# Pop music using Classical-style songs. Examples, please? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [April 12, 2005, 11:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pop-music-using-classical-style-songs-examples-please/299037 "2005-04-12T23:21:47Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Scott\_Plaid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/258eb7/32.png) [@Scott\_Plaid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scott_Plaid)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2005, 11:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pop-music-using-classical-style-songs-examples-please/299037/1 "2005-04-12T23:21:47Z")
I was just watching a fantastic fan made music video of Revolutionary Girl Utena, [http://videos.shoujoai.com/vids/GravityOfLove.mpg](http://videos.shoujoai.com/vids/GravityOfLove.mpg) and I noticed that it used the song “Gravity Of Love” by [Enigma](http://www.enigmamusic.com/index.shtml), which itself used parts of the national Tuna Counsel’s theme song, Oh, for Tuna. (O Fortuna) Any other songs that used classical music? P.S. 750 results came up when I searched classical +pop, so if this has been addressed before, I’m sorry. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2005, 11:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pop-music-using-classical-style-songs-examples-please/299037/2 "2005-04-12T23:42:12Z")
> [@Scott\_plaid](#): > > I was just watching a fantastic fan made music video of Revolutionary Girl Utena, [http://videos.shoujoai.com/vids/GravityOfLove.mpg](http://videos.shoujoai.com/vids/GravityOfLove.mpg) and I noticed that it used the song “Gravity Of Love” by [Enigma](http://www.enigmamusic.com/index.shtml), which itself used parts of > the national Tuna Counsel’s theme song, Oh, for Tuna. (O Fortuna) > > Any other songs that used classical music? > > P.S. 750 results came up when I searched classical +pop, so if this has been addressed before, I’m sorry. There’s that 60s tune by The Toys, “A Lover’s Concerto,” which is pretty much completely Bach’s Minuet in G from the Anna Magdalena Notebook adapted to words and a Motown beat. ---
**Author:** ![bienville](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/4bbf92/32.png) [@bienville](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bienville)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2005, 11:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pop-music-using-classical-style-songs-examples-please/299037/3 "2005-04-12T23:48:37Z")
There’s that Billy Joel song, I think it’s called “This Night”, anyway it’s got doo wop style verses but the refrain is lifted note per note from some Beethoven piece. I’m sure someone will step in soon to name the Beethoven piece. The Billy joel song came to mind immediately when I saw the Thread title. ---
**Author:** ![pinkfreud](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pinkfreud/32/17603_2.png) [@pinkfreud](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pinkfreud)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2005, 11:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pop-music-using-classical-style-songs-examples-please/299037/4 "2005-04-12T23:49:18Z")
A couple of oldies: “Stranger in Paradise” (Polovetzian Dances from Borodin’s “Prince Igor”) “Hello Muddah, Hello Faddah” (Dance of the Hours from Ponchielli’s “La Gioconda”) ---
**Author:** ![bienville](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/4bbf92/32.png) [@bienville](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bienville)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2005, 11:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pop-music-using-classical-style-songs-examples-please/299037/5 "2005-04-12T23:53:51Z")
Also, I don’t know if Tom Lehrer is Pop, and I don’t know if Gilbert and Sullivan are Classical (actually, I know that neither are either), but there’s Tom’s song “The Elements” based on G&S’s “Modern Major General”. ---
**Author:** ![Kamino\_Neko](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kamino_neko/32/34_2.png) [@Kamino\_Neko](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kamino_Neko)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2005, 12:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pop-music-using-classical-style-songs-examples-please/299037/6 "2005-04-13T00:00:48Z")
The one that came immediately to mind was Prozzak’s It’s Not Me It’s You, which is to Dance of the Sugarplum Fairies. ---
**Author:** ![Dahnlor](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dahnlor/32/533_2.png) [@Dahnlor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dahnlor)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2005, 12:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pop-music-using-classical-style-songs-examples-please/299037/7 "2005-04-13T00:04:01Z")
[Hooked on Classics](http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B000063T50/qid=1113350675/sr=8-1/ref=pd_csp_1/103-0896777-0511856?v=glance&s=classical&n=507846) ---
**Author:** ![Arhat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/45deac/32.png) [@Arhat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Arhat)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2005, 12:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pop-music-using-classical-style-songs-examples-please/299037/8 "2005-04-13T00:05:15Z")
Elvis - “It’s Now or Never” is based on “O Solo Mio” Eric Carmen did a couple based on Rachmaninov works: “All By Myself” from Piano Concerto No. 2 and “Never Gonna Fall in Love Again” from Symphony No. 2 ---
**Author:** ![Kilvert\_s\_Pagan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/c37758/32.png) [@Kilvert\_s\_Pagan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kilvert_s_Pagan)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2005, 1:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pop-music-using-classical-style-songs-examples-please/299037/9 "2005-04-13T01:23:34Z")
**Could It Be Magic** by Barry Manilow used Chopin. Groups like Emerson Lake & Palmer in the 70’s used/stole tons of classical music, but seldom did they segue into what would be considered pop music. the group Renaissance made a living of it but none of this cracked the Top 40. ---
**Author:** ![Zsofia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/7bcc69/32.png) [@Zsofia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zsofia)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2005, 1:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pop-music-using-classical-style-songs-examples-please/299037/10 "2005-04-13T01:29:37Z")
“Whiter Shade of Pale” quotes Bach (is it Air on the G String?) ---
