James Ingram once messed up the Star Spangle Banner at a World Series game back when. He told me he got lost in the stadium echo but he had memorized the verse and the “hook”...
That actually illustrates why I think this conversation can get confusing. We use the same words to refer to different things. I don’t think the star spangled banner has a hook in the way we think of now. Though it’s sorta funny to guess what he considered the hook to be. Also, you knew him?
and produced a few things with him. He was family. Great voice.
True about verse / chorus / bridge. Interesting that Billy’s “Just the Way You Are” is an AABA example as opposed to Bruno’s song of the same title. Anything worth doing is worth doing again in the biz. Recycle reuse.
Very informative, Chris...and enjoyable! Dug your song, too (and your voice)! I love what you do and how you do it, especially as I'm not a songwriter. But, with an ear, I've "dissected" songs for decades, in one way or another (I saw The Beatles on "Ed Sullivan" in '64....I was 8...that informed everything in recorded music I looked for from then on, at least regarding pop songcraft)!
I learned flute by ear in high school, learning Ian Anderson's licks off the Tull records, and as a non-reading singer (in a rock band and various choruses), I used my ear to learn the songs (sometimes even recording them, so I could listen and learn at home), while readers could just show up, each week, and read!
For several years in karaoke, a decade ago, I would write down sections for various songs I was trying to learn, especially brand new (to me) songs. A great example (I'd love to read your dissection on it, if you take requests!) would be the '97 Bacharach/Costello "Toledo" (the Costello vocal) which has about 3 or 4 sections (if I recall correctly) that, to my ear, couldn't really "qualify" as verses or choruses, just 3 repeated sections. It was hard to learn, but I did it, and loved singing it at karaoke!
Thanks so much, Chris! Well, if the song defies characterization, how surprised should we be from the handiwork of Burt'n'Elvis?! With all the time that song has lived with me (in both arrangements), they choked me up again when I went back to them today!
Great stuff, Chris!! The song “Windmills Of Your Mind” always intrigued me - is it 2 verses, a bridge, and an outro because of the hook placement or just one long song? I could even buy 1 long verse, I bridge, and an outro. Probably doesn’t matter, sort of a “how many sections dance on the head of a pin” question. I am a big fan of shortened intros though - maybe I’m a “get to the song” type and I’m happy to wait for the chorus, especially if the choruses change as the song winds on - ex. “Pancho And Lefty”
I didn’t…great James vocal as usual. Singing next to him in a group could give you goose bumps. Sang bottom in a trio with he and Mike McDonald once. Heaven.
James Ingram once messed up the Star Spangle Banner at a World Series game back when. He told me he got lost in the stadium echo but he had memorized the verse and the “hook”...
Never knew it had one.
That actually illustrates why I think this conversation can get confusing. We use the same words to refer to different things. I don’t think the star spangled banner has a hook in the way we think of now. Though it’s sorta funny to guess what he considered the hook to be. Also, you knew him?
I did know him. Wrote a bit with
and produced a few things with him. He was family. Great voice.
True about verse / chorus / bridge. Interesting that Billy’s “Just the Way You Are” is an AABA example as opposed to Bruno’s song of the same title. Anything worth doing is worth doing again in the biz. Recycle reuse.
Did you work on “I don’t have the heart”?
Great insight Chris. Love the video. And your tunes! What's your favorite song intro?
Thank you. I have no idea. But when I first read this I thought Baba O’Riley. So as of today maybe that.
Nice. I always liked "Can't You Hear Me Knocking".
Very informative, Chris...and enjoyable! Dug your song, too (and your voice)! I love what you do and how you do it, especially as I'm not a songwriter. But, with an ear, I've "dissected" songs for decades, in one way or another (I saw The Beatles on "Ed Sullivan" in '64....I was 8...that informed everything in recorded music I looked for from then on, at least regarding pop songcraft)!
I learned flute by ear in high school, learning Ian Anderson's licks off the Tull records, and as a non-reading singer (in a rock band and various choruses), I used my ear to learn the songs (sometimes even recording them, so I could listen and learn at home), while readers could just show up, each week, and read!
For several years in karaoke, a decade ago, I would write down sections for various songs I was trying to learn, especially brand new (to me) songs. A great example (I'd love to read your dissection on it, if you take requests!) would be the '97 Bacharach/Costello "Toledo" (the Costello vocal) which has about 3 or 4 sections (if I recall correctly) that, to my ear, couldn't really "qualify" as verses or choruses, just 3 repeated sections. It was hard to learn, but I did it, and loved singing it at karaoke!
I wrote about my pedestrian attempts here, if I may be so bold: https://bradkyle.substack.com/p/wholly-toledo-my-long-drive-to-find
Anyway, thanks, Chris! I look forward to more!
What a spectacular essay. I need to listen to the song closely. Some songs just defy characterization.
Thanks so much, Chris! Well, if the song defies characterization, how surprised should we be from the handiwork of Burt'n'Elvis?! With all the time that song has lived with me (in both arrangements), they choked me up again when I went back to them today!
Thanks, Chris. And yes, you have some nice chops, too.
Great stuff, Chris!! The song “Windmills Of Your Mind” always intrigued me - is it 2 verses, a bridge, and an outro because of the hook placement or just one long song? I could even buy 1 long verse, I bridge, and an outro. Probably doesn’t matter, sort of a “how many sections dance on the head of a pin” question. I am a big fan of shortened intros though - maybe I’m a “get to the song” type and I’m happy to wait for the chorus, especially if the choruses change as the song winds on - ex. “Pancho And Lefty”
I didn’t…great James vocal as usual. Singing next to him in a group could give you goose bumps. Sang bottom in a trio with he and Mike McDonald once. Heaven.