During the colonial, revolutionary, and federal periods (1607-1820) most American songs were strongly tied to the musical traditions of the British isles. Hymn tunes, ballads, theater songs, and drinking songs were imported from England or based closely on English models.

he first uniquely American popular song tradition arose with the minstrel show, beginning in the 1840

Initially, sheet music and pocket songsters were the primary means of circulating songs, since many Americans played and sang music in their own homes.