Sorry to not post on Sunday, but on Monday. Mondo '77 got me a bit through last week, but I still can't say it was the easiest of weeks. Maybe I'm under a curse, or experiencing bad karma for something I've done in the past. I'll improve, and hopefully such a stream of bad news and happenings won't bring me down again.
But I digress.
Song of the Week - Nobody's Empire by Belle and Sebastian
Love its understated positivity.
A classic C G Am F chord pattern, played on a soft, clean electric guitar, reflective lyrics, effective, clear use of reverb especially on the vox.
In the intro- is that castanets, or an extremely short, fast rim shot, or clave beat we hear? It sounds fantastic, it's the subtleties...
I hate for my first two SOTW posts to be so linked, seeing as the Belle and Sebastian bassist was who put together the band Looper. But this is another positive song that maybe someone out there needs.
I was lucky enough to see Belle and Sebastian at End of the Road festival two years ago, even though I had only heard a couple of songs before and more wanted to see them out of interest. It was a really good gig though, and the crowd really enjoyed it. I listened to some more of their stuff (Again, BBC R6 is handy here for finding the best songs).
Belle and Sebastian are a Scottish predominantly Indie Pop band. Their latest album (Girls In Peacetime Want To Dance), which features this song, was released in January, so is out now! Give it a listen.
A current goal for myself is to increase the frequency which I post on here- but without feeling like I have to do lengthy posts, as I'm a perfectionist and can't post something until I'm completely content with it. The longer the post, the less likely I am to be happy to post it.
As a solution, I've decided that every Sunday I'll write a brief 'Song of the Week' post (whether it be a current chart hit, an old favourite or a rediscovery), write a quick summary of its history and just say why it's relevant or what I like about it.
Because come on, there's always a 'song of the week' for all of us.
Naturally, it may be extremely linked to the week's mood, or current events, but either way, it should be a fun thing to write weekly. I also have some drafted blog posts I hope to finish up and post up here soon. But I digress...
I hope you like this first regular 'segment' of my blog. Let's hope I can keep it up!
Song of the Week : Mondo '77 by Looper (ft. Francis MacDonald).
Heard this on BBC Radio 6 (best station!) on Monday, shazam'd it, added it to my playlist and only just re-listened now, and I tell you- I'm in love.
It's motivational, has a driving piano line, and the brass hook at the end just fits perfectly. The constant 8-bit bassy ostinato is just brilliant- anyone who knows me would know that anything with a chiptune or 80s feel is something I'll most likely love.
This will definitely be the song to get me through the final week before the Easter holidays. Looper themselves are Scottish and their music is predominantly Indie Rock and Electronic. The band itself was formed by Belle and Sebastian's ex-bassist, Stuart David.
Mondo '77 is their most widely recognised song, used in commercials in America for Xerox and Partnership for a Drug-Free America. It was also used in the soundtracks for Vanilla Sky and The Edukators.
Yesterday I was putting together a playlist/mixtape for someone, when I realised the majority of the songs I was putting in contained a great piano line, and it got me thinking. Personally, as a pianist myself, I've always been appreciative of and partial to a solid piano line in songs, whether it really drives the song or just adds a great accompaniment. Either way, some songs simply would lose their feel without the piano or keyboard part.
So, as a fun activity, I've compiled my top 20 piano lines in the world of popular music.
Disclaimer: this is not a blog post of my favourite sonatas.
They are in order of 20 to number 1...which was possibly one of the hardest things I ever had to do- but remember this is not only ranked by the quality of the piano line, but how much it brings to the song, also.
Heeeere we go:
20. Limit to Your Love - James Blake
This gorgeous track is perfectly accompanied by a repeated piano riff.
19. Clocks - Coldplay
You can't talk of piano lines and not mention Coldplay. This renowned piano line is one of Coldplay's early defining moments.
18. Reflektor - Arcade Fire
Bear with me on this one! The piano riff at the end of Reflektor is so powerful and underrated entirely:
17. Stellify - Ian Brown
An instantly recognisable piano line, even for those who don't know the name or artist of this song. Very powerful, very accented, very good.
