From the title you'd think that this would be an article about Bach or Mozart or other types of old-people music. But I'm cool and I listen to cool music. That doesn't mean I can't appreciate a little old-school instrumentation every now and then, though. In today's world of synthesizers and autotuners, you rarely hear actual strings anymore, which is why it makes it so much more exciting when you do. Personally, I consider myself a bit of a sucker for modern music that includes strings.
I have embedded here five songs that are great examples of what I'm talking about. Chances are you've probably heard most of them, and maybe you didn't even notice that the strings were there before. But they are, and they're what make the songs amazing.
"Crazy" - Gnarls Barkley
Gnarls Barkley easily makes it into my top five favorite bands of all time. All their songs are just so much fun to listen to, and "Crazy" is no exception. It's their greatest hit, so if you haven't heard it you're probably deaf. Sorry. At least you can watch the video. It's kinda neat.
"Robocop" - Kanye West
I originally wasn't a huge Kanye fan, but he's grown on me over the past year. One of the reasons is because he uses strings in a lot of his songs. I was torn between using "Flashing Lights" or "Robocop" as an example here, but I chose to go with the latter because the string part is more exciting and I like the song more. Hey, when you right your own article you can choose "Flashing Lights". But I choose "Robocop". Okay? Okay okay...you will never stop it now....
"Toxic" - Britney Spears
I'll be the first guy to admit that I have a bit of a Britney fetish. I'd never go see her live or listen to her in the presence of others, but her songs make me want to shake my ass - and don't we all need something to make us shake our asses? Sure she's not as cute or sane as she used to be, but her music got better so I'm not complaining. The strings might be fake in this one, but they're still awesome. Fake strings are better than no strings.
"The Thong Song" - Sisqo
Okay, so the subject matter is a little...interesting...but you have to admit that the song is pretty frickin' amazing. Forget the lyrics and what he's saying and how he looks, just think about the sound. "The Thong Song" could be the best-orchestrated pop song I've ever heard. If you have an issue with that statement I have no problem defending myself. Just not here - send me a message or something. On an unrelated note - I wish I could do flips on the beach like Sisqo. I think we'll add that to the list of life goals.
"Bittersweet Symphony" - The Verve
Alright so the strings are way more obvious in this one than the rest of the songs I included, but that doesn't make it any less special. It's still a pretty cool song. A little emo, but still pretty cool. I don't really have anything clever to say about The Verve though. I guess I owe you one.
Toxic had synthesized strings, its rock remix had more strings incorporated than the original when they threw in the guitar.
I'm a strings person, but I'm cool so I listen to classical strings. :]
Check out Trans-Siberian, you might like them :]
I love hearing strings and piano in modern music! Nice to know I'm not alone, they're great!
I thought this was going to be about something else...
@BunnyParfait@xanga - Trans-Siberian Orchestra... What a great group. I got to see them live during their Christmas tour and it was a spectacular show.
Also, if you want strings in awesome music, how about strings AS awesome music? Apocalyptica has made some amazing covers of Metallica music, and the "band" is made up of four cellists, and all their music is made with said four cellos.
And I do agree that hearing strings in modern music adds a whole new layer to that music, if done correctly. However, there are still times where hearing Handel's Water Music or a Beethoven Quartet, or Sibelius, Haydn, etc. just can't be beat.
I love Metallica's CD when they got together with the SF Symphony. Nothing beats Master of Puppets with a full orchestra. Moving on, I enjoy bands that not only use symphonic backings but also use these techniques in their own music. The band Symphony X is my favorite.
All American Rejects uses strings in Falling Apart, I like it. Strings are cool in music, but I love it most when there's a flute in the background, I'm biased though XD
yellow card. Rox
I'm surprised Wonderwall by Oasis wasn't in here.
I love strings too. I love all of these songs!
Bittersweet Symphony is the ringtone for my ex. Ironically very fitting haha
My friend used to play "Toxic" on his violin. I also remember seeing a string quartet play "The Thong Song" on that MTV show Sink or Swim. Good stuff, haha.
apologize by one republic !!!
Vampire Weekend =]
oh, toxic. =p i had to watch it again.
the original apologize without timberland is an amazing song with strings. i dont like the one with timberland but once i listened to the original i decided they are effin amazing.
