Songs that fool you about where the downbeat is.

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There is a great Switched on Pop episode about Charlie Puth's "Boy" that talks about its "downbeat deception." Listen to the first 10 minutes of this:

https://switchedonpop.com/episodes/87-the-pure-pop-of-charlie-puth-carly-rae-ft-hanif-abdurraqib

Here's the song:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iILJvqrAQ_w

Indexed, Thursday, 17 February 2022 17:18 (two years ago) link

That's a good one, although the backbeat coming in helpfully lines it up.

change display name (Jordan), Thursday, 17 February 2022 17:22 (two years ago) link

Just relistened to that Switched on Pop and if you go to minute 16 they also play a bunch of examples of what they dub downbeat deception:

Ismael Miranda – Recordando
The Beatles – She’s a Woman
Sharon Jones & The Dap Kings – Nobody’s Baby
The Cars – Since You’re Gone
Ludwig van Beethoven – Symphony No 5 in C Minor, I

Indexed, Thursday, 17 February 2022 17:32 (two years ago) link

Is there a thread for rap songs with raps on the off-beat?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N_QcvPwa-l0

Mr. Snrub, Wednesday, 23 February 2022 11:57 (two years ago) link

Jane Weaver - Electric Mountain

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_lcFq7Rtx0M

peace, man, Thursday, 24 February 2022 13:33 (two years ago) link

I've always had major trouble hearing where the 1 is on Missy Elliott's "Get Ur Freak On." Intellectually I know it's on the very first kick drum beat, but unless I force myself to count along from that point, I hear the first three counts as "pickup" and hear the 1 as falling on the actual 4 (this is if I'm counting along at the full 178 bpm as opposed to 89 bpm half-time). In other words, I hear the 1 as falling on the 6th note of the iconic tumbi riff.

J. Sam, Thursday, 24 February 2022 13:56 (two years ago) link

(which also falls on the third kick drum hit)

J. Sam, Thursday, 24 February 2022 14:13 (two years ago) link


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