**Author:** ![Smeghead](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f1d935/32.png) [@Smeghead](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smeghead)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2005, 2:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pop-music-using-classical-style-songs-examples-please/299037/11 "2005-04-13T02:02:09Z")
Blues Traveler’s “Hook” is set to Pachelbel’s Canon. ---
**Author:** ![Scott\_Plaid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/258eb7/32.png) [@Scott\_Plaid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scott_Plaid)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2005, 2:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pop-music-using-classical-style-songs-examples-please/299037/12 "2005-04-13T02:07:17Z")
This has got to be the fastest growing thread I have ever created. Thanks, every body! ---
**Author:** ![ddgryphon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/8c91f0/32.png) [@ddgryphon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ddgryphon)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2005, 2:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pop-music-using-classical-style-songs-examples-please/299037/13 "2005-04-13T02:07:35Z")
> [@Smeghead](#): > > Blues Traveler’s “Hook” is set to Pachelbel’s Canon. So was something by Vitamin C – remeber her, I thought not. Anyway her one hit wonder was based on Pachebel’s Canon. ---
**Author:** ![MovieMogul](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f08c70/32.png) [@MovieMogul](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MovieMogul)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2005, 2:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pop-music-using-classical-style-songs-examples-please/299037/14 "2005-04-13T02:15:46Z")
The background music for Sting’s “Russians” is Prokofiev’s _Lt. Kije Suite_. ---
**Author:** ![Laughing\_Lagomorph](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/6bbea6/32.png) [@Laughing\_Lagomorph](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Laughing_Lagomorph)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2005, 2:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pop-music-using-classical-style-songs-examples-please/299037/15 "2005-04-13T02:15:47Z")
> [@Smeghead](#): > > Blues Traveler’s “Hook” is set to Pachelbel’s Canon. :smack: THAT’S why that song seemed instantly familiar! ---
**Author:** ![dotchan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/9d8465/32.png) [@dotchan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dotchan)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2005, 2:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pop-music-using-classical-style-songs-examples-please/299037/16 "2005-04-13T02:21:10Z")
(Ob-anime) The ending theme of _Dragon Half_ (called “My Omlette”, IIRC) uses Beethoven to hilarious effect. (/Ob-anime) ---
**Author:** ![Lamia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/8e7dd6/32.png) [@Lamia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lamia)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2005, 2:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pop-music-using-classical-style-songs-examples-please/299037/17 "2005-04-13T02:34:44Z")
Spinal Tap’s “Heavy Duty” makes use of the minuet from Boccherini’s “String Quintet in E major”. ---
**Author:** ![ZeroGyro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/e47774/32.png) [@ZeroGyro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZeroGyro)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2005, 3:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pop-music-using-classical-style-songs-examples-please/299037/18 "2005-04-13T03:02:10Z")
> [@ddgryphon](#): > > So was something by Vitamin C – remeber her, I thought not. Anyway her one hit wonder was based on Pachebel’s Canon. I think her song was “Graduation Day” or something. Parliament did their own soul-ified version called “Oh Lord Why Lord” on _Osmium_. ---
**Author:** ![buns3000](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/c89c15/32.png) [@buns3000](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/buns3000)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2005, 3:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pop-music-using-classical-style-songs-examples-please/299037/19 "2005-04-13T03:45:47Z")
The Beach Boys used Ode to Joy (Bach) as the basis of their song _Lady Linda_ on the abominable _M.I.U_ album. ---
**Author:** ![Scott\_Plaid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/258eb7/32.png) [@Scott\_Plaid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scott_Plaid)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2005, 4:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pop-music-using-classical-style-songs-examples-please/299037/20 "2005-04-13T04:07:51Z")
You Know, I think that it is a real nice, list, but I think actually hearing th tunes would be nicer, so I am linking the first few posts to [amazon.com](http://amazon.com) recording of each song. I will try to get more tomorow. Unfortunatley, I used to have a recording of Beethovens 9th, from Dragfon Half, but I can’t find it now, but I do recall it. Thank you, dotchan for refreshing my memories. > [@pulykamell](#): > > [The Toys](http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B000003GXV/qid=1113364231/sr=2-1/ref=pd_bbs_b_2_1/103-4354292-3285452) , “A Lover’s Concerto,” which is pretty much completely Bach’s Minuet in G from the Anna Magdalena Notebook adapted to words and a Motown beat. bienville: [Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony wit special preformer, Billy Joel.](http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B00000DCHI/qid=1113364829/sr=8-1/ref=__1/103-4354292-3285452?v=glance&s=music) pinkfreud: [pinkfreud](http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/search-handle-form/ref=dp_sr_00/103-4354292-3285452)? That can’t be it. pinkfreud & bienville: [Tom Lehrer](http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/search-handle-form/ref=dp_sr_00/103-4354292-3285452) Tengu: [Prozzak’s It’s Not Me It’s You](http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B000063VEU/qid=1113365144/sr=2-2/ref=pd_bbs_b_2_2/103-4354292-3285452) Dahnlor already did the work for me. [Hooked on Classics](http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B000063T50/qid=1113350675/sr=8-1/ref=pd_csp_1/103-0896777-0511856?v=glance&s=classical&n=507846)Well, that’s all for now. Goodnight. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pop-music-using-classical-style-songs-examples-please/299037.md?page=2)