Critique of Kokomo sung by the Beach Boys - Essay Example

Critique of “Kokomo” sung by the Beach Boys Introduction The song “Kokomo” was sung by the Beach Boys and acut from the album Still Cruisin in 1988. The song depicts lovers suggesting to go to a place called Kokomo. When the song was written, this place was still fictional. According to Songfacts, “Kokomo is a city in the middle of Indiana and is also a small resort owned by Sandals Royal Caribbean in Montego Bay, the title was made up. It was supposed to represent all the tropical places and images that people think of when wishing to get away to some paradise island to escape the dreary work life. John Phillips thought the name sounded good and wanted to use it for the title. Mike Love added the "Aruba, Jamaica" part and changed the line "Thats where we used to go" to "Thats where we want to go."” (par. 5). The song was played in the movie Cocktail which featured Tom Cruise. It was ranked number 1 in the US Billboard Hot 100 number-one singles (DeKnock, 1988). Analysis of the Song 1. Pitch The pitch is an element of tone, determined by the frequency of vibration (Free Dictionary, par. 1). The song was delivered in well balanced vocal tones and vibration accompanied by steel drums, acoustic guitar, bass and saxophone. The pitch of the voice of singers, Mike Love and Carl Wilson, were harmonious and well blended. The intensity or loudness was average with vocals and instrumentation concocted to arrive at a unified musical structure. High quality exudes from the distinctive overtones heard from the drums at the background and the guitar. 2. Vibrato In an article written by Jones on Understanding Vibrato, he defined vibrato as "slight variation of pitch resulting from the free oscillation of the vocal cords". This free oscillation of the vocal cords results from (1) an open pharynx or what many call the "open throat" along with (2) healthy "closure of the cords" I consider that vibrato is a result of these two opposites working together: open throat and closed cords. (3) Another major factor to be considered in regard to vibrato is the even sub-glottic breath pressure. This is regulated by the "support system" which involves the abdominal muscles, lower lumbar/upper gludial muscles, intercostal muscles and pectoral muscles” (Jones, par. 2). Though the Beach Boys have been acknowledged as one of the legendary singers of all times, the song “Kokomo” did not clearly manifest vibrato due to the easy – going nature of the song and the message relayed therein. Since the song exemplified a message of fun and the intent to go the Kokomo, as a place to relax and to bask in the sun and the sand, the vocal characteristics depicting vibrato were not clearly and eminently expressed, but for sure, the singers naturally have. 3. Intonation Being the melodic pattern, intonation is definitely expressed by the Beach Boys in Kokomo through starting with a low melody and eventually building to a crescendo. As the singers sang the refrain portion, the pitch has become high and thin before going back to the low melodious tune. Through the intonation, the meaning of the song is expressed as having desire to go to Kokomo to spend relaxing time, to have fun, to dream about the sun, the sea and the sand. 4. Phrasing As the name indicates some form of division in melodic line or parts into musical phrases, the song clearly manifests phrasing as singers pause in well defined statements after indicating clear messages. The lyrics “Aruba, Jamaica ooo I wanna take ya/ Bermuda, Bahama come on pretty mama/ Key Largo, Montego baby why dont we go/” (YouTube: Lyrics), distinctively showed pauses and breaks as manifestations of phrasing. 5. Melody Schneider (2002) described melody as “a musical and successive line of single tones or pitches perceived as a unity. Its characteristics include range, shape, and movement. Movement can be either conjunct or disjunct. When the melody moves stepwise and is connected, the movement is termed conjunct. Melody that leaps from pitch to pitch with no natural connection or flow is said to be disjunct” (pars. 2 & 5). In the song “Kokomo”, melody characterizes a conjunct movement of tones and pitches where every element has a natural connection. The vocals, musical instruments chosen (steel drums, acoustic guitar, bass and saxophone) and the arrangement in phrasing and musical score all contribute to a melodious piece. In Study Bass (2010), a distinguishing trait defines staccato versus legato, to wit: “the term legato (pronounced "leh-gaw-toe") means connected, or joined, notes. That means there is no perceivable silence between two notes played one after another. To remember legato means connected, think your leg is connected to your body. The term staccato (pronounced "stuh-caw-toe") means detached, or separated, notes. Staccato notes have space, or silence, between them. There are different degrees of staccato notes. Staccato notes can range from short to very short (staccatissimo). To remember what staccato means, associate it with to stop” (pars. 3 & 4). Using this to analyze “Kokomo”, one could perceive that elements of staccato are manifested in the song due to the rhythmic pattern exemplified by the length of one note to another. 