Talking Songs

Join Stanford Professor of Classics Richard Martin to celebrate the 2026 Grammy Awards, recognizing outstanding accomplishments in the music industry.

We think we know what is and isn't  "song" these days: words with music, the sort of thing (done right) that the Grammys can reward. But from the perspective of ancient Greece, the question looked a bit different. "Song" in the modern sense certainly existed, and the Athenians even had live competitions not too different from the Eurovision contests. Along with the form familiar to us, however, at least three other genres fit under the rubric of "song" as experienced in 700-500 BC—a fact still reflected in English today (though not generally realized). This brief look at some of the wider resonances of "song" from a Classicist's point- of- view may enhance (or destabilize) Spotify's 5,700 or so contemporary style designations. At the same time, we'll explore how modern performances help us understand the ancient past.

As is our custom with these events, we'll start off with a specially-prepared cocktail or mocktail. But in honor of the Grammy Awards it's a surprise. 

The cocktail nominees are...

The Grammys recognize 96 categories of music. The International Bartenders Association official cocktails list is divided into just three categories (Unforgettables, Contemporary Classics, and New Era Drinks). For our purposes, we’ll consider one drink under each of the following headings:

• Pop
• Classical
• Jazz
• Disco
• Spoken word (no alcohol)

And since the Grammys are a game not only of categories but also of suspense, we will wait to reveal the “winners” until the Night Before...

About the Series

The Night Before is a series of conversations in which we examine ritual occasions through the insights of the humanities. As we come together, handcrafted cocktails and mocktails tell their own stories about these unique times of year. In one hour, we learn to experience the next day differently.

Hosted by Stanford alumni, each online party is free, and features a guided conversation led by faculty or Humanities Center Fellows.

Note: this is a meeting format. Guests are encouraged to turn on their video.