Songs that exemplify "tension and release"

[Peaved]

Tension and release is described by Wikipedia as follows:

Originally Posted by Wikipedia

Tension and Release is an often used term for analyzing music, to describe how music keeps the interest of a listener. In Western tonal music, ranging from European classical music to modern pop, tension is often thought to derive from the dominant chord. Release is said to occur when the music then reaches the tonic chord or "one chord" based from the first scale degree of the key.

What songs can you think of that exemplify tension and release?

I'll start:

Even Flow - Pearl Jam

Cheers,
Rick

[BassChuck]

In form:

I Can Unwind - Ray Stevens
Its Getting Better - Beatles

on a smaller level:

I - ii - V7 - I

I - ii7 - V7(b9 #11 b13) - I

[Peaved]

Originally Posted by BassChuck

In form:

I Can Unwind - Ray Stevens
Its Getting Better - Beatles

I had to search for a sample of Unwind as I had never heard of it, so thanks for expanding my horizon a bit. I thought Ray Stevens was strictly comedy music, but that's a nice piece. The Beatles It's Getting Better was a good example, too, of course.

Gino Vannelli is another artist whose songs feature a good deal of tension and release. http://www.ginov.com/

[Bruce Lindfield]

How about "Well You Needn't" by Thelonius Monk - the Middle Eight has fast chromatic chordal movement, building up tension - which is released by a return to the fairly static A section.

[daofktr]

Ravel's 'Bolero'.
Frankie Goes to Hollywood's 'Relax'
Devo's 'S.I.B.(Swelling Itching Brain)'

[Peaved]

Originally Posted by Bruce Lindfield

How about "Well You Needn't" by Thelonius Monk - the Middle Eight has fast chromatic chordal movement, building up tension - which is released by a return to the fairly static A section.

Excellent example, thank you.

Originally Posted by daofktr

Ravel's 'Bolero'.
Frankie Goes to Hollywood's 'Relax'
Devo's 'S.I.B.(Swelling Itching Brain)'

Wow, terrific mate, thanks.


Here's one by the Pat Metheny Group - Are you going with me?

[uethanian]

o man i have the perfect one

Glenn Branca: Symphony #3, 3rd movement. i know hardly anyone listens to Branca, but yea, its like...the most dirty chord you could imagine, resolving into a Ma7, and just repeating over and over.

[Peaved]

Originally Posted by uethanian

o man i have the perfect one

Glenn Branca: Symphony #3, 3rd movement. i know hardly anyone listens to Branca, but yea, its like...the most dirty chord you could imagine, resolving into a Ma7, and just repeating over and over.

I had to do a bit of searching to find that one, but indeed it is a perfect example! Thanks for that.


Here's one that is probably familiar to us all: Pink Floyd-Brain Damage/Eclipse

[artistanbul]

I think this would do as well:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i-WD0QFnZM4

[Bruce Lindfield]

Originally Posted by daofktr

Ravel's 'Bolero'.

I'm not sure there is any release in the actual piece - so it is just a long build-up of tension - then even more chromaticism/dissonance at the climax and it stops !

I suppose you could imagine a release at the end - but that's not what is usually meant by tension and release in music - as there is no "less tense" part within the music itself!

[Peaved]

Originally Posted by artistanbul

I think this would do as well:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i-WD0QFnZM4

Joe Satriani rocks.

Originally Posted by Bruce Lindfield

I'm not sure there is any release in the actual piece - so it is just a long build-up of tension...

Well true, but since Bolero is a renowned lovemaking soundtrack, the release is supplied by the listener, lol.

[Bruce Lindfield]

"Dance of death....

[JimK]

Originally Posted by Bruce Lindfield

I suppose you could imagine a release at the end...

Ever see 10?
The 'release', at least for me...occurs at the end of that scene where Bo Derek puts on Ravel's "Bolero".

[bigfatbass]

I've used this tune to explain the concept to my students since the first time I heard it. 10+ minutes of grooving of perfection, I present to you:

Galactic - "Quiet Please"

http://www.imeem.com/tyamell/music/b..._quiet_please/

If you don't get a chill at 9 minutes, sell your gear and take up knitting.

PS Take special note of the delicate interplay between the drums and Robert Mercurio's p-bass TONE OF THE GODS.

[theshadow2001]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nZq_jeYsbTs

You don't really get the full effect on youtube with this song. But there's a piece starting around 4:50 where the strings start to build and just go nuts until it somehow slips back into the relaxing melody. One of my favourite parts of the song.

I don't think it fits into the technical description but it to me just sounds like tension and release. I can't imagine any other description of it.

[Peaved]

Originally Posted by bigfatbass

If you don't get a chill at 9 minutes, sell your gear and take up knitting.

I'm happy to report that I won't have to take up knitting.

Originally Posted by theshadow2001

I don't think it fits into the technical description but it to me just sounds like tension and release. I can't imagine any other description of it.

I can't either, mate. That was definitely a fine example, thanks.

[bigfatbass]

I was wondering if anyone would actually make it through to the pay-off, lol.

Thanks for renewing my faith!

[kesslari]

whatever your feelings about the band, when they were on the Grateful Dead were masters of tension and release.
A great example is the live version of "Morning Dew", either from The Dead Movie or from Europe '72.

[Peaved]

Originally Posted by bigfatbass

I was wondering if anyone would actually make it through to the pay-off, lol.

Thanks for renewing my faith!

Actually, I've gone back to it a few times since you posted the link (listening now, matter-of-fact). The mix is awesome--each instrument's presence is so clearly defined. The big fat bass anchors everything as it should, whilst creating the basis of the tension we're discussing here. At eight-something minutes there are all these hints that the resolution is coming, especially the spin-up of the Leslies. Then, not long after nine minutes, the bass player finally gets to break out of the rut. It's such a tasty track. Thanks again for it.

Originally Posted by kesslari

whatever your feelings about the band, when they were on the Grateful Dead were masters of tension and release.
A great example is the live version of "Morning Dew", either from The Dead Movie or from Europe '72.

Thanks, I'll queue that up next, but mentioning the Grateful Dead reminds me that there's a song they did that was very atypical of their style. I'm searching The Grateful Dead Lyric and Song Finder but no joy so far (perhaps because I can't remember any keywords, lol). This song was ethereal, beautifully melodic and choral, and not at all rock or folksy. It's really plaguing me! If I find it I'll report back here.

[Bruce Lindfield]

Originally Posted by JimK

Ever see 10?
The 'release', at least for me...occurs at the end of that scene where Bo Derek puts on Ravel's "Bolero".

I'm not sure that's anything to do with Ravel!!