For this assignment, I had to analyze five of the best songs of all time. After reviewing three bad songs and a hilariously awful movie, this was a nice change of pace. Let's begin.
TIGHTEN UP by ARCHIE BELL & THE DRELLS
Listening Phase 1 (Rhythm)
Source [where is the rhythm coming from?] A drumset, a bass guitar, and an electric
guitar.
Time/Tempo [guess at the time signature] Most likely 6/8, but could also be 4/4.
Groove [describe how the personality of the rhythm] Makes you want to throw your
hands up in the air at least every other measure. The treble notes are low
during one measure, then go high the next, giving a roller-coaster feel to the
melody.
Listening Phase 2 (Arrangement)
Instrumentation [which instruments drive the song?] A drumset, a bass guitar, and an electric
guitar. Also, the occasional trumpet.
Structure/Organization
[how is the song built? Order,
patterns, etc.] An introduction, a chorus, a bridge, wrapping up with another chorus.
Emotional
Architecture [Draw how the song build and drop?] Builds slowly during the
introduction into the chorus, falls slightly during the bridge, then stays full
steam ahead until the song fades out.
Listening Phase 3 (Sound Quality)
Balance
-
Height [high and low of frequency] Moderately high and low frequencies, but not much in
between.
-
Width [stereo panning left/right] Different instruments dominate each ear, giving a
sense of space.
-
Depth
[layers of instruments] Four for the most of the song (Bass, precussion,
treble, vocals), with a fifth layer added later in the song (brass)
I GOT A WOMAN by RAY CHARLES
Listening Phase 1 (Rhythm)
Source [where is the rhythm coming from?] Piano and drums
Time/Tempo [guess at the time signature] 4/4 time.
Groove [describe how the personality of the rhythm] Joyful and playful, with a
sense of pride (I got a woman… who’s good to me!)
Listening Phase 2 (Arrangement)
Instrumentation [which instruments drive the song?] Piano, drums, and a trumpet
Structure/Organization
[how is the song built? Order,
patterns, etc.] A chorus, two versus, then another chorus.
Emotional
Architecture [Draw how the song build and drop?] Emotionally stagnant
throughout most of the song, besides the parts where brass is added and Mr.
Charles sings so high his voice cracks.
Listening Phase 3 (Sound Quality)
Balance
-
Height [high and low of frequency] Relatively low. The brass and the vocals are higher,
though.
-
Width [stereo panning left/right] No stereo panning.
-
Depth
[layers of instruments] At most, there are four layers: Percussion (drums),
bass (piano), treble (horns), melody (vocals).
BACK IN BLACK by AC/DC
Listening Phase 1 (Rhythm)
Source [where is the rhythm coming from?] Electric guitars and drums.
Time/Tempo [guess at the time signature] 4/4
Groove [describe how the personality of the rhythm]
Listening Phase 2 (Arrangement)
Instrumentation [which instruments drive the song?] The electric guitars and vocals really drive
this song.
Structure/Organization
[how is the song built? Order,
patterns, etc.] Two verses and choruses, a, instrumental break, another chorus and a
bridge. An instrumental break closes the song.
Emotional
Architecture [Draw how the song build and drop?] High energy most of the
time, but tapers off some during the verses so it can build up during the
choruses.
Listening Phase 3 (Sound Quality)
Balance
-
Height [high and low of frequency] The two guitars fulfill both high and low
frequencies, while the vocals and percussion are even higher.
-
Width [stereo panning left/right] No stereo panning.
-
Depth
[layers of instruments] Drums, bass guitar, treble(?) guitar, backing
vocals, leading vocals
LET’S STAY TOGETHER by AL GREEN
Listening Phase 1 (Rhythm)
Source [where is the rhythm coming from?] Drum kit and guitar.
Time/Tempo [guess at the time signature] Common time.
Groove [describe how the personality of the rhythm] Sexy. The occasional
addition of the electric piano and brass punctuates the seductiveness of song.
Listening Phase 2 (Arrangement)
Instrumentation [which instruments drive the song?] Drums and synthesizer.
Structure/Organization
[how is the song built? Order,
patterns, etc.] Verse, chorus, verse, then the chorus three times over
Emotional
Architecture [Draw how the song build and drop?] Emotions remain high the
whole time, but crescendo a bit more after each chorus.
Listening Phase 3 (Sound Quality)
Balance
-
Height [high and low of frequency] Pretty high, the guitar remains the only low part.
-
Width [stereo panning left/right] The brass section remains on the left and the chorus
on the right. Like Tighten Up, this
is a joy for those who realize this panning, as in increases their sense of
being in the same room as the performers.
-
Depth
[layers of instruments] Drums, piano, guitar, horns, chorus, soloist
WHAT’S GOING ON by MARVIN GAYE
Listening Phase 1 (Rhythm)
Source [where is the rhythm coming from?] Horns and drums.
Time/Tempo [guess at the time signature] 4/8 time.
Groove [describe how the personality of the rhythm] Funky and groovy, but
changes once you realize what he’s singing about. It becomes an entrancing
appeal to emotions that makes you think as you’re jamming to the song.
Listening Phase 2 (Arrangement)
Instrumentation [which instruments drive the song?] Bongos, a strings section, and the backing
vocals define this song.
Structure/Organization
[how is the song built? Order,
patterns, etc.] Verse, chorus, break, chorus, break.
Emotional
Architecture [Draw how the song build and drop?] Stays down to Earth during
the verses, but rises during the breaks to an almost ethereal high, as to put
you in a different state of mind so you can evaluate the message being sent.
Listening Phase 3 (Sound Quality)
Balance
-
Height [high and low of frequency] Alluring bass, and the rest of the instruments vary
in height. If anything, it’s a very diverse height, especially since there are
many instruments being played at once.
-
Width [stereo panning left/right]
-
Depth
[layers of instruments] Percussion (including bongos), bass, strings, harp, brass,
backing vocals, lead vocals (a surprisingly complicated song, at least in
comparison to the other ones I’ve analyzed)
