# Song-melding **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [January 22, 2018, 3:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/song-melding/807177 "2018-01-22T03:23:05Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Guest-starring\_Id](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guest-starring_id/32/21736_2.png) [@Guest-starring\_Id](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guest-starring_Id)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2018, 3:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/song-melding/807177/1 "2018-01-22T03:23:05Z")
In what might turn out to be another one of my classic goose egg threads, here I’m looking for examples of songs people meld together when they’re running songs through their head. Alas - where you come to a part in a song that sounds like the part in a different song, then, boom - marriage. There’s just _no country way_ I’ll believe I’m the only one who’s doing that. (_caring_ about it, though - possibly a different matter.:p) (And not that the melded parts need to match up precisely, note by note, beat by beat, obviously…just “in the neighbourhood” is good enough, so that the melded parts at least have _some_ similarity to each other to make them meld-able.) First two examples, of which there’s more, but I’ll be a cruel tease for now: 1. After Kool and the Gang yell “Come On!”, the rhythm guitar, at [1:33,](https://youtu.be/3GwjfUFyY6M?t=92) melds right into… [Steve Howe’s guitar (1:47)](https://youtu.be/-Tdu4uKSZ3M?t=107) after Anderson yells “In and around the lake” in _Roundabout_. 2. After Roger Hodgson says “You’re coming along” in _School_, I always imagine the outro burst at [5:18](https://youtu.be/_rZ6SexrGZc?t=318) melding into the epic [4:21 end](https://youtu.be/53Dh-I0_m5Y?t=261) of _St. Pepper’s._ And if someone’s brilliant enough to actually edit these mind-melds together… That would be an incredibly beautiful thing. ---
**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:** [January 22, 2018, 3:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/song-melding/807177/2 "2018-01-22T03:43:04Z")
Yes, I definitely got one of those! Every time I hear Fleetwood Mac’s “The Chain” – not so much in my head but on the radio – even though I definitely know it’s “The Chain,” I want to meld that guitar intro with Bon Jovi’s “Dead or Alive.” (Or maybe it’s the other way 'round. I just can’t help but concatenate those two songs.) ---
**Author:** ![Guest-starring\_Id](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guest-starring_id/32/21736_2.png) [@Guest-starring\_Id](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guest-starring_Id)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2018, 4:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/song-melding/807177/3 "2018-01-22T04:40:57Z")
> [@pulykamell](#): > > concatenate Huh. I’ve never come across that word before. To string things or words together - neat. Thanks! Song-concatenating. Yeah I can totally see how the guitars in those songs meld. Or I mean how mean how they concatenate.😃 The opening riff from [Joe Walsh’s “Life’s Been Good”](https://youtu.be/BXWvKDSwvls?t=7) always steers me right into this opening [Zep riff](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s8e6VZTDBvs) ---
**Author:** ![Lamoral](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lamoral/32/16078_2.png) [@Lamoral](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lamoral)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2018, 5:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/song-melding/807177/4 "2018-01-22T05:04:22Z")
Elvis Costello’s first album, _My Aim Is True,_ has three songs that are so similar that I always get them confused. [Blame It On Cain](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qynbbfC7J5U) [Sneaky Feelings](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pn07wvtlHuY) [Pay It Back](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1asxLvC3_uo) The latter two are more similar to each other than to the first, but all three of them have enough common elements that I half- expect the hook from one to pop up in another if I’m listening to it. ---
**Author:** ![Guest-starring\_Id](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guest-starring_id/32/21736_2.png) [@Guest-starring\_Id](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guest-starring_Id)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2018, 7:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/song-melding/807177/5 "2018-01-22T07:46:12Z")
> [@Jacquernagy](#): > > Elvis Costello’s first album, _My Aim Is True,_ has three songs that are so similar that I always get them confused. > > [Blame It On Cain](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qynbbfC7J5U) > > [Sneaky Feelings](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pn07wvtlHuY) > > [Pay It Back](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1asxLvC3_uo) > > The latter two are more similar to each other than to the first, but all three of them have enough common elements that I half- expect the hook from one to pop up in another if I’m listening to it. Been a couple decades, but yes all three of them - Declan’s _stellar_ songwriting career notwithstanding - do seem similar, especially the first two, while the first half of “Pay it Back” less so, the latter half, more so, I thought. The guitar in this passage by the [Jesus Lizard](https://youtu.be/U6U1YtKGMHA?t=1727) always hearkens me vaguely back to this part in [“Boris the Spider”.](https://youtu.be/bvFuUaCe8eY?t=9) ---
**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:** [January 22, 2018, 9:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/song-melding/807177/6 "2018-01-22T09:20:21Z")
> [@pulykamell](#): > > (Or maybe it’s the other way 'round. I just can’t help but concatenate those two songs.) Now that I play it in my head, it is the other way around. You know how the beginning of “Dead or Alive” has that descending riff that’s played twice, and then it goes into the little bluesy-country bending guitar figure? [It’s at 0:17 here](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SRvCvsRp5ho). Well, every time I hear that intro, at that point in the riff, I _always_ sing to myself “Listen to the wind blow…” ---
