There is no greater gift than group-singing a song to a loved one on the day of their birth. It’s too bad the only known Happy Birthday song is a slow waltz written 100 years ago that no one likes to sing. Perhaps this is because it’s too long. Might we simply cut this 8-bar waltz in half?
Ah! That’s better. Almost like the bumper on a radio station. And now back to our regular atonal chit-chat…
For the people’s credit, the “8-bar Happy Birthday” is really hard to sing, and it’s not like there’s a grand piano in every household anymore to help you find the key. The first chord of this song is made dissonant by a passing note in the melody; the “birth” (E note). This creates an unstable G major Sixth chord (G, B, D, E).
Trying singing that shit in tune with your flat family.
All the melodic jumps in the B-day song are quite tricky too. Best to stick with the 4-bar version and blow out them candles Prestissimo.
But let’s please keep this cheeky little melody around…
Who can resist the deliciously mocking tone of the G Dominant Seventh?
“Many More” is derived from “Rhapsody in Blue” by Gershwin. You can hear the theme towards the beginning (at 00:55), played on the piano. It’s also the last thing played before the big crash at the end.
Gee, I wish human life were more musical. All I hear is the 2-note songs of birds, and the 1-note drones of machines.
No, that is not my wish. I’m not telling…
But it certainly involves Animal Liberation and Kid’s Rights.
So…
Happy Birthday to me. Happy Birthday to you.
