Song Finder: A Title Index to 32,000 Popular Songs in Collections, 1854-1992

(Hardback)

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An index to the contents of 621 song books published between 1854 and 1992 and acquired by the State Library of Louisiana, Song Finder provides access to 32,000 songs, with emphasis on collections of theater songs, folk songs, children's songs, religious music, rock, country, and pop music standards. Also well represented are African-American music, movie and television theme songs, seasonal music, patriotic songs, military music, and songs of foreign lands. Three-fourths of the song books have never been indexed, and 85 percent are not included in any index currently in print. A third of the individual songs have never been indexed before. Songs can be located in Song Finder by title only. Under each title are letter symbols representing song books which include the song. Bibliographical information on the song books can be found in the first section of the book, the list of collections indexed, which also provides OCLC numbers to facilitate interlibrary loan. For each printing of a song, Song Finder notes whether the book provides music only, words only, or both words and music. The index also identifies lyrics in a foreign language and whether there is an English translation. Other indexes do not offer this kind of detail, which allows users to find the version of a song that is suitable to their needs. Also helpful to the user are cross references which link alternate titles and compensate for variant and nonstandard spellings. Users uncertain of the title of an advertising jingle, or the theme song of a film or television show, will find cross references from the name of the product or show to the correct song title.

Reviews

.,."this is a basic index by title, showing the location of the song in a book annotated in Song Finder. Additional data within each entry draw attention to whether there is music only, words only, or both words and music. Lyrics in foreign languages and in English translation are also noted. Cross-references deal with variant spellings and alternate titles; these are highlighted."-ARBA
...this is a basic index by title, showing the location of the song in a book annotated in Song Finder. Additional data within each entry draw attention to whether there is music only, words only, or both words and music. Lyrics in foreign languages and in English translation are also noted. Cross-references deal with variant spellings and alternate titles; these are highlighted.-ARBA
Locating the words or music to any given song will be easier with the addition of Song Finder to one's collection of song indexes. Provides indexing to so many songs and books not covered elsewhere that it is a useful and necessary addition to the reference collection.-Booklist/Reference Books Bulletin
Students searching for such references will find this an important guide broad in its scope and coverage and easy to access.-Bookwatch
"Locating the words or music to any given song will be easier with the addition of Song Finder to one's collection of song indexes. Provides indexing to so many songs and books not covered elsewhere that it is a useful and necessary addition to the reference collection."-Booklist/Reference Books Bulletin
"Students searching for such references will find this an important guide broad in its scope and coverage and easy to access."-Bookwatch
..."this is a basic index by title, showing the location of the song in a book annotated in Song Finder. Additional data within each entry draw attention to whether there is music only, words only, or both words and music. Lyrics in foreign languages and in English translation are also noted. Cross-references deal with variant spellings and alternate titles; these are highlighted."-ARBA

Author Bio

GARY LYNN FERGUSON is Assistant Head of the Reference and Bibliography section of the State Library of Louisiana. His articles on classic reference books and deselection of library materials have appeared in professional journals.