5 Examples of Dissonance in Pop Music

Learn about 5 examples of dissonance in pop music, and how this unique element can create an interesting and engaging sound.

Introduction

Dissonance is the use of two or more seemingly incompatible elements in music, art, or literature. It is often used to create an unsettled or uneasy feeling, as well as to add interest and variety to a composition.

Dissonance is not always unpleasant; in fact, it can be used to create a sense of suspense or drama. For example, the famous “dun dun” sound in the opening of Law & Order is an example of tension-building dissonance.

In pop music, dissonance is often used for effect, to create a certain mood or emotion. Here are five examples of dissonance in popular music:

1. The Beatles – “A Day in the Life”
The opening piano chord of The Beatles’ 1967 song “A Day in the Life” is one of the most famous examples of dissonance in pop music. The chord consists of the notes E, G, C, and G# – a major second interval between the E and G# – which creates a feeling of unease and tension. This opening chord is followed by a series of equally dissonant chords, which resolve when Paul McCartney takes over on vocals with the line “I read the news today, oh boy.”

2. Kanye West – “My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy”
The 2010 album My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy by Kanye West features several examples of dissonance throughout its 70-minute runtime. One notable instance comes at the beginning of “All of the Lights,” where a choir sings an unsettling minor third interval before being joined by Kanye’s rapped vocals. This use of dissonance adds to the song’s feeling of chaotic energy and excitement.

3. Arcade Fire – “Neighborhood #3 (Power Out)”
The 2004 song “Neighborhood #3 (Power Out)” by Arcade Fire features multiple instances of dissonance created by clashing guitars and horns. The most notable instance comes in the chorus, when the guitars play a series of minor second intervals while horns blare discordant notes over top. This creates a feeling of unease and nervousness that fits with the song’s lyrical themes of alienation and paranoia.

4. Nirvana – “Smells Like Teen Spirit”
The opening riffof Nirvana’s 1991 song “Smells Like Teen Spirit” features several notes that clash with each other, creating a feeling of disharmony and tension. These notes are played over an incessant drumbeat that further adds to the song’s feeling of unease and chaos. This useofdissonance setsthe tone forthe restofthe song, whichis about teenage rebellionand angst.

5 .Radiohead – “Paranoid Android”
The 1997 song “Paranoid Android” by Radiohead features multiple layersof sounds that clashwith each otherto create a senseof musical chaosand unease . In particular ,the useof atonalitiesand disharmoniesin the guitar riffscreatea feelingof tensionand anxiety that mirrorslyrical themesof paranoiaand isolation .

What is Dissonance?

Dissonance is the use of two or more notes that clash with each other. In music, dissonance is used to create tension and interest, and is often found in the climax of a piece. Dissonance is created when two notes are played together that are not in harmony, or when one note is played that does not fit with the rest of the notes being played.

Dissonance is not always unpleasant to listen to, and can add a lot of interest and tension to a piece of music. It is often used in the climax of a piece, as the discordant notes create a sense of suspense that is resolved when the music returns to consonance.

There are many examples of dissonance in pop music, as it is a popular device used by musicians to add interest to their songs. Some examples of dissonance in pop music include:

1. The use of suspension chords: These are chords that resolve by moving to a different chord, usually by suspending one of the notes in the chord. This creates a sense of tension that is resolved when the suspended note resolves back to the tonic chord.
2. The use of chromaticism: This is when musicians use notes that are not in the scale of the piece, which creates a sense of tension that is resolved when the chromatic note resolves back to a note in the scale.
3. The use of tritones: A tritone is an interval that is three whole tones (or six semitones) apart, which creates a sense of tension that is resolved when the two notes move back together again. Tritones are often used in suspensions and chromaticism to create more dissonance.
4. The use of pedals: A pedal point is when a musician plays one note over and over again while other notes change around it. This creates a sense of unease or suspense, as the pedal point gives a stability to the piece while everything else around it changes. Pedal points are often found in drone music and minimalism.
5. The use of noise: Noise can be created using instruments or electronics, and can be anything from static noise to feedback from amplifiers. Noise can be harsh and unpleasant, but it can also add an element of surprise or suspense to a piece of music.

Examples of Dissonance in Pop Music

Dissonance is the use of two or more notes that clash with each other. It is often used in pop music to create a sense of tension and release. It can make the listener feel uneasy, but also drawn in to the music. Let’s take a look at five examples of dissonance in pop music.

