Song of the Week

Song of the Week No. 7: Top 7 Outros Tension drives the best rock ’n’ roll songs, followed by release. Chords that fill layers of frequencies get balanced out by space. Some artists use tried-and-true formats, like verse, chorus, and bridge; others meander in magical ways and somehow still capture our fancy. I’m always pleased … Read more

Song of the Week No. 5: 5 Funniest Rock ’n’ Roll Songs Many artists treat the transition from one song to another as a subtle form of communication. When the occasion arises, they seamlessly blend two songs. The Grateful Dead specialized in this sort of misdirection. Many of their tunes locate and inhabit wormholes leading … Read more

Song of the Week No. 5: 5 Funniest Rock ’n’ Roll Songs What rock ’n’ roll songs made you laugh out loud the first time you heard them? I’m not talking witty, sardonic, or smug. What’s flat-out funny? Certain artists specialize in the theater of the clever and absurd. Frank Zappa, Randy Newman, Warren Zevon, … Read more

Song of the Week #4: The Bridges of Pete Most composers incorporate transitional bridges into the structure of their tunes. These short sections, commonly called the “middle eight,” distract us from the main theme long enough to create a sense of anticipation so the melody can reestablish itself with a bang. It’s an essential element … Read more

Song of the Week #3: “It’s All Here on the Vinyl” In March 1981, the Who released the first album of their post–Keith Moon era, Face Dances. The melodies mirrored the band’s precarious state, with members caught under rip tides of alcohol and cocaine, but the songs also portrayed the general unease and despair of … Read more