1,000 words comparing the cover to the original recording of the song. Make sure to:

• Compare the instrumentation of the cover to the original
• Compare the use of lead and backing vocals of the cover to the original
• Discuss any other stylistic and musical changes made to the cover from the original.
  

Listening Guides

• Appropriate description of relevant song information (6%)
• Appropriate description of form (5%)
• Appropriate description of time-signature (4%)
• Appropriate description of the instrumentation used (10%)
• Appropriate description of structure of song including key events (15%)

Comparative Analysis

• Appropriateness of introduction and conclusion (10%)
• Depth of treatment of discussion on instrumentation in original & cover (10%)
• Depth of treatment of discussion on lead and backing vocals in original & cover (10%)
• Evidence of understanding of stylistic and musical changes from original to the cover (10%)
• Depth of treatment of discussion on achievement made by the cover (10%)

Writing Skills

• Accuracy of spelling, punctuation and grammar; clarity of writing style (5%)
• Meeting delivery requirements (presentation, word count, style guide) (5%)

*The word count is considered from the first word of the introduction to the last word of the conclusion. It excludes the cover page, abstract, contents page, reference page and appendices. It includes in-text references and direct quotations.

Choose one of the following artists:

• Sting
• Elton John
• Stevie Wonder
• David Bowie
• Paul Simon
• Joni Mitchell

Choose two diverse and contrasting songs recorded by one of these artists since the 1970s. The songs should span the length of their recording career and show their changing style.

These songs cannot be ones covered in unit material or in the text book (Covach, John, & Flory, Andrew. (2018). What's that sound? : An introduction to rock and its history (Fifth ed.). New York: WW Norton & Company Incorporated.).

List the two songs, their date of composition and the album they come from.
Write one short paragraph explaining the reasoning behind your choice of songs.

Find a recording of each song in the CQUni library or on YouTube by the original artist and complete the tasks below:

• Name of artist; title of song; catalogue number and brief description.
• The form of the song
• The time-signature(s) used
• The instrumentation used
• A time structure marking each main event
• A link to the song online (YouTube, SoundCloud etc)

B: Using the Listening Guides you have created, write a 1,000 word essay comparing the two songs. Make sure to:

• Compare the lyric content and structure
• Compare the instrumentation in each song
• Discuss any stylistic changes made between the two songs
• Discuss any other musical changes made between the two songs
  

Listening Guides

• Appropriate description of relevant song information (6%)
• Appropriate description of form (5%)
• Appropriate description of time-signature (4%)
• Appropriate description of the instrumentation used (10%)
• Appropriate description of structure of song including key events (15%)

Comparative Analysis

• Appropriateness of introduction and conclusion (10%)
• Depth of treatment of discussion on lyric content and structure (10%)
• Depth of treatment of discussion on instrumentation in each song (8%)
• Evidence of understanding of stylistic and musical changes between the two songs (12%)
• Depth of treatment of discussion on other musical changes made between the two songs (10%)

Writing Skills

• Accuracy of spelling, punctuation and grammar; clarity of writing style (5%)
• Meeting delivery requirements (presentation, word count, style guide) (5%)

*The word count is considered from the first word of the introduction to the last word of the conclusion. It excludes the cover page, abstract, contents page, reference page and appendices. It includes in-text references and direct quotations.

Length: 2000–2500 words

Choose one of the following topics:

1. Discuss the impact of MTV and the music video on the music industry.

Compare and contrast the music industry both before and after the advent of the music video and how it has shaped the modern music landscape. Include in your discussion specific examples of relevant artists and support your argument with examples from primary sources: text and music/music videos where appropriate.


2. Discuss the impact of file-sharing and how it continues to shape the way music is consumed in the present day.

File-sharing services like Napster had a profound influence on the way music was shared. Discuss the implications of file-sharing across the internet and how this has led to new ways of consuming music today. Include in your discussion specific artists whose activities have impacted these developments and support your argument with primary sources: text and music where appropriate.


3. Compare and contrast the development and evolution of metal music and hip hop/rap music during the 80s and early 90s.

Discuss the social environment surrounding the development and evolution of these two styles, the primary audience that each style attracted and their place within the broader stream of popular music today. Include in your discussion specific examples of relevant artists and their music and support your argument with primary sources: text and music where appropriate.

Assessment submission and presentation

Your assessment must be submitted as a Microsoft Word Document (.docx) and:

• Must use 12 point Times New Roman font
• Must use 1.5 spacing for the body of the assignment
• Include your name and student number on each page as part of a header or footer.
• Must adhere to the CQUniversity APA Style Guide.
  

Content:

• Appropriateness of introduction (10%)
• Relevance of material (10%)
• Logical material progression (10%)
• Development of argument or theme (10%)
• Use of primary sources to support argument or theme (10%)
• Synthesis of information (5%)
• Appropriateness of conclusion (5%)

Reference list:

• Referencing system precision (10%)
• Ability to reference sources in the body of the text (10%)
• Evidence of wide reading (5%)

General points:

• Accuracy of spelling, punctuation and grammar; clarity of writing style (10%)
• Meeting delivery requirements (presentation, word count*, style guide) (5%)

*The word count is considered from the first word of the introduction to the last word of the conclusion. It excludes the cover page, abstract, contents page, reference page and appendices. It includes in-text references and direct quotations.