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9780802161260

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Praise for Anatomy of 55 More Songs: Entertaining tidbits and insights infuse the second volume of Marc Myers's eclectic array of musical hits, with singers, composers, lyricists, and producers delving into the backstories of some of the most recognizable, impactful songs of the 20th century. ...one of the real joys here is in the way that those interviewed are so expressive and generous with their unalloyed admiration for fellow artists... 'Anatomy' is an enjoyable musical interlude -- you inevitably sing the songs in your head as you read these stories. It would also, by the way, make one hell of a mixtape. --Daneet Steffens, Boston Globe Highly, entertainingly readable. --L. Kent Wolgamott, Lincoln Journal Star Anatomy of 55 More Songs is a fantastic addition to any music lover's library. --Glide Magazine These are engaging narratives that are dressed up with offbeat trivia that will make you the star conversationalist of any cocktail party. --Sal Cataldi, NYSmusic.comPraise for Marc Myers and Anatomy of a Song: In these pieces...songwriters and performers speak in their own voices...Because of Myers's skill as an interviewer, their pride and enthusiasm come blasting through. Each story is a pleasure to read and will deepen your listening experience...Myers bears down hard on these songs and the artists rise to the standards he sets. --New York Times Book Review A first-rate playlist...A rich history of both the music industry and the baby boomer era. --Los Angeles Times Book Review Marc Myers's Anatomy of a Song [is] a winning look at the stories behind 45 pop, punk, folk, soul and country classics...A smart, gracious book. His interviews yield some fascinating details. --Washington Post [A] splendid volume. --Guardian A music lover's dream book. --Cleveland Plain Dealer Anatomy of a Song...reads like a dream karaoke playlist. Not a dud in sight. --Huffington Post Who would've ever guessed the inspiration behind Gladys Knight's soul-stirring 'Midnight Train to Georgia' was '70s pinup queen Farrah Fawcett? That's just one of the fascinating song histories revealed in the new book Anatomy of a Song. --New York Post The short, sharp chapters breeze by like a particularly well-curated jukebox...Fast, fun and informative. --Houston Press The most revealing and entertaining compilation of short stories on popular music we have seen this decade. --Goldmine Anatomy of A Song. . . gets the lowdown on about forty years of hits straight from the artists' mouths . . . It's always cool to hear how the musical sausage gets made, especially when it's made by geniuses in the field. But Myers also does an outstanding job of unearthing the moments of humor and heartbreak that accompanied the creation of these songs. --American Songwriter Myers . . . uncovers the fascinating backstories behind many legendary songs that changed the trajectory of music . . . Culling together anecdotal revelations about happy accidents, deliberately vague lyrical choices and unexpected lapses of confidence, the book manages to both demystify and humanize so many of its iconic subjects... Filled with surprises for music fans and aspiring songwriters alike. --BMI Music Who doesn't like to listen to musicians tell their stories about the genesis of a song? Or to hear them laugh at the deep meaning that listeners often invest in it when for them it was, well, just a song about a breakup? Myers' book has something for everyone --No Depression The critical ability of Marc Myers shows in his selection of topics and his persistence in hunting down the right people to talk about their songs. But his talent as a writer shows in his willingness to get out of the way and let them talk about their songs . . . Myers pushes his subjects to recollect what had really happened that day in the studio, that moment when the song first came to mind, that instant when the radio began to play it. --Washington Free Beacon Countless fun facts dot Anatomy of a Song. --Billboard Myers' book succeeds as a collection because he reveals the paradox of popular music: the magical change that transpires once the personal becomes public . . . Perhaps the greatest gift of Anatomy of a Song is its range . . . This is a book that encourages you to go back into your record collection, to the hits you think you remember well. --Las Vegas Weekly Myers' . . . work is archival. It is important. It is illuminating. --Under the Radar A detailed look at 45 iconic popular songs . . . This will entice general readers and music lovers alike. In his introduction, Myers calls the book an 'oral history jukebox' and popular-music fans everywhere will want to be ready with a pocketful of dimes. --Booklist A compelling compendium of behind-the-scenes shop talk that will excite even the most casual music geek. --Bookreporter A cultural history of the elusive hit single, focused on artists' recollections and studio alchemy . . . The book's strength lies in thoughtful, wry reflections from artists including Elvis Costello, Jimmy Cliff, Stevie Wonder, Booker T. Jones, Dr. John, and Debbie Harry. An entertaining record of the soundtrack of the baby boomer era. --Kirkus Reviews Music fans will enjoy the behind-the-songs stories. --Publishers Weekly

