feste_sylvain

There is a growing notion of cultural history in this country called "The American Songbook". Basically, these are the pop tunes from before the days of rock and roll, and songs written in that style since. Being a jazz aficionado, I know a lot of these songs which were written before I was born, and many people in my generation and the ones that followed consider them to be "jazz" or "swing" songs.

But they're not. They're pop music for a previous generation.

So let's try a thought experiment: you're at some kind of event for your parents or grandparents (or maybe one of their friends that you actually know), and they have a karaoke machine. No matter what anyone's singing ability, everyone is being merrily cajoled into singing, including you. You've been provided with an old-school cocktail, like a Rob Roy, a Manhattan, or a Bloody Mary.

While someone from your past that you're fond of but hardly ever see anymore is belting out "That's Why the Lady Is a Tramp", you finally reach the karaoke machine's menu list.

What five songs do you look for?

(My answer will be the first comment, unless one of you guys is faster.)