For some reason, sighing in music has always entertained me. Some of my favourite songs have sighs. So I've decided to compile my top four favourite musical sighs. Thanks to The Chancer for helping me when I couldn't think of some due to not ingesting enough coffee so far today.
Please add your favourite musical sighs in the comment section so we can make the list big together.
4. 'I Didn't Understand' - Elliott Smith
Aaahhhhhhhh. It could be argued that this song is just one big long sigh. Certainly, the backing 'aaahhhhs' are several long sighs. The emphasis on breathing is pretty heavy in this track, with the mic tuned to every intake of breath Smith takes as he gently spits the achingly negative lyrics, "Because my feelings never change a bit / I always feel like shit / I don't know why, I guess that I just do." Sigh.
3. 'Summer Nights' - the cast of Grease
The 'ohw' towards the end of the song by John Travolta is instantly recognisable and constantly repeatable. Yes, it's exaggerated and almost cartoonish, but somehow, the drama works because it adds to the crescendo of the final drawn out 'niiiiights'. I love it. But... ohw.
2. 'Where Did You Sleep Last Night?' - Nirvana's version
Huddie Ledbetter aka Lead Belly was one of Kurt Cobain's favourite musicians, and the tone of his dirty and desperate folk blues seemed to fit into the context of the Nirvana's MTV Unplugged recording, a session that was to become both a wake and an epitaph for Kurt Cobain. The song is belted out by Cobain, and during a pause near the end of the track, Cobain almost breaks, composing himself with a breathy sigh. It's all in there - the fact that he's slightly overcome, desperation, maybe he's really stretched, or maybe pissed off that he can't nail the song just right. It's sad, and beautiful.
1. 'Hallelujah' - Jeff Buckley's version
Another cover, this time of a Leonard Cohen track. With 'Hallelujah', Buckley created what is one of the most memerable covers ever, a beautifuly executed vision of how he thought the track should sound. Buckley's version has a clarity and tenderness that far exceeds the quality of the original. Right at the start, there's a breathy intake or outtake. It's unusual - a mistake? But it works, and almost acts as a starting gun for the amazing vocal performance that follows.
2. 'Where Did You Sleep Last Night?' - Nirvana's version
Huddie Ledbetter aka Lead Belly was one of Kurt Cobain's favourite musicians, and the tone of his dirty and desperate folk blues seemed to fit into the context of the Nirvana's MTV Unplugged recording, a session that was to become both a wake and an epitaph for Kurt Cobain. The song is belted out by Cobain, and during a pause near the end of the track, Cobain almost breaks, composing himself with a breathy sigh. It's all in there - the fact that he's slightly overcome, desperation, maybe he's really stretched, or maybe pissed off that he can't nail the song just right. It's sad, and beautiful.
1. 'Hallelujah' - Jeff Buckley's version
Another cover, this time of a Leonard Cohen track. With 'Hallelujah', Buckley created what is one of the most memerable covers ever, a beautifuly executed vision of how he thought the track should sound. Buckley's version has a clarity and tenderness that far exceeds the quality of the original. Right at the start, there's a breathy intake or outtake. It's unusual - a mistake? But it works, and almost acts as a starting gun for the amazing vocal performance that follows.
3 comments:
Thom Yorke's "unnh" at the top of Arpeggi.
PJ Harvey, towards the end of the spoken part of This Mess We're In. Fierce saucy altogether.
At the very end of Lullaby (featuring Matt Costa) from Jack Johnson and Friends - Sing-A-Longs and Lullabies for the film Curious George. Although it's not really in the song as such, just a sigh at the end - does that still count?
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