The best song of all time. And why.
The song Tik Tok by Ke$ha is a classic example of popular music, as experienced during the 'naughties'. She uses many stereotypes of 'club' music including dynamics (or lack thereof), texture and pitch. These combine to provide the audience with a blissful serenity similar to an angel's chorus.
Firstly and foremost, Ke$ha's use of texture is ingenious. Due to either a strange aversion to dynamics or a complete incapability she instead various the texture of the piece to give the impression of different volume levels. (This is commonly referred to by musicians as 'cheating'). For example, the piece begins with synthesizer and vocals, a relatively thin texture, which then builds with the addition of drums in the second half of the verse. The texture again increases as we enter the chorus, and a second synthesizer line is introduced. The entire piece is built upon a variation of these four lines. Due to this simplicity, this song is the best of all time.
Secondly, and indeed related to our first concept, Ke$ha's use of repetition is somewhat astounding. Who would have thought a chorus built on four notes could be a hit. Some would call it genius. She does vary her melodic lines occasionally, such as in the line "trying to get a little bit tipsy" which is also a perfect example of word painting, as she gives the impression of being tipsy as she sings. The length of the song is typical of the genre, and the chorus exemplifies a perfect use of staccato accents to create an addictive, punchy line. Typical listeners will be deaf to the subtle use of syncopation in the opening synthesized line, which accents the off-beat, in contrast to both the drums and vocal line. These things not only define our current genre of pop music, but also assisted Ke$ha in writing the perfect song.
Lastly I will endeavour to explain Ke$ha's use of tonality. It is in fact major the entire way through, with not even a hint of modulation. Many newer pieces stick to this plainer form as it is in fact easier to write for. Ke$ha uses the major 'happy' sounding key to lift her song to an even higher place, and underpin the dance/party vibe. The presence of tone in Ke$ha's voice itself is questionable, but I guess that's what autotune is for.
OH HAI HSC MARKER
AREN'T MY ANSWERS SHIT?
THAT'S CAUSE MY TEACHER IS BAD
GIVE ME SYMPATHY MARKS PLEASE
And that's why Tik Tok by Ke$ha is the greatest song of all time.
Firstly and foremost, Ke$ha's use of texture is ingenious. Due to either a strange aversion to dynamics or a complete incapability she instead various the texture of the piece to give the impression of different volume levels. (This is commonly referred to by musicians as 'cheating'). For example, the piece begins with synthesizer and vocals, a relatively thin texture, which then builds with the addition of drums in the second half of the verse. The texture again increases as we enter the chorus, and a second synthesizer line is introduced. The entire piece is built upon a variation of these four lines. Due to this simplicity, this song is the best of all time.
Secondly, and indeed related to our first concept, Ke$ha's use of repetition is somewhat astounding. Who would have thought a chorus built on four notes could be a hit. Some would call it genius. She does vary her melodic lines occasionally, such as in the line "trying to get a little bit tipsy" which is also a perfect example of word painting, as she gives the impression of being tipsy as she sings. The length of the song is typical of the genre, and the chorus exemplifies a perfect use of staccato accents to create an addictive, punchy line. Typical listeners will be deaf to the subtle use of syncopation in the opening synthesized line, which accents the off-beat, in contrast to both the drums and vocal line. These things not only define our current genre of pop music, but also assisted Ke$ha in writing the perfect song.
Lastly I will endeavour to explain Ke$ha's use of tonality. It is in fact major the entire way through, with not even a hint of modulation. Many newer pieces stick to this plainer form as it is in fact easier to write for. Ke$ha uses the major 'happy' sounding key to lift her song to an even higher place, and underpin the dance/party vibe. The presence of tone in Ke$ha's voice itself is questionable, but I guess that's what autotune is for.
OH HAI HSC MARKER
AREN'T MY ANSWERS SHIT?
THAT'S CAUSE MY TEACHER IS BAD
GIVE ME SYMPATHY MARKS PLEASE
And that's why Tik Tok by Ke$ha is the greatest song of all time.