Please identify this song before I drive myself nuts!
June 11, 2018 2:53 PM Subscribe
The only part of it I can remember is the instrumental intro, which makes it so very hard to google.
I think it would fall into the downtempo/trip hop genre, though I'm not positive since I can't remember the rest of the song. Also can't remember if there is a male or female vocalist (or even any vocalist at all!). I don't think I've heard this song on mainstream radio, but I've definitely heard it played in different places a few times. I last heard it played in a gym so I think it's relatively well-known.
The background beat is about 85 bpm. On every second beat, there is a note. The first note is repeated four times, then the second note is repeated four times, then back to the first, etc. The first note is (I think) an E with kind of an upward slide, and the second is a G# with the same upward slide. It might not be those exact notes, but it is definitely a major third interval between the first and second notes.
Thank you for any help! I've been trying to find it by listening to random songs on youtube for almost a week now...
I think it would fall into the downtempo/trip hop genre, though I'm not positive since I can't remember the rest of the song. Also can't remember if there is a male or female vocalist (or even any vocalist at all!). I don't think I've heard this song on mainstream radio, but I've definitely heard it played in different places a few times. I last heard it played in a gym so I think it's relatively well-known.
The background beat is about 85 bpm. On every second beat, there is a note. The first note is repeated four times, then the second note is repeated four times, then back to the first, etc. The first note is (I think) an E with kind of an upward slide, and the second is a G# with the same upward slide. It might not be those exact notes, but it is definitely a major third interval between the first and second notes.
Thank you for any help! I've been trying to find it by listening to random songs on youtube for almost a week now...
Heh, not a lot to go on. What instument plays the note? Are there any other instruments besides the drums? By every 2nd beat, you mean the backbeat right (where the snare usually lands)? Are the drums playing an 8th or 16th note groove?
posted by STFUDonnie at 3:16 PM on June 11, 2018
posted by STFUDonnie at 3:16 PM on June 11, 2018
Response by poster: It is not Intro or any other song by the XX I could easily find online.
I'm remembering the note as sounding electronically-generated. Maybe an electric guitar with some effects added?
The only thing I clearly remember is the drums and that note; it's possible there are other pretty quiet layers of instruments in the background.
Yes, I mean the backbeat, thank you!
I think it's an 8th note groove.
posted by janerica at 3:25 PM on June 11, 2018
I'm remembering the note as sounding electronically-generated. Maybe an electric guitar with some effects added?
The only thing I clearly remember is the drums and that note; it's possible there are other pretty quiet layers of instruments in the background.
Yes, I mean the backbeat, thank you!
I think it's an 8th note groove.
posted by janerica at 3:25 PM on June 11, 2018
Can you record yourself humming it on Vocaroo?
posted by J.K. Seazer at 4:00 PM on June 11, 2018
posted by J.K. Seazer at 4:00 PM on June 11, 2018
Response by poster: Just a bit faster than Wandering Star. A similar volume and "feel" but more stripped-down. The note I've been referring to would fall on the same beat as the snare drum in Wandering Star.
I will try to get something recorded tonight. Thanks for the help so far, everyone!
posted by janerica at 4:32 PM on June 11, 2018
I will try to get something recorded tonight. Thanks for the help so far, everyone!
posted by janerica at 4:32 PM on June 11, 2018
Could it be something by the Chromatics?
posted by Grandysaur at 7:28 PM on June 11, 2018
posted by Grandysaur at 7:28 PM on June 11, 2018
Maybe We don’t deserve love, by Arcade Fire?
posted by His thoughts were red thoughts at 7:59 PM on June 11, 2018
posted by His thoughts were red thoughts at 7:59 PM on June 11, 2018
Response by poster: No luck so far, but thank you all for your suggestions!
Here is my best attempt to recreate the intro. The notes are probably not correct, and may actually be lower, but the interval between them is correct. Also it's kind of a slide up to each note but that was hard to reproduce, so on the guitar it sounds more like two notes in quick succession.
posted by janerica at 9:14 PM on June 11, 2018
Here is my best attempt to recreate the intro. The notes are probably not correct, and may actually be lower, but the interval between them is correct. Also it's kind of a slide up to each note but that was hard to reproduce, so on the guitar it sounds more like two notes in quick succession.
posted by janerica at 9:14 PM on June 11, 2018
Any idea when it’s from? A recent song? The mock up you played sounds like some things I listened to in the 90’s .
posted by greermahoney at 9:45 PM on June 11, 2018
posted by greermahoney at 9:45 PM on June 11, 2018
That kind of brought to mind Portishead or Hooverphonic.
posted by RobotVoodooPower at 11:10 PM on June 11, 2018 [1 favorite]
posted by RobotVoodooPower at 11:10 PM on June 11, 2018 [1 favorite]
Best answer: Phantogram "When I'm Small" thank you that is such an ear worm.
(Now if you can tell me what the cheesy "sexy sax" song is.... It is NOT Careless Whisper... it's been driving me nuts for a week)
posted by shalom at 12:58 AM on June 12, 2018
(Now if you can tell me what the cheesy "sexy sax" song is.... It is NOT Careless Whisper... it's been driving me nuts for a week)
posted by shalom at 12:58 AM on June 12, 2018
Response by poster: OMG YES!!! It's Phantogram "When I'm Small." Thank you shalom! I can finally stop thinking about this. And thank you everyone else for playing!
posted by janerica at 7:56 AM on June 12, 2018
posted by janerica at 7:56 AM on June 12, 2018
Esmeralda, YES, THANK YOU! I hummed it for my boss and coworker the other day and they looked at me like I had two heads, even though it’s definitely from “their era.” Glad to know I’m merely a terrible hummer, and not delusional after all.
posted by shalom at 11:32 PM on June 12, 2018
posted by shalom at 11:32 PM on June 12, 2018
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by koroshiya at 2:59 PM on June 11, 2018 [1 favorite]