Day 6 - 46 -- Instrumental Complexities

I've been pondering and reading about a particular song this week. I've never really deconstructed it before. The song has been considered innovative and important with major impact on rock music that followed. Some say it was the antecedent to "' Day in the Life' (Beatles) and 'Bohemian Rhapsody' (Queen). The song listed as #6 on Rolling Stone magazine's '500 Greatest Songs of all Time." It also became part of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame list '500 Songs that Shaped Rock and Roll.' The experimental nature of the song involved complex sounds and structure. Tempo and key changes occur often. The form changed dramatically from the verse-verse-chorus-verse common to pop songs of the time. These innovations resulted in many suggestions for the song genre -- running from psychedelic (or acid) rock to R&B to avant garde pop. It was released as a single and included on a later album. Regardless of how it was pigeon-holed, this song is fantastic.

The song became the most expensive song to record at that time. The band and other musicians logged 90 hours over eight months in four studios to lay down the many tracks needed for the song. The complexity of the sound can be partially parsed with careful listening. Thoughtful use of multiple  instruments and new combinations of instruments provided a fresh new sound. Beyond the usual electric guitar, bass and drums this recording included organ, cello, string bass, tambourine, bongos, maraca, mouth harp, flute and piccolos. To attain a psychedelic spacey sound, the recording used an electro-theremin. This instrument was an adaptation by Paul Tanner of the theremin first invented by Leon Theremin. Interestingly, Tanner had been a trombonist in the Glenn Miller Band, in the big band era. The adaptation added a slide, which helped ensure exact notes were played. This adapted instrument was used to express sci-fi sounds in television of the 1960s such as 'My Favorite Martian.' Its use on this song added so much.

I share the song pondered here today. The complexity of the composition and arrangement with the unexpected fit my day well - complex situations and unexpected add-ons. Enjoy!

Good Vibrations -- The Beach Boys