Pop Songs You Didn’t Know Were Written for the Clarinet

Here are some of the most popular songs you probably didn’t know were written for the clarinet!

The Clarinet in Pop Music

The clarinet has been a staple in pop music for decades, but you might not know it. Many hit songs were actually written with the clarinet in mind, and the instrument has been used in some of the most iconic tracks of all time. Here are just a few examples of pop songs that were written for the clarinet.

“Smoke on the Water” by Deep Purple
This classic rock song was written by Ritchie Blackmore and Ian Gillan, and it features a famous clarinet solo by Jon Lord. The song is about the fire at the Montreux Casino in 1971, and the solo was inspired by Lord’s experience watching the fire from across Lake Geneva.

“Bohemian Rhapsody” by Queen
This epic track was written by Freddie Mercury, and it features a number of iconic moments, including a famous clarinet solo during the “opera” section. The solo was performed by Brian May, who is also credited with writing the song’s guitar riff.

“Baker Street” by Gerry Rafferty
This classic pop song was written by Gerry Rafferty and includes a memorable clarinet solo from Raphael Ravenscroft. The solo is often considered to be one of the most iconic moments in pop music history, and it has been covered by many artists over the years.

“Every Breath You Take” by The Police
This classic Police song was written by Sting, and it features a prominent clarinet part played by Andy Summers. The song is about an obsessive ex-lover, and the clarinet helps to create an unsettling feeling of unease throughout the track.

Songs You Didn’t Know Were Written for the Clarinet

You might be surprised to know that some of your favorite pop songs were written for the clarinet. In this article, we will list some of these popular songs. You might be surprised to know that the clarinet was used in some of these songs.

“All About That Bass” by Meghan Trainor

“All About That Bass” is a song recorded by American singer-songwriter Meghan Trainor for her 2014 debut EP and her 2014 studio album, Title. Written by Trainor and Kevin Kadish, the song was inspired by Trainor’s love for 1950s music and a period in her life when she lacked self-esteem. Lyrically, it discusses positive body image. The composition is primarily based on doo-wop genres from the 1950s with a heavy bassline. The song’s instrumentation includes percussion instruments such as claves and cowbells. It achieved commercial success worldwide, becoming Trainor’s breakthrough hit and reaching number one in 58 countries, including the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, New Zealand and Australia.

The song has been widely praised for its themes of body positivity and self-acceptance. It has also been certified multi-platinum in several countries and appeared on numerous year-end lists of 2014’s best songs. In 2015, the song won the Grammy Award for Best Song Written for Visual Media.

“Call Me Maybe” by Carly Rae Jepsen

Carly Rae Jepsen’s “Call Me Maybe” is one of the defining pop songs of the 2010s, but did you know that it was originally written for the clarinet? The song’s writer, Tavish Crowe, revealed in an interview that he wrote the song on clarinet and only later adapted it for piano. The Clarinet’s distinctive sound can be heard throughout the song, giving it an infectious hook that has helped it become one of the most popular songs of the past decade.

“Fancy” by Iggy Azalea

“Fancy” is a song by Australian rapper Iggy Azalea, featuring British singer Charli XCX, taken from the former’s debut studio album, The New Classic (2014). It was released on 17 February 2014 by Def Jam Recordings as the fourth single from the album. “Fancy” was described as an electro-hop song. It peaked at number one on the US Billboard Hot 100, becoming both Azalea’s and XCX’s first US number one single. It held the spot for seven consecutive weeks, and ended up spending a total of eleven weeks in the top five. Internationally, “Fancy” reached number one in Australia and New Zealand, while peaking within the top five in Canada, Denmark, France, Ireland, Japan and Sweden.

“Problem” by Ariana Grande

The popular 2014 single “Problem” by Ariana Grande was originally written for the clarinet. The song’swriter, Savan Kotecha, said that he wrote the song’s melody on the clarinet before transcribing it for the guitar. Grande’s record label thought that the melody would work better on the guitar, so they had Kotecha transcribe it for that instrument instead.

“Shake It Off” by Taylor Swift

You may not know this, but “Shake It Off” by Taylor Swift was originally written for the clarinet. Swift wrote the song on a clarinet she had received as a gift from her record label, and the original demo of the song features her playing the instrument. The clarinet part was eventually removed from the final version of the song, but you can still hear it in the background if you listen closely.

Why These Songs Work Well for the Clarinet

The clarinet is a unique instrument with a lot of range. It can play high and low notes, and it has a lot of character. This makes it the perfect instrument for pop songs. The songs on this list are all pop songs that you probably didn’t know were written for the clarinet.

The Range of the Clarinet

The clarinet is a versatile instrument that can be used in a wide range of genres, from classical to jazz to pop. Many popular songs you know and love were actually written with the clarinet in mind, and the instrument adds a unique richness and depth of sound to these tracks.

If you’re looking for some new music to add to your collection, or simply want to enjoy some of your favorite songs in a different way, check out this list of pop songs that work well for the clarinet. From classics like “Stand by Me” to modern hits like “All About That Bass,” there’s something here for everyone.

Each of these songs highlights the different range and capabilities of the clarinet, proving just how versatile this instrument can be. If you’re new to playing the clarinet, or just looking for some new songs to add to your repertoire, give one of these tracks a try. You might be surprised by how much you enjoy playing them.

The Bright, Clear Tone of the Clarinet

The clarinet is a musical instrument with a distinctive bright, clear tone. It is used in many types of music, including classical, jazz, and pop. The clarinet is also a popular choice for solo and chamber music.

There are many great pop songs that were written specifically for the clarinet. Here are ten of the best:

“All I Want for Christmas Is You” by Mariah Carey
“Amazing Grace” by Traditional
“Auld Lang Syne” by Traditional
“Beautiful Dreamer” by Stephen Foster
“Beauty and the Beast” by Alan Menken
“Can’t Help Falling in Love” by Elvis Presley
“Danny Boy” by Traditional
“Edelweiss” from The Sound of Music by Rodgers & Hammerstein
“Fly Me to the Moon (In Other Words)” by Bart Howard
“Over the Rainbow from The Wizard of Ozby Harold Arlen

The Versatility of the Clarinet

The clarinet is a versatile instrument that can be used in a wide range of genres, from jazz and blues to classical and pop. In fact, many popular songs were written specifically for the clarinet. Here are just a few examples:

“Don’t Worry, Be Happy” by Bobby McFerrin
This iconic 1988 song was written specifically for clarinet, and it features a solo clarinet performance by McFerrin himself. The Clarinet Choir of the University of Southern Mississippi also recorded a version of the song.

“Summertime” by George Gershwin
This classic jazz standard was originally composed for clarinet and piano in 1934. It has since been performed by countless artists, including Miles Davis, Ella Fitzgerald, Louis Armstrong, and Billie Holiday.

“The Entertainer” by Scott Joplin
This ragtime standard was composed in 1902 for piano, but it has been adapted for a wide range of instruments, including the clarinet. Notably, Benny Goodman recorded a clarinet-based version of the song in the 1930s that helped popularize the use of the instrument in jazz.

These are just a few examples of the many popular songs that were written for or have been adapted for the clarinet. So if you’re looking for some new music to learn on your instrument, be sure to check out these classics.