American Hit Radio: A History of Popular Singles from 1955 to the Present

by Thomas Ryan

Book Overview

Starting in 1955, America began tracking its favorite songs on the Top 40 Charts. More than a record of our collective music tastes, the charts became snapshots that reveal who we are. Now Thomas Ryan takes us through all forty years, providing a wealth of insight based on exhaustive research. Arranged chronologically, American Hit Radio puts 1,250 of the Top 40 songs in perspective, spotlighting 500 with carefully crafted essays describing the artists?...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0761502300
• ISBN13: 9780761502302
• Release Date: November 1995
• Publisher: Prima Lifestyles
• Length: 672 Pages
• Weight: 2.45 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.3" x 7.3" x 9.0"

Customer Reviews

Pop cultural history in plain language, please!

AMERICAN HIT RADIO, a survey of classic pop music from the mid 1950's to the 1990's, is a compusively good read. Written in a refreshing conversational tone, this is a deeply personal book that also allows the author to give an exhaustive historical background on each of his opinionated song selections. Ryan clearly loves his subject and within a few short hours, a novice will have a keen insignt into what made a particular artist and recording into three plus minutes of magic (at the risk of sounding off like an infomercial, this book does make a nifty I-Pod companion). For the officiando, you'll feel as if you discovered a new found friend- one you can laugh and argue with over the "merits" of the Eagles' "Hotel California." The one sore point is Ryan's rather perculiar "disco is bad" stance in light of the fact that we live in an era when many happily sing the Village People's "YMCA." Thankfully through correspondance, I've found that the author has recently changed tune (no pun intented) and will add renewed insights in subsequent editions of the book. Until that day arrives I'll give this one spin like those ol'45rpm records- time and time again!

Too sixties-oriented but overall a good survey.

American Hit Radio is a good survey of American popular music since 1955. It is, of course, one man's opinion, and he is decidedly opinionated. Like too many baby boomers, he exalts the sixties as the golden age of American music, and dismisses most post-sixties music as so much pap. He also shares the straight white boy's prejudices against disco and dance music. On the other hand, when it comes to artists that he likes, like Aretha Franklin, the author is right-on target.

Thank God! Not another "Who's Who in American Pop"

I've never read a book about music that can make me steaming mad on one page and then fall over in laughter on the next. Ryan's depth of knowledge is extraordinary, but the essence of the book is not in the content ... but rather in the delivery (i.e. Ryan's letter to Mariah Carey ... I'm laughing just thinking about it). I seldom found myself agreeing with Ryan's opinion (10%), but nevertheless he gained my respect by supporting his pomposity with historical accuracy and down-right good-old american-bred honesty. Like most things that you cherish in life - it's not until your views about them are legitimately challenged that your real love for those things are confirmed. If you want to read a book as if you're talking to an old friend about the most passionate art form in creation - MUSIC - then get the book ... At least with the book you can choose not to listen. By the way, I hope you don't laugh at people who you see talking to a book - because you're about to become one of those nuts (worse - you'll be yelling at it).

A great book for fans of the top 40 since 1955

When I first picked this book up, I thought it was a little self serving, I mean, this guy's favorite 500 songs? After picking it up, I found it very hard to put down. Ryan picks a lot of songs I would have, but tosses in a curve or two. There's a lot of interesting info, some of which is not available in other sources (and a couple of points which conflict with other sources).The 60s get a wealth of treatment, and changes in the marketing of music (particularly the fact that there isn't a viable singles format anymore) limit the 80s and 90s choices. And yes I do remember Dave and Ansil Collins "Double Barrel" (Iiii am the magnificent...WOOO), which is in the top 500.

A must read for Baby Boomer and Gen-X'er music fans

Tom Ryan gets right to the point in his facinating review of pop culture musical history. The 45 single was the most influential medium for a generation of listeners and for the artists themselves. As you read, you will see how "one hit wonders" made careers and helped these sometimes unknown artists earn their place in history. Another interesting point of the book is how the author relates what was happening socially in America during the time of each hits release. Read how the anti-war movement changed the music scene. Follow the musical trends from folk rock to grunge, and picture how you have grown and evolved with the times. See how some #1 hits have faded over the years and lost their relevence (Disco Duck) while others have become part of the American music fabric, although never reaching the famed #1 status.A great book for all who love music and the culture of the 50's through the mid 90"s. Tom Ryan's insightful and slightly saracastic wit! ! is a wonderful thread to this reading experience.