Fly Me to the Moon

Fly Me to the Moon has been performed by many artists for years, but my favorite version of it is Frank Sinatra’s. It was first recorded in 1954 by Kaye Ballard. In 1956, Portia Nelson and Johnny Mathis recorded it as well. Felicia Sanders, the original singer of “Fly Me to the Moon,” recorded the song in 1959. Finally in 1962, an instrumental version of Fly Me to the Moon was recorded by Joe Harnell.

Frank Sinatra didn’t record this song on his album called It Might As Well Be Swing, until 1964; however, his version of the song is the most memorable one by many. It is said that Frank Sinatra’s recording was played by the astronauts of Apollo 10, on their lunar mission. (http://apollotribute2.blogspot.com/2006_04_01_archive.html) After Sinatra, Tony Bennett and Oscar Peterson recorded the same song on their albums.

This song can easily be related to our African-American Music class, as it contains multiple layers of instruments and melodies, blue notes and bent notes, and syncopated rhythms, which are the major characteristics of African-American music.

Mintrelsy in Today’s Popular Music

Spike Lee’s film “Bamboozled,” which is basically a blackface satire in a more modern setting, still causes a lot of controversy among some of the theatre-lovers. It is hard to decide whether to admire the filmmaker’s bravery or disapprove his nerve to take advantage of an infamous chapter of the American culture. But either way, it encouraged others to express their feelings and opinions through music.

In today’s popular music, there are many evidence to support the strategy of resistance. Some of the artists who apply this strategy to their music are listed as Clint Black, Shania Twain, Faith Hill. They mix popular music with some elements of country in order to express their feelings and relate to everyday people through their slow or upbeat music and daring lyrics.