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The Metro Detroit area has a rich musical history spanning the past century, beginning with the revival of the world-renowned Detroit Symphony Orchestra in 1918. The major genres represented in Detroit's music include classical, blues, jazz, gospel, R&B, rock, pop, punk, soul, electronic music, and hip hop.
Jul 9, 2023 · Though the flagship city of Michigan state is renowned for its soul music, the history of Detroit music is also rich in jazz, blues, gospel, country, rock, techno, and, more recently,...
- “8 Mile” by Eminem. Eminem’s song, “8 Mile,” references the 8-mile-long road between the white suburbs of Detroit and the predominantly black community.
- “American Bad Ass” by Kid Rock. At the start of the 21st century, Kid Rock released the iconic song, “American Bad Ass.” The lyrics tell us about how Detroit influenced the singer and how his rocking career has made Detroit visible on the map again.
- “Be My Lover” by Alice Cooper. Rock musician Alice Cooper’s 1971 hit song, “Be My Lover,” is about a man who comes from Detroit City falling in love with a woman he meets that same night.
- “Detroit City” by Alice Cooper. Given Alice Cooper’s birth and upbringing in Detroit, it makes sense that he so often sings about Motor City. It holds a special place in his heart.
4 days ago · Home to an eclectic mix of genres and talents, this city has revved up the music charts with iconic bands from Detroit, alongside prolific singers and rappers from Detroit. When you drop names like Eminem, whose lyrical prowess redefined hip-hop, or the Queen of Soul, Aretha Franklin, whose voice became the soundtrack of a generation ...
- "What's Going On" Marvin Gaye (Tamla) 1971. Berry Gordy didn't want to release this, deeming it "uncommercial." The Motown chief finally relented when Gaye — who co-wrote it with Four Top Renaldo "Obie" Benson and Motown in-house songwriter Al Cleveland — threatened to permanently stop recording.
- "Living for the City" Stevie Wonder (Tamla) 1973. Another sociopolitical zinger, it describes ghetto life as aptly as any ever written. Although Wonder — who's never sounded angrier — set the story in Mississippi and NYC, it could just as easily be describing life for many African-Americans in the Motor City.
- "96 Tears" Question Mark & the Mysterians (Cameo) 1966. When Rudy Martinez and his Hispanic buddies created this classic (originally "69 Tears" — reason for change obvious!)
- "No Fun" The Stooges (Elektra) 1969. Marsh could've just as easily used this song to coin the "punk rock" label. There are numerous songs on that first album to choose from, but this grinding ode to boredom and self-hate gets the nod — not only because it best encapsulates the band's mood and minimalist aesthetic and not only because the Sex Pistols recorded it ...
Apr 30, 2022 · The look, sound, and brimstone stench of rock music would be entirely different without Detroit’s sinewy, fearsome influence. It should be praised, celebrated, exalted, enshrined. And here’s why.
Jun 5, 2016 · Since May, we’ve been counting down Detroit’s 100 Greatest Songs, tallied from voting by thousands of music fans and hometown music experts.
