ABSTRACT
Food and drink are central factors in modern life. 1 In many cases, though, it is difficult to perceive any rationale for references to saltwater taffy, shortnin’ bread, pumpkin pie, coconuts, mashed potatoes, and cherry wine in popular songs. The necessity of eating, combined with the plethora of available foods and liquid refreshments, seems to make musical commentaries about cuimary activities random and undirected. Yet after careful examination, several distinct patterns of food—related observations become apparent. Undeniably, some identifications are strictly serendipitous m regard to individual food items; others are quite specific for either logical or symbolic reasons; and still others utilize the social setting of dining as a means of communicating varying personal feelings.
