ELECTRIC LIGHT ORCHESTRA - DON’T BRING ME DOWN

Estrena: 24 d'agost de 1979

Llistes: Regne Unit: #3 EUA: #4

"Don't Bring Me Down" del grup Electric Light Orchestra (ELO) és una de les seves cançons més memorables i populars. Llançada com a tercer senzill del seu àlbum "Discovery" l’agost de 1979, va assolir un considerable èxit a les llistes de música. Al Regne Unit va arribar al número 3 a la UK Singles Chart, sent el seu segon èxit més alt al país. Als Estats Units va arribar al número 4 al Billboard Hot 100, convertint-se en el seu èxit més gran als EUA en aquell moment.

L’estratègia de llançament de l'àlbum "Discovery" al Regne Unit va ser diferent de la de Nord-amèrica i Europa continental. Mentre que "Don't Bring Me Down" va ser llançada com a segon senzill en aquests països, al Regne Unit inicialment es va optar per llançar "The Diary Of Horace Wimp". No obstant això, mentre que "The Diary Of Horace Wimp" va tenir un èxit moderat al Regne Unit, "Don't Bring Me Down" va guanyar una popularitat significativa en altres llocs i es va convertir en un èxit arrollador.

"Don't Bring Me Down" mostra la capacitat de la banda per fusionar sensibilitats pop amb una base de rock clàssic. Jeff Lynne ha estat ambigu sobre l'origen del ritme de bateria utilitzat, suggerint que potser no recorda exactament la seva font, però proves d’àudio i la confirmació de l'enginyer Mack indiquen que el ritme de bateria va ser pres de "On The Run", una pista enregistrada anteriorment per al mateix àlbum. Aquest ritme va ser, suposadament, rebaixat de velocitat per ajustar-se al tempo de "Don't Bring Me Down".

L'explicació de Jeff Lynne aclareix el procés creatiu d'"Don't Bring Me Down". Lynne va mencionar que va composar la cançó a l'estudi, tocant tots els instruments ell mateix. Durant el procés d'enregistrament, hi va haver un buit a les veus on Lynne va cridar espontàniament "groose".  Lynne va aprendre de l'enginyer que "groose" significa "salutacions" en alemany, fet que va trobar encantador i va decidir mantenir-ho a la cançó. En els concerts en directe, els fans van malinterpretar la paraula i van començar a cantar "Bruce" en lloc de "groose", cosa que va fer que Lynne mateix adoptés "Bruce" en actuacions posteriors.

La decisió de Jeff Lynne de no utilitzar cordes a la cançó va marcar un canvi significatiu amb els àlbums anteriors d'Electric Light Orchestra, on les cordes jugaven un paper destacat en el seu so. Lynne va explicar que després de sis àlbums treballant amb orquestres, es va cansar del requisit i dels desafiaments logístics que portaven. Una de les frustracions incloïa les normatives sindicals que a vegades feien que els músics de corda deixessin de tocar abans que acabés una hora de sessió, interrompent el procés d'enregistrament. Els avanços en tecnologia, com els samplers, també van proporcionar alternatives que facilitaven la creació de sons orquestrals sense dependre de seccions de corda tradicionals.

S'ha especulat que la cançó està dedicada a l'estació espacial Skylab de la NASA, que va reentrar a l'atmosfera de la Terra al juliol de 1979. A més, es va utilitzar com a senyal de despertar per als astronautes a bord del transbordador espacial Columbia al juliol de 1996.

ELECTRIC LIGHT ORCHESTRA - DON’T BRING ME DOWN

Released: August 24, 1979

Charted:  UK: #3   US: #4 

"Don't Bring Me Down" by Electric Light Orchestra (ELO) is one of their most memorable and popular songs. Released as the third single from their album "Discovery" in August 1979, it achieved considerable success on the charts. In the United Kingdom, the song reached the number 3 spot on the UK Singles Chart, marking their second-highest-charting hit in the country. In the United States peaked at number 4 on the Billboard Hot 100, making it their biggest hit in the US at that time. 