Wow, it's been awhile since I heard the thong song. Lol.
I had never notices the strings in "The Thong Song". I playing too much attention to the profound lyrics....
Check out Damien Rice.
What?! Where is the symphonic, blasphemous black metal from the grim and frostbitten mountains of Ag'ahallash'ah?!
Great post. I agree, strings in modern songs = cool. I'm surprised no one mentioned "Viva La Vida"...
I hearing strings and piano in music. it's my favorite.
xo
I resent you calling Classical music "Old People's music" and am quite offended, being a music major. But I forgive you, because I like the sound of strings as well.
Bach and Mozart are not 'old people music', but rather, 'mature people' music.Â
Try some European gothic metal. Completely different genre, but they tend to be heavy on the strings. Nightwish, Epica, Within Temptation, and Leaves Eyes are a few of my favorites.
Some post punk, hardcore, and...dare I say...emo...use string instruments pretty well as well. All American Rejects and Yellow Card come to mind.
As a violist, I might have a tad bit of a bias.
oh i love bitersweet symphony!!! Anytime i hear it all i can think about is cruel intentions(which is a good movie)
Comments (29)
Toxic had synthesized strings, its rock remix had more strings incorporated than the original when they threw in the guitar.
I'm a strings person, but I'm cool so I listen to classical strings. :]
Check out Trans-Siberian, you might like them :]
I love hearing strings and piano in modern music! Nice to know I'm not alone, they're great!
I thought this was going to be about something else...
@BunnyParfait@xanga - Trans-Siberian Orchestra... What a great group. I got to see them live during their Christmas tour and it was a spectacular show.
Also, if you want strings in awesome music, how about strings AS awesome music? Apocalyptica has made some amazing covers of Metallica music, and the "band" is made up of four cellists, and all their music is made with said four cellos.
And I do agree that hearing strings in modern music adds a whole new layer to that music, if done correctly. However, there are still times where hearing Handel's Water Music or a Beethoven Quartet, or Sibelius, Haydn, etc. just can't be beat.
@vashts6583@xanga - Apocalyptica is amazing :]
I love Metallica's CD when they got together with the SF Symphony. Nothing beats Master of Puppets with a full orchestra. Moving on, I enjoy bands that not only use symphonic backings but also use these techniques in their own music. The band Symphony X is my favorite.
All American Rejects uses strings in Falling Apart, I like it. Strings are cool in music, but I love it most when there's a flute in the background, I'm biased though XD
yellow card. Rox
I'm surprised Wonderwall by Oasis wasn't in here.
I love strings too. I love all of these songs!
Bittersweet Symphony is the ringtone for my ex. Ironically very fitting haha
My friend used to play "Toxic" on his violin. I also remember seeing a string quartet play "The Thong Song" on that MTV show Sink or Swim. Good stuff, haha.
apologize by one republic !!!
Vampire Weekend =]
oh, toxic. =p i had to watch it again.
the original apologize without timberland is an amazing song with strings. i dont like the one with timberland but once i listened to the original i decided they are effin amazing.
Wow, it's been awhile since I heard the thong song. Lol.
I had never notices the strings in "The Thong Song". I playing too much attention to the profound lyrics....
Check out Damien Rice.
What?! Where is the symphonic, blasphemous black metal from the grim and frostbitten mountains of Ag'ahallash'ah?!
Great post. I agree, strings in modern songs = cool.
I'm surprised no one mentioned "Viva La Vida"...
I hearing strings and piano in music. it's my favorite.
xo
I resent you calling Classical music "Old People's music" and am quite offended, being a music major. But I forgive you, because I like the sound of strings as well.
Bach and Mozart are not 'old people music', but rather, 'mature people' music.Â
Try some European gothic metal. Completely different genre, but they tend to be heavy on the strings. Nightwish, Epica, Within Temptation, and Leaves Eyes are a few of my favorites.
Some post punk, hardcore, and...dare I say...emo...use string instruments pretty well as well. All American Rejects and Yellow Card come to mind.
As a violist, I might have a tad bit of a bias.
oh i love bitersweet symphony!!! Anytime i hear it all i can think about is cruel intentions(which is a good movie)