Easy to Remember: The Great American Songwriters and Their Songs

Easy to Remember chronicles the evolution of American popular music through the work of its most influential songwriters from the early 1900s through the 1950s. William Zinsser examines the creators of the Great American Songbook, including Irving Berlin, Cole Porter, George Gershwin, Richard Rodgers, and dozens of other composers and lyricists. The book combines musical analysis, biographical details, and historical context to explain how these writers shaped American culture through their songs. Zinsser draws on his background as both a journalist and amateur pianist to break down the technical and artistic elements that made certain compositions endure. Through hundreds of examples from Broadway shows, Hollywood films, and popular recordings, the text traces how American songwriting developed its signature mix of sophistication and accessibility. The narrative preserves first-hand accounts from many of the songwriters themselves through Zinsser's personal interviews and archival research. At its core, this is a story about how a uniquely American art form emerged from the nation's melting pot of cultural influences during a transformative period in history. The book makes a case for these songwriters as both artists and chroniclers of their era.

Readers appreciate Zinsser's personal anecdotes and behind-the-scenes stories about songwriters like Cole Porter and Irving Berlin. Many note the book works best when read alongside recordings of the discussed songs. Readers highlight the clear organization by songwriter rather than chronology, making it useful as a reference. Multiple reviews mention the author's knowledge as both a pianist and writer adds depth to the musical analysis. Main criticisms focus on the writing being too nostalgic and the song selection favoring well-known standards over deeper cuts. Some readers found the technical music theory sections difficult to follow without formal training. Ratings: Goodreads: 4.0/5 (42 ratings) Amazon: 4.4/5 (32 ratings) From reviews: "Perfect balance of music history and personal insight" - Goodreads reviewer "Too much focus on the obvious hits" - Amazon reviewer "His pianist's perspective helps explain what makes these songs endure" - LibraryThing reviewer

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🎵 William Zinsser, primarily known for his bestseller "On Writing Well," was also an accomplished pianist who played many of the songs he wrote about in this book 🎭 The book covers over 200 classic American songs, detailing not just their histories but also the specific musical elements that make them memorable and successful 🎼 Many of the songwriters featured in the book, including Irving Berlin and Cole Porter, couldn't read music - they would hum or play their melodies for professional arrangers who would then write the notation 📚 Zinsser wrote the book after teaching a popular seminar called "Popular Songs as Literature" at Yale University's residential college system 🎪 The golden age of American songwriting described in the book (1920s-1950s) coincided with the rise of Broadway musicals, and many of the most enduring songs were originally written for theatrical productions rather than as standalone pieces