Annoying Music: Beatles Cover Songs (NPR)
Speaking of popular tunes…
The Annoying Music Show is hosted by Jim Nayder on Chicago Public Radio. Click here to view annoying holiday, patriotic, campaign, Elvis, and Eurotrash (?) music.
Popular tunes
I’ve been reworking these at the piano a little bit:
- “What a Feeling” from Flashdance, performed by Irene Cara and written by Giorgio Miroder with lyrics by Keith Forsey and Irene Cara
- “Crazy” as performed by Gnarls Barkley, written by Danger Mouse and Cee-Lo.
- “Halo” as performed by Beyonce Knowles, written by Ryan Tedder, Evan Bogart, and Beyonce.
I like to add some color to the harmony and change some voicings. Maybe some day I’ll have the guts to share it…
The Boy Who Knew Too Much by Mika
Mika’s new album, “The Boy Who Knew Too Much,” is due for release on Sept. 22 and promises irresistible tracks in the style of “Life in Cartoon Motion.” Sample tracks are available on iTunes. Amazon.com includes a second disc with live video of selected tracks.
“Til It Happens To You,” written and performed by Corinne Bailey Rae
Popular tune of the week - okay, maybe of the month or two. I may need to break down and buy the songbook and hope that the chords are right in there - or get my audiation in better shape. :P
Anyway, the chord on “heavenly” is…just that!
ABOVE: Godzilla, helping to get the bass notes just right.
Popular tunes on my piano this week:
“Like a Star” - Performed and written by Corinne Bailey Rae. Minor seventh goodness.
“Second Chance” - Performed and written by Shinedown. I’m a sucker for power ballads.
“Billie Jean” - Performed and written by Michael Jackson. Billboard #2 song the year I was born and my favorite MJ song since.
Come Together by Michael Jackson
originally by The Beatles
(posted by bunkercomplex)
Lately, Tim and I have been collecting “popular tunes.” We download the chords or play by ear songs that are stuck in our heads, usually with a descending bass line or special chord. Here are my top picks for this week:
“Hallelujah” - Performed by Jeff Buckley; written by Leonard Cohen. Simple chord progression & folk-like, beautiful melody.
“Hello” - Performed and written by Lionel Richie. A fun one to dress up with crunchy chord tones. Also a useful song if your daily life is an opera.
“Put Your Records On” - Performed & co-written by Corinne Bailey Rae, John Beck, & Steve Chrisanthou. The only one of Rae’s songs that I’ve figured out how to play yet, hopefully more to come.
“Space Oddity” - Performed and written by David Bowie. Floating above the world with seventh chords, what could be better?
“Spell” - Performed and written by Marie Digby. My diva song, transposed up a major 3rd so I can really belt it out. I love the minor/minor chord on the word “spell.”
Jason Mraz & Nikki Kerkhof perform “Billie Jean”
This was performed live in the Netherlands after Nikki won the Dutch Pop Idol title in March 2008. She brings a lot of soul to this performance and their voices complement each other well.
RIP Michael Jackson.
