Every Planet We Reach Is Dead - Musical Analysis #2

 Every Planet We Reach Is Dead was written by Damon Albarn and Jamie Hewlett apart of the virtual band Gorillaz. Released on May 23, 2005 in the United Kingdom, which is where the band is from. This song is a part of their "Demon Days" album. Although the better known song from this album is Feel Good Inc., I find this song to be deeper and more interesting to listen to. I listened to Gorillaz a lot when I was younger and just recently rediscovered my love for them and this album specifically. Recently I was fortunate enough to use this song in a dance studio I am apart of. Even though there is a strong melancholy feel to the song, when listening to it I feel that there is this feeling of hope. That as long as we continue to acknowledge the issues, they stay relevant in the discussion. A good reminder to get outside, live your life, but be respectful to the earth. 

Lyrics
    Throughout the song Albarn is talking about a woman who he has felt lost to lately. The woman is earth, Mother Nature to be exact. As LastFM states "The sight of Mother Nature, though still beautiful, is now eclipsed by civilization." Albarn sings "I love the girl, but God only knows it's Getting hard to see the sun coming through." As a society we take for granted the beauty around us in its natural form. There are multiple songs on this album that agree the world and how humans have started its destruction. Leaving us and the singer asking towards the end of the song in the bridge "but what are we going to do?" 

Vocals
    Damon Albarn is lead vocals for this song. Although he sounds like he is staying pretty consistent the vocal range is from B2 to E4 in the original key E Minor. His voice in some parts almost seemed stacked. You can hear him clearly as the main but also him almost echoed on doubled up singing the same words. There is also a slight background humming during different portions that give this older nostalgic feel. The London community Gospel Choir are the ones who "soulfully sing backing vocals underneath him, as is Damon is a preacher in a post-apocalyptic chapel in an hour of need."

Tempo
    The overall tempo of the 4 minute 55 second song is 88 BPM. Per SongBPM "The track runs ... with a E key and a minor mode. It has average energy and is somewhat danceable with a time signature of 4 beats per bar." I definitely do a slow, soulful dance when listening to this song. 

Chords
    This song is considered an easier or even beginner song to play. The song uses Em, Am, Bm, and C chords throughout. Originally played in the E minor key. The chords in this song match the lyrics in my opinion, strong but simple. 

Instruments
    Throughout the song there are many instruments being used from keyboard, bass guitar all the way to violas and a violin. One of the more interesting background instruments is the piano. In the this song Ike Turner is actually the one on piano accompanying Albarn's lyrics. Turner was once a pioneer of the rock 'n' roll genre but with charges of domestic violence this is actually one of his last performances. 
    

Sources

“BPM and Key for Every Planet We Reach Is Dead by Gorillaz: Tempo for Every Planet We Reach Is Dead.” SongBPM, songbpm.com/gorillaz/every-planet-we-reach-is-dead. Accessed 25 Feb. 2024.

“Demon Days.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 16 Feb. 2024, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Demon_Days.

“Every Planet We Reach Is Dead Chords by Gorillaz.” Songsterr Tabs with Rhythm, www.songsterr.com/a/wsa/gorillaz-every-planet-we-reach-is-dead-chords-s7954. Accessed 25 Feb. 2024.

“Learn to Sing in Tune with Pitch Training from Singing Carrots.” Gorillaz - Every Planet We Reach Is Dead: Vocal Range & Original Key | Singing Carrots, singingcarrots.com/song?song=gorillaz-every-planet-we-reach-is-dead. Accessed 25 Feb. 2024.

SS, Jack. “Every Planet We Reach Is Dead.” Gorillaz, gorillazsongbysong.blogspot.com/2017/07/every-planet-we-reach-is-dead.html. Accessed 25 Feb. 2024.

“Wiki - Every Planet We Reach Is Dead - Gorillaz.” Last.Fm, www.last.fm/music/Gorillaz/_/Every+Planet+We+Reach+Is+Dead/+wiki. Accessed 25 Feb. 2024.

Me and Your Mama - Musical Analysis #1

First of all, don't let the length of the song deter you. You will have it on repeat after. 

 Me and Your Mama is sung by Childish Gambino, which is the stage name of Donald Glover. Written by Donald Glover, Ludwig Göransson, Zac Rae and Bernie Gundman in the United States.  It was released on his album "Awaken, My Love!" in November of 2016 worldwide. This song falls under the genre of psychedelic soul. 

