We don't often get the opportunity to hear non-English music on American commercial radio. If a paticular artist wants to add an exotic flair to a song, we might hear one sung partially in another language (e.g. "Time to Say Goodbye," "Bailamos"), but most of what we hear is fully in English. And despite the recent success of "Gangnam Style," songs sung entirely in a foreign language (e.g. "La Bamba," "Bamboleo") are even rarer. However, that's not the case around the world, where foreign language songs, including American music, routinely become hits in a number of markets. Americans, however, are notoriously resistant to songs that aren't in English. So, while the rest of the world gets to hear a variety of international artists, Americans are largely limited to music from English-speaking countries. For your first reflection, you'll take a musical trip around the world. Choose three of the following international music websites and sample some of the local fare. Consider what are these countries' musical tastes are at this moment, and to what degree American music has penetrated their charts. Finally, do you you believe any of the music you sampled could have a shot at success in America? Why or why not?
- Mexico: Top 100 México (Amprofon)
- Israel: Israel Radio Chart (100FM)
- Belgium: Singles Top 50
- Nigeria: Top 10 Most Downloaded (360Nobs.com)
- Italy: Classifiche Musicali (MTV Italy)
- Lebanon: Combined [English/Arabic] (Official Lebanese Top 20)
- Japan: Japan Hot 100 (Billboard/Hanshin)
- South Africa: Top 40 (Take 40 SA)
- Portugal: Portuguese National Top 50
- Sweden: Top 60 Singles
- Middle East: Hitmarker Weekly Top 20
- Quebec (French Canada): Super Décompte (Rouge FM)
- Latin America: Latino ((MTV Latinoamérica) and Internacional (MTV Latinoamérica)
- Hong Kong: Hit Radio Charts (997)
- Argentina: Top 20 (FM88)
- Norway: Top 20
- Russia: 2M/Tophit's Russian Music Charts and Top 20 (MTV Russia)
- Asia: Chart Attack (MTV Asia)
- France: SNEP's Top 100
- India: Mirchi Top 20 [Bollywood] (Radio Mirchi) and Angrezi Top 20 [English] (Radio Mirchi)
- Brazil: Brasil Hot 100 Airplay (Billboard Brasil)
Requirements:
- Be in MLA Style
- Be two full pages in length
- No works cited page necessary for this reflection
Due: Th 01.31