In the United Kingdom, the release strategy for the album "Discovery" differed from that in North America and continental Europe. While "Don't Bring Me Down" was released as the second single in those regions, the UK initially chose to release "The Diary Of Horace Wimp" instead. However, while "The Diary Of Horace Wimp" achieved moderate success in the UK, "Don't Bring Me Down" was gaining significant popularity elsewhere and became a smash hit.

"Don't Bring Me Down" showcases the band's ability to fuse pop sensibilities with a classic rock foundation. Jeff Lynne, the band's leader, has been ambiguous about the origin of the drum beat used in the song, suggesting he may not recall its exact source. However, audio evidence and confirmation from engineer Mack indicate that the drum beat was borrowed from "On The Run," a track recorded earlier for the same album, "Discovery." This beat was reportedly slowed down to fit the tempo of "Don't Bring Me Down”. 

Jeff Lynne's explanation sheds light on the creative process behind "Don't Bring Me Down”. Lynne mentioned that he composed the song in the studio, playing all the instruments himself. During the recording process, there was a gap in the vocals where Lynne spontaneously shouted out "groose." Interestingly, Lynne learned from the engineer that "groose" meant "greetings" in German, which he found charming and opted to keep in the song. When performing live, fans misheard and began singing "Bruce" instead of "groose," leading Lynne himself to adopt "Bruce" in subsequent performances.

Jeff Lynne's decision to forego using strings on the song marked a significant departure from Electric Light Orchestra's previous albums, where strings played a prominent role in their sound. Lynne explained that after six albums of working with orchestras, he grew tired of the requirement and the logistical challenges involved. One of the frustrations included union rules that sometimes caused string players to stop playing before the end of a session hour, which disrupted the recording process. Advances in technology, such as samplers, also provided alternatives that made it easier to create orchestral sounds without relying on traditional string sections.

The song is speculated to be dedicated to the NASA Skylab space station, which reentered Earth's atmosphere in July 1979. Additionally, it was used as a wake-up call for astronauts aboard the Space Shuttle Columbia in July 1996. 

 

PET SHOP BOYS - I DON’T KNOW WHAT YOU WANT BUT I CAN’T GIVE IT ANY MORE

Released: July 19, 1999

Charted:  UK: #15 

"I Don't Know What You Want but I Can't Give It Any More" is a track from their seventh studio album, “Nightlife”. Released on July 1999 as the album's lead single, it reached number 15 on the UK Singles Chart, number two on the US Hot Dance Club Play chart, and number 66 on the US Hot Singles Sales chart.

The first single from “Nightlife” follows the Pet Shop Boys' tradition of lengthy song titles. It exemplifies their signature style of merging dance beats, grand orchestral elements, and somewhat melancholic lyrics, depicting a crumbling romantic relationship. The chorus, repeating the title four times in an A-B-A-B chord structure, showcases evolving instrumental harmonies while maintaining the same melody and lyrics.

The song's lyrical structure is notably intriguing, primarily composed of questions aside from the chorus. The narrator appears desperate to discern their lover's desires, despite knowing they cannot fulfill them. The questions even hint at potential infidelity, adding depth to the narrative: "Is he better than me? Was it your place or his?… Did you think it was wrong?" Despite its relatively subdued melody, chord structure, and lyrics compared to other Pet Shop Boys singles, the track exudes a tragic, even epic grandeur that commands admiration.

The music video, directed by Pedro Romhanyl, depicts the duo undergoing a transformation that leads them to appear in their Nightlife costumes. Subsequently, they are released into a world where everyone resembles them.

 

DIRE STRAITS - MONEY FOR NOTHING

Estrena: 28 de juny de 1985

Llistes: Regne Unit: #4   EUA: #1 (3 setmanes)

"Money for Nothing" és el segon tema de l'àlbum "Brothers in Arms" i va ser llançat com a senzill el juny de 1985 sota el segell Vertigo Records. La lletra de la cançó està narrada des de la perspectiva de dues persones de classe treballadora que observen vídeos musicals i fan comentaris sobre ells. Destaca la col·laboració de Sting, que aporta la distingida introducció en falset i les veus de fons, així com el famós "I want my MTV". Tot i que Sting va ajudar a escriure la cançó, inicialment no va buscar ser acreditat com a compositor; però la seva discogràfica va insistir-hi per assegurar els drets d'autor.

