Abstract

The songs of Irving Berlin have ingrained themselves in the Great American Songbook as exemplary embodiments of the country’s sound and spirit. Berlin’s journey from a Russian Jewish immigrant living in poverty to one of the nation’s most treasured and successful songwriters has been well-documented and incorporated into his legacy. The biographers that write of this journey, however, promote the narrative that Berlin deliberately cast away his identity as a Jewish immigrant in favor for that of the general American. One way they support this narrative is by citing a group of novelty songs he wrote early in his career featuring Jewish caricatures. They claim that the stereotypes abounding in his Jewish novelty songs indicate his disdain for his cultural background.
But reading deeper into his lyrics suggests otherwise. Through evaluating historical trends, biographical and autobiographical material, and Berlin’s lyrics, this Independent Study explores alternate interpretations of Berlin’s Jewish novelty songs and illuminates how Berlin may have written his own experiences and personal views into his work. This study also argues that Berlin’s early novelty music played a pivotal role in Berlin’s songwriting career as he found his footing in Tin Pan Alley’s music industry. It concludes that Berlin’s Jewish novelty songs have more depth and significance than previously represented in his literature, and that they enrich knowledge on American music, Jewish music, and one of the most beloved songwriters in history.

Advisor

Freeze, Timothy

Department

Music

Disciplines

Arts and Humanities | Music | Musicology

Keywords

music, musicology, Irving Berlin, Jewish identity

Publication Date

2024

Degree Granted

Bachelor of Arts

Document Type

Senior Independent Study Thesis

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© Copyright 2024 Anya Smith