Thoughts on Lorde’s new single, a familiar ’50s rock groove, and the hyper-litigious state of the music industry’s copyright law.
Tag: pop music analysis
“Drivers License:” How Olivia Rodrigo Uses Much More Than Lyrics to Tell Her Story
Today we break down Olivia Rodrigo’s smash hit “Drivers License” to show how she uses much more than lyrics to tell her heartbreak story.
Where Did All the Chords Go?
A sampling of single- and multi-chord progression songs between the 1980s and 2010s reveals a disheartening trend. How to fix it?
How The Weeknd’s “Blinding Lights” Takes Beethoven’s Ideas to #1
In this analysis, pop music theorist Ben Morss shows how The Weeknd’s “Blinding Lights” is built from four-note scale segments.
The Most Evocative Lyrics We Heard in 2020
We take a look back at some of the most powerful and poetic lyrics we heard in pop and hip-hop music in 2020.
A Lyrical Exploration of Fiona Apple’s Groundbreaking “Fetch the Bolt Cutters”
One of the most widely-acclaimed albums of 2020, Fiona Apple’s shimmering return to the limelight is filled with lyrical gemstones.
Which Songs Changed Pop Music Forever?
That’s the question we’re asking, answering, and passing along with podcast host/historian Charlie Harding in Ep 8 of “Themes and Variation.”
How D’Angelo Uses Funky Dominant Sevenths in “Sugah Daddy”
In this short analysis, we break down the source of D’Angelo’s funky sound, his impeccable use of dominant sevenths in spread voicings.
A Harmonic Analysis of Radiohead’s “Weird Fishes/Arpeggi”
Let’s revisit one of Radiohead’s most propulsive and intricately layered songs, to deconstruct all the elements at play and how they function.
A Harmonic Analysis of Michael Jackson’s Protest Song “They Don’t Care About Us”
Through means of Dancehall rhythms, modal interchange, and ostinato, Michael Jackson gives us glimpses of Black American heritage in his protest song.