Date: Dec 12, 1970
Weeks: 2
Pop music history is riddled with songs that took a distinctive, attention-grabbing introduction, and used it to lead into a bland, ordinary, unexciting song. I'm happy to say this is not one of them, because this song manages to live up to the promise of that unique calliope opening.
The bass and sax throughline in this song is wonderfully distinctive and remarkable on its own, and when put together with the calliope make for an unmistakable and appealing song. I also enjoy how the chorus builds into a bit of choas before gathering itself together and pushing back to the calliope. It's hard to believe any pop music sound could be cohesive with an opening that sounds like it came from the circus, but this song pulls it off. I'm not surprised to learn the music was written by Stevie Wonder, because I'm starting to realize he's one of the great music writers of the 70s.
And Smokey Robinson deserves no small credit for writing lyrics that match the music's tone so well. He took that circus theme and ran with it, writing a song about a person who has a happy face metaphorically painted on, even though he's sad about a breakup. "Smiling in the public eye, but in my lonely room I cry." The sad tone of the lyrics contrast with the happy way Robinson sings them, in a way that is perfectly paired with the whole "Tears of a Clown" concept. Like the words suggest, the song isn't as happy as it might seem at first.
My verdict: Like it. This is a well-crafted and well-performed song. I just wish I could have found a cleaner mix to share, because the only thing that could improve it is a fuller bass line.
Showing posts with label 1970. Show all posts
Showing posts with label 1970. Show all posts
Friday, March 30, 2012
Friday, March 16, 2012
Song #245: "I Think I Love You" by The Partridge Family
Date: Nov 21, 1970
Weeks: 3
Technically the artist for this song is credited as "The Partridge Family Starring Shirley Jones Featuring David Cassidy." Wikipedia says it's because they were the only actual people from the Partridge Family who recorded the song.
The thing about this song that is the most striking is the minor chords used in its verses. It's kind of an unsettling and odd thing to hear in a pop song. But it is well done. The tension that they create is resolved in the chorus, and it gives the song a unique sound. It's attention-getting.
The orchestration seems a bit mired in a very safe interpretation of the music of the late 60s. By which I mostly mean that maddening tambourine. The harpsichord-sounding keyboards are also kind of bland, and I don't care for the keyboard solo in the middle at all. I do really like the bass line, though. The bass line and Cassidy's lead vocals are probably the most appealing parts of this song.
Cassidy's performance conveys a pained intensity, which is very appropriate for the lyrics. The lyrics have the singer proclaiming that he's in love with someone, and he's not entirely happy about it. "Screaming out the words I dread, 'I think I love you'." And the rest of the song helpfully attempts to explain why he's unhappy about it. "So what am I so afraid of? I'm afraid that I'm not sure of a love there is no cure for." It's an interesting take on the process of falling love, being afraid that it's not reciprocated, being afraid that you can't undo it without a lot of pain. And by the end, he's sort of come to terms with it, saying "I only want to make you happy," and "I ought to stay around and love you." It's a neat exploration of an idea, and both the vocal performance and the music are appropriate to convey the complexity of the feelings involved.
My verdict: Like it. It's surprisingly deep and complex for a song that was made primarily to promote a TV series about a singing family.
Weeks: 3
Technically the artist for this song is credited as "The Partridge Family Starring Shirley Jones Featuring David Cassidy." Wikipedia says it's because they were the only actual people from the Partridge Family who recorded the song.
The thing about this song that is the most striking is the minor chords used in its verses. It's kind of an unsettling and odd thing to hear in a pop song. But it is well done. The tension that they create is resolved in the chorus, and it gives the song a unique sound. It's attention-getting.
The orchestration seems a bit mired in a very safe interpretation of the music of the late 60s. By which I mostly mean that maddening tambourine. The harpsichord-sounding keyboards are also kind of bland, and I don't care for the keyboard solo in the middle at all. I do really like the bass line, though. The bass line and Cassidy's lead vocals are probably the most appealing parts of this song.
Cassidy's performance conveys a pained intensity, which is very appropriate for the lyrics. The lyrics have the singer proclaiming that he's in love with someone, and he's not entirely happy about it. "Screaming out the words I dread, 'I think I love you'." And the rest of the song helpfully attempts to explain why he's unhappy about it. "So what am I so afraid of? I'm afraid that I'm not sure of a love there is no cure for." It's an interesting take on the process of falling love, being afraid that it's not reciprocated, being afraid that you can't undo it without a lot of pain. And by the end, he's sort of come to terms with it, saying "I only want to make you happy," and "I ought to stay around and love you." It's a neat exploration of an idea, and both the vocal performance and the music are appropriate to convey the complexity of the feelings involved.
My verdict: Like it. It's surprisingly deep and complex for a song that was made primarily to promote a TV series about a singing family.
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