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Features of "Maybelline" that distinguished it from other songs of the 50s

a) It was the first song to incorporate synthesizers.
b) "Maybelline" featured a unique fusion of reggae and blues influences.
c) The song stood out due to Chuck Berry's innovative guitar riffs and storytelling lyrics, contributing to the birth of rock and roll.
d) It was known for its orchestral arrangements, setting it apart from the simplicity of typical 1950s compositions.

1 Answer

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Final answer:

Chuck Berry's "Maybelline" stood out in the 1950s due to his innovative guitar riffs and storytelling lyrics, which contributed to the birth of rock and roll, particularly by reversing the typical pattern of cultural appropriation with Berry borrowing from white musicians' styles.

Step-by-step explanation:

The feature of "Maybelline" that distinguished it from other songs of the 1950s is c) The song stood out due to Chuck Berry's innovative guitar riffs and storytelling lyrics, contributing to the birth of rock and roll. Chuck Berry was a performer who combined rhythm and blues and rock and roll, dazzling crowds with his guitar solos and electrifying performances. "Maybellene" became a huge rock n’ roll hit for Berry in 1955 and was an R&B adaptation of a Western Swing tune that signaled a reverse in the typical pattern of cultural appropriation - with Berry, an African American, borrowing from white musicians’ styles.

Unlike some misconceptions, "Maybelline" did not utilize synthesizers, reggae influences, or orchestral arrangements. Instead, it was part of the tapestry of early rock music that emerged from a blend of uptempo blues, jazz, and country music, evolving into rhythm and blues, and then rock and roll. The song's rebellious theme and rhythm appealed to teens and played a significant role in the growing popularity of rock and roll among young white audiences of the era. Additionally, the song benefitted from new technologies like the "45" single record and the solid-body electric guitar.

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