The Green Book of Songs by Subject

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GreenBookOfSongs.com® Database FAQs

How are songs and recordings selected?

The Green Book Of Songs listings emphasize singles and album tracks released from U.S.-based record labels, which range from major companies to very small, independent imprints -- even some that exist only via download and not available in physical form. Selections are made on the basis of popularity, production value, artist recognition, unique character and balance within each category.

Since the GreenBookofSongs.com® Database has been created especially for those who work with audio production, programming, entertainment and education, the vast majority of songs included are vocal selections. Instrumental recordings appearing in the Database have been selected based on their popularity, familiar association with a particular category or to add depth to a subject of limited coverage.

The GreenBookofSongs.com® Database documents as many original versions of songs as possible, although some are no longer in print. We have also worked to recognize recordings performed by the songwriters themselves, even if their renditions are not the most widely known versions of the songs they've written.

Regarding popular standards and "oldies" which have been widely recorded by dozens or even hundreds of artists, we have tried to accommodate a cross-section of the many releases available, and are adding to those offerings on an ongoing basis.

How have the lyrics been interpreted?

Because music is such a subjective experience, varying degrees of personal interpretation must be used to classify songs. Songwriters frequently employ metaphorical references, and it would be folly for us to claim to have determined the actual lyric intent of each song's composer. There is much room for opinion on thousands of songs, whether dealing with abstract existential themes or specific, yet variable, terms such as "Baby," "Candy," "Mama," "Daddy" and "Rock". Since every lyric is a potential metaphor, with the true meaning often known only by the songwriters themselves, we've tried to highlight each song's major themes as we believe the composers intended them. This analysis comes from not only listening to and studying the lyrics, but also from books, articles and reports on music involving the artists' own commentaries and respected authors, biographers, researchers and reporters.

It should also be kept in mind that the lyrics of many songs bear little, if any, actual relationship to the title. Determining the usefulness of a song under a particular heading will require a certain amount of individual interpretation by the user.

Some songs are regarded as, frankly, too complex to full classify in this Database. For example, Emmylou Harris's "The Pearl" covers profound themes of God and mankind that resist efforts to recognize it adequately. There are numerous other such cases, and we thank you for accepting the inevitable limitations within which this Database operates.

Thus, because the interpretations of certain songs may be inaccurate, and the status of labels and album releases is always in flux, there are bound to be errors and irregularities. We regret any misinterpretations or mistakes and appreciate learning of any distortion or inaccuracy that can be corrected. To contact us regarding these matters, email us anytime.

How do I submit songs or albums for inclusion in the GreenBookofSongs.com® Database?

If a physical copy of the song and/or album exists, mail it to us at Professional Desk References, Inc., 5543 Edmondson Pike, Suite 183, Nashville, TN 37211. If the song or album exists as an mp3, send an email with the link to the recording(s). In all cases, please be sure to include or identify the name of the artist, the title of the album, the title of the song(s), the label imprint, the year of release, and the name(s) of the composer(s) of all songs being submitted. If lyric sheets are available, we greatly appreciate having them.

If you are a record company, independent promoter, artist management firm or distributor representing multiple artists, we encourage you to add us to your mailing list for all releases. Send all releases to Professional Desk References, Inc., 5543 Edmondson Pike, Suite 183, Nashville, TN 37211.

We do accept and listen to everything that is sent to us, and welcome all submissions including soundtracks, compilations, reissues, seasonal specialties, cover versions, etc. Owing to the overwhelming amount of music coming in, we cannot guarantee when or if a song or album will be included in the Database. A song's relevance to a particular category and its popularity plays a role, as do other factors (see "How are songs and recordings selected for the GreenBookofSongs.com® Database?").

How do the subject categories and song classifications work?

With more than 2,000 subject themes and related sub-categories, the GreenBookofSongs.com® Database attempts to cover a wide range of concepts, including living things, physical objects, romantic relationships, family matters, political and social issues, spiritual beliefs, entertainment, science, sports, places and much more.

Here are some of the organizational characteristics of the GreenBookofSongs.com® Database that may help you find what you're looking for more quickly:

· Where there are groups of three or more related categories that belong together, the GreenBookofSongs.com® Database uses keywords to organize the list. For example, "Anatomy: Arms" is the first of 15 categories covering the various parts of the body.

· Similarly, groupings of Ages, Animals, Cars, Cities, Colors, Communication, Countries, Days Of The Week, Directions, Drugs, Family, Food & Beverages, Love, Men's Names, Months & Dates, Musical Instruments, Numbers, Parents, Party, Politics, Seasons, Sex, Social Class, Sports, States and Women's Names, among others, are listed together.

· Within these groups, there may be a "general" category including songs about the concept itself or about multiple examples of the concept. For example, "Love: General" lists songs about the nature of love, or the experience of being in love, as opposed to a particular phase of a relationship that would be classified separately. As another example, "Animals: General" includes songs that mention a variety of animals, or are about the animal kingdom.

· With certain subjects, the opposite concept is often brought into the lyrics. That's why you'll see some themes such as "Fear & Courage" and "Pain & Healing" combined. In other cases, two concepts may be so closely connected that it would be impractical to separate song listings (e.g., "Danger & Disaster").

