The New 3 Rs: Retire, Recharge, Reconnect

Posts filed in sounds

The Sounds of Silence

12/19/2020•emotion, music, sounds

I can’t think of two more diverse interpretations to the same song. Silence isn’t necessarily silent in the first version. Disturbed’s 2015 version and video interpretation is a bit disturbing. There is a warning here we should not ignore.

The Pentatonix strive for harmony.

The Simon and Garfunkel originally released in 1964 but wasn’t a hit until 1966. When asked to explain the meaning of the song, Art Garfunkel once said it is about “. . .  the inability of people to communicate with each other, not particularly internationally but especially emotionally, so what you see around you are people unable to love each other.” It could have been written this in 2020. It was written by Paul Simon who said he had no idea what it was about. He wrote it in his bathroom when he was 21.

Hugh’s 51 Weeks:51 Hits From The Past – Week 37

09/24/2017•music, nostalgia, sounds

Wake Me Up When It’s All Over

My greatest wish in life is that I could sing. I can’t. I have accepted that. It doesn’t stop me, however, when I hear a song I love. “Wake Me Up“ is one of those songs. The first version I heard was recorded by Avicii (Tim Bergling, a Swedish DJ, remixer, and record producer known professionally as Avicii). It was a major hit in 2013, hitting No. 1 in 103 countries. By March 2014, it was the most streamed song ever.

Avicii works with various musicians and singers. Aloe Blacc, the lead vocal in the Avicii’s “Wake Me Up“ track, later recorded an acoustic version. Blacc is an American musician, songwriter and singer; he wrote the lyrics as well as performing the song.  I like the Aloe Blacc acoustic version best.  How about you?

 

 

In 2013, Blacc released the music video for the acoustic track. Blacc collaborated with the immigrant rights group National Day Laborer Organizing Network and the ABC* Foundation’s Healing Power of Music Initiative. The cast included several real life immigrant activists.  Check out this 2014 interview with Blacc. Strangely enough, I first saw Aloe Blacc on the Graham Norton Show, a British talk show (and one of the best things on TV).

Avicii also recorded an instrumental version with classical crossover string trio Simply Three—no words but the music is pure and sweet. I prefer by music with words but sometimes the strings sing.

 

Join Hugh’s 51 Weeks:51 Hits From The Past – Week 37

 

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