"Praise for Anatomy of 55 More Songs: ""Entertaining tidbits and insights infuse the second volume of Marc Myers's eclectic array of musical hits, with singers, composers, lyricists, and producers delving into the backstories of some of the most recognizable, impactful songs of the 20th century. ...one of the real joys here is in the way that those interviewed are so expressive and generous with their unalloyed admiration for fellow artists... 'Anatomy' is an enjoyable musical interlude -- you inevitably sing the songs in your head as you read these stories. It would also, by the way, make one hell of a mixtape."" --Daneet Steffens, Boston Globe ""Highly, entertainingly readable."" --L. Kent Wolgamott, Lincoln Journal Star ""Anatomy of 55 More Songs is a fantastic addition to any music lover's library."" --Glide Magazine ""These are engaging narratives that are dressed up with offbeat trivia that will make you the star conversationalist of any cocktail party."" --Sal Cataldi, NYSmusic.comPraise for Marc Myers and Anatomy of a Song: ""In these pieces...songwriters and performers speak in their own voices...Because of Myers's skill as an interviewer, their pride and enthusiasm come blasting through. Each story is a pleasure to read and will deepen your listening experience...Myers bears down hard on these songs and the artists rise to the standards he sets."" --New York Times Book Review ""A first-rate playlist...A rich history of both the music industry and the baby boomer era."" --Los Angeles Times Book Review""Marc Myers's Anatomy of a Song [is] a winning look at the stories behind 45 pop, punk, folk, soul and country classics...A smart, gracious book. His interviews yield some fascinating details."" --Washington Post""[A] splendid volume."" --Guardian""A music lover's dream book."" --Cleveland Plain Dealer""Anatomy of a Song...reads like a dream karaoke playlist. Not a dud in sight."" --Huffington Post""Who would've ever guessed the inspiration behind Gladys Knight's soul-stirring 'Midnight Train to Georgia' was '70s pinup queen Farrah Fawcett? That's just one of the fascinating song histories revealed in the new book Anatomy of a Song."" --New York Post""The short, sharp chapters breeze by like a particularly well-curated jukebox...Fast, fun and informative."" --Houston Press""The most revealing and entertaining compilation of short stories on popular music we have seen this decade.""--Goldmine""Anatomy of A Song. . . gets the lowdown on about forty years of hits straight from the artists' mouths . . . It's always cool to hear how the musical sausage gets made, especially when it's made by geniuses in the field. But Myers also does an outstanding job of unearthing the moments of humor and heartbreak that accompanied the creation of these songs.""--American Songwriter""Myers . . . uncovers the fascinating backstories behind many legendary songs that changed the trajectory of music . . . Culling together anecdotal revelations about happy accidents, deliberately vague lyrical choices and unexpected lapses of confidence, the book manages to both demystify and humanize so many of its iconic subjects... Filled with surprises for music fans and aspiring songwriters alike.""--BMI Music""Who doesn't like to listen to musicians tell their stories about the genesis of a song? Or to hear them laugh at the deep meaning that listeners often invest in it when for them it was, well, just a song about a breakup? Myers' book has something for everyone""--No Depression""The critical ability of Marc Myers shows in his selection of topics and his persistence in hunting down the right people to talk about their songs. But his talent as a writer shows in his willingness to get out of the way and let them talk about their songs . . . Myers pushes his subjects to recollect what had really happened that day in the studio, that moment when the song first came to mind, that instant when the radio began to play it.""--Washington Free Beacon ""Countless fun facts dot Anatomy of a Song.""--Billboard ""Myers' book succeeds as a collection because he reveals the paradox of popular music: the magical change that transpires once the personal becomes public . . . Perhaps the greatest gift of Anatomy of a Song is its range . . . This is a book that encourages you to go back into your record collection, to the hits you think you remember well.""--Las Vegas Weekly""Myers' . . . work is archival. It is important. It is illuminating.""--Under the Radar""A detailed look at 45 iconic popular songs . . . This will entice general readers and music lovers alike. In his introduction, Myers calls the book an 'oral history jukebox' and popular-music fans everywhere will want to be ready with a pocketful of dimes.""--Booklist""A compelling compendium of behind-the-scenes shop talk that will excite even the most casual music geek.""--Bookreporter""A cultural history of the elusive hit single, focused on artists' recollections and studio alchemy . . . The book's strength lies in thoughtful, wry reflections from artists including Elvis Costello, Jimmy Cliff, Stevie Wonder, Booker T. Jones, Dr. John, and Debbie Harry. An entertaining record of the soundtrack of the baby boomer era.""--Kirkus Reviews""Music fans will enjoy the behind-the-songs stories.""--Publishers Weekly"

