A Complete Song (#1)

Click-track counting in.

One-two.

Might be drums.

A retro arcade game - Space Invaders?

Synth note to set the tone first. Hi-hat starts at a steady clip. Vocals enter within a second.

Monotone speak-singing for this verse.

Monotone, but with attitude. Lots of personality in the small inflections. A bored raconteur with a tale to tell.

It's my child’s favourite song. I get a wide smile each time I hit play. I ask what’s special about it and am told, “gah! eeeeee!”

A simple synth pattern carries the melody.

The same three notes repeat twice. Then a single note variation. Major to minor. Repeat.

Synths dominate, electric guitar is there for some flavour.

In the chorus, notes are held longer. Especially the last note, a drawn-out falsetto hint at the song title. Such a catchy hook.

If this were a film trailer, it would be a rom-com. With at least one big misunderstanding and an oh god, what if it was her the whole time!

Keys and guitar float in. Flute-like - reminiscent of the instrumentation from Colours of the Wind. It’s ethereal; a nice contrast to the enthusiastic beat and pithy lyrics.

A line of the chorus melody repeats in the background, played by an unidentified electronic noise. Buzzy.

Someone makes a snarky comment. Someone asks a question in retort.

The second verse is more conversational. The synth refrain is done, replaced with an organ. Or organ-effect synth - that's a definite possibility.

Actually, it makes the verse sound like a sermon done by a feisty youth pastor.

Light, steady symbols.

Kick drums on odd beats.

I think so anyway. Do I know what a kick drum is?

Some bubbly sound effects, too. It could be Pac-Man eating and dying. It’s not, but in spirit,

An ’80s-inspired pop sound, did I say that already?

One guttural war cry, plus another little shout. Short, percussive noise of someone about to strike. Then right into the second chorus.

Different words in this one. More snarky little comments. Some uncomfortable laughter.

Song title!

Another fragment of words. One word, actually. Basically. With a vocal stutter.

Backup singing adds a soft texture.

The tune does perk you up. Almost as satisfying as a really good morning latte.

More little sounds. A cat meowing? Something I didn’t catch the first time, or that I caught and didn’t note, or that wasn’t there and now is.

A laugh effect so warped it sounds like a jack-in-the-box clown.

Bridge kicks off with cinematic piano chords.

Talk-singing again. Real fast-talking now. Many grievances to get through.

Realizing I haven't noted any breaths. Does this singer breathe? Holding my breath to see if I hear one.

The beat pops back in with a “Weeeeeee!”

Synths driving it home.

This is an outro! Oh, how full-bodied it is.

The same line repeats thrice. Behind that, the main chorus in all its falsetto glory.

Everything cuts out.

The last line is spoken. A charming conclusion.

Basic Being Basic / Djo.

This is a series in which I, someone who knows very little about the intricacies of music production, attempt to observe every detail of a song. The point of this is to sit with the music and give it my undivided attention for a while. Even though I try my hardest, I can assure you there are sounds and moments and potentially entire instruments I have missed. But tell me what you hear in the comments!

Love you most,
Nicole