The timid 1940s had tragic films with the hero and heroine thwarted in the path of love and dying singly or together while singing memorable songs.

BBC: How Bollywood mirrors Indian realities

Specific music and rhythms also constituted inseparable parts of sailing in the Persian Gulf, with sailors singing particular songs while working.

UNESCO: Intangible Cultural Heritage

The focus has shifted to fighting global poverty and climate change, with musical events such as Live 8 and Live Earth, and while they may not be singing songs of protest, pop stars are using their presence at these global events to push for change.

CNN: The Spirit of Music: Is the protest over?

An appearance in 1959 in an anti-apartheid film, singing two songs, caused the South African authorities to revoke her passport while she was away.

ECONOMIST: Miriam Makeba