Music Program/Learning & Discovery: Songs That Shaped History
- Taylor Kurta
- 6 days ago
- 6 min read
Duration: 30–40 minutes (can be shortened or lengthened depending on the amount of songs/prompts you use)
Goals: Encourage learning and reflection about how music connects to cultural and historical change.
Description: From the 1930s through the 1970s, music became the soundtrack to history - helping people express their dreams, challenges, and hopes for the world. In Songs That Shaped History, participants journey through time to discover the real stories behind beloved songs, learning how they reflected the mood of each era. Each song includes a short historical introduction and a reflective prompt to connect past and present.
Materials:
Bluetooth speaker or large screen to show videos
Percussion instruments (shakers, tambourines, hand drums)
Youtube playlist: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XulvnXo6BJk&list=PL8_xNKhvJflOJJjbyI5QP8fede7BaEQoU
Instructions and script (also provided below)
Suggested Songs:
“Somewhere Over the Rainbow” – Judy Garland
“This Land Is Your Land” – Woody Guthrie
“Rock Around the Clock” – Bill Haley & His Comets
“Blowin’ in the Wind” – Bob Dylan
“Respect” – Aretha Franklin
“Here Comes the Sun” – The Beatles
“Lean on Me” – Bill Withers
Flow:
Welcome and Introduction (2 mins)
Guided Singing and Discussion (25–30 mins)
Closing Reflection (2-3 mins)
Adaptations and Facilitator Tips:
Offer rhythm instruments for non-verbal participants and gently model their use.
Encourage humming, tapping, or gentle movement for those who prefer nonverbal engagement.
Adjust number of songs or discussion length based on group engagement.
Instructions and Script:
Welcome and Introduction (2 mins)
“Welcome, everyone! Today’s program is called Songs That Shaped History. Music has always reflected the times, from moments of struggle to celebrations of joy and freedom. As we travel through the decades, we’ll learn a little about what was happening when these songs were written, and how they inspired people, just as they still do today.”
Guided Singing and Discussion (20–30 mins)
Song 1: “Over the Rainbow” – Judy Garland (1939)
"When Judy Garland sang this in The Wizard of Oz, America was still recovering from the Great Depression. People were dreaming of brighter days and “somewhere over the rainbow” became a symbol of hope and escape. The song won an Academy Award and has been covered by countless artists since."
🎶 Play Somewhere Over the Rainbow
Sensory Prompt (during the song): Encourage participants to draw a rainbow with their hands during the chorus.
Reflective Prompt (after the song): “When you hear this song, what feelings or images come to mind? Why do you think it’s still loved today?”
Song 2: “This Land Is Your Land” – Woody Guthrie (1940s)
"Woody Guthrie wrote this song while traveling across America during the Great Depression. He saw beauty and hardship, and wanted to remind people that the land, and the world, belongs to everyone. It became one of the most famous folk songs of all time and an anthem for fairness and unity."
🎶 Play This Land is Your Land
Sensory Prompt (during the song): Encourage participants to clap their hands to the music or play their percussion instruments.
Reflective Prompt (after the song): “When you hear the words ‘this land was made for you and me,’ what do they mean to you?”
Song 3: “Rock Around the Clock” – Bill Haley & His Comets (1954)
"In the 1950s, a new sound was taking shape - a mix of rhythm and blues, country, and swing that became known as rock ’n’ roll. When “Rock Around the Clock” hit the airwaves, it felt like nothing people had heard before. The song exploded in popularity after it was featured in the movie Blackboard Jungle (1955), and suddenly teenagers everywhere were dancing, singing, and expressing themselves in new ways. Adults often called it rebellious or noisy, but for young people, it represented freedom, fun, and the start of a cultural shift that would change music forever."
Sensory Prompt (before the song): "Before we sing this song, let's imagine being in a 1950s dance hall - shiny shoes, jukebox lights, people twisting and laughing."
