Assignment 1: Writing an analysis of at least 3

different Songs that are based on Classical Music

By: Allen P. Gripo

Overview

In this essay (300 words minimum), the student is expected to synthesize the entire activity, from
the objectives to the description of the actual activity. Analyzing what is transcribed in the given
tasks means demonstrating a sound understanding of the basic tenets in the activity in line with the
course. You can cite (give) references both on the creative inspirations and influences analyzed to
elaborate the discussion.

Song 1: Annie’s Song by Artist Name

Based on “Symphony No. 5 in E by composer name”

Most music is composed by arranging a series of notes and bars of varying lengths on a
sheet of paper and then combining them to form the subject. Listening to these tracks, one can
notice certain similarities among them. Annie's song is a symphony, similar to Tchaikovsky's
Symphony No. 5 in E minor. There is a lot of repetition in Annie's song, which feels great!
Tchaikovsky Symphony No. 5 begins with a heartbeat-like thud that gradually builds to a
crescendo. It is similar to Annie's song in that it contains a lot of repetition and appears nice (and
even a little eerie at moments). Besides that, Annie's song starts quietly before increasing faster
and louder, ending with a long note that gradually fades out. There are no lyrics, despite the original
music score being visible. "Annie's Song," written by singer John Denver in 1974, is a delightful
little ditty. Although it is a beautiful love ballad with captivating music and gorgeous orchestration,
the lyrics are standard and reveal nothing unique about Annie or her song. Pyotr Ilyich
Tchaikovsky, a Russian musician, composed the "Pathetique" symphony in 1888, which serves as
the song's melody. The symphony is in the unique key of E minor since it is a primary key with
minor chords. It adds a sense of mystery and melancholy to the piece, making it difficult to predict
when it will end. Both songs feature appealing melodies that may be heard over and over. For
example, the refrain of Symphony No. 5 in E minor contains four phrases of four notes each, for a
total of 16 messages played in one minute. Because of the recurring nature of the melody, listeners
can easily sing or hum along as they become accustomed to it. Apart from a few lines, such as
"But you were always there when I needed you" and "You made my life complete," most of Annie's
song's words are repeated throughout. Because each line is repeated throughout the song, listeners
can identify with the personal value of each one. Music has the power to bring people together; it's
one of the first topics of conversation we have with each other, and it's no coincidence that we
connect with tunes that reflect our lives. As a result, despite the songs being about different topics,
a close inspection reveals that their melodies, rhythms, and vocal performances are strikingly
similar. They even have the same rhymes and phrases at times.

Song 2: Don’t look back in anger by OASIS
Based on “Canon in D by Pachelbel’s Canon”

The OASIS song is an example of classical music being incorporated into contemporary
music. The majority of the instruments are not used as intended in the songs. Instead of individually
utilizing the piano, guitar, and drums, they constructed a symphony orchestra. Most notably, the
interval generated by the synthesizer's chord changes corresponds exactly to Pachelbel's Canon in
D. The first statement, "Slide into your mind's eye," might be described as a human-related
metaphor based on a container schema that connects the physical or metaphorical universes. The
song "Don't Look Back in Anger" contains many symbolic references, including the faculty of the
mind, a conceptual metaphor for the faculty of the eye. Alternatively, the watch can be seen as a
container of the mind; for instance, the use of the eye in "He can do no wrong in her eyes" (p. 15).
Since what we see influences how we think, "the eye of your mind" can be interpreted
metaphorically as "in your mind or your thought." In terms of choruses and words, an objective
feature distinguishes the pleasing sounds. It is a stylistic element to draw attention to the song's
core theme. The lyrics of OASIS songs, according to this, often presented the widespread issue
through explanations of life's problems, love, place, sentiments, and critical human story. Oasis's
song "Don't look back in rage" addresses the inevitability of change. It provides a variety of
instances to highlight this unavoidable progression, including the evolution of music. The use of
rhyme and repetition, as well as the connotations of repeated words, phrases, or choruses in the
verses, were key linguistic tactics for capturing the audience's attention. The song employs a range
of typical rhyme schemes rather than one in particular. However, it was found that the primary
function of masculine rhyme is to emphasize the lines' message. An objective feature distinguishes
the pleasant sounds in choruses and words. It serves as a stylistic component to highlight the
primary theme of the song. The Canon in D provides the framework for most of this song, despite
a few minor adjustments at the end of the chord sequence. Today and throughout history, music
has been essential to the functioning of every culture. Oasis gently reminds its audience that society
is evolving all the time. To serve as a reminder that everything is subject to change, the creation
of musical instruments is given as an example.

