= Located in the
Ablah Library Reference Section |
= Located in the
Music Library Reference Section |
= Available Online |
POPULAR SONG AND GENERAL
The Guinness Encyclopedia of Popular Music
REF ML102.P66 G84 1995
and
In 6 volumes, this work is an extensive compilation of biographical
articles on groups and artists in popular music (including country). The 6th
volume contains a bibliography by artist and an index for locating individuals
within groups. The 3rd edition is located in the music library,
while the 2nd edition lives in Ablah Library reference section. The
1st edition is available to check out from Ablah Library, 2nd
floor.
The Complete Encyclopedia
of Popular Music and Jazz 1900-1950 (Kinkle) REF ML102.P66 K55
In 4 volumes, this work provides biographical information and some other useful
reference tools, covering the first half of the twentieth century. Volume 1
presents a listing of musicals, songs, and representative recordings,
year-by-year. Volumes 2 and 3 provide brief biographical entries with song
credits where applicable and discographies. The 4th volume presents
awards information, numerical lists of records labels and an index.
Songwriters: A
Biographical Dictionary with Discographies
REF ML102.P66 H471998
This title holds biographical information for composers and lyricists of
popular song in through the nineteenth and twentieth centuries.
Biographical Dictionary of
Afro-American and African Musicians
(Southern) REF ML105.S67 1982
Look here for biographical information on Afro-American and African musicians in
a wide variety of music occupations throughout history. Contains brief but
useful bibliographies.
ASCAP Biographical
Dictionary
REF ML106.U3 A5
Though dated, the 4th edition provides brief biographical
information for composers and lyricists who are not often listed elsewhere
(especially noted for its coverage of lesser-known lyricists). Previous
editions are located in Ablah library, 2nd floor circulating
collection.
Baker’s Biographical Dictionary of Popular Musicians Since 1990 
This is an online reference book providing biographical information on artists
and groups from 1990-2003. Browse by table of contents or index. Content is
also available by a search engine on the page. Access this title through the WSU
online catalog.
American Women Songwriters
(Grattan) REF ML106.U3 G73 1993
This provides biographical information on women songwriters in various
genres.
Sweet and Lowdown
(Craig) REF ML106.U3 C75
This title provides brief biographical information on American
songwriters and listings of their songs.
The Encyclopedia of Pop,
Rock and Soul
(Stambler) REF ML102.P66 S8 1989
A bit dated, but
this is a good alternate source for biographical information on popular music
personalities.
The Blue Book of Tin Pan
Alley REF
ML390.B963
In 2 volumes this work covers songwriting from 1798 through the 1960s.
Arranged chronologically with lengthy essays and works lists of composers, use
the indexes in each volume for best access.
Lissauer’s Encyclopedia of
Popular Music in America: 1888 to the Present
REF ML128.P63 L57 1996
In 3 volumes, this set provides concise background information by song
title. This also holds a chronological listing of songs and a list of
songwriters.
The Great Song Thesaurus
(Lax and Smith) REF ML128.S3 L4 1989 and
Another listing of song titles, this provides information on the date of
composition, composer/lyricist credits and concise notes on the songs’ history
when applicable. Wonderfully useful cross references refer to alternative
titles. Also has a notable index to songs by subject, keyword and category.
The 2nd edition of this work is located in the Ablah Library
reference collection, while the 1st edition may be found in the Music
Library’s reference collection.
Directory of Tunes and
Musical Themes
(Parsons) REF NK128.I65 P33
Also known as the “up-down book,” this volume attempts to answer the
question: “What is the name of that tune” by reducing the opening melody to a
directional pattern of notes. In 3 sections covering classical tunes, popular
tunes and national anthems. If you can hum it and its listed here, you can find
it.
Popular Song Index
(Havlice) REF ML128.S3 H4
A main volume and 3 separate supplemental volumes, this is an index to
popular songs by title, first line of song and first line of chorus. As the
supplements index different collections, one may need to check through each
supplement. Each volume also contains an index by composer and lyricist. This
only covers song collections published between 1940 and 1987.
Song Finder
(Ferguson) REF ML128.S3 F47 1995
This indexes song collections published from 1854 to 1992. Look up the
song title and locate the anthologies in which it is contained.
The Rock Song Index
(Pollock) REF ML128.R6 P65 1997
Arranged by artist, then by date this provides the applicable producer, album,
label, songwriters and sometimes a concise note of the songs’ import. This also
contains a bibliography and song title index.
Find That Tune
REF ML128.R6 F56 1984
A 2 volume index to pop, rock and folk songs in collections, listings
include songwriter credits and dates. This also provides indexes to first line,
composer and performer.
Index to Song Books
(Leigh) REF ML128.S3 L45
This indexes over 100 songbooks published between 1933 and 1962,
specifically intending to cover collections most commonly held by libraries.
This is one of several places to search for printed popular music.
Wedding Music
REF ML128.W4 G6 1992 and
This index to 191 vocal and instrumental collections was compiled
specifically to access music suitable for weddings. Find titles or first lines,
works by composer or works by instrument. An electronic copy is also available
through the WSU online catalog (search by title).
Popular Song Index
(Wolff) REF ML128.S3 W64 1993 and
This is an index to 18 song anthologies in the Music Library collection.
Use this to find the printed music for anthologies not having their detailed
table of contents listed in the WSU online catalog. Also find here an index by
name.
Song Index
and Supplement
(Sears) REF ML128.S3 S31 1966
Though this is primarily an index of art songs, this also covers
anthologies of folk songs, sea chanteys, Christmas carols, sacred songs and
school/college songs. Be sure to check both the main section as well as the
supplement section, though both are bound together. An additional copy is found
in Ablah Library, 2nd floor.
The Song Index of the
Enoch Pratt Free Library
REF ML128.S3 L665 1998
This 2 volume work indexes songs in over 2000 collections, of all
genres. The 2nd volume provides an index by composer and a listing
of operas, musicals, movies and etc., along with their associated song titles.
It is often handy for its coverage of more recently published collections.
School Songs of America’s
Colleges and Universities
REF ML128.S75 O2 1991
Arranged by state and then by institution, find here alma mater and fight
songs, along with composer/lyricist credits, and with an index by song title.
Billboard International
Buyers Guide
REF ML18.B5
This holds international company contact information for record labels,
publishers, services, equipment and organizations. The latest issue is found in
reference, with previous issues located in Ablah Library, 2nd floor.
I’ve Heard Those Songs
Before, Volume II
REF ML128.V7 B781
This lists the weekly top ten lists from the 1930s through the 1980s,
with a song index. Volume I, covering a smaller expanse of time, is located in
Ablah Library, 2nd floor.
Variety Music Cavalcade
(Mattfeld) REF ML128.V7 M4 1971
Covering 1620-1969, this is a chronology of popular songs, year by year,
along with other notable events in history. Previous editions are located in
Ablah Library, 2nd floor.
One Hit Wonders
REF ML394.J36 1990
Find here entries for those artists or groups having only one top 40 hit
recording. This covers only the 1950s through the 1980s, with entries providing
song title, date, ranking of the hit, label number, brief biographical
information and updates to 1990.
The Lyric Book
REF ML54.6.L95 2001
This title provides the complete lyrics
for over 1000 popular songs from musicals, film and television. Lyrics may
also be found by artist and songwriter indices.
Updated:
March 23, 2007
Contact:
Rachel Crane, Music/Fine Arts
Librarian