🎶 Play Rock Around the Clock
Reflective Prompt (after the song): “Do you remember hearing early rock ’n’ roll? What did people think of this new sound?”
Song 4: “Blowin’ in the Wind” – Bob Dylan (1963)
“As the excitement of rock ’n’ roll filled the air, a new generation began to look beyond the dance floor - asking deeper questions about the world around them. Music started to shift from just having fun to speaking out about fairness, peace, and change. Bob Dylan was only 21 when he wrote this song, but his words became a rallying cry for the Civil Rights Movement. The song doesn’t give answers - instead, it asks questions about peace, equality, and justice that still resonate today. Peter, Paul & Mary’s version also helped bring it to millions."
🎶 Play Blowin' in the Wind
Sensory Prompt (during the song): Encourage participants to sway side to side or move their hands as if mimicking the wind.
Reflective Prompt (after the song): “What do you think it means when the song says the answers are ‘blowin’ in the wind’?”
Song 5: “Respect” – Aretha Franklin (1967)
“While Bob Dylan’s song asked powerful questions about peace and equality, the late 1960s brought music that spoke loud and clear - especially through strong voices demanding change. One of those voices was Aretha Franklin, whose song became a call for both respect and empowerment.”
Aretha took a song originally written by Otis Redding and completely transformed it. Her version became an anthem for both the women’s movement and the fight for racial equality. ‘R-E-S-P-E-C-T’ became more than a lyric - it became a message demanding dignity, power, and pride."
🎶 Play Respect
Sensory Prompt (during the song): This song is filled with opportunities to model big movements and gestures. Try clapping, tapping your feet, or moving your arms with the rhythm as Aretha spells out “R-E-S-P-E-C-T.” Encourage participants to sway, snap, or sing along - letting the music’s energy build confidence and joy in the room!
Reflective Prompt (after the song): “Aretha’s song reminds us how powerful it feels to be valued and heard. What makes you feel respected or appreciated?”
Song 6: “Here Comes the Sun” – The Beatles (1969)
“Aretha Franklin’s call for respect reminded the world of dignity and equality. As the 1960s came to a close, people longed for comfort and hope after years of change. The Beatles captured that feeling beautifully in their song 'Here Comes the Sun' - a reminder that light always returns after dark times."
Sensory Prompt (before the song): "As we sing this next song, let's imagine the sun shining its warmth on our faces."
🎶 Play Here Comes the Sun
Sensory Prompt (during the song): Encourage gentle swaying or slow, open-arm movements, as if reaching toward the sunlight. Invite participants to lift their faces slightly or stretch their hands upward when the music swells, mirroring the warmth and brightness of the song.
Song 7: “Lean on Me” – Bill Withers (1972)
“‘Here Comes the Sun’ reminded people that light always returns after dark times. In the years that followed, many artists continued to share songs about healing and togetherness. One of the most powerful was by Bill Withers, a gentle reminder that none of us have to face life alone. Bill Withers grew up in a small, close-knit town where neighbours cared for one another. When he moved to a big city, he missed that sense of connection, so he wrote this song as a reminder that we all need support sometimes. It became one of the most beloved songs about friendship and community ever written."
🎶 Play Lean on Me
Sensory Prompt (during the song): Invite participants to gently sway together to the rhythm, moving in unison to feel a sense of community. Encourage them to place a hand over their heart or open their palms outward as a gesture of giving and receiving support.
Reflective Prompt (after the song): “What does it mean to you when someone really shows up for you - and how do you like to show up for others?”
Closing Reflection (2-3 mins):
“From dreaming of a rainbow to standing up for respect, these songs remind us that music has always been a way to share courage, love, and hope. As we listen across decades, we see how people found strength in melody and words, and how music continues to bring us together today.”
Reflective Prompt: "Before we end today, I am curious to know, why do you think music has been such an important part of people’s lives all through history?”
Closing Script: “Thank you all for sharing your memories, voices, and reflections today. It’s amazing to see how these songs, and the stories behind them, still bring people together and remind us of our shared history.”