6. Texture Mitchell & Logan initially define texture in music as “two areas of musical phenomena: (1) melodic and harmonic relationships and (2) the density of the simultaneous layering of different musical components” (par. 1). A monophonic texture is composed of a single line, in contrast with a homophonic (single line accompanied by harmony) and polyphonic (two or more lines). The song “Kokomo” typically exude a homophonic texture where there is a single melodic line accompanied by harmony. The musical lyrics and score progress in a particular rhythmic pattern concurrently accompanied by various instruments which complement the vocal expression. 7. Harmony Harmony in “Kokomo” is clearly achieved through smooth progression of notes and chords forming musical patterns. The flow was shown as building up from the low melodic start to the refrain portion depicting high quality tones in rhythmic progression. The drums and the guitar complement giving harmony to the song. 8. Key The song “Kokomo” is played in the major key of C (e-chords) which indicates that “a song played in the ‘key of C major’ revolves around the seven notes of the C major scale – C, D, E, F, G, A, and B. That means the fundamental notes making up the song’s melody, chords, and bassline are all derived from that group of notes” (Study Bass: Keys In Music, par. 3). 9. Tempo Schneider (2002) has averred that “tempo is the musical term that indicates the overall pace of an arrangement. Tempo markings include grave, meaning solemn and extremely slow or allegro, meaning fast and cheerful. A gamut of musical terms for rhythm exists” (par. 11). “Kokomo” has a tempo of 108 beats per minute making it allegretto, or “light and cheerful, faster than moderato, slower than allegro” (Hollis, 2010). 10. Formal structure Connexions (2010) has revealed that forms or structure in music define the overall plan or picture of the song. With diverse types, forms range from binary (two different main sections: A B); ternary (three main sections, usually A B A or A B A) or jazz standard form (a chord progression in A A B A form (with the B section called the bridge) is repeated many times. On the first and last repetition, the melody is played or sung, and soloists improvise during the other repetitions) (Connexions, 2010). The song “Kokomo” seem to manifest a jazz standard form as the first two stanzas conform to the same sytle and pattern, while the refrain, conforms to pattern B. As indicated in lyrics, the pattern become evident: Aruba Jamaica ooo I wanna take you Bermuda Bahama come on pretty mama INTRODUCTION Key Largo Montego baby why dont we go Jamaica Off the Florida Keys Theres a place called Kokomo PATTERN A Thats where you wanna go to get away from it all Bodies in the sand Tropical drink melting in your hand Well be falling in love PATTERN A To the rhythm of a steel drum band Down in Kokomo Aruba Jamaica ooo I wanna take you To Bermuda Bahama come on pretty mama PATTERN B Key Largo, Montego baby why dont we go Likewise, the same pattern is repeated throughout the song. 11. Dynamics As indicated in the Free Dictionary, dynamics in music “normally refers to the volume of a sound or note, but can also refer to every aspect of the execution of a given piece, either stylistic (staccato, legato etc.) or functional (velocity)” (par. 1). In this regard, “Kokomo” has been clearly exemplified as a staccato piece with increasing volume and an allegretto tempo. Conclusion The song “Kokomo” has gained diverse criticism ranging from “VH1s "40 Most Awesomely Bad No. 1 Songs". However, it received a Golden Globe nomination for Best Original Song - Motion Picture in 1989. The song also ranked at #12 on Blender magazines list of the "50 Worst Songs Ever", while the music video was named the #3 worst video of 1988 on MuchMoreMusics Back In... 88” (Wikipedia, 2010). Songs, as musical expressions, are analyzed in terms of musical elements as proffered above. However, one’s disposition to like or dislike a particular song is subjective depending on an individual’s values and perceptions that are ingrained in one’s personality. Not everyone could have loved the song “Kokomo” but the fact that it has gained popularity through the years is a measure of its legendary success. Works Cited Connexions. Form in Music. 2010. Web. 21 October 2010. < http://cnx.org/content/m10842/latest/> DeKnock, Jan. "Kokomo Puts Beach Boys on Top After 22 Years". Chicago Tribune (Tribune Company). (1988-11-04). Web. 21 October 2010. Free Dictionary. Dynamics (music). 2010. Web. 21 October 2010. Free Dictionary. Tone. 2010. Web. 21 October 2010. Hollis, Benjamin. The Method Behind the Music – Jargon. 2010. Web. 21 October 2010. Jack, David L. Understanding Vibrato. N.d. Web. 20 October 2010. Mitchell, Danlee & Logan, Jack. Texture. N.d. Web. 20 October 2010. Schneider, Elaine. The four elements of music - melody, harmony, rhythm, and dynamics. 2002. Web. 21 October 2010. < http://www.essortment.com/all/elementsmusic_rllc.htm> Study Bass. Keys In Music. 2010. Web. 20 October 2010. Study Bass. Legato and Staccato. 2010. Web. 21 October 2010. < http://www.studybass.com/lessons/bass-technique/legato-and-staccato/> Wikipedia. Kokomo (song). 2010. Web. 21 October 2010. < http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kokomo_%28song%29> YouTube. Beach Boys – Kokomo. N.d. Web. 21 October 2010 Read More