"I Use Antlers in All of My Decorating!"

Here is one of my favorite songs to sing in the car, from one of my favorite princess movies that Disney has ever produced: "Beauty and the Beast." Which song, you might ask? Not the theme, "Beauty and the Beast," nor, "Be Our Guest," but the song of the villain: "Gaston." Listening to this song brings back fond memories of when our eighth grade class witnessed a stage production of "Beauty and the Beast" at a dinner theater in Pennsylvania, and the actor who portrayed Gaston was our waiter! Enjoy, everyone.

Once upon a December

I would be remiss if I ended this month without sharing one of my favorite 6/8 songs of all time: Once upon a December from the animated movie Anastasia. 

So beautiful. 

And that's my last post for the month, as well as for the year! May your new year be full of all things wonderful and 6/8. 

Denim on Denim, I'm Blending In

After such a beautiful Christmas day, I'm suddenly remembering the east coast a bit more than normal. 

You see, I've been born and raised a Carolina boy, and now that I'm living in the Mountain West, I get homesick now and then. 

The week before I moved, I bought this awesome album on iTunes, called Paperbirds- EP by Elephant Shortcut. It's only 5 songs, but they make me really happy. I listened to this album almost constantly through the day I moved, and every time I re listen to it, I feel a great longing for the old City I used to live in.

This is one of my favorite songs on that album, although I must admit I love them all. And it's in 6/8!

(Sorry about the recording, but none of their live videos can really compare to their recorded version on iTunes.)

Racing on sidewalks we flew away
jumping from heights i tried to be brave
inklings of longings that turned into feelings for you
like you knew they'd do, for you
yeah you knew they'd do
for you

"Let's Go Away!"

...And we're back to the 20th century, ladies and gentlemen, with Weezer's "Blue" Album, which is, in my opinion, their best album. They're one of my favorite rock bands because of their killer guitar riffs and their exquisite vocal harmony. I figured that "Holiday" (which is very different from the Green Day song of the same title) was an appropriate song for the Christmas Holidays because lots of people are probably "going away" as I type, battling their way home to their families. And it is in 6/8, of course! Merry Christmas everyone!

Silver and Gold

Alas, that time of year is fast approaching.

We celebrate a magnificent occurrence in the history of the world that means so much to so many people. Regardless of your religious standpoint, you can always see Christmas from the perspective of giving.

I'm certainly exited to be able to give presents to friend's and family this Christmas, as it is my first that I am employed.

I'm really grateful for this time of year, and of all the memories it brings.

So here is one of my favorite memories, from Rudolph the Red-nose Reindeer.

Movement 2, Symphony 9, "Choral" - The Joy (or Freude) of New Life

Friends, I hope that you forgive me for the belatedness of the post - it is meant, not for the 17th of December, but the 16th, the day that Ludwig van Beethoven was born centuries ago and the day that my little brother was born this year. So, in light of the ceremony that this date occasions, I have yet another enduring piece of Beethoven to offer, probably a bit that you recognize from the thirty second previews that Windows Media Player gives you when you get a new computer.
It starts with those dramatic octave drops in the strings, a response in the timpani, and a resolution in the strings.
Then it is a Beethoven "Scherzo" - and all awesomeness proceeds from there.
Also, if you would like to peruse the poem on which the lyrics of the fourth movement were based, follow this link: http://raptusassociation.org/ode1785.html.
Beethoven mainly used Schiller's lyrics, except for an introduction to the text which was to be sung by a baritone soloist with a translation something like this: "Oh friends, no more of these tones - let us sing songs more full of joy!" (this is a rough paraphrase).
However, I thought that this song was fitting for the birth of my brother today (even if it is the chaotic second movement) because the song always evokes in my mind the image of the tumult of creation as I imagine it - and the very last movement, once the people start singing, is like man's celebration of the sheer joy (die Freude!) of being alive. La joie de vivre! So enjoy a portion of one of the pieces that I consider a testament to the beauty of life.

