SOP - 57. Zedd + Alessia Cara Stay (w special guests Grey)

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Artist: Bob Tozier
School: North Allegheny

Notes:

2:50 - Stay

4:00~6:10 - Verse is a swung melody

5:38 - Timbale Fill - Expect 1 thing and get another (same pitches, but new melody)

9:00 - Chorus is much heavier, but everyrhing drops out (remember the rule of three)

13:00 - EDM Pop Drop - use of interesting sounds

15:00 - Is it Ab Major or F Minor

24:00 - Review Discussion

28:00 - Orchestration Ideas

31:30 - Classical References

25:00 - "TRY"

Comments

William Wang from: North Allegheny - posted: October 16, 2018
Zedd's music is cool.

Aman Khalid from: North Allegheny - posted: October 17, 2018
The first few lines of Paganini's Caprice No. 1 exemplify a confusion between the major key and its relative minor. When repeating the first E major melody, Paganini changes the key to E minor, only to then add a G major arpeggio. Without significantly changing the melody itself, Paganini creates a pleasing color change through this contradiction of major and minor.

Mary Katherine Stewart from: North Allegheny - posted: October 19, 2018
I think that the ticking clock in the background as well as the simplicity of the song caused its popularity. There is not much used in the hook at first despite a vocorder, and this causes interest.

Reid Suddaby from: North Allegheny - posted: October 22, 2018
The background orchestra to "Comfortably Numb" never returns to the Tonic to create a feeling of no resolution in the song to build suspense. This keeps the listener on their toes while listening to the sound because it lacks that certain good feeling.

Nicholas Zurchin from: North Allegheny - posted: October 22, 2018
I think nowadays a lot of songs do not resolve, and I believe that this is a stylistic choice. The style of most songs don't want to be satisfying or end on a moment of release.

Enoch Hsiao from: North Allegheny - posted: October 22, 2018
A lot of rap songs have it so the beat cuts out and the rapper goes freestyle. A lot of the time the "silence" emphasizes the lyric and the point/purpose of the song itself.

Jack Lopuszynski from: North Allegheny - posted: October 22, 2018
A TON of movie music uses the build-up-then-drop technique, notably a lot of the music from Inception. In movie music, it often serves to build the drama.

Luke Wood from: North Allegheny - posted: October 23, 2018
Zedd's classic go to move is using the vocoder. A lot of the time it works out but I feel it just gets old after while. It is more effective in the song "The Middle", also by Zedd, which uses it mores sparsely.

Emma Hackworth from: North Allegheny - posted: October 23, 2018
Unlike most pop songs on the radio, I could play this song over and over and it would never grow old. The song draws you in by keeping you on your toes You think when the beat drops it's going to be one sound and when it does, it is a complete surprise.

Brett McCutcheon from: North Allegheny - posted: October 25, 2018
I think this music starts joyous and more people like listening to happy music.

Jake Mellinger from: North Allegheny - posted: October 25, 2018
I'm a big fan of Zedd for the almost random sounds that he samples in a lot of his songs that give it an edgy vibe. Really love how innovative he is pulling from many 80's synth sounds and even going back to traditional African sounds.

Pavan Otthi from: North Allegheny - posted: October 25, 2018
What I found really interesting about the change in melody to a more chord-heavy intensive one is that the there is a parallel with the syncopation with each. If you listen closely, the syncopation beat with the vocals mirrors the syncopation of the heavy chords.

Malia Wilson from: North Allegheny - posted: October 26, 2018
I enjoy this song mainly because of the memories I attach to it, but listening to this podcast gave me a better appreciation for it. I think my favourite aspect of the song is the sort of call and response that goes on during the chorus. It makes for one good bop :')

Yukang Guo from: North Allegheny - posted: October 28, 2018
I like how the Stay song started from a slow song to a upbeat song. The spot right before the chorus is very interesting.

melina bowser from: North Allegheny - posted: October 29, 2018
I think very simple, happy music like this brings popularity because of just that-- simplicity. I really don't think there is much going on in the song, but the groove and catchy lyrics and noises (like the ticking clock sound) causes people to want to listen to it again.

Kellie Smith from: North Allegheny - posted: October 29, 2018
I think for most music these days, the most popular songs embody "less is more". Zedd does this perfectly, crafting interesting yet easy to follow patterns for the listener.

Emily Vaiz from: North Allegheny - posted: October 29, 2018
I think the reason that this song is such a hit among people is its simple yet catchy tune that sticks to your mind after hearing it once.

Lily Stromberg from: North Allegheny - posted: October 30, 2018
the clock ticking in the background really reminds me of a video i watched on anticipation in music. the 60/120 bpm tempo of a song simulates a feeling of anticipation and is used in thriller or horror movie soundtracks to make the watcher feel even more unnerved