미국의 대중 음악은 다채로운 스타일과 이상들이 흡사 만화경처럼 혼재되어 있다. 미국 대중 음악의 약동하는 생명력은 문화적 다양성에 접목된 예술적 창조의 자유를 투영하고 있다. 본 호에 수록된 내용들은 미국 대중 음악계가 다양한 음악적 전통들을 차용함으로써 인류의 보편적인 언어인 음악의 발전에 어떻게 이바지했는지 보여주고 있다.
American popular music is a kaleidoscopic m?lange of styles and dreams. Its vibrancy reflects the mating of cultural diversity to artistic and creative freedom. The stories in this book illustrate how Americans, borrowing from diverse musical traditions, have contributed to humanity’s universal language.

Introduction
Chapter 1: Streams of Tradition: The Sources of Popular Music
Chapter 2: Popular Music: Nineteenth and Early Twentieth Centuries
An Early Pop Songwriter: Stephen Foster
Chapter 3: Popular Jazz and Swing: America’s Original Art Form
Chapter 4: Tin Pan Alley: Creating “Musical Standards”
Chapter 5: Early Music of the American South: “Race Records” and “Hillbilly Music”
Chapter 6: Rhythm & Blues: From Jump Blues to Doo-Wop
Big Mama Thornton
James Brown and Aretha Franklin
Jazz Gallery
Chapter 7: Country Music: Songs of Tradition and Change
Hank Williams
Chapter 8: Rock ’n’ roll : A Generation’s Identity
Bob Dylan
Chapter 9: Music: The Business
Bill Haley and “Rock Around the Clock”
Chapter 10: Music Technology: Innovations and Controversies
The Electric Guitar
Chapter 11: Hip-Hop: The “Rapper’s Delight”
Prince
The Message
Chapter 12: World Music Collaborations: Crossing Cultural Boundaries
Glossary