I’ve noticed that since I started following RTH, I’ve been listening to music differently. So it came as a surprise that over dinner, Mr. Royale and I were initially unable to identify an instrumental version of a familiar song that we heard while we were waiting for our Pad Thai to arrive. There was that Wes Montgomery-style jazz guitar. There was a soft, burbling saxophone. Mr. Royale initially placed it as a cover of Charlie Parker’s “Little Brown Shoes.” But we noticed that we continued to listen alertly in that way that you do in that aural tip-of-the-tongue phenomenon. The lyrics of the song soon arose, unwelcomed, to curdle the taste of our just finished Som Tum, as we realized with horror that the song was “Light My Fire.” A cover. Not Doors-worthy. More like a cover of the Jose Feliciano version.
So while spearing chunks of tofu, we started to discuss that Muzak isn’t just an imitation, but a way to make a potentially pitiful situation even worse. We decided that “Light My Fire” would be on our list of songs that are even more horrible in a Muzak version. But then a flamenco-inspired version of “Black Magic Woman” started up and we realized our list was oh, so incomplete.
What songs make the best/worst Muzak versions? I’m not just talking about covers, because I really enjoy a little ironic or shapely rendition of a favorite. What songs would be improved with Muzak? Mr. Royale and I decided that we would like to hear Muzak versions of NIN’s “Closer” and MBV’s “Soft As Snow (But Warm Inside)” just to have a laugh about the ludicrous counterpoint of the lyrics and the instrumentation. But maybe the reason that “Light My Fire” and “Black Magic Woman” are “successful” is because of the cheesy allusions to sex, and that more straightforward descriptions of sex and sexual parts wouldn’t translate as successfully?
What do you think?
I keep thinking, as I ponder this post, I can’t recall the last time I heard real Muzak. I’m so used to hearing pretty cool songs playing over store PA systems these days, definitely cooler songs than I’m likely to hear on the radio.
Years ago I remember digging a Muzak version of “Strawberry Fields Forever.” It wasn’t too different than the backing music for the real version, with all those mellotrons and whatnot.
I’d be curious to hear a Muzak version of The Clash’s “Rudie Can’t Fail.”
A great song is a great song. It can be butchered but not ruined as long as the fundamental elements of rhythm, melody and harmony coupled with meaningful lyrics are maintained. If those elements are not maintained then it’s a different song. A great song’s whole is greater than the sum of it’s parts and can even survive Muzak.
I’m with you, gregg. I often find myself humming along to certain Muzak-like orchestrations, despite myself. But these renditions were so horrible; although I like “Light My Fire” and “Black Magic Woman” I don’t think they stand the gregg-test.
I presume you’ve heard the Moog Cookbook stuff? They are half-kidding, I think, paying tribute to the Moog/Switched-On albums of the 70’s and also taking the piss too. It’s a good combo of Muzak cheese and synth geekery:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RJwKaGaSAjE
Thanks, Cher, I’ll have to check it out. Next you’re going to be pointing me in the direction of Walter Carlos/ Wendy Carlos!
Mr. Royale said that his parents actually had a Switched on Santa album, and another Moog Christmas album. They seem as dated as the Mannheim Steamroller stuff.