16. Life's what you make it - Talk Talk
It's not the main part of the song, but it really drives it. This ongoing riff carries the meaning that life is what you make it, portrayed by the fact that this piano line doesn't always fit every aspect of this song, but carries on regardless. This little ostinato is so rhythmically perfect it's almost percussive. 80s love.
15. All my friends - LCD Soundsystem
I've never been able to master this little piano line, because it's 'smudgy' sound is probably made up by some overdubbing. Still, it powers this (slightly lengthy) song.
14. I Decided - Solange
Beyoncé's lil sis, in my opinion, uses the piano much more effectively. This slightly jazzy, improv-sounding line adds so much to this song about deciding on the perfect man.
13. Because The Night - Patti Smith
Patti Smith's infamous track is arguably partially due to the effective piano use throughout the track. (One of my small claims to fame remains that I sat at the End Of The Road piano stage straight after her...without realising she'd just been there.)
12. We Walk - The Ting Tings
Oh wow, who here remembers the Ting Tings, the much-loved duo of 2009? This is my personal favourite of theirs, and whilst the piano is played the whole way through, it's most prominent at the beginning with its funky little intro. The first improv piano line I learnt at the tender age of 9 or 10!
11. Shuffle - Bombay Bicycle Club
The simple little keys addition to this song adds so much, and gives it the 'shuffle' feel.
10. The Man With A Child In His Eyes - Kate Bush
Kate Bush's most emotive track simply would not be the same without the tinkling, moving piano accompaniment.
9. Someone Like You - Adele
What teenager do you know that didn't have a go at learning this? I find that if any of my non-pianist friends have learnt any pop song on piano for fun, it's this. Instantly recognisable, even without those so highly acclaimed lyrics. Plus a good use of chord inversions- it really doesn't sound the same when you play the root chord.
8. Asleep- The Smiths
'Send me to sleep'... beautiful.
7. Hoppípolla - Sigur Rós
Renowned...whether or not you recognise the artist or the name of the song, you'll most likely recognise the track.
Can I add, when I saw these guys live, they still managed to achieve the intimacy of this song even in a festival environment- stunning. The piano line completely drives this song.
6. Love Letters - Metronomy
Great honky-tonk sound of stabbed chords that just keeps this song moving forward. Some of Metronomy's best...their most prominent single of 2014.
5. Life On Mars? - David Bowie
With its occasional hammers and cluster chords, alongside the perfectionate accompanying line, you can't deny this works as an amazing accompaniment.
4. Imagine - John Lennon
You simply cannot talk of piano lines without mentioning this so incredibly influential track.
3. Nightswimming - R.E.M.
Too high putting it as number 3? No way. One of the best melodic piano lines that still works perfectly as an accompaniment. Some of the best of R.E.M.
2. Avril 14th - Aphex Twin
You probably won't know this one- but you may recognise the end if you're a fan of Kanye West...the sample of this song was almost taken without any credit or royalties to Aphex Twin (classic Kanye West). This is instrumental piano, with no lyrics, but remains my favourite ambient piano track to date.
1. Cornflake Girl - Tori Amos
In my opinion, the piano line really makes this song what it is, and compliments Tori Amos' voice immaculately. The verse and chorus and the outtro are all completely different lines, however they each bring something new to the song.
Slightly jazzy, some perfectly dissonant cluster chords and some high running tinkly lines...this piano line has it all, and it rocks it.
And there we have it! I hope you agree with at least some of them.
What are your favourite piano lines? Have I unfairly overlooked any iconic ones? Let me know in the comments below. This was an extremely entertaining top-20 to put together, despite the fact it was insanely difficult and I really doubt my explanations were particularly clear.
Have a great week - Ella turns 17 tomorrow!
-Ella
UPDATE: I realised I missed out some classics- i.e. Because the Night - Patti Smith, Under the Pressure - The War on Drugs and Laura- Bat For Lashes. There shall be an Iconic (tickled) Ivories 2 in future.
