What songs are *musically* similar to this song?
August 28, 2024 4:55 AM

What songs are musically similar to Born to Lead from the musical Operation Mincemeat? I'm looking for similar sounds/rhythms, not similar words/topics.

I'm looking for things that sound like this song, no matter what they're about - songs don't need to be about World War II or national jingoism or class differences, it's the musical sounds I'm interested in.
posted by chariot pulled by cassowaries to Media & Arts (12 answers total) 2 users marked this as a favorite
Jeff Wayne's War of the Worlds got the talky bits, the bombastic bits the banger bits. Gave me the same vibe.
posted by Iteki at 6:05 AM on August 28


Completely different instrumentation, but the melody and prosody in the verses reminds me strongly of Martin Simpson's Never Any Good.
posted by offog at 6:10 AM on August 28


Those opening two chords songs like a straight reference to Shirley Bassey's and John Barry's Goldfinger
posted by rongorongo at 7:03 AM on August 28


I would say there is also some sea shanty influence there - something like Blow the Man Down - and military marches like March of British Legion
posted by rongorongo at 8:18 AM on August 28




Fun - Some Nights has snare drums, trumpets, and a marching rhythm

Macklemore - Can't Hold Us, especially at the bridge (2:57), also has snare drums and trumpets

The Diggers Song is very similar harmonically to the verse at 2:18 in Born to Lead

Hamilton Soundtrack

Arrogant Worms - War of 1812

Arrogant Worms - Canada's Really Big
posted by danceswithlight at 12:11 PM on August 28




If it’s the bombastic, rock band with expanded instrumentation vibe you’re after, most of ELO (Electric Light Orchestra)’s output would fit the bill, e.g. Mr Blue Sky.
If it’s the jaunty heavily enunciated vocal delivery, agreed on the sea shanties rec above.
And yeah, that intro’s a straight up quote of the Goldfinger intro.
posted by threecheesetrees at 9:33 PM on August 28


… and extending in the bombastic ELO direction, I’d suggest Flaming Lips, and some of Sufjan Stevens’ output
posted by threecheesetrees at 9:36 PM on August 28


Gilbert and Sullivan may be another reference: I am the Captain of the Pinafore
posted by rongorongo at 11:49 PM on August 28


Much as I love Felix Hagan's songs, this one reminds me of a Matt Stone/Trey Parker from South Park: Bigger, Liver and Uncut as "What Would Brian Boitano Do?" Which also has the same energy as Book of Monmon's "A Mormon Just Believes" -- this written with Robert "triple EGOT" Lopez.
posted by k3ninho at 1:54 PM on August 29


It sort of reminds me of The Cog is Dead, or The Indelicates (that one might because they sing with the same accent).
posted by extramachine at 5:45 PM on August 29


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