[Zen]

I had to go with bits ,

You are missing some very important pieces previous to 1940.

for instance....

The 1920s became famous for the big band and swings sounds , not to mention the single most influential music of all time ..... Jazz.
And of corse original folk music that hit a high point in the 1930s and continues to this day. Such artists as Hank Williams and Woody Guthrie , you may be thinking these are country related artists but truthfully they are the foundation for all American music.

Quite honestly I can find a favorite song or sound in every era and style of music from all time. To include Tribal music of Africa , The Americas , and the Celtic war songs , to Rave and Modern Rock.