"Greensleeves" is a traditional English folk song and tune, a ground either of the form called a romanesca or of its slight variant, the passamezzo antico. There is a persistent belief that Greensleeves was composed by Henry VIII for his lover and future queen consort Anne Boleyn. Boleyn allegedly rejected King Henry's attempts to seduce her and this rejection may be referred to in the song when the writer's love "cast me off discourteously". However, Henry did not compose "Greensleeves", which is probably Elizabethan in origin and is based on an Italian style of composition that did not reach England until after his death. Personally, I really like the melody of the song. The melody is calm, smooth, and peaceful. Because it was a love song for Henry VIII's lover, it has some romantic element consisted. The tempo tends to be slow but moderate. The melody and the tempo are the best combination of the song. It can gradually ease the audience mind and give us comfort. Even though it is a calm song, it still has some dynamics. The beginning is soft and gentle. And as the song goes on, the "twang" sounds followed by the pleasant melody create a beautiful folk song. The reason I chose this song is because I really like the sounds that the guitar creates. It is simple but it is also pure and delicate.
The song Butterfly is sung by an a capella ensemble called Rajaton. Rajaton is a Finnish a cappella ensemble, founded in Helsinki in 1997. The Finnish word rajaton means "boundless", to indicate the breadth of their repertoire, from sacred classical to near Europop. The six members of the group are: Soprano-Essi Wuorela, Soprano-Virpi Moskari, Alto-Soila Sariola, Tenor-Hannu Lepola, Baritone-Ahti Paunu, Bass-Jussi Chydenius. Butterfly was written by a young female composer Mia Makaroff. The song is taken from their second studio album, boundless (2001). I've been listening to this song for years. So long ago that I can't even remember. First of all, the melody is probably the reason that I love this song so much. Rajaton absolutely did an amazing job on this song. The melody is so peaceful and so pure. While listening to this song, I can imagine the flow of stream through my toes down to the headspring. Secondly, the lyrics are inspirational. The phrase "tomorrow I'll die" is such a sad fact that the butterfly knows when it's gonna die however, it also means a new beginning of life. "Love me, love me on the leaves, before we say goodbye" reminds me of cherishing the people I love. I think "love while you can, because life is otherwise too short." is basically what the song is trying to say.
The song Wonderful life is sung by a British duo formed in 2009, consisting of singer Theo Hutchcraft and synthesizer Adam Anderson. It was released as their debut single in Denmark on 3 May 2010, and was released as their second single in the United Kingdom on 22 August 2010. The song peaked at number two in Germany, and reached top ten positions in Denmark, Switzerland and Austria. It also charted in Belgium. The first time I listened to this song, it immediately caught my heart. Differ than any other pop songs, the prelude to the song is using a very unique device. The prelude is like a clock sound which I think is quite suitable for the lyrics because it is about a guy who feels disappointed about his life and intends to suicide. And the clock sounds are like the countdown of his life. Speaking of lyrics, amongst all the recently released music, this one is definitely the most meaningful one. It's basically based on two extremes: the first being a man who wants to kill himself and the second being love at first sight. He's standing on the bridge about to jump and he's stopped by a woman. They see each other and fall in love. She basically says, 'Come with me, it's all going to be fine'. The song only offers a snippet of someone's life, so we don't know what happens at the end of it. The use of instruments is based on technology which is mostly synthesized sounds.
Wonderful Life- Hurts
On a bridge across the Severn on a Saturday night, Susie meets the man of her dreams. He says that he got in trouble and if she doesn't mind He doesn't want the company But there's something in the air They share a look in silence and everything is understood Susie grabs her man and puts a grip on his hand as the rain puts a tear in his eye.
SHE SAYS:
Don't let go Never give up, it's such a wonderful life Don't let go Never give up, it's such a wonderful life
Driving through the city to the Temple Station, Cries into the leather seat And Susie knows her baby was a family man, But the world has got him down on his knees
So she throws him at the wall and kisses burn like fire, And suddenly he starts to believe He takes her in his arms and he doesn't know why, But he thinks that he begins to see
SHE SAYS:
Don't let go Never give up, it's such a wonderful life Don't let go Never give up, it's such a wonderful life Don't let go Never give up, it's such a wonderful life Don't let go Never give up, it's such a wonderful life
SHE SAYS:
Don't let go Never give up Don't let go Never give up, it's such a wonderful life
wonderful life, wonderful life, wonderful, wonderful, wonderful life wonderful life, wonderful life, wonderful, wonderful, wonderful life
Don't let go Don't let go
Cover by Jharda.
