Why Modern Pop All Sounds The Same

Summary

Key Points

• The video introduces a YouTube trend called the "Gen Alpha Melody," which features a recurring melodic phrase across various popular songs. 0:09
• The original "Gen Alpha Melody" video isolates vocals and places them over a simple, repetitive diatonic chord progression (4-5-1-6 in E-flat major). 1:04
• Beato explains that while the melody is recycled, the original songs often use different and more complex chord progressions, which significantly impacts the melody's relationship to the harmony. 1:35
• Rick Beato quickly identifies this melody as originating from the 1965 Beatles song "It's Only Love" by John Lennon, labeling it a "Boomer melody" instead of "Gen Alpha." 2:01
• Beato emphasizes that harmony is crucial for making a melody interesting, comparing it to an "ocean" that a melody "sets sail upon," and highlights the difference between diatonic and chromatic harmony. 3:41
• The video concludes by asserting that sophisticated harmony, rather than just the melody itself, is what truly makes a musical piece interesting and memorable. 4:21
• John Lennon's original "It's Only Love" features a far more sophisticated and interesting chord progression, including a key change and chromaticism, making the melody more engaging. 4:37
• He illustrates the power of chromaticism in harmony with examples like John Williams' "Imperial March" from Star Wars, which uses chords from different keys. 4:37
• Another example of a popular song with a sophisticated, chromatic chord progression and melody is Nirvana's "Smells Like Teen Spirit," which utilizes borrowed chords and key changes. 7:21