March 2, 2013

Take a sad song and make it... sadder.

"Hey Jude in Minor Scale. Smells Like Teen Spirit in Major Scale. The Final Countdown in Major. Beat It in Major. Losing My Religion in Major."

That's all digital manipulation of the original recording. Presumably, cover versions changing from major to minor or the other way around are very common.

ADDED: My son John IMs me that my presumption is wrong and offers this excellent demonstration of why it's a bad idea:



(If you don't know what that's supposed to sound like, here's the original.)

14 comments:

Bob_R said...

When they sell copies of Melodyne (a more sophisticated version of AutoTune) they should make people post a sign "With great power comes great responsibility" on top of their computer.

Bryan Townsend said...

This is very common in sets of classical variations to have a couple in the other mode. If major, a couple of variations in minor and vice versa. But I think it would be extremely uncommon to have cover versions of popular songs in the other mode. It changes the mood so much, it turns it into a different song entirely, kind of defeating the purpose of doing a cover version.

Interesting--I wonder what software was used?

Bob Ellison said...

Bob_R, Syntrillium Software used to use "Talent not included" as a disclaimer for its Cool Edit audio-recording software.

Anonymous said...

Naked Ed Gein Robot approves of the key dismemberment. Hey Jude has become a sadder hat.

Mark said...

No, it is not common to switch modes in covers. Often changing that will necessitate a change in the melody which is a pretty hack way to cover something.

If I want to adapt a tune, sure ... But changing major to minor and calling it a cover is like changing words and saying you are quoting someone.

Bob_R said...

"Talent not included," It never is, damn it!

Eric the Fruit Bat said...

Didn't Andy Warhol make a lot of money doing that?

BaltoHvar said...

This doesn't work - it is irritating because it deviates from the expected, familiar pattern. I have heard the original a thousand times and it is ingrained. It may be interesting at first listen, but I clicked out after about 30 seconds.

But I do enjoy well constructed Mashups. But like candy, they are tasty but not worthy of epic status as the elements they bring together.

bagoh20 said...

The original Sandman has probably the most awesome into of any rock song, but I love that jazz version.

bagoh20 said...

I might even like it better than the original which always seems to come up short after the intro. Jazz makes me feel good, especially with the this sunny 75 degree day at the beach today, you Eskimos freaks.

rhhardin said...

Thomas Tallis Third Mode Melody

Unknown said...

I would have asked for a full refund on my ticket if Hetfield did that at a concert I went to...that was terrible.

By far, the best use of this was with Mahler in his Symphony #1, 3rd movement, turning the tune to Brother John (Frere Jacque) into a funeral march.

http://youtu.be/U5A5tFyXQio

Texan99 said...

Isn't "Smells Like Teen Spirit" already in a minor key?

kentuckyliz said...

Smooth jazz Metallica = hysterical