· There are some distinct similarities and strong connections between certain categories, yet each will have distinguishing characteristics. For example, "Pretend" and "Desire" both express concepts related to wishes. The GreenBookofSongs.com® Database has grouped in the "Pretend" category songs about fantasizing and wishing for things to be a certain way or for particular circumstances to occur. Among its related categories are "Dreams", "Hiding" and "Secrets". "Desire", on the other hand, covers states of wanting, needing, begging, asking, longing and craving, plus requests ("please"), favors and so on. It is related to many of the "Love" categories.

Similarly, "Sounds" and "Nonsense Words" cover related themes. Songs in the "Sounds" list feature the concept of sound, as well as noises made by objects (e.g., "Beep Beep"). The "Nonsense Words" category covers popular doo-wop titles, colloquialisms, and, well, nonsense words! In such cases, sub-categories that help expand a category's concept and "See Also" references to related categories should help users find the subjects that interest them.

· Many college fight songs are included, and you'll find them under "School" and "Sports: Football". Where they are state schools, you'll also find them under "States".

· Songs in the "Celebrities & Famous Names: Specific" category often have several names mentioned in them. This is also true in the "Cities: General" category, where many of the songs mention multiple cities. Cities are usually separated into their own group if 10 or more are listed.

· The "States" categories are only one place to look for compositions that refer to states. Also check "American West", "Cities", "Directions", "Mining", "Mountains", "Ocean", "Places" and "Rivers" for locations within specific states.

· Because Christmas songs are so seasonal, they are generally listed only in the "Christmas" category. Occasionally, though, you'll find these songs in additional categories, such as "Bells", "Seasons: Winter" and "Snow", when these other themes are strongly emphasized.

· Occasionally, you will find songs that are essentially the same composition but are titled differently. An example is "Ain't Nobody's Business" and "'Tain't Nobody's Bus'ness If I Do". Where this occurs, the songs will be listed separately under their individual titles as they appear on the recording.

· Similarly, an artist may go by different names (e.g., John Cougar/John Cougar Mellencamp/John Mellencamp; Count Basie/Count Basie & His Orchestra). Where entries such as these occur, the name appearing will be the one identified on the recording listed.

· TV theme songs are listed as "Theme From...", along with the original song title if different. For example, the theme song for the TV show "Friends" is listed as "Theme From 'Friends' (I'll Be There For You"). Theme songs are found in both the "Television" category and the categories associated with the TV show's subject matter. Thus, "Theme From 'Perry Mason'" also will appear under "Law & Order" and "Men's Names: P".

· Although many soundtrack albums are included, the GreenBookofSongs.com® Database does not attempt to classify most movie themes, owing to the tremendous number of them and the often diverse subject matter films can cover.

· Regarding "the blues": As everyone knows, many, many thousands of songs have been written about having the blues. To keep the GreenBookofSongs.com® Database within a manageable operating context, the "Sadness" category includes a very limited number of blues songs, as does "Colors: Blue". As with other popular themes mentioned before ("Desire", "Lonely", "Love", "Pain & Healing", etc.), the GreenBookofSongs.com® Database offers a selection of songs as a reference tool and in no way attempts to be comprehensive (as much as we'd like it to be!).

· Likewise, users are encouraged to submit song and category recommendations, as this Database is being continually updated. As you'll see, some of the theme listings are much more developed than others. Many subjects are extremely common, whereas others are rarely written about. Every effort is taken to track down popular and/or relevant songs for all categories. Though it will never be possible to include every song or category, your suggestions for additions are always welcome via mail or email.

Can you explain the availability of songs and format configurations?

The availability of any particular recording is constantly changing. In any given month, many titles and entire catalogs of certain artists are being licensed to other labels, distributors and digital music services. Albums are also commonly repackaged, renamed, discontinued and perhaps later reissued by the original record companies or different labels.

The goal of the GreenBookofSongs.com® Database is to include songs on albums that are currently available as individual CDs, and secondarily as multiple CD sets or in downloadable formats. Occasionally you will find albums listed that, as best as can be determined, may exist only on vinyl (as 45s or LPs), in cassette or as 78 RPM records. However, there are many recordings in the GreenBookofSongs.com® Database that are out of print, owing to lack of demand or a label going out of business. These records can often be tracked down through specialist dealers, collectors and music libraries.

Wherever possible, the GreenBookofSongs.com® Database attempts to include the original albums unless the songs are believe to exist currently only on different discographies. Titles thought to have gone out of print within recent years will carry their most recently known record company imprint or the original label. Some 45s and 78s are included with their original labels when we have not been able to locate albums containing those titles.

What are the "Legend" codes used in the Database?

-C Compilation album with several artists contributing songs

-R Remastered

ST/ Soundtrack album

# Number, edition or volume in a set or series. Also precedes serial numbers

for 45s and 78 RPM records.

45 or 78 45 or 78 RPM recording

Note: For duets appearing on a particular artist's album, that artist's name is typically listed first.