When listening to this song you cannot help but move your body and throw your arms up in the air. The passion in the Glover's voice and lyrics is powerfully matched with the instruments. I have always been a fan of Donald Glover, as a performer, actor, and writer. Each of his albums are different from one another but all are a delight to listen to. I encourage you to listen to many of his other works as well. This song makes me remember how strong the emotion of love is for another person. I think of my husband and I, how long we have been together and just like in the songs lyrics, through challenges and struggles. At the end of the day there is no one else I would rather be with. I also hear this song and vision a beautiful play that could go with it, although there is not even a music video. As of yesterday February 7th, Glover married his long time partner and commented to People Magazine "I don't think life is real unless some things are just for you." I feel that is the bitter-sweet part of not having a video to accompany this song but also makes me love how grand of a gesture this was for his now wife 8 years later, and you can really hear it in this piece of work. 

Lyrics
    During the intro the singers are repeating "I'm in love when we are smokin' that la-la-la-la-la." This is repeated before Childish Gambino comes on. In the beginning you hear it very smooth, easily know what they are talking about. Maybe it's just another party song but it has a different feel to it. Once Gambino starts with "Do what you want" and there is ominous laughing in the background, the song has a new feel. He continues with "I'm telling you, Let me into your heart." He goes on to sing "Can't stand it, backhanded. They wanna see us fallin apart." You start to feel that this song has passion and real deep feelings behind it. This couple is going through hard times but he is saying to her that he is here for it all no matter what. 

Melody 
    In the intro the song has a very simple repeated melody with range from C3 down to F6 and back up with E5 before dropping low again to C3 and then holding one long note at D4. This creates a smooth start to this song before adding some different notes at minute 1:38, then at minute 2:00 it hits you with a change up. As stated on Hooktheory "Me and Your Mama has higher complexity than the average song in terms of Chord-Melody Tension and Chord-Bass Melody." I love how the song keeps you guessing on what is to come. The change up in the melody makes this song so unpredictable but addictive

Tempo
   The overall tempo of the 6 minute 19 second song is 118 BPM.  Per SongBPM "The track runs ... long with a F key and a major mode. It has average energy and is somewhat danceable with a time signature of 3 beats per bar." I might not dance necessarily to this song but I do throw my hands up and down while I sing. The faster tempo still makes it hard not for you to move your body in some way. I love that its out of the norm for my generation of music artists. 

Sources

“BPM and Key for Me and Your Mama by Childish Gambino: Tempo for Me and Your Mama.” SongBPM, songbpm.com/@childish-gambino/me-and-your-mama. Accessed 16 Feb. 2024.

“Me and Your Mama by Childish Gambino Chords and Melody.” Hooktheory, www.hooktheory.com/theorytab/view/childish-gambino/me-and-your-mama. Accessed 16 Feb. 2024.

“Me and Your Mama.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 8 Jan. 2024, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Me_and_Your_Mama. Accessed 16 Feb. 2024.

Moore, Marcus J. “Songs We Love: Childish Gambino, ‘Me and Your Mama.’” NPR, NPR, 14 Nov. 2016, www.npr.org/2016/11/14/501996325/songs-we-love-childish-gambino-me-and-your-mama. Accessed 18 Feb. 2024.

Quihuiz, Ariana. “Who Is Donald Glover’s Wife? All about Michelle White.” Peoplemag, PEOPLE, 8 Feb. 2024, people.com/who-is-michelle-white-donald-glover-7557082. Accessed 15 Feb. 2024.

Greetings

 Hello fellow music lovers, my name is Savannah Kosinski and I am 27 years old. I moved to Alaska a year ago with my husband and two dogs (see below) from Arizona. We have absolutely loved the change in scenery and enjoy all that nature has to offer here. My husband is in the Air Force and I was a military brat as a child so the constant change in location has been a great way to experience different cultures. I have lived in Japan, Florida, England, Connecticut, Arizona and now Alaska. Waiting to see where this adventure takes us next!

Music has always been a big part of my life, as a child and adult. My parents always played their favorite music around the house. Growing up I remember every weekend having one of them ask us kids to pick out a CD to throw into the stereo while we make breakfast. They would take breaks from cooking meals and dance with us. Rarely ever was it the same genre of music. As I got older and moved into my own home, I still continue to play music all the time, cook and dance with my husband and plan on continuing that tradition with our kids. I don't currently play any instruments but have thought about taking up one in the future. For now I enjoy listening to my husband play piano. I've been to a couple concerts in the past and love the music but don't always enjoy the tight loud spaces. Smaller venues like bars or local concerts I prefer. Has a more intimate feel and also you get to see people who you would never stumble upon otherwise. 

Wolf Like Me by TV On The Radio is one of my favorite songs. I also think this would be my theme song as we discussed in the start of the class. 

Also background photo credit to Mori Raito, a polish artist on Instagram.