Katy Perry – “Dark Horse”

The opening of Katy Perry’s “Dark Horse” is a perfect example of how producers can use dissonance to create tension and interest. The song begins with a simple, almost pastoral-sounding keyboard melody, but things take a turn for the strange when a pair of clashing, disharmonic notes are played on top of it. This creates a feeling of unease and expectancy, which is only heightened by the sudden appearance of a heavily distorted bass guitar playing the same two notes.

The dissonance in this opening section is resolved when the main melody arrives, but it reappears later in the song during the chorus. Here, Perry’s chords are clash against each other in an almost troubling way, creating a sense of unease and tension that matches the lyrics (“So you wanna play with magic? / Boy, you should know whatcha falling for”). The use of dissonance here helps to add an element of danger to the song that wouldn’t be there if it were purely consonant.

Other examples of dissonance in pop music can be found in Justin Timberlake’s “Cry Me a River,” Muse’s “Hysteria,” Radiohead’s “Paranoid Android,” and Kanye West’s “Runaway.” In each case, the producers have used dissonance to create moments of tension and drama that wouldn’t be present if the music were purely consonant.

Lady Gaga – “Applause”

The opening measures of Lady Gaga’s “Applause” are a great example of dissonance in pop music. The song opens with a series of clashing chords that create a sense of tension and unease. This tension is then resolved by the arrival of the singer’s vocal melody, which provides a much needed sense of resolution.

Other examples of dissonance in “Applause” include the use of atonal synths in the chorus, which add to the sense of disorientation and confusion. The song also makes use of bitonal harmony, which is when two different keys are played at the same time. This creates a feeling of instability and can be quite unsettling for listeners.

Ultimately, all of these elements come together to create a sense of tension and release that is essential to the song’s impact. Without the opening measures of dissonance, “Applause” would be far less effective as a pop song.

Beyoncé – “Countdown”

The opening horn stabs in Beyoncé’s “Countdown” are an example of dissonance. The sharp, abrupt nature of the horns stands in contrast to the rest of the song, which is relatively mellow. This creates a sense of tension that is resolved when the horns drop out and the song returns to its more relaxed state.

Other examples of dissonance in pop music include:

1. Rihanna – “Stay”
2. Justin Timberlake – “Cry Me a River”
3. Kendrick Lamar – “Bitch, Don’t Kill My Vibe”
4. Kanye West – “Runaway”
5. Taylor Swift – “I Did Something Bad”

Rihanna – “Work”

The opening seconds of Rihanna’s “Work” are a great example of dissonance in pop music. The track starts with a disorienting clash of sounds, including a distorted, metallic rhythm and Rihanna’s Auto-Tuned vocals. This combination of sounds creates a sense of tension and unease that persists throughout the song.

Other examples of dissonance in “Work” include the use of sharp, discordant chords in the chorus and the chaotic, jarring sound of the drop. This extreme use of dissonance makes “Work” sound unsettling and unpredictable, which is part of what makes it such an effective pop song.

Other examples of dissonance in pop music include Lana Del Rey’s “Born to Die,” Katy Perry’s “Dark Horse,” Lady Gaga’s “Applause,” and Miley Cyrus’ “We Can’t Stop.”

Justin Bieber – “Sorry”

“Sorry” is a song recorded by Canadian singer Justin Bieber for his fourth studio album, Purpose (2015). The song was written by Bieber, Julia Michaels, Justin Tranter and Sonny Moore, and produced by Skrillex and Blood. It was released on October 22, 2015 as the second single from the album. “Sorry” is a dance-pop and tropical house song that contains elements of R&B and contains lyrics about an apologetic journey towards redemption.

The song’s music video features scenes of Bieber at skate parks and in empty pools, where he spends time alone or with friends. Bieber has performed the song on television shows such as The Ellen DeGeneres Show, Saturday Night Live and the 2016 Brit Awards. Commercially, the song peaked at number two on the US Billboard Hot 100 and became Bieber’s seventh consecutive top-ten single in the country. In Australia, Canada and New Zealand, “Sorry” peaked at numbers three, four and two respectively; in both Canada and Australia it also became Bieber’s seventh consecutive top-ten single.

Conclusion

When it comes to pop music, dissonance can be used for a number of different purposes. It can create a sense of tension or drama, or it can be used for comic effect. It can also simply add interest to a melody or chord progression.

There are many examples of dissonance in pop music, but some of the most noteworthy include the following:

1. The Beatles – “She Loves You”
2. Britney Spears – “Oops!… I Did It Again”
3. Lady Gaga – “Bad Romance”
4. Katy Perry – “Dark Horse”
5. Taylor Swift – “Shake It Off”