Music and the American Dream

Start by asking the class what comes to mind when they hear the phrase “American Dream.” Encourage them to throw out words, phrases, or ideas that describe what they think it means. Once you’ve built a list together, play Bing Crosby’s “Brother, Can You Spare a Dime?” and Judy Garland’s “Over the Rainbow.” As they listen, have students annotate the lyrics, focusing on the story each song tells about life in America and how it connects to the idea of the American Dream. After listening, break students into small groups to discuss how each song reflects different sides of the American Dream. Does one highlight hope and possibility, while the other shows disappointment or struggle? Once groups have had time to talk, bring the class back together to share their ideas. Give students a chance to question and challenge each other’s interpretations—this will help them see how the American Dream can mean different things to different people.Next, have students read the Kennedy Center article for more background on when and why each song was written. As a class, talk about the historical events mentioned in the article, like the Great Depression, and how those events might have shaped how people felt about life in America and the promises of the American Dream. To wrap things up, have students complete a T-chart using their lyric annotations. They’ll decide whether each song presents the American Dream as something real and achievable or as more of an illusion, backing up their ideas with evidence from both the lyrics and the historical context.