Post Comment: How pop songs of the past had X Factor

The Magna Carta, Henry VII and Oliver Cromwell – these are the types of events and figures which dominate teaching of history.

But while dynasties and battles are important, there’s more to learning about the past than 1066 and all that.

Birmingham Central Library’s songsheet collection provides a glimpse into the type of society we were as far back as 300 years ago.

And they tell us a little about the hopes and prejudices not just of kings and queens, but of the ordinary people of this country.

As we hope our report illustrates, it is fascinating to see how songs reflected popular beliefs, and how they often influenced by current events.

The songsheet collection also highlights the essential role played by Birmingham’s central library as a repository of knowledge and documents, alongside its more obvious role as a lending library.

What will historians make of today’s popular music? From Kylie to Cowell’s hit factory, it may help determine how future generations view us.