Listening To: Crazy by Gnarls Barkley
“Crazy” is going to be the “Hey Ya!” of 2006. No question. You can buy the album this week and ride the hip wave all summer or you can wait for it to hit the beach and buy it then. Either way, you’re going to buy this album. See the Gnarls Barkley web site to listen to “Crazy” and “Smiley Faces.”
The sublime point in Crazy is the beginning of verse 3 right after the first chorus. The song is in a minor key and up to this point follows a sensible i-III-VI-i64-V progression. In verse 3, the progression begins on I (major) and then moves to VI in the minor key. The melody, as well, which began at the tonic in verses 1 and 2 has risen up to the fifth at the beginning of verse 3. When the backup voices pull back on the drop to VI while Cee-Lo sustains on the fourth, well, that’s just magic.
[via Kottke]
Although I really like “Crazy”, I actually think “Smiley Faces” has better chance of being the “Hey Ya” of 2006. It’s more upbeat and “catchier.”
May 19th, 2006 at 11:31 amYou’re wack, Kathleen. It will definitely be Crazy. Easier to dance to in a club and the chorus practically begs a crowd to sing along during a concert.
I think it’s going to be one Crazy summer.
May 19th, 2006 at 11:41 amWell, I may be no master of music, but I’m willing to place a bet. If I win, you get to take me out swing dancing.
May 19th, 2006 at 12:12 pmHa ha ha. Bless your soul. You’re on. I’ll have to think about my prize. How do we judge who wins?
May 19th, 2006 at 12:37 pmI think you’re crazy! I’m putting on my smiley face because I’m going to win, baby! I vote we judge by the ratings- whichever song gets placed higher on the charts. Unless, of course, readers want to vote. Vote for Kathleen!!! Vote for Pedro. Just don’t go Crazy.
“Out in the sun, out in the fun, feeling free… You keep on smiling for me…”
May 19th, 2006 at 12:44 pmLet’s go with the charts, then. You have more experience running for public office than I do and I think that would constitute an unfair advantage for the purposes of this bet.
May 19th, 2006 at 1:00 pm