**Author:** ![Hampshire](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hampshire/32/4887_2.png) [@Hampshire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hampshire)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2018, 3:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/song-melding/807177/7 "2018-01-22T15:59:28Z")
On Bon Jovi’s _Who Says You Can’t Go Home_ whenever they hit the refrain of “WHO-says… you can’t go hooooome” I always hear “CU-pid… draw back your booooow” ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2018, 4:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/song-melding/807177/8 "2018-01-22T16:45:27Z")
I’ve noticed this with some of Andrew Lloyd Weber’s work. _I have a gumby cat in mind, Her name is Jenny Anydots. Pharaoh has it in for you, Your execution date is set_ ---
**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:** [January 22, 2018, 4:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/song-melding/807177/9 "2018-01-22T16:53:06Z")
This one probably doesn’t count, as it’s essentially the same song, but I always jumble up the lyrics of Chuck Berry’s “School Days” with “No Particular Place to Go.” : “Working your fingers right down to the bone, with no particular place to go!” Wait, that’s not right. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Max\_Torque](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e9bcb4/32.png) [@Max\_Torque](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Max_Torque)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2018, 5:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/song-melding/807177/10 "2018-01-22T17:31:40Z")
I don’t know if it’s the peppy little beat or what, but the refrain of Shawn Mendez’s “Stitches” always puts me in mind of the Austin Powers theme song. ---
**Author:** ![Temporary\_Name](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/8c91f0/32.png) [@Temporary\_Name](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Temporary_Name)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2018, 7:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/song-melding/807177/11 "2018-01-22T19:11:25Z")
They don’t sound identical, but I believe they are the same lick. Starting at about 2:22 of Led Zeppelin’s Babe I’m Gonna Leave you is (I believe) the same lick as the opening riff of Chicago’s 25 Or 6 To 4. Pink Floyd uses the exact same lick in one of their songs too but I do not recall which one or where it occurs. After watching the documentary on The Wrecking Crew, I am not surprised when different groups sound similar; although these groups were known for playing their own instruments and writing their own material. They also might have been after the time frame when the Wrecking Crew musicians were in their most productive years. When I was working on construction crews back in the late 70’s and early 80’s we used to kid that they all had the same guitar teacher. Links: [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/UyOg0mt2R2k/maxresdefault.jpg "Babe I'm Gonna Leave You (Remaster)") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UyOg0mt2R2k) [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/iUAYeN3Rp2E/maxresdefault.jpg "Chicago - 25 Or 6 To 4 (HD)") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iUAYeN3Rp2E) The two pieces of music that always remind me of the other, apparently no one else in the world can hear any connection. They are: the Main Theme from The West Wing, and Bach’s Invention # 1 in C Major. I cannot pinpoint a note for note duplication, but I never hear one without thinking of the other. I feel like the Bach was playing in the lobby when Snuffy Walden was waiting for an elevator to the studio where he wrote the West Wing Theme. Or maybe he was giving his nephew a piano lesson the day before he wrote the theme. I will include the links, but I will also explain that when I used to hear Invention # 1, it was played MUCH slower than this guy plays it- less than half as fast. It was played at exactly 30 beats per minute because that is the slowest setting with four beats on my kid’s metronome. The two pieces of music remind me of each other, and I think the one influenced or somehow inspired the other (with fewer flourishes and more stately brass). Links: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JivPEYjYd20 ---
**Author:** ![Guest-starring\_Id](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guest-starring_id/32/21736_2.png) [@Guest-starring\_Id](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guest-starring_Id)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2018, 10:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/song-melding/807177/12 "2018-01-22T22:40:48Z")
> [@Temporary\_Name](#): > > They don’t sound identical, but I believe they are the same lick. Starting at about 2:22 of Led Zeppelin’s Babe I’m Gonna Leave you is (I believe) the same lick as the opening riff of Chicago’s 25 Or 6 To 4. Pink Floyd uses the exact same lick in one of their songs too but I do not recall which one or where it occurs. After watching the documentary on The Wrecking Crew, I am not surprised when different groups sound similar; although these groups were known for playing their own instruments and writing their own material. They also might have been after the time frame when the Wrecking Crew musicians were in their most productive years. When I was working on construction crews back in the late 70’s and early 80’s we used to kid that they all had the same guitar teacher. Links: > > [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UyOg0mt2R2k](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UyOg0mt2R2k) > [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iUAYeN3Rp2E](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iUAYeN3Rp2E) Ah yes - I was trying to remember that one. Even when I was a kid, I’d mention that to people and they were like “huh?”, so I’m finally glad I’m not the only one who saw that. The Zep link, btw, didn’t work - hopefully this one will: [https://youtu.be/wrUZJMksPCg?t=141](https://youtu.be/wrUZJMksPCg?t=141) \< (interesting cover, that!) [Badfinger](https://youtu.be/XonFZjuyc6E?t=9) melds right into [Joe Jackson](https://youtu.be/n7IGRNWVQkc?t=9) ---
