"Unique, novel, and refreshing! Understanding Society Through Popular Music is a stimulating and original approach to conventional sociological thought, and a great read for introductory sociology students as well as students of music and popular culture." -Dennis Waskul, Sociology, Minnesota State University, Mankato "This book is exactly the kind students of sociology and popular culture will actually read, enjoy, and discuss! It's clearly written, concise, insightful, personable, and filled with interesting examples. Kotarba and Vannini intelligently and accessibly illustrate the importance of popular music in everyday life and how popular music can illuminate the nature of social institutions, theories, and sociological concepts. Understanding Society Through Popular Music is a cutting edge approach to cultivating the sociological imagination." -Karen Halnon, Sociology, Penn State Abington.