Ritual Music: Most Popular Rites of Passage Songs in the US

A Rite of Passage is a ritual event that marks a person’s progress from one social status to another.  It is a universal phenomenon which shows what social hierarchies, values, and beliefs are important to a specific culture.  Such ceremonies include those surrounding birth (christening), puberty, coming of age, marriage, and death.  Initiation ceremonies such as baptism, Confirmation, and bar or bat Mitzvah are also considered important rites of passage for people of their respective religions.  Traditionally, there is specific music played or performed that adds to the air of the ceremony--some of which is ceremonial in and of itself.  The following are the most popular songs played during these respective ceremonies in the United States.  Read more . . .