Voicing Form in Rock and Pop, 1991–2020

FAIN: FT-285984-22

Drew Frederick Nobile
University of Oregon (Eugene, OR 97403-5219)

Research and writing leading to a book about voice, sound and music analysis in rock and popular songs, 1991 to the present.

This book looks at the relationship between vocal delivery and song form in rock and pop songs since 1991. The project challenges the traditional opposition between sound and structure, arguing instead that in this repertoire, sound creates structure. Put another way, rock and pop singers are composing with their voices. In arguing for voice-based composition, I propose a new ontology for popular song that centers the human element, conceiving of a song not as an abstract collection of notes, chords, and words but as the direct statement of a singing persona, one whose voice communicates not only a lyrical message but also corporeality, emotional states, and social identity. Treating sound and voice not as so-called “secondary parameters” but as primary aspects of a popular song expands what counts as musical structure and recasts traditional notions of what gives music its value, which may help finally put to rest the tired notion that popular music is musically simplistic.