The Medusa Fora

Aine wrote:Do musicians get songs stuck in their heads, and if they do, are they usually their own songs, their own incipient songs, other people's songs? I hope they get good songs stuck in their heads. More often than not, the songs that stick in my brain are not my favorites by any means.

I can't claim to be a 'musician', but I dabble. The songs taht turn into ear-worms for me are of all persuasions. Good, classic, crap, annoyin-as-all-buggery.... no rhyme or reason, nor sense or season. Last week it was 'Bean Phaidín', then it was some appalling 70's disco shite, now it's 'Wish You Were Here' (but just the opening 16 bars or so, while a friend's learning it on the guitar).... strange thing the old wet-ware....

Aine wrote:Do musicians get songs stuck in their heads, and if they do, are they usually their own songs, their own incipient songs, other people's songs? I hope they get good songs stuck in their heads. More often than not, the songs that stick in my brain are not my favorites by any means.

If musicians get an unfamiliar earworm or one they can't identify, they naturally hope their subconscious has written it, so they, if not their subconscious, can claim royalties. When he wrote "Yesterday" at one sitting and with no effort he could call his own, Paul McCartney doublechecked the tune with everyone he knew, convinced he had subliminally "pinched" so natural a tune. But apparently he hadn't, though George Martin recognised a bar or two of Schubert lieder or something.

I've had the theme tune to Family Guy stuck in my head for about two weeks, doesn't help that it's on TV almost everyday and it's one of my other half's favourite shows.

"You Are The Best Thing That's Ever Happened To Me" from Steve Sondheim's new show.

Such economy. Just two notes. The harmonies do all the emotional lifting.

Ta-Ta-Ta-Titi on the G string. Repeat ad nasuem. Due to helping my youngest with her violin practice. Danny Boy from the older one is suddenly sounding better...

philipchevron wrote:"You Are The Best Thing That's Ever Happened To Me" from Steve Sondheim's new show.

Such economy. Just two notes. The harmonies do all the emotional lifting.

Is it a 'recitative'? What's the new show called?

Fintan wrote:

philipchevron wrote:"You Are The Best Thing That's Ever Happened To Me" from Steve Sondheim's new show.

Such economy. Just two notes. The harmonies do all the emotional lifting.

Is it a 'recitative'? What's the new show called?

No it's not. Recitative tends to be fairly bland harmonically as its point is more to convey information than feeling. The show is called Road Show; I made a few notes about it in the Going To The Theatre thread.

philipchevron wrote:No it's not. Recitative tends to be fairly bland harmonically as its point is more to convey information than feeling. The show is called Road Show; I made a few notes about it in the Going To The Theatre thread.

Ah, thanks Sensei. I'll have to check it out if it ever makes it to Ozistan.

The Aria from Carmen, the main one that Carmen sings, I don't know the title, but it's been floating around in my head all week, probably has something to do with the fact I'm going to see it tonight.

The one about the spittin' on the floor-a?

Aine wrote:Do musicians get songs stuck in their heads, and if they do, are they usually their own songs, their own incipient songs, other people's songs? I hope they get good songs stuck in their heads. More often than not, the songs that stick in my brain are not my favorites by any means.

subconciously tapping my foot, twitching my fingers, making some weird sound with my mouth, or what not, to what ever is stuck in my head. They're not usually even songs that other people have written, just random melodies or beats. I've got musical schizophrenia I guess.
during the writing process, it helps me finish it. But after it's done I try to get it out, as if other people can hear my thoughts and might think I'm vain! I wonder if other people do that?

I woke up with the Jolie Holland / Booker T. Jones recording of What a Wonderful World playing and so that was stuck in my head all day. So this eve i hit the youtube and watch the Nick Cave / Shane MacGowan version. Somehow, this hasn't fixed my problem...

The National Anthem of Khazakstan by Borat. Don't know why

Mah na mah nah - do doo doo dodo

Graham Parker and the Rumour: Mercury Poisoning.

Here it is, outside of my head, for everyone else: http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=ws_DmRZXWBw