**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:** [January 22, 2018, 10:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/song-melding/807177/13 "2018-01-22T22:55:07Z")
> [@Temporary\_Name](#): > > The two pieces of music that always remind me of the other, apparently no one else in the world can hear any connection. Yeah, you got me on those, too. I’m very familiar with Invention #1 (I still could probably play at least the first few bars from memory) but I can’t hear any similarity with the West Wing theme. ---
**Author:** ![Temporary\_Name](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/8c91f0/32.png) [@Temporary\_Name](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Temporary_Name)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2018, 11:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/song-melding/807177/14 "2018-01-22T23:25:15Z")
> [@pulykamell](#): > > Yeah, you got me on those, too. I’m very familiar with Invention #1 (I still could probably play at least the first few bars from memory) but I can’t hear any similarity with the West Wing theme. Yes, I know. No one else can hear it and to me it is very obvious. When I try to find some metric to demonstrate why I link the two in my mind, the best I can offer is they both have sixteenth notes and are both relatively short. ---
**Author:** ![Temporary\_Name](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/8c91f0/32.png) [@Temporary\_Name](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Temporary_Name)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2018, 11:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/song-melding/807177/15 "2018-01-22T23:30:24Z")
> [@Guest-starring\_Id](#): > > Ah yes - I was trying to remember that one. Even when I was a kid, I’d mention that to people and they were like “huh?”, so I’m finally glad I’m not the only one who saw that. The Zep link, btw, didn’t work - hopefully this one will: > [https://youtu.be/wrUZJMksPCg?t=141](https://youtu.be/wrUZJMksPCg?t=141) \< (interesting cover, that!) > [Badfinger](https://youtu.be/XonFZjuyc6E?t=9) melds right into [Joe Jackson](https://youtu.be/n7IGRNWVQkc?t=9) Do you, or does anyone recall the Pink Floyd tune with that same lick? I know it exists, in fact it resembles the Zeppelin more than the Chicago does if I recall correctly. The one time I wish my brother was easier to reach, and where is he? (out of reach) ---
**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:** [January 22, 2018, 11:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/song-melding/807177/16 "2018-01-22T23:44:32Z")
> [@Temporary\_Name](#): > > Yes, I know. No one else can hear it and to me it is very obvious. When I try to find some metric to demonstrate why I link the two in my mind, the best I can offer is they both have sixteenth notes and are both relatively short. To me, the West Wing theme is somewhat reminiscent of Gustav Holst’s “Jupiter” [at this part](https://youtu.be/L6NopU9K_8M?t=183). ---
**Author:** ![drad\_dog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/aeb1de/32.png) [@drad\_dog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drad_dog)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2018, 12:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/song-melding/807177/17 "2018-01-23T00:17:50Z")
These two pieces of music share a melody line. [Current NPR All Things Considered Theme - YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qkq5CFGOBH4) (All things considered) [Paul McCartney - I Will - YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JGnNQM_9q-w) (I will) ---
**Author:** ![Temporary\_Name](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/8c91f0/32.png) [@Temporary\_Name](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Temporary_Name)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2018, 1:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/song-melding/807177/18 "2018-01-23T01:19:06Z")
> [@pulykamell](#): > > To me, the West Wing theme is somewhat reminiscent of Gustav Holst’s “Jupiter” [at this part](https://youtu.be/L6NopU9K_8M?t=183). I listened to it earlier and couldn’t get it. Just tried it again, but it is far too distracting here right now. I will give it another listen when it is quieter in my world. If I am not able to hear the connection, I will defer to your expertise. ---
**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:** [January 23, 2018, 1:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/song-melding/807177/19 "2018-01-23T01:26:36Z")
> [@Temporary\_Name](#): > > I listened to it earlier and couldn’t get it. Just tried it again, but it is far too distracting here right now. I will give it another listen when it is quieter in my world. If I am not able to hear the connection, I will defer to your expertise. Oh, I’m not saying at all that it’s _that_ similar. It’s just kinda sorta reminiscent. ---
**Author:** ![Guest-starring\_Id](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guest-starring_id/32/21736_2.png) [@Guest-starring\_Id](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guest-starring_Id)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2018, 2:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/song-melding/807177/20 "2018-01-23T02:33:59Z")
> [@Temporary\_Name](#): > > Do you, or does anyone recall the Pink Floyd tune with that same lick? I know it exists, in fact it resembles the Zeppelin more than the Chicago does if I recall correctly. The one time I wish my brother was easier to reach, and where is he? (out of reach) Ya got me. Something off _Meddle_? [Melissa Manchester](https://youtu.be/c1BTURu7oAc?t=44) congealing into [Madonna](https://youtu.be/6p-lDYPR2P8?t=58) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/song-melding/807177.md?page=2)