This is the cover by Jharda who is using a harp instead of synthesized sounds for instrumentation. The timber of the song is husky and jazzy. I really like the way that Jharda preforms this song because unlike the original version, this old school style strangely fits the atmosphere of the song. This cover in my opinion is very pleasant and beautiful. Using the harp as the instrument I think is very creative. It is unusual that harps are used as the main instruments. The song is played at a moderate speed with a metre of 2/4.
By contrasting the use of instrumentation, I personally like the original one better because the original one is more colourful and the cover seems to be a little bit plain and dull. In the original one, the opening of the song (the clock sounds) is very critical because it greatly realtes to the storyline. Without the opening, it's like eating pasta without tabaco, ordinary and tasteless. By comparing the two songs, they are both husky and lazy, but they are also slightly different. The original one is more like a pop song style and the cover is classical. However in general I think they are both melodious and elegant.
This song is called La Bamba sung by Khalil Fong. "La Bamba" is a Mexican folk song, originally from the state of Veracruz, best known from a 1958 adaptation by Ritchie Valens, a top 40 hit in the U.S. charts and one of early rock and roll's best-known songs. Valens' version of "La Bamba" is ranked number 345 on Rolling Stone magazine′s list of the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time, and is the only song on the list not sung in English. In this video, the song is sung by an American-born Chinese singer named Khalil Fong. The melody of the song is relaxed and humourous. When I listened to this song the first word I instantly came up with was "humourous". I think the form of this song is a combination of jazz and bossa nova because the usage of intrumentation is based on a piano, a trumpet, a cello, guitars, and drums which are the basic instruments used in jazz music. However, the melody and the timbre tend to bo more like bossa nova style. I really liked the song because Khalil Fong uses a lot of singing skills to perform this song which is really pleasant to listen to.
La Bamba
Para bailar la bamba, Para bailar la bamba, Se necesita una poca de gracia. Una poca de gracia para mi para ti. Arriba y arriba Y arriba y arriba, por ti sere, Por ti sere. Por ti sere.
Yo no soy marinero Yo no soy marinero, soy capitan Soy capitan, soy capitan
Bamba, bamba, bamba, bamba Bamba, bamba Bamba
Para bailar la bamba, Para bailar la bamba, Se necesita una poca de gracia. Una poca de gracia para mi para ti. Arriba, arriba.
(guitar solo)
Para bailar la bamba, Para bailar la bamba, Se necesita una poca de gracia. Una poca de gracia para mi para ti. Arriba y arriba Y arriba y arriba, por ti sere, Por ti sere. Por ti sere.
I picked this song because it sounds so pleasant among the songs that the axis of awesome performed during the show. Even though they are all made up of 4 chords, this song still has a beautiful melody. Unlike any other pop songs, the "take me on, take on me" part is the part I liked the most. In Claire cover, the song is sung in a different way. Claire's voice is husky and smooth, she makes the song a bit lighter and brisk. The instrumentation of the cover is based on a guitar and an accordion ( I hope it's an accordion, I don't know.) Overall, I liked it and probably I'll put it on my ipod. :)
Take Me On
A-Ha
We're talking away I don't know what I'm to say I'll say it anyway Today's another day to find you Shying away I'll be coming for your love, OK? Take on me, take me on I'll be gone In a day or two
So needless to say I'm odds and ends But that's me stumbling away Slowly learning that life is OK. Say after me It's no better to be safe than sorry
Take on me, take me on I'll be gone In a day or two
Oh the things that you say Is it life or Just a play my worries away You're all the things I've got to remember You're shying away I'll be coming for you anyway
Take on me, take me on I'll be gone In a day or two
Here are two examples of 2 of the forms that we discussed in class
An example of Opera ~ Queen of the Night ( best part starts at 2:12)
An example of Fugue ~ Toccata and Fugue in D minor
Good life ~ by Steven Mudd
Good life is a song by American alternative rock band Onerepublic. The song was written by group members Ryan Tedder, Brent Kutzle, and Eddie Fisher. Also, the song was released on November 19, 2010. In this video, the performer Steven Mudd is using a totally different way to perform this song. The original one tends to be more like a rock song. However in this version, Steven Mudd uses a Bossa Nova style to represent the song. The melody is soft, easy, and relaxed. Steven uses a variety of "instruments" to make the song. You can hear the guitar as the song begins, then the glasses filling with water make a delightful harmony. Drum, cymbal, belt, book, handbell and some unknown instruments create beautiful sounds which are so nice to listen to. I really liked it and I thought it is the best cover I've seen. The reason I chose to write the comment about this cover is because the "line" of the song is quite clear and uniform. There is no complex mixture of sounds. For example, even though every single sound (like voice, guitar, glasses...etc) is individual, you would feel like it's just one thing. So neat and nice.
