This book may often be found in local libraries, an appealing option considering its price tag is over $100. Used editions may be found on Amazon for as little as five dollars.

The Great Song Thesaurus lists 11,000 songs and may be considered the definitive reference on the popular song from 1558 through 1986. The scope is unusual in that it goes beyond Tin Pan Alley, Broadway musical, Hollywood film, jazz, folk, blues, and rock genres and includes sea chanteys, television theme songs, and even advertising jingles. Each song entry lists the lyricist(s) and composer(s), date of publication, and other vital facts which may include chart information and awards received. The material presented is cross-referenced in every possible way--by song, composer, lyricist, subject, category, awards, film, television score, entertainer, and more.

For jazz standards researchers this is an excellent source for basic information about a number of songs. Keep in mind that with 11,000 entries and the many pages devoted to cross referencing, the song entries do not contain extensive information.

Roger Lax is also the author of five other Great Song Thesaurus books dedicated respectively to Broadway, Country and Western, Hollywood, Jazz and Gospel, and Rock-and-Roll.