Song 3: For the Damaged Coda by Artist Name

Based on “Nocturne in F Minor, Op. 55, No. 1 by Chopin”

Music is supposed to be the medium through which the soul communicates. The music
reflects the conditions that individuals encounter and live in. Chopin's Nocturne Op. 55 No. 1 and
Blonde Redheads for the Damaged Coda are two songs that can inspire wholly different feelings,
images, and narratives in the listener when heard in different situations. Chopin's Nocturne in D-
flat Major, Op. 55 No. 1 and the song "For the Damaged Coda" by the female-fronted alt-rock
band Blonde Redhead have a lot in common and nothing in common. The most striking similarity
is their moods: both are dismal, dreamy, and melancholy. They have the same pace, playing time,
key signature, and time signature. The tone in "For the Wounded Coda" is sadder than in Chopin's
Nocturne, but it still emanates mystery and curiosity. The two compositions' melodic and harmonic
structures are also comparable. They each vary their pitches during the song to create distinct tones.
The main difference is that "For the Damaged Coda" has a minor style, whereas Chopin's Nocturne
has a significant manner. Furthermore, listening to just a small portion of either composition may
quickly tell them apart due to their distinct tonalities. Both of these songs are sad, depressing, and
heartbreaking. They also share tempos, the time required to play each segment, keys, and time
signatures. They also have a similar melody and harmony structure and the employment of pitches
to establish tones throughout their individual pieces. The tune "For the Broken Coda," used as Evil
Morty's theme in the Season 1 Rick and Morty episode "Close Rick-counters of the Rick Kind,"
did not become a meme until late 2017. Generally, due to these similarities, listeners familiar with
one piece may quickly differentiate it from the other, even if only a tiny section of the piece is
played by one or both instruments.

References and Sources

Chopin Nocturne in F Minor, Op. 55, No. 1. (2017). Retrieved February 25, 2022, from Ruth
Pheasant Piano Lessons website: https://www.ruthpheasantpianolessons.com/chopin-
nocturne-f-minor.html

How Tchaikovsky filled up John Denver’s senses... (2012, February 11). Retrieved February
25, 2022, from independent website: https://www.independent.ie/lifestyle/how-
tchaikovsky- filled-up-john-denvers-senses-26820861.html

Know Your Meme. (2018, March 5). “For the Damaged Coda.” Retrieved February 25, 2022,
from Know Your Meme website: https://knowyourmeme.com/memes/for-the-damaged-
coda

Larsen, K. (2006). Do You Really Want to Set Me on Fire, My Love? The Use of Internal and
External “Fire and Heat Metaphors” in some Rock Lyrics. Retrieved from http://www.diva-
portal.org/smash/get/diva2:189954/fulltext01.pdf

Oasis Don’t Look back in Anger Background Information and Performance Circumstances.
(n.d.). Retrieved from http://musicbcs.weebly.com/uploads/2/5/1/5/25157303/unit-3-
57- oasis-dont-look-back-in-anger.pdf

Pathé tique Symphony | work by Tchaikovsky | Britannica. (2022). In Encyclopædia

Britannica. Retrieved from https://www.britannica.com/topic/Pathetique