Pop Songs Based on Classical Music
You may be surprised to learn that many popular songs are based on classical music. In this blog post, we’ll explore some of the most famous examples.
Introduction
There are many famous classical pieces that have been used as the basis for popular songs. Some of these are well-known, such as Leonard Cohen’s “Hallelujah,” which is based on George Frideric Handel’s “Messiah.” Others are less well-known, such as Elton John’s “Candle in the Wind,” which is based on Franz Schubert’s “Serenade.”
Here is a list of 10 popular songs that are based on classical music:
1. “Hallelujah” by Leonard Cohen (based on George Frideric Handel’s “Messiah”)
2. “Candle in the Wind” by Elton John (based on Franz Schubert’s “Serenade”)
3. “All You Need Is Love” by The Beatles (based on Richard Wagner’s “Bridal Chorus)
4. “Every Breath You Take” by The Police (based on Johann Sebastian Bach��s Orchestral Suite No 3 in D Major)
5. “Bittersweet Symphony” by The Verve (based on Andrew Lloyd Webber’s “The Pharoh’s Theme”)
6. “The Air That I Breathe” by The Hollies (based on Pachelbel’s “Canon in D Major”)
7. “Don’t Give Up” by Peter Gabriel and Kate Bush (based on Johann Sebastian Bach’s “Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring”)
8. “Sheep May Safely Graze” by Jethro Tull (based on Johann Sebastian Bach’s Cantata 208)
9.”My Heart Will Go On” by Celine Dion (based on Gustav Holst’s “The Planets”)
10. “Heaven” by Bryan Adams (based on Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s “Requiem in D Minor”)
The Nutcracker
The Nutcracker is a two-act ballet composed by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky. The ballet is based on E.T.A. Hoffmann’s story “The Nutcracker and the Mouse King”. The ballet was first performed in December 1892 in St. Petersburg, Russia.
The Nutcracker has become one of the most popular ballets, and there have been many pop songs based on the music from the ballet. “The Sugarplum Fairy” is one of the most popular songs from The Nutcracker, and it has been covered by many artists, including Taylor Swift, Coldplay, and susan Boyle. “Dance of the Sugarplum Fairy” is another popular song from The Nutcracker, and it has been covered by artists such as Pentatonix and Lindsey Stirling.
Swan Lake
Swan Lake is a ballet composed by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky in 1875–76. Despite its initial failure, it is now one of the most popular of all ballets. The scenario, initially in two acts, was fashioned from Russian folk tales and tells the story of Odette, a princess turned into a swan by an evil sorcerer’s curse. The choreographer of the original production was Julius Reisinger (Václav Čech). It was staged with much success by French ballet master Marius Petipa during the late 19th century and has become one of the most famous ballets of all time.
ODESSA – “Swan Lake”
One of the earliest examples of Swan Lake in pop culture comes from Ukrainian-American singer-songwriter OdessaCLASSIFIED, who released her eponymous album in 2017. The record was met with critical acclaim, with many reviewers praising its bold reimagining of Tchaikovsky’s ballet.
Lyrics:
All my life I wanted love
I pursued it
I guess I was looking for something above
Now I wonder
Was it you I was meant to find all along?
Swan Lake spinning round and round
In my head every time you come around
All I see is you
In everything I do
Carmen
“Carmen” is a popular song based on the Habanera aria from Georges Bizet’s opera of the same name. The lyrics were written by Henri Meilhac and Ludovic Halévy, and the melody was adapted from the original aria by Bizet. The song was first performed in 1875, and it quickly became a hit in Parisian music halls. It has been recorded by many artists over the years, including Enrico Caruso, Maria Callas, Plácido Domingo, Luciano Pavarotti, and José Carreras.
Conclusion
In conclusion, pop songs based on classical music are becoming more and more popular. With the help of technology, it is easier than ever for artists to create new versions of old songs. This trend is likely to continue, as more and more people are exposed to classical music.
