Hoedown, aka the Beef song

Hoedown, by American composer Aaron Copland, is part of the 1942 ballet Rodeo. Rodeo is a ballet about a ranch wedding. The main theme of Hoedown uses Appalachian fiddler W.M. Stepp's version of the square-dance tune "Bonypart" ("Bonaparte's Retreat"). Personally, I love this song and how epic it sounds. Even though the song was originally for a ballet with Western themes, I think it's interesting how Hoedown has come to symbolize the West and the frontier. You've probably heard it during Beef commercials, as the song has been used in as campaigns since 1992 to help communicate the idea of cowboys and the West and beef. In the commercials I think it's inspired how they time the music so there's a pause while the slogan is said and then the finality with with music afterwards. The song has been featured in other commercials, movies, and TV shows too. Hoedown is even part of the background music loop in Frontierland at Disneyland.

Copland composed many works but he is best known for Hoedown, which is one of the best-known compositions by any American composer. It's kind of sad that his best work isn't really his work at all, but is essentially copied from an old folk song. Still, the song manages to represent America, or at least the idea of America and the promise of the West. To me the song is all about promise with it's catchy melody and it's uplifting chords so it's not hard for me to see why it's been used the way it has.