Popular Music and Jazz
80s Pop Rock - Kate Bush
Table of contents
Kate Bush
Wuthering Heights
Detail
4 bar monophonic intro,(then repeats in an octave).
Vocal at an extreme high tessitura.
Non functional harmony.
Melody imitated by the electric guitar(solo) in the bridge.
Synth strings
Has changing signature(4 4) changes to (2 4) to slow down.This is the same as in under ice
Babushka
Detail
Background vocals doubling main voice
strophic verse-chorus structure.
Instruments imitate the voice.
Aggressive forceful dynamics expressing emotions.
Uses the Fairlight CMI
Running Up That Hill
Detail
Fairlight CMI was used for the “cello” and for the pads
Wide Vocal Range(2 octaves)
Drum machine with syncopated accents
Recurring Arpeggiated motifs
4 chord loop (Am-C-G-F)
Björk
Army of Me
Detail
Uses sound effects such as explosions and retro videogames.
Edm drums
Modal(Locrian)
Its Oh So Quiet
Detail
- Extreme dynamic contrast
- Rubato
- Textural changes : monophonic(speech) then suddenly change to thick. call and response between voice and brass.
- Functional harmony
Berghain
Detail
London Symphony -Rapid Emotional Strings
Voice sound effect is played at the end
Stretches Syllables and phrases, Rubato off-beat entrances
ABBA
Gimme! Gimme! Gimme!
Detail
Conventional 80s pop drum pattern with a 4 on the floor kick(Disco).
Syncopated Bassline
Background vocals(octave and 4ths?)doubling
Bright sustained synth pads
The Winner Takes It all
Detail
Stepwise vocal lines punctuated by expressive leaps
Diatonic framework with chromatic inflections
Contrast between sparse accompaniment and full orchestral layers
Piano opening plays melodic line of the main voice(foreshadowing)
Peter Gabriel
The Rhythm of the Heat
Detail
- Fairlight CMI: Heavy digital sampling of "industrial" sounds and synthetic textures.
- Incorporation of Burundian drums, reflecting a move away from standard rock kits.
- Structure: Linear build-up (crescendo) leading to a dense, polyrhythmic climax.
San Jacinto
Detail
- Textures: Layered arpeggiated synth loops (ostinatos) that create a shimmering, "frozen" atmosphere.
- Vocals: Use of vocal sampling as a rhythmic backing track, similar to Björk’s Medúlla.
Eurythmics (Annie Lennox & Dave Stewart)
Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)
Detail
- Synthesizers: Built on a two-bar analog synth riff (binary structure) that functions as a continuous ground bass.
- Texture: Multi-tracked backing vocal drones and interweaving vocal counterpoints.
- Production: Use of digital delay and heavy reverb to create a cold, "robotic" sonority.
- Fade Out texture
Love is a Stranger
Detail
- Extreme register shifts, stylized personas (like Bush)
- Aeolian mode — avoids functional V–I resolutions
Haysi Fantayzee
Shiny Shiny
Detail
- Uses uncommon instruments of spoons over the drum set
- Folk Roots