A Book on music and language in the world?

seachto7 · 10-10-2011 12:38AM #1

Hi,

First time poster here on this forum, but looking for some info, you may be able to help.

I listen to non English language music and wonder is there a book on the whole area of pop music in the world and native/non native English speakers etc, and why bands choose to sing in English if they are non native.

I came across one book called "global pop, local language" but have heard it's not great.

Any other recommendations?

I read about the guys in the indie band Nada Surd being bilingual (English and French). They are American, but have a big fanbase in France, and one of them reckoned a lot to do with it was being able to speak French to the audiences etc. It's an area that interests me greatly, as I play in a band writing original music, and speak French and Italian...........

Kinski · 10-10-2011 08:50AM

I don't know anything about this, but there's a book on world music in the OUP's "Very Short Introduction" series. That would probably at least touch on the topic, and may contain some suggestions for further reading. I mention it just because I read Nicholas Cook's Music: A Very Short Introduction, and that was an excellent little book; it mainly focussed on the continuing importance of the idea of authenticity in music, which probably has some relevance to what you're talking about.

seachto7 · 10-10-2011 09:59AM

Hi,

Thanks. I'll make sure to check it out...

A Book on music and language in the world?

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