The most mournful melody?

[omie]

/thread

What tune has the most mournful melody? Here's my submission (meaning the melody in the guitar line, not the voice, though that's up there, too).

 

[zon6c-f]

That one and his “Definitely Maybe “

 

[azureblue]

Righteous Brothers "Unchained Melody"

 

[Glenn Johnson]

McCartney yet again: Eleanor Rigby. Those lyrics are so sad.

 

[bholder]

McCartney yet again: Eleanor Rigby. Those lyrics are so sad.

Agreed, but I'm specifically looking for melodies, not lyrics or even overall songs. Though yeah, ER qualifies either way. Sir Paul definitely has some "sadness" chops.

 

[Mannyinnewyork]

This always tugs at my heart

 

[Glenn Johnson]

Agreed, but I'm specifically looking for melodies, not lyrics or even overall songs. Though yeah, ER qualifies either way. Sir Paul definitely has some "sadness" chops.

Okay then: Taps

 

[rtslinger]

That one and his “Definitely Maybe “

I was just going to post this one absolutely the most mournful I'd ever come across. When I purchased Blow by Blow back in the 70's, I had to take it of my turntable it just took you to a different place such a powerful song

 

[rtslinger]

would add as a 2nd
Stevie Ray Vaughan *Riviera Paradise*

 

[onosson]

Have to post this one as well

 

[Aqualung60]

 

[bholder]

would add as a 2nd
Stevie Ray Vaughan *Riviera Paradise*

hadn't heard or even thought of that in years, thanks, yeah, good one!

 

[bholder]

Another one I've hacked up but good....

 

[BrBss]

 

[SturmUndDrang]

Once your child asks to hear this for the millionth time you'll start to feel very mournful.

 

[bholder]

How about some 70's britpop?

 

[thewildest]

When I was a kid there was an animated series called " there once were men" (erase una vez el hombre in Spanish); the theme song was Bach's Toccata and Fugue in D minor; the intro had a short animation that went through the whole evolution chain, until the end, when men leave earth escaping an exploding planet. The last part, when men leave the planet, which coincides with the last measures of Bach's prodigal composition, is probably one of the darkest things I've seen, to the point that not only I remember it after 40 years since I watched it (and am sharing below), but also that every time I hear this part of the Toccata it truly breaks my heart.

 

[SteveCS]

... What makes a melody sound mournful? I don't really know, but we've got lots of great examples to study here.

Well that's about as big as it gets. Assuming there are no right or wrong answers, shall we have a go, based on observation from things posted in the thread?

1: Generally minor key or a minor mode;
2: Tendency to ascend in leaps but descend by step;
2a; Leaps down are larger then preceding ascending interval;
3: Phrases starting and ending on weak beats;
4: Phrases ending on 3rds, 5ths and 9ths;
5: Melodies creating suspensions against the harmony;
6: Limited range (or ambitus) within phases;
7: More than one note per syllable, i.e. the tunes move faster than the words;
8: Chromatic resolution down not up
9: Phrases ending on lower pitch than starting pitch, even when approached from below;
10:...

 

[bholder]

Okay then: Taps

Ahh, yes, "Butterfield's Lullaby". Yup, that fits.

 

[bholder]

Well that's about as big as it gets. Assuming there are no right or wrong answers, shall we have a go, based on observation from things posted in the thread?

1: Generally minor key or a minor mode;
2: Tendency to ascend in leaps but descend by step;
2a; Leaps down are larger then preceding ascending interval;
3: Phrases starting and ending on weak beats;
4: Phrases ending on 3rds, 5ths and 9ths;
5: Melodies creating suspensions against the harmony;
6: Limited range (or ambitus) within phases;
7: More than one note per syllable, i.e. the tunes move faster than the words;
8: Chromatic resolution down not up
9: Phrases ending on lower pitch than starting pitch, even when approached from below;
10:...

Great observations. Must meditate more on this.