A "I Want My MTV", es revela que el manager de Dire Straits va buscar consell a la xarxa sobre com entrar en el mercat nord-americà. MTV va suggerir escriure una cançó d'èxit i crear un vídeo musical de gran qualitat dirigit per un director destacat. Mark Knopfler va prendre aquest consell literalment, incorporant el lema de MTV a la lletra de "Money for Nothing". Malgrat que la cançó sembla crítica amb MTV, els directius de la cadena, com ara Les Garland, van quedar encantats i la van veure com un elogi. Escoltar "I Want My MTV" a la ràdio els va proporcionar una excel·lent publicitat, tot i que algunes de les frases de la cançó no eren favorables.

Steve Barron va ser l’encarregat de crear el videoclip, tot i la inicial animadversió de Mark Knopfler cap a la realització de vídeos. La companya americana de Knopfler, que va assistir a la reunió de presentació, van suggerir la idea, cosa que va influir en la decisió de Knopfler de seguir endavant, especialment perquè ell mateix no havia d'aparèixer al vídeo. Barron va contractar Rushes, una companyia de producció del Regne Unit, per a la creació del vídeo. La lletra irònica de la cançó criticava MTV, però la cadena va acceptar entusiàsticament el vídeo, veient-lo com una publicitat ideal. Aquest vídeo innovador va ser un dels primers a utilitzar animació generada per ordinador a través d'un programa primerenc anomenat Paintbox, tot i que les limitacions pressupostàries van restringir els detalls dels personatges.

"Money for Nothing" es va convertir en el single més exitós comercialment de la banda, arribant al número 1 durant tres setmanes tant a les llistes US Billboard Hot 100 com a Top Rock Tracks. Al Regne Unit, va arribar al número 4. La cançó va guanyar encara més popularitat quan Dire Straits i Sting la van interpretar junts a Live Aid al juliol de 1985, només un mes després del seu llançament. Als 28ens Premis Grammy el 1986, "Money for Nothing" va guanyar el premi a la Millor Interpretació Rock per un Duo o Grup amb Veu i va rebre nominacions per a la Cançó i el Registre de l'Any. A més, als Premis MTV Video Music Awards de 1986, el videoclip va obtenir 11 nominacions i va guanyar els premis al Millor Vídeo de l'Any i Millor Vídeo de Grup.

DIRE STRAITS - MONEY FOR NOTHING

Released: June 28, 1985

Charted:  UK: #4   US: #1 (3 weeks)

"Money for Nothing" is the second track on the album "Brothers in Arms" and was released as a single on June 1985, under Vertigo Records. The song's lyrics are narrated from the perspective of two working-class individuals observing music videos and commenting on them. It famously features a guest appearance by Sting, who contributes the distinctive falsetto introduction, background vocals, and the iconic refrain "I want my MTV." Although Sting assisted in writing the song, he initially did not seek a songwriting credit; however, his record company insisted on it to secure royalties.

In "I Want My MTV," it's revealed that Dire Straits' manager sought advice from the network on how to break into the American market. MTV suggested writing a hit song and creating a high-quality music video directed by a top director. Mark Knopfler took this advice literally, incorporating MTV's tagline into the lyrics of "Money for Nothing." Despite the song sounding critical of MTV, the network executives, including Les Garland, actually loved it and saw it as flattering. Hearing "I Want My MTV" on the radio provided excellent publicity, even if some of the song's implications were less than favorable. 