Silent Night

Friends, 6/8 is a magical time signature.

As my husband points out, it not only lends itself to a dancy, moving mood, but also to a smooth, calming mood.  

Silent Night is definitely in the latter mood.  

And aren't the sultry tones of Nat King Cole something else entirely? 

The Night of our Dear Savior's Birth

I'm so exited for Christmas!

I have already done most of my Christmas shopping, and hope to finish the rest up in the coming week. Shopping is so much nicer when I have money to spend.

So my song for this week as you may have guessed is a classic Christmas Hymn. It is reverent, peaceful and it really brings me happiness.

Although most versions of this song are written in 12/8, I have personally played a version in 6/8. (While double checking this fact online, I actually found several versions in 4/4, although how they managed to write that is beyond me).

Please enjoy the Christmas spirit!

"Tempest" Sonata, Movement 3

Today, I present to everyone the allegretto movement of Beethoven's "Tempest" sonata. I suppose it is probably named thus because of the restless movement of the 6/8 time signature as it is used in this final part - as I listen, I almost imagine myself on a ship in a hurricane-rocked ocean, tipped this way and that. But perhaps my imagination is just strange. In any case, at the keyboard is my favorite pianist, Glenn Gould, who is very Baroque-oriented, very Canadian, very low-seated over the piano, very eccentric on occasion, and very awesome. I think Beethoven would have approved of how he interpreted the movement, but you can watch and see if you agree with me yourself:

A Christmas time signature spotlight

Oh friends.  This holiday season really has me going! I can't get enough of all of the Christmas music and colorful lights (have I mentioned how much I love COLOR?!) and I'm excited to finally get working on Christmas presents! 

As I mentioned last week, lots of Christmas music is in the wonderful time signature of 6/8--but today I'm featuring a song with a slightly different rhythm to it ;)  My song this week is "Christmas in July" by Sufjan Stevens, and has the happy characteristic of being written in 5/4 and 9/8! The verses are in 5/4, an awesome time signature that always seems to throw my 4/4 brain for a loop, and the chorus is in 9/8, which always feels a bit like 6/8, except somewhat bouncier.  

Take a listen! 

My point in posting this song this week is mostly to point out this:  there are SO many other awesome time signatures than just 4/4!  We here at the 6/8 society are obviously quite partial to the awesomeness of 6/8, but  I definitely love it when a songwriter takes the time to write a song in a less-used time signature.  It seems to me to show a little more thought and creativity, and it sure becomes more interesting to listen to! So get out there, find some songs that are in unusual time signatures, and LOVE them!

Oh that Rhythm of my Heart

Let me start off, Hello again! Second post in a row is tons of fun. But in the near future, my dear Robyn will be back. 

So let's start!

This song is called "The Rhythm you started" by Sophie Madeleine. I now recommend you go and buy all of her music. (Cuz seriously, that stuff is good.)

I'm fairly certain that this was the first song that I was aware of it being in 6/8 when I listened to it. This actually made me fall in love with the tempo. Just sit there and listen.

I can assure you this song will make you feel happy. 

And she is British!

And if that doesn't make you happy.....

https://www.americanchia.com/?rtag=chiaobama&

I guarantee this will. 

The Morning is For Sleeping

Let me tell y'all, this song has been stuck in my head for days.

(Did I mention that Robyn is in the magical land of Florida this week, so I get to blog twice in a row!)

Coldplay is the bomb.com. Seriously.

Anyway, I seem to have misplaced my iPod at one of my debate tournaments, and I have been suffering completely without it. I didn't realize how much music was a part of my life until I didn't have it. 

I don't recall personally ever having bought this song, but it is just so darn moving. That is truly one of the absolute beauties of 6/8 it is ever moving, and ever living. I can really imagine this song being played as I am driving down the freeway in the country side, or as my plane is about to land at dusk. 

So please enjoy, the amazing Cemeteries of London by Coldplay!