I listen primarily to Classical, and of course two of his biggest hits were lifted straight out of Rachmaninov pieces, so I just kind of had him pegged as some plagiarizing low life. Later he became a meme between my wife and I, because if one of us had to beg off some obligation that we had to leave the other spouse to fulfill, the stuck spouse would sing “I’ll have to go all by myself…”
I finally Googled him not long ago and he at least was up front about his borrowings, apparently having stemmed by a real love of Rachmaninov. Not that he could have denied it because they are so blatant, and yes must have profited quite handsomely, but his heart was in the right place.
my condolences to his family. the rasberries were pretty great and "let's pretend" and "go all the way" are power pop classics. that said, he stuck in more chords per stanza than anyone i've ever heard and (especially considering my muscial ineptitude) i found his songs almost impossible to play.
@loomisjohnson: For a song in which the chords fly by at a brisk pace, give "This Whole World" by Brian Wilson a listen. It's found on The Beach Boys Sunflower album, and is exhilarating!
The wife and I are streaming all his hits now in honor of his life. Since we need be somewhere in about 30 minutes, it will be perfect timing. All kidding aside, We are singing along. I love Rachmaninov’s Piano Concerto No.2 and every time I hear it, I sing along...
@bdp24i just checked out "this whole world" and the chords do fly by, but there's only 7 or so different ones--"let's pretend" has something like 20. "if i fell" by the beatles (13 chords) is another one that changes in a flash. i personally struggle with more than 3.
@loomisjohnson: Wow, I'll have to give "Let's Pretend" a listen. Nashville songwriter Harlan Howard ("I Fall To Pieces" being one he wrote) coined the term "Three chords and the truth" to describe Country music songs.
The Raspberries wore matching suits and were unashamedly a Pop Group during the 1970's, when both were considered uncool in the world of Rock music.
Celine Dion took a beautiful Eric Carmen song that borrowed heavily from Rachmaninov and reduced it to soppy, cheesy milquetoast for soccer moms.
“Let’s Pretend” has 10 chords, btw.
No, I was just acknowledging that at least his most famous song can bum you out depending on your mood. But C'mon! I'm not the only psycho that listens to music for that express purpose, no?
News of his death saddened me more than that song ever did; that's all.
...just read a piece of ’long form poetry’ that kinda speaks to this....*interrupt*....that of the hyphen between when born and died. What does the hyphen allude to?
A long story for a little rectangle.
We’re all kinda left in this little quandary, of what could be said in short of any and all....
At least, Eric seems to have some fans tonight...;)
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