Steve Barron was tasked with creating the music video for despite Mark Knopfler's initial reluctance towards making videos. Knopfler's American girlfriend, who attended the pitch meeting, embraced the idea, which influenced Knopfler's decision to proceed, especially since he wouldn't have to appear in the video himself. Barron engaged Rushes, a UK production company, for the video's creation. The song's ironic lyrics critiqued MTV, yet the network enthusiastically embraced the video, viewing it as a compelling advertisement. This innovative video was among the first to utilize computer-generated animation through an early program called Paintbox, although budget constraints limited the detail of the characters. 

"Money for Nothing" became the band's most commercially successful single, reaching number 1 for three weeks on both the US Billboard Hot 100 and Top Rock Tracks chart. In the UK, it peaked at number 4. The song gained further prominence when Dire Straits and Sting performed it together at Live Aid in July 1985, just a month after its release. At the 28th Annual Grammy Awards in 1986, "Money for Nothing" won Best Rock Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal and received nominations for Record of the Year and Song of the Year. Additionally, at the 1986 MTV Video Music Awards, the music video garnered 11 nominations and won Video of the Year and Best Group Video. 

THE BEATLES - GOT TO GET YOU INTO MY LIFE

Publicada: 5 d’agost de 1966

Àlbum: Revolver

"Got to Get You into My Life" va ser escrita per Paul McCartney i atribuïda a Lennon–McCartney. La cançó ret homenatge al Motown Sound, amb una vibrant instrumentació de metall i lletres que insinuen una experiència psicodèlica. Anys més tard, McCartney va revelar que és, de fet, "una oda a la marihuana". Es va llançar com a senzill als Estats Units de l’àlbum recopilatori “Rock 'n' Roll Music” el 1976, amb "Helter Skelter" com a cara B. Va arribar al número 7 al juliol d'aquell any, sent la primera cançó dels Beatles que entrava a les llistes dels Estats Units des del 1970. Una versió de Earth, Wind & Fire per a la banda sonora de la pel·lícula “Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band” va arribar al número 9 als Estats Units el 1978.

"Got to Get You into My Life" va experimentar una evolució significativa durant la seva gravació als estudis Abbey Road entre abril i juny de 1966. La versió final, llançada a l'àlbum “Revolver”, destaca per les trompetes d'estil soul, prenent inspiració en el so soul de Memphis de Stax i el Motown. La versió original incloïa elements com harmonium i guitarra acústica, amb una secció parcialment a capella cantada per McCartney, Lennon i Harrison.

La secció de metall de "Got to Get You into My Life" es va enregistrar amb els microfons a prop de les campanes dels instruments i es va processar amb un limitador durant la sessió d'enregistrament del 18 de maig, sent el primer cop que els Beatles feien ús d'una secció de metall.

En una entrevista a Playboy el 1980, John Lennon va elogiar "Got to Get You into My Life", afirmant: "De nou, una de les millors cançons de Paul".

THE BEATLES - GOT TO GET YOU INTO MY LIFE

Released: August 5, 1966

Album: Revolver

"Got to Get You into My Life" was written by Paul McCartney and credited to Lennon–McCartney, the song pays homage to the Motown Sound, featuring vibrant brass instrumentation and lyrics that hint at a psychedelic experience. McCartney later revealed that it is, in fact, "an ode to pot." It was released as a single in the United States from the Rock 'n' Roll Music compilation album in 1976, with "Helter Skelter" as the B-side. It reached #7 in July of that year, marking the first Beatles song to chart in the US since 1970. A cover by Earth, Wind & Fire for the “Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band” film soundtrack reached #9 in the US in 1978.

"Got to Get You into My Life" underwent significant evolution during its recording at Abbey Road Studios between April and June 1966. The final version, released on the Revolver album, prominently features soul-style horns, drawing inspiration from the Stax' Memphis soul and Motown sound. The original version included elements like harmonium and acoustic guitar, with a partly a-cappella section sung by McCartney, Lennon, and Harrison.

The brass section in "Got to Get You into My Life" was close-miked in the bells of the instruments and processed through a limiter during the recording session on May 18. This marked the Beatles' first use of a horn section.

In a 1980 Playboy interview, John Lennon praised "Got to Get You into My Life" stating, "Paul's again. I think that was one of his best songs, too."