Good Life Lyrics
Woke up in London yesterday Found myself in the city near Piccadilly Don't really know how I got here I got some pictures on my phone New names and numbers that I don't know Address to places like Abbey Road Day turns to night, night turns to whatever we want We're young enough to say
[Chorus]
Oh this has gotta be a good life This has gotta be a good life This could really be a good life, good life Say oh, got this feeling that you can't fight Like this city is on fire 'night This could really be a good life A good, good life
[Verse 2]
To my friends in New York, I say hello My friends in L.A. they don't know Where I've been for the past few years or so Paris to China to Col-or-ado Sometimes there's airplanes I can' t jump out Sometimes there's bullshit that don't work now We all got our stories but please tell me-e-e-e What there is to complain about
[Bridge 1]
When you're happy like a fool Let it take you over When everything is out You gotta take it in
[Chorus]
Oh this has gotta be a good life This has gotta be a good life This could really be a good life, good life http://www.elyricsworld.com/good_life_lyrics_one_republic.html Say oh, got this feeling that you can't fight Like this city is on fire 'night This could really be a good life A good, good life
[Bridge 2]
Hopelessly I feel like there might be something that I'll miss Hopelessly I feel like the window closes oh so quick Hopelessly I'm taking a mental picture of you now 'Cuz hopelessly, hopelessly I have so much to feel good about
This song is called "Somebody that I used to know" sung by THE ENVY. The original song was written by an Australian-Belgian singer, Gotye, who also performed it in 2011. The dynamics of this song are basically soft and relaxed. However, as the song goes on, it suddenly turns into a tense part. Differ from the beginning, the middle part can easily get the audience's attention due to the singer's heightened voice. At first, the singer uses a flat, plain, and husky tone to demonstrate the song which nicely matches the lyrics. ( The lyrics are talking about a guy who feels lonely and desperate without his girl beside him.) Later on, the music reaches its climax with a "popping" high voice. Unfortunately, this group didn't do a full version of this song so it's the only fly in the ointment. The instrumentation is based on five guitars and a male voice. The guitars accompany one another quite well. I thought the guitars' part is a bit too loud. I could barely hear the guy singing. Instead of 5 people playing 1 guitar, they did 1 person playing 5 guitars and I thought it was really creative and attractive.
I really enjoyed this song. In fact, I had seen the version of "walk of the earth" cover before Ms. Huskins showed it to us, so I was so excited when you actually showed the same one! To be honest, I liked the walk of the earth better because they had three people singing which made the song more "colourful". By contrast, this version seemed to be slightly thin and weak. This one is funnier though. ( Especially the water part. How could that guy keep his face so serious?)
Overall, this group has done a nice job and I liked it.
Somebody That I Used To Know
Now and then I think of when we were together
Like when you said you felt so happy you could die
Told myself that you were right for me
But felt so lonely in your company
But that was love and it's an ache I still remember
You can get addicted to a certain kind of sadness
Like resignation to the end, always the end
So when we found that we could not make sense
Well you said that we would still be friends
But I'll admit that I was glad that it was over
But you didn't have to cut me off
Make out like it never happened and now we were nothing
And I don't even need your love
But you treat me like a stranger and I feel so rough
No you didn't have to stoop so low
Have your friends collect your records and then change your number
I guess that I don't need that though
Now you're just somebody that I used to know
Now you're just somebody that I used to know
Now you're just somebody that I used to know
[Kimbra:]
Now and then I think of all the times you screwed me over
But had me believing it was always something that I'd done
But I don't wanna live that way
Reading into every word you say
You said that you could let it go
And I wouldn't catch you hung up on somebody that you used to know
[Gotye:]
But you didn't have to cut me off
Make out like it never happened and now we were nothing
And I don't even need your love
But you treat me like a stranger and I feel so rough
And you didn't have to stoop so low
Have your friends collect your records and then change your number
I guess that I don't need that though
Now you're just somebody that I used to know
[x2]
Somebody
(I used to know)
Somebody
(Now you're just somebody that I used to know)
(I used to know)
(That I used to know)
(I used to know)
Somebody
