Recommendations for 20th century US music?

[happypamama]

As part of our US history studies, I'd like to play a few music selections for the children from each decade of the 20th century, things that are indicative of popular styles. I know next to nothing about music, including what was popular when I was in school (my parents were super strict about music), so I welcome your suggestions.

 

When you think of the following decades, if you have a music selection or two that you feel is typical of the era, or was very popular then, please add it/them. (Should be fairly clean.)

 

1900s

 

1910s/WWI

 

1920s

 

1930s/Depression

 

1940s/WWII

 

1950s

 

1960s

 

1970s

 

1980s

 

1990s

 

2000s

 

2010-plus (I have no idea what would typify current popular music styles.)

[momto2Cs]

I don't know if this will help, but here is a link to a list of American composers, with samples available.

 

Classics for Kids: American Composers

[VaKim]

I like this website. It is cultural history, but you can scroll down and see the music section.

 

http://kclibrary.lonestar.edu/decade00.html

[AppleGreen]

We did that time period in history last year (last half of the year) and we studied or listened to the following genres/composers in our studies: Ella Fitzgerald, Scott Joplin and ragtime music, Duke Ellington, John Philip Sousa, Elvis, Someone like Debbie Reynolds (I am completely blanking! We did it as a comparison to Elvis) and then we sort of petered out.

 

We used the Classics for Kids website and library books, but mostly listened, talked about what we heard and my kids really liked to dance. :). Have fun!