History of Rock & Roll: EXAM 2 Songs
California Girls
Artist: Beach Boys Form: contrasting verse-chorus with a 10-bar intro leadinb into a 2-bar vamp that prepares the arrival of the first-verse chorus Rhythm: 4/4 with shuffle Instrumentation: electric 12-string, organ, bass, drums, glokenspeil, horns, percussion, lead & back-up vocals Notice: the repeated figure in the bass sounds like the old cowboy song, "Happy Trails" givinb the track a bouncy, easygoing, rhythmic feel.
Good Vibrations
Artist: Beach Boys Form: first half of song is contrasting verse-chorus, then a series kd three sections begin, the last section uses music from the chorus to help round the song off. Does not fit neatly into any pop formal pattern Time Sig: 4/4 Instrumentation: Organ, Guitar, bass, drums, woodwinds, cellos, slide theremin, bass harmonica, Jew's harp, tambourine, sleigh bells, maracas, lead & back-up vocals.
Sunshine of Your Love
Artist: Cream Form: simple verse, standard 12-bar blues structure. The song draws on the "lick blues" tradition of buildinh a tune aroundinh a repeating riff or lick. Time Sig: 4/4 Instrumentation: electric guitar, bass, drims, and lead vocal. Notice: the expansion kf the 24-bar pattern that occurs in the last verse.
House of The Rising Sun
Artist: The Animals Form: simple verse Rhythm: 6/8 each cord change is held for teo big beats. Instrumentation: electric guitar, bass, guitar, drums, electric organ, leas vocals Notice:
A Day in the Life
Artist: The Beatles Form: compound ABA form, with A and B sections usinb a simple verse scheme. Instrumentation: acoustic guitar, piano, bass, drums, maracas, strings, brass, alarm clock, lead vocal Notice: Interlude as ending; ochrestral crescendo plays a giant chord played on the piano. The chord is sustained for almost 40 seconds using electric means to keep the sound audible.
Tomorrow Never Knows
Artist: The Beatles Form: simple verse built on 8-bar structure Time Sig: 4/4 Instrumentation: bass, sitar, drums, organ, backward guitar, tape loops, paink, and electronically processed lead vocal Notice: the droning of the bass makes the harmonic dimension of the music sound static, suggesting influence from indian music, while the tape loops, backwards guitar, and processed vocals create an otherwordly atmosphere. Also, notice the repeated notes in the bass, which interacts with the repeated drum pattern, creating a rhythmic feel that seems unrelenting.
Mr. Tambourine Man
Artist: The Byrds Form: contrasting verse-chorus Instrumentation: electric 12-string guitar, electric 6-string guitar, bass, drums, solo and duet vocals Notice: form is a little strange by fitting the arrangement into a two-minute format for AM radio
Last Train to Clarksville
Artist: The Monkees Form: modified simple verse Time Sig: 2/4 with a hint of a country two-step feel Instrumentation: electric guitars, acoustic guitars, bass, drums, tambourine, lead & back-up vocals Notice: the guitar lick is influenced by similiar figures in the Beatles, "Ticket to Ride," "Day Tripper," and "I Feel Fine." The background voices imitate a train whistle, picking up on the song title
Baby Love
Artist: The Supremes Form: simple verse Rhythm: 12/8 Instrumentation: electric guitar, bass, drums, lead & back-up vocal, piano, saxes, stomping boards Notice: stomping boards used to establish beat. Key change in verse 5
In the Midnight Hour
Artist: Wilson Pickett Form: simple verse Rhythm: 4/4 Instrumentation: electric guitar, bass, drums, lead vocal, horns Notice: instrumentsl interlude features a horn melody. The low, baritone saxophone propels the groove. Listen for the delayed second of each measure.
