Listening Journal:
Four Songs of You
Kaylee Davis
MUSC103: Music Appreciation
April 12, 2023
Listening Journal
Entry 1
“Joan Jett - I Love Rock 'n' Roll.” 2009. YouTube. YouTube. September 22.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iC8oP4Z_xPw.
Analysis
Sound: The first way to describe sound is through texture. In this piece the most prominent
instruments were vocals, electric guitar, drums, and bass. These instruments were used most
often throughout the piece. Most of the time, all these instruments played a main melody
together, creating a homophonic texture. However, there is a guitar rift from about 1:38 to 1:50.
During this time, the other instruments continue to play the melody while the electric guitar plays
the rift. During the pre-chorus, only the vocals and drums are present. An example of this can be
heard form about 1:30 to 1:40. The sound of the instruments together made the song more
interesting and created a feeling of happiness and energy. In this song, I think the most enjoyable
part to play would be the guitar rift I mentioned above. It adds uniqueness to the song and sounds
cool. Another way to describe sound is through timbre. The vocals in this song can be described
as gritty. The electric guitars create an edgy/buzzing sound. The drums sound like stomps and
claps. Dynamics can also be used to describe the sound of this song. Throughout the verses and
pre-chorus, the sound is a steady in between. During the chorus, the sound becomes louder. The
song also picks up pace during the chorus.
Melody: The melody of this song is very memorable and singable. Most of the time, the electric
guitars, drums, bass, and vocals played together to create the melody. There was a consistent
melody throughout the piece. When the song was over, I was easily able to hum the melody as it
is very catchy. The notes of the melody were close together, which created a conjunct melodic
contour.
Rhythm: I would say this piece is rhythmically smooth. This is because the tempo and rhythm
stay consistent throughout the song for the most part. The rhythm that can be heard in the
instrumental from 0:01 to about 0:15 is repeated throughout the song. The rhythmic element of
this piece made me feel happy. I think this is because the rhythm of the song is constant and
upbeat.
Entry 2
“Stand in Your Love (Official Lyric Video) - Bethel Music & Josh Baldwin | Victory.” 2019.
YouTube. YouTube. January 25. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MHLEZzyAZrI.
Analysis
Sound: The most prominent instruments in this piece were vocals, guitar, bass, piano, and
drums. The vocals can be described as “raspy.” The guitar is hollow and ringing. This can be
heard from about 0:01 to 0:12. During this time, the bass can also be heard making a throaty
sound. The piano created a bright accenting sound. The drums can be described as “thumping.”
During the majority of the song, all these instruments play together and accent each other. There
is a brief time from 2:25 to 2:40 where the sound consists of just the vocals, drums, and guitar
and the rest of the instruments fade out. There was one main melody with harmony, which
created a homophonic texture. The beginning of this song was calm and soft. This changes at
about 0:39 and the dynamic becomes a bit choppier and more energetic. The dynamic shifts
again around the 2:00 mark and the vocals become louder, and harmony comes in. The overall
sound flows up and down dynamically which creates a calm and happy feeling. I think the most
enjoyable part to play in this song would be the piano because it accents everything else and
makes such a bright, fluttery sound.
Melody: The melody of this peace was smooth. Most of the time, the melody was played by the
piano, guitar, and drums, and bass. I was able to sing the melody to myself after listening to the
song. The notes of the melody moved by both steps and leaps at time, creating a combination
melodic contour.
Form: In this song, there was verse one, chorus, verse two, chorus, bridge, chorus. This
alternation between verse and chorus creates an AB, or binary, form.
Entry 3
“Blackbird (Remastered 2009).” 2018. YouTube. YouTube. June 17.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?
v=Man4Xw8Xypo&list=RDMan4Xw8Xypo&start_radio=1.
Analysis
Sound: This song consists of vocals, acoustic guitar, a recording of tapping, and blackbird
sounds. All these instruments are used together throughout the entire song. The vocals are very
clean. The guitar can be described as light. The tapping is consistent throughout the song. The
usage of the blackbird sounds creates a peaceful feeling and adds a uniqueness to the piece. The
vocals and the accompaniment of the acoustic guitar and recorded sounds play one main melody
to create a homophonic texture. The dynamics of the piece remain steadily soft throughout the
song for the most part. There is one main melody played by the vocals and guitar throughout the
song which creates a homophonic texture. I think the guitar would be the most enjoyable part to
play because although it sounds simple and light, the technique used to create the sound is
complex. I think it would be a fun challenge to try to recreate the guitar in this piece.
Melody: The melodic material of this piece is smooth and rhythmic. The vocals and guitar make up
the melody throughout the song. There was one main melody throughout the piece. This song is
very singable and memorable. The notes of the melody were close together and moved in steps
most of the time which created a conjunct melodic contour.
Rhythm: I would say this piece is rhythmically smooth because it keeps a consistent rhythm and
tempo throughout the song. The Rhythmic activity remains constant throughout the piece. The
recording of the thumping is played throughout the song and keeps the beat and rhythm constant.
This piece can be categorized as allegro. The beat is fast but steady. The overall rhythm of this
piece makes the listener feel peaceful and hopeful.
Entry 4:
“You Say (Official Audio) - Lauren Daigle.” 2018. YouTube. YouTube. July 16.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WK9wevdVniA.
Analysis:
Sound: The most prominent instruments in this song are vocals, piano, strings, drums, and
instruments in the brass family such as the French horn. The vocals start out gravelly and then
become clear and crisp. There are also some harmonizing and background vocals scattered
throughout the song. An example of this can be heard from 1:30 to 1:40. The piano sounds warm
and mellow. The strings in this song bring a powerful sound to the piece. The drums come in at
around 1:45 and have a steady, booming sound. The brass family instruments sound bright. This
piece has a homophonic texture with one main melody, vocals, and accompanying instruments.
The vocals are steady during the verses and get louder during the chorus. From 2:50 until about
3:15, the song slows down and all the instruments except for the piano and brass instruments
fade out. This part of the song is the most powerful in my opinion. I think the vocals would be
the most enjoyable part of this song to perform because of the emotion and power behind them.
Rhythm: The rhythm stays consistent throughout the song. The piano repeats the same notes
consistently, which helps keep the rhythm. The rhythm and overall tempo of the song does
change in verse 3. This goes from about 2:53 until about 3:20. During this time, the piano slows
down and only plays a couple of notes while. After this, the piano goes back to playing and
keeping the same rhythm as before. This piece can be categorized as Adagio, or slow. It’s almost
like a ballad. The rhythm of this song makes the me as a listener feel calm.
Form: The structure of this song consists of verse one, chorus, verse two, chorus, verse three,
chorus, ending. It is written in AB, or binary, form because it alternates between verse and
chorus.
