I was listening to “Saint Augustine in Hell” by Sting the other day, a piece writting almost entirely in 7/4 time signature. Truly a great piece of music on what I consider to be Sting’s best album.
I thought it might be fun to put together a mix CD with “The Best of the Wierd Time Signatures” as its theme.
Top of the list for me would be St. Augustine Amazon Link
Other, very different in style but still good music, would be the theme from Deep Space 9 Link.
What else should go on this mix?
Take Five by Dave Brubeck.
Kashmir by Led Zep?
The Best I’ve ever heard was There Comes a Time by Gil Evans, if you’re into something jazzier. I have no idea what time signature it’s in. Drummer friends of mine couldn’t figure it out, either.
The original Mission: Impossible theme, not that bastardized version they did for the movie.
I rather like Solisbury Hill – Peter Gabriel
Most of the music of Tool, if you’re into something a bit more rock oriented, the songs “Money” by Pink Floyd, the song “Estimated Prophet” by the Grateful Dead both have really off kilter signatures that sound so natural that it’s hard to tell that they’re in funny times.
“The Ocean” by Led Zeppelin (15/8 in the instrumental parts, or 4/4 +7/8, depending on how you want to look at it).
“Money” by Pink Floyd (7/4).
I know the Beatles have at least one song that a few bars of 4/4, followed by a bar of 3/4, repeating in the verse, but I can’t think which song(s) off hand. The bridge to “Hear Comes the Sun” has the wacky 11/8, going into 4/4, going into 7/8.
Juliana Hatfield’s “Spin the Bottle” is completely in 5/4, and barely broke into the Top 40. (Nice little pop ditty, but not really “best music” category, like the above).
Smashing Pumpkin’s “Untitled” has much of the verse in 6/4, IIRC.
Arrghhh… That would be Solsbury Hill. Not to be confused with the steak…
I think that “Impression That I Get” by the Mighty Mighty Bosstones is in 5/4. I know it had to be something weird because we had a hell of a time trying to march to it.
"Apocalypse in 9/8" (from the Supper’s Ready suite on Foxtrot). Genesis when they were good (before Peter Gabriel left).
Sting is one of my favorite artists, and that is one of my favorite songs by him. Excellent choice!
I just had a listen to it. It’s all in 4/4. At the very very end of the song there’s a brief seque that lops off an eighth note, but the song is almost completely in a very quick 4/4.
All You Need Is Love.
Unsquare Dance - Dave Brubeck
Blue Rondo Ala Turk by Dave Brubeck. It’s done in 9/8 time.
&%$#
I came here to say that one, ya bastige.
We just did this one: Popular songs with unusual time signatures - Cafe Society - Straight Dope Message Board.
Half of the Rush catalog. A few Primus songs. Hey Ya! by Outkast is in 11 (8+6+8=22). The Rite of Spring by Igor Stravinsky is just nuts as is The Firebird. Some System of a Down songs I think. Mars, the Bringer of War by Holst is in 5/4.
I too came here to mention all my favorite “unsquare” Brubeck songs.
Seems I’m not the only Bru-booster!
Does Led Zeppelin’s “The Bridge” qualify?
Must have gotten my songs from that show confused. Might have been RX Bandits Sell You Beautiful?