Praise for Anatomy of 55 More Songs: ""Entertaining tidbits and insights infuse the second volume of Marc Myers's eclectic array of musical hits, with singers, composers, lyricists, and producers delving into the backstories of some of the most recognizable, impactful songs of the 20th century. ...one of the real joys here is in the way that those interviewed are so expressive and generous with their unalloyed admiration for fellow artists... 'Anatomy' is an enjoyable musical interlude -- you inevitably sing the songs in your head as you read these stories. It would also, by the way, make one hell of a mixtape."" --Daneet Steffens, Boston Globe ""Highly, entertainingly readable."" --L. Kent Wolgamott, Lincoln Journal Star ""Anatomy of 55 More Songs is a fantastic addition to any music lover's library."" --Glide Magazine ""These are engaging narratives that are dressed up with offbeat trivia that will make you the star conversationalist of any cocktail party."" --Sal Cataldi, NYSmusic.comPraise for Marc Myers and Anatomy of a Song: ""In these pieces...songwriters and performers speak in their own voices...Because of Myers's skill as an interviewer, their pride and enthusiasm come blasting through. Each story is a pleasure to read and will deepen your listening experience...Myers bears down hard on these songs and the artists rise to the standards he sets."" --New York Times Book Review ""A first-rate playlist...A rich history of both the music industry and the baby boomer era."" --Los Angeles Times Book Review""Marc Myers's Anatomy of a Song [is] a winning look at the stories behind 45 pop, punk, folk, soul and country classics...A smart, gracious book. His interviews yield some fascinating details."" --Washington Post""[A] splendid volume."" --Guardian""A music lover's dream book."" --Cleveland Plain Dealer""Anatomy of a Song...reads like a dream karaoke playlist. Not a dud in sight."" --Huffington Post""Who would've ever guessed the inspiration behind Gladys Knight's soul-stirring 'Midnight Train to Georgia' was '70s pinup queen Farrah Fawcett? That's just one of the fascinating song histories revealed in the new book Anatomy of a Song."" --New York Post""The short, sharp chapters breeze by like a particularly well-curated jukebox...Fast, fun and informative."" --Houston Press""The most revealing and entertaining compilation of short stories on popular music we have seen this decade.""--Goldmine""Anatomy of A Song. . . gets the lowdown on about forty years of hits straight from the artists' mouths . . . It's always cool to hear how the musical sausage gets made, especially when it's made by geniuses in the field. But Myers also does an outstanding job of unearthing the moments of humor and heartbreak that accompanied the creation of these songs.""--American Songwriter""Myers . . . uncovers the fascinating backstories behind many legendary songs that changed the trajectory of music . . . Culling together anecdotal revelations about happy accidents, deliberately vague lyrical choices and unexpected lapses of confidence, the book manages to both demystify and humanize so many of its iconic subjects... Filled with surprises for music fans and aspiring songwriters alike.""--BMI Music""Who doesn't like to listen to musicians tell their stories about the genesis of a song? Or to hear them laugh at the deep meaning that listeners often invest in it when for them it was, well, just a song about a breakup? Myers' book has something for everyone""--No Depression""The critical ability of Marc Myers shows in his selection of topics and his persistence in hunting down the right people to talk about their songs. But his talent as a writer shows in his willingness to get out of the way and let them talk about their songs . . . Myers pushes his subjects to recollect what had really happened that day in the studio, that moment when the song first came to mind, that instant when the radio began to play it.""--Washington Free Beacon ""Countless fun facts dot Anatomy of a Song.""--Billboard ""Myers' book succeeds as a collection because he reveals the paradox of popular music: the magical change that transpires once the personal becomes public . . . Perhaps the greatest gift of Anatomy of a Song is its range . . . This is a book that encourages you to go back into your record collection, to the hits you think you remember well.""--Las Vegas Weekly""Myers' . . . work is archival. It is important. It is illuminating.""--Under the Radar""A detailed look at 45 iconic popular songs . . . This will entice general readers and music lovers alike. In his introduction, Myers calls the book an 'oral history jukebox' and popular-music fans everywhere will want to be ready with a pocketful of dimes.""--Booklist""A compelling compendium of behind-the-scenes shop talk that will excite even the most casual music geek.""--Bookreporter""A cultural history of the elusive hit single, focused on artists' recollections and studio alchemy . . . The book's strength lies in thoughtful, wry reflections from artists including Elvis Costello, Jimmy Cliff, Stevie Wonder, Booker T. Jones, Dr. John, and Debbie Harry. An entertaining record of the soundtrack of the baby boomer era.""--Kirkus Reviews""Music fans will enjoy the behind-the-songs stories.""--Publishers Weekly

Author Information

Marc Myers is a regular contributor to the Wall Street Journal, where he writes about music and the arts. He is the author of the critically acclaimed books Anatomy of a Song, Why Jazz Happened, and Rock Concert, and posts daily at JazzWax.com, a three-time winner of the Jazz Journalists Association's award for Jazz Blog of the Year.

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