Classical Music in Pop Songs: A Closer Look
Contents
A lot of people listen to classical music without even realizing it. Many popular songs contain snippets or samples of classical pieces. In this blog post, we take a closer look at some of these songs and the classical pieces they feature.
Introduction
Classical music has been revitalized in recent years with the influx of popular songs that borrow from the genre. But what exactly is it about these songs that has caught on with listeners? In this article, we’ll take a closer look at some of the most popular songs that feature classical music elements to see what makes them so special.
Some of the most common uses of classical music in pop songs are variations on well-known melodies, often with new lyrics added. This can be seen in songs like “All I Wanna Do” by Sheryl Crow, which borrows its melody from Johann Sebastian Bach’s “Cantata No. 140,” and “Bittersweet Symphony” by The Verve, which uses a sample of an orchestral version of Antonín Dvořák’s “Symphony No. 9.” Other popular examples include “Crazy” by Gnarls Barkley, which contains a sample of Pablo de Sarasate’s “Zigeunerweisen,” and “Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)” by Marilyn Manson, which interpolates Ludwig van Beethoven’s “Symphony No. 7.”
In some cases, classical music is used more subtly in pop songs, providing an underlying feeling or atmosphere rather than a direct melody. This can be seen in tracks like Lana Del Rey’s “Young and Beautiful,” which features excerpts from Franz Schubert’s “Ave Maria,” and Coldplay’s “Viva La Vida,” which containsseveral references to Joseph Haydn’s “Symphony No. 94.”
While these are just a few examples of how classical music has been used in pop songs, there are many other ways that the two genres have intersected. Whether it’s a catchy melody or a more atmospheric feel, classical music can add a lot to a pop song – and vice versa.
Classical Music in Pop Songs
It’s no secret that classical music has been used in popular songs for decades. From The Beatles to Taylor Swift, many artists have borrowed from the great composers to create hits that are both familiar and new. But what is it about classical music that makes it so popular? In this article, we’ll take a closer look at the use of classical music in pop songs and explore what makes it so effective.
The Beatles – “Yesterday”
The Beatles’ song “Yesterday” is one of the most popular and well-known examples of classical music in a pop song. The song, written by Paul McCartney, features a simple chord progression and melody that is reminiscent of many classical pieces. However, the use of a string quartet to accompany the vocals give the song a distinctly classical feel.
While “Yesterday” is certainly not the only example of classical music in pop songs, it is one of the most popular and well-known examples. Other examples include David Bowie’s “Life on Mars?,” which features an excerpt from Gustav Holst’s “The Planets,” and U2’s “Beautiful Day,” which features an excerpt from Ludwig van Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9.
Classical music has been used in pop songs for decades, and it shows no signs of slowing down. In fact, with the popularity of shows like Game of Thrones and Downton Abbey, it seems that classical music and pop culture are more intertwined than ever before.
Led Zeppelin – “Stairway to Heaven”
“Stairway to Heaven” is a song by the English rock band Led Zeppelin, released in late 1971. It was composed by guitarist Jimmy Page and vocalist Robert Plant for the band’s untitled fourth studio album (often referred to as Led Zeppelin IV). The song is built in an ascending structure of chords and melodies, culminating in a guitar solo by Page.
The composition has been variously interpreted by critics, who have described it as Led Zeppelin’s best work, one of the greatest rock songs of all time, and “the most imaginative and daring pop song” of all time. In 2004, it was voted number 3 in Total Guitar magazine’s poll of the Greatest Guitar Riffs Ever. It also placed at number 31 on Rolling Stone magazine’s 500 Greatest Songs of All Time.
The song has been covered by a number of artists, including Rolf Harris, Nancy Wilson, Spock’s Beard, and David Bowie. It has also inspired many tributes and parodies, particularly following Plant’s death in 2020.
Queen – “Bohemian Rhapsody”
contains an operatic section in the middle of the song
The song is a six-minute suite, consisting of several sections without a chorus: an intro, a ballad segment, an operatic passage, a hard rock part and a reflective coda. The song is a more accessible take on the 1970s progressive rock genre.
The song’s music video was directed by Bruce Gowers and Queen won the Best British Video at the 1981 Brit Awards for it. In 2004, “Bohemian Rhapsody” was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame. Bohemian Rhapsody is considered one of the greatest songs of all time. It has been voted third in Rolling Stone’s poll of The Greatest Songs of All Time and placed 14th on Billboard’s Greatest Hot 100 Singles of All Time. In October 2011, following Freddie Mercury’s death in 1991 and Brian May’s appearance on American Idol, “Bohemian Rhapsody” topped Billboard’s Digital Songs chart for two weeks and also became Queen’s first number-one hit on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in 18 years—since “Crazy Little Thing Called Love” (1980).May later said that he thought failure was inevitable given its six-minute length and mixed genre. Bohemian Rhapsody was previewed in an abbreviated form on Top Of The Pops in November 1975, with audience research suggesting that it was too complicated for those unfamiliar with Queen to follow.
The Beach Boys – “God Only Knows”
“God Only Knows” is a song by The Beach Boys, released in 1966 on their album Pet Sounds. The song was written by Brian Wilson and Tony Asher, and is widely considered to be one of the greatest pop songs of all time.
The track features a number of unique elements, including a classically-inspired string arrangement by Wilson himself. This arrangement features liberal use of counterpoint and chromaticism, and is often cited as an example of how classical music can be successfully incorporated into pop songs.
While the use of classical music in pop songs is not uncommon, it is still relatively rare to find examples that are as successful as “God Only Knows”. This track demonstrates that when done well, the two genres can complement each other perfectly.
Conclusion
In conclusion, while it is certainly possible to find examples of classical music in pop songs, the vast majority of these songs are not actually classical in nature. This is likely due to the fact that most pop songs are simply not complex enough to warrant the use of classical music. However, there are a handful of pop songs that do make use of classical music, and these songs tend to be some of the most popular and enduring hits of all time.
