Archive for category Hit Song Analysis
Bee Gees-Jive Talkin’…
Posted by jgarnerprod in Hit Song Analysis, Song Geek on May 7th, 2013
Masters of arranging, and catchy hooks, Bee Gees “Jive Talkin’” is KILLER, and makes me think NO one currently would take the risks these guys did.
Take note, they choose to start with the chorus, which is always a cool option.
BUT, the big news is the synth solo at 1:07, which is in 7/4! (for all you non-musicians, that means it’s an asymmetrical phrase of 7 beats over 2 measures instead of the traditional 8 beats over 2 measures).
Another cool feature there is the drummer NEVER turns the beat around in those sections. The only thing close to this would be some of Sting’s solo efforts such as “7 days”:
Until next time…
another great mod…
Posted by jgarnerprod in Hit Song Analysis, Song Geek on April 9th, 2013
Continuing in my discovery of great modulations, here’s a gem I had forgotten about.
This modulation (2:00) kicks in after the bridge DOWN a whole step! For a comparison check out Train’s “When I Look to the Sky” for a similar move.
Great way to propel into the solo that follows.
And let’s not forget the fact that it’s possibly the only song known to correctly use the word “moot” in a lyric! 
Until next time…
More great Modulations!
Posted by jgarnerprod in Hit Song Analysis, Song Geek on March 26th, 2013
So sorry to be absent for awhile, but I recently got to play a cover gig (corporate), and was reminded of some GREAT songs that featured modulations creatively.
This first one features the Queen of Soul, Aretha! The modulation in this case comes after the 2nd chorus, as the featured sax solo (King Curtis).
What’s REALLY interesting, is that this was a late addition to Otis Redding’s original. (I’ve included both for contrast).
Arif Mardin was at the helm on this, so maybe it was his idea.
Keep in mind, this is a similar move to Semisonic’s “Closing Time”, except they did a mod PRIOR to the solo.
Just another tool in the tool shed!
Until next time…
Hal David #5…”Always Something There To Remind Me”
Posted by jgarnerprod in Hit Song Analysis, Song Geek on January 8th, 2013
As a kid growing up in the 80s, I didn’t have a clue who Hal David and Burt Bacharach were, but I LOVED this song! It wasn’t until recently I realized that it was written and performed in the 60s!
Again, Bacharach displays his no fear attitude of unusual phrasing and meter in the verses, while Hal deftly crafts a lyric that seems as though it was always there with it in the first place.
Until next time…
Hal David #4…”I’ll Never Fall In Love Again”
Posted by jgarnerprod in Hit Song Analysis, Song Geek on December 21st, 2012
Masters of the singable lyrics, this single of Dionne Warwick’s has been covered by at LEAST 30 other artists.
2 points:
1) “Get enough germs to catch pneuomonia”, always makes me laugh!
2) dovetailing the end of the bridge into the last verse “That is why I’m here to remind you….what do you get when you fall in love…” Brilliant!
Okay, so maybe the “so for at least” gets a little sideways in the prosody department, but otherwise, this is another great example of Hal David’s effortless lyric writing (sounds that way anyway).
Just a few more, and we’ll step away from Hal into new territory.
Until next time…
Kind of a big deal…
Posted by jgarnerprod in Hit Song Analysis, Song Geek on December 11th, 2012
I debated on interrupting my Hal David series for a week or so, but made the executive decision to discus what I call a “big deal”, at least in the music production world.
You should’ve heard this song by now, either through your top 40 radio station, or via the Internet Explorer ad. (see above if you haven’t).
For awhile now (over a year at least), in the magazines and web discussions I read, people have named “drums and bass” and “wobble bass” as one of the most important and influential music trends going on in music right now.
Knowing the genre has dominated this discussion for so long, I was curious whether and when this really dark (IMHO) sound could ever translate into the mainstream.
This song by Alex Clare is this FIRST example that I’ve found that really hits it head on, both with the sound AND the atmosphere of the track. But of course, it doesn’t hurt that Alex could probably sing the phone book and make it sound killer!
I mean, yeah, Selena Gomez hinted at this genre with the bass chosen for her track “I Love You Like a Love Song”. But that was still basically a dance tune with a wobble bass in the chorus.
It still remains to be seen if the true spirit of “Drums and bass” can make a steady influence on the top 10 or not.
What do you think?
Is this sound is here to stay? Or just a flash in the pan?
And secondly, will Alex Clare stay in “drums and bass” world for awhile, or venture into other sonic territory in the future?
Shoot me a comment and let me know!
Hal David #3…”Raindrops Keep Falling On My Head”
Posted by jgarnerprod in Hit Song Analysis, Song Geek on November 27th, 2012
This song was such a smash, it was NOT ONLY a #1 for four weeks on Billboard, it also won the Academy award for “Best Original Song”.
Simplicity, prosody, it’s all there.
And let the record show, Ray Stevens turned this song down when he was asked to sing it.
(okay, am I the only guy who wondered what this song had to do with “Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid” at all?? Truly seemed like a “square into a circle” “cram it in there” job to me)
Until next time…
Hal David #2…”Say a Little Prayer For You”
Posted by jgarnerprod in Hit Song Analysis, Song Geek on November 13th, 2012
You know, at some point in this blog, I’m going to address the sheer INSANITY of Burt Bacharach and his odd metered melodies, particularly in the context of POP music!
But since we’re saluting Hal David here, listen to this chorus from the famed “I Say a Little Prayer For You” and how effortless the words dance over that melody.
No vowel is out of place; every accent lands where you naturally would speak it (“prosody on steroids”, as I spoke in a previous post…).
Lesser men (and women) would fall flat on their faces with this. (Well, maybe just me…)
Oh yeah, and don’t forget to just listen to Aretha. One of a kind…
Until next time…
Hal David-New series…”What the World Needs Now”
Posted by jgarnerprod in Hit Song Analysis, Song Geek on October 30th, 2012
With the passing of the great lyricist Hal David on September 1st of this year, I thought it was time I do a little informal survey of his work.
Pat Pattison can speak on the subject far better than I, but I can say that the prosody that flowed from Hal’s pen against so many Burt Bacharach melodies is simply incomparable.
We’ll start with this sweet classic “What the World Needs Now”, with the one-of-a-kind Dionne Warwick, and go from there.
BTW, I didn’t realize she said “no” to recording it first! It was Jackie DeShannon! Further reminder to not be set back by rejection!
Until next time…