1950s AMERICAN MUSIC AND FASHION

1950’s AMERICAN MUSIC AND
FASHION

America during the 1950s was a time of celebration; this was often shown in the fashion worn. World War 2 had ended and families were rejoicing over their triumph. The focus of Americans was now on baby-booming families and being a good housewife which was the ultimate measure of success. The television industry was growing and becoming a part of everyday usage in many households. Bright colorful fabric was worn and shown on many different TV shows such as ‘I am Lucy’ and ‘the honeymooners’. Actors and singers of the 1950s such as Monroe and Elvis represented a sex appealing type of fashion that was found to be bold during this conservative period of time. In 1951 the stiletto heel was introduced was designer Charles Jourdan. “As time went on the goal was for the slimmest possible heel, eliminating earlier "chunky" styles” ( ‘1950s’, modified 2008, viewed 11th of April 2008, http://www.centuryinshoes.com/decades/1950/1950_02.html). Shoes during the 1950s became very colorful with every color being available to match every outfit perfectly.

Teenagers defined and were known as the focal point of the 1950s. TV and cinema were a strong influential force that determined how people dressed; such films that had an impact were 'Rebel without a Cause' with James Dean. James Dean didn’t just create new fashion statements, he also created attitude which most teenagers were influenced by. Some of the fashion from the 1950s which is popular today that came from cinema exploitation was Leather, Levi’s, and Converse sneakers. “Sandals, ballet slippers, and other casual footwear became increasingly fashionable, as pool parties and other casual outdoor activities became popular”( ‘1950s’, modified 2008, viewed 11th of April 2008, http://www.centuryinshoes.com/decades/1950/1950_02.html). The rock and roll period of time introduced the iconic famous circle and poodle skirts, ponytails, saddle shoes, penny loafers, and colored sneakers. The music and fashion of the 1950s in America were joyful and happy to celebrate and mark the start of a new era, and the end of the war.

When people think of the 1950s in America, rock and roll usually comes to mind. Rock and roll developed from a blend of Southern blues and gospel music with an added strong back beat, this type of music was popular with teenagers who were trying to break out of the mainstream conservative American middle class. Some of the most popular artists of the time were Bill Haley, Elvis Presley, Jerry Lee Lewis, Alan Freed and the Big Bopper. Other music during the 1950s part from rock and roll that was popular were Crooners like Nat King Cole, Frank Sinatra, Perry Como and Dinah Shore. “Many of these singers were the idols of the rockers who developed the new sounds”( ‘American History’, modified 2008, viewed 11th of April 2008, http://kclibrary.nhmccd.edu/decade50.html). Rock and roll music defined the 50s, the upbeat fun rhythm of the music and dance heightened the socialness of society.

There were many variations of music styles, some that had even lasted from the 1920s, 1930s and 1940s, such as rhythm and blues, love songs, jazz, calypso and musicals. Soul music is a combination of rhythm and blues and gospel which began in the late 1950s in the United States. “It is characterized by its use of gospel-music devices, with a greater emphasis on vocalists and the use of secular themes” (‘American Popular Music before 1990’, modified 2008, viewed 11th of April 2008, http://kclibrary.lonestar.edu/music-1.html). The 1950s recordings of Ray Charles, Sam Cooke, and James Brown are commonly considered the beginnings of soul.

There are various differences in gender blogging, this can be substituted for the time era and personal perception. The way women and men were treated and represented often impacted their various topics they would communicate about. Women were more interested in personal issues to either do with family, or responsibilities such as housework and their husbands and children. Unlike men’s form of communication which was central to more global issues such as political matters and business work. “Male bloggers of all ages write more about politics, technology and money than do their female cohorts. Female bloggers discuss their personal lives – and use more personal writing style – much more than males do” (‘Gender differences in communication’, modified 2008, viewed 11th of April 2008
http://www.benedictionblogson.com/2004/05/14/gender-differences-in-communication/). There were different forms of words used in gender different blogs, men’s blogs tend to use words like "democracy" "sport" and "India" whereas women's blogs tend to use words like "yummy" and "gosh". The 1950s were a very colorful era and depicted the stereotypical wife and house worker while males were depicted as working. These stereotypes became the basic for the communication differences, based on what these genders were exposed to in this era.

REFERENCE LIST:

‘Gender differences in communication’, modified 2008, viewed 11th of April 2008,
http://www.benedictionblogson.com/2004/05/14/gender-differences-in-communication/

‘1950s’, modified 2008, viewed 11th of April 2008, http://www.centuryinshoes.com/decades/1950/1950_02.html

‘American History’, modified 2008, viewed 11th of April 2008,
http://kclibrary.nhmccd.edu/decade50.html

‘American Popular Music before 1990’, modified 2008, viewed 11th of April 2008,
http://kclibrary.lonestar.edu/music-1.html