# What are the itty-bitty bits you love in certain songs? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Tags:** music\ **Created:** [March 19, 2019, 2:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-itty-bitty-bits-you-love-in-certain-songs/831368 "2019-03-19T14:23:28Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 5
**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:** [March 25, 2019, 6:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-itty-bitty-bits-you-love-in-certain-songs/831368/81 "2019-03-25T18:59:47Z")
> [@LLCoolL](#): > > So they are strumming the strings and palming them with the same hand at the same time? Sounds difficult. The basics of palm-muting aren’t all that difficult, but doing it well does take some practice. I’m not a guitarist by any stretch (I just screw around on guitar–keys are my instrument), but I would expect any rock guitarist to be able to palm mute, as it is everywhere in rock music, and especially so heavy metal. As mentioned above, though, that’s the only way you can mute the strings. ---
**Author:** ![Reindeer\_Flotilla](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/reindeer_flotilla/32/3024_2.png) [@Reindeer\_Flotilla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Reindeer_Flotilla)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2019, 8:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-itty-bitty-bits-you-love-in-certain-songs/831368/82 "2019-03-25T20:30:57Z")
> [@Labtrash](#): > > I listen for “squeaks” from the re-positioning of the guitarist’s fingers. Is there a musical term for this? > > Notable squeaky songs would be Wish You Were Here, and Every Breath You Take. Lots more, but those are two of my favorites. I think the quintessential example of this is Brian May’s fretting at the end of ‘_We Will Rock You_’ from Queen. No cite (because I have none due to it’s probably not true), but I like to believe it is Rock and Rolls most obvious first example of this. It’s because as a kid it’s the first time I heard the effect and over the decades of listening to the song, that eighth note lead in squeak at the start of each measure just makes that guitar solo. ---
**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:** [March 25, 2019, 10:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-itty-bitty-bits-you-love-in-certain-songs/831368/83 "2019-03-25T22:38:34Z")
> [@pulykamell](#): > > As mentioned above, though, that’s the only way you can mute the strings. Ack!!! Missing word. “That’s **not** the only way you can mute the strings.” ---
**Author:** ![RTFirefly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c77e96/32.png) [@RTFirefly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RTFirefly)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2019, 11:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-itty-bitty-bits-you-love-in-certain-songs/831368/84 "2019-03-25T23:02:12Z")
Let’s see if I can do this: Beethoven’s [7th Symphony, 1st movement](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q5YhuIP_l9Y&t=4m10s): After an unusually long intro (which keeps on hinting that something big is coming), the main theme of the movement is finally introduced, starting at about the 4:15 mark. (If this works, the link should drop you in at 4:10.) But it’s just with some quiet woodwinds, then some violins. But towards the end of the first trip through the theme, the rest of the orchestra finally kicks in(~4:38-4:47), like a pitcher winding up for the pitch. Then (between 4:47 and 4:48) there’s the perfect brief pause, before Beethoven throws his best heater down the pike, and they’re off to the races. I love that buildup, and I _love_ that pause. And then - pure joy. ---
**Author:** ![blondebear](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/blondebear/32/1022_2.png) [@blondebear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/blondebear)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2019, 11:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-itty-bitty-bits-you-love-in-certain-songs/831368/85 "2019-03-25T23:08:02Z")
Lots of string squeaking on _Blackbird_. ---
**Author:** ![cmkeller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cmkeller/32/118_2.png) [@cmkeller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cmkeller)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2019, 3:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-itty-bitty-bits-you-love-in-certain-songs/831368/86 "2019-03-26T03:57:54Z")
Three personal favorites stick out for me: 1. In Adele’s “Set Fire to the Rain”, the part that starts “Sometimes I wake up by the door…” somehow, she rhymes “door”, “for you” (twice) and “over” and totally makes it work. I love that stanza. 2. In “Good Time” by Carly Rae Jepsen and Owl City, where Carly gives this “whooo!” right before the chorus. I love that bit. 3. This one is probably a bit obscure, but “Call Me When You’re Sober” by Evanescence. There’s a part, at the 2:50 mark, which starts “How could I…” the second time the lead singer sings the words “How could I” her voice does this “fluttering” thing on the “I” that really grabs my ears. I could play the whole song just to listen to that bit. ---
**Author:** ![Annie-Xmas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecc23a/32.png) [@Annie-Xmas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Annie-Xmas)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2019, 1:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-itty-bitty-bits-you-love-in-certain-songs/831368/87 "2019-03-26T13:26:33Z")
Speaking of Adele: In her song Rumor Has It, that crashing sound right after she signs the title words made me find out who was singing it. Rumor has it (crash) ---
**Author:** ![DCnDC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dcndc/32/2842_2.png) [@DCnDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DCnDC)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2019, 1:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-itty-bitty-bits-you-love-in-certain-songs/831368/88 "2019-03-26T13:36:34Z")
The short bridge in Sarah McLachlan’s “Adia” found right here is just brilliant: [Sarah McLachlan - Adia - YouTube](https://youtu.be/Q5wW8N4pt3U?t=3m18s) ---
**Author:** ![KneadToKnow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kneadtoknow/32/3999_2.png) [@KneadToKnow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KneadToKnow)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2019, 4:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-itty-bitty-bits-you-love-in-certain-songs/831368/89 "2019-03-26T16:20:11Z")
The last and first words of Pink Floyd’s _The Wall_. ---
**Author:** ![Annie-Xmas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecc23a/32.png) [@Annie-Xmas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Annie-Xmas)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2019, 4:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-itty-bitty-bits-you-love-in-certain-songs/831368/90 "2019-03-26T16:24:56Z")
The best use of the trumpet for a piano player goes to Stevie Wonder’s opening of “Sir Duke.” Just hearing that horn makes me stop and listen. ---
**Author:** ![RealityChuck](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/realitychuck/32/195_2.png) [@RealityChuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RealityChuck)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2019, 4:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-itty-bitty-bits-you-love-in-certain-songs/831368/91 "2019-03-26T16:48:43Z")
I love the false start in the Mamas and the Papas, “I Saw Her Again.” Denny had jumped it a bit early, singing the first three notes. They kept it in. ---
**Author:** ![Labtrash](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/labtrash/32/528_2.png) [@Labtrash](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Labtrash)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2019, 5:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-itty-bitty-bits-you-love-in-certain-songs/831368/92 "2019-03-26T17:07:43Z")
> [@KneadToKnow](#): > > The last and first words of Pink Floyd’s _The Wall_. “So…wall”? ---
**Author:** ![Clarisse\_McClellan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f0a364/32.png) [@Clarisse\_McClellan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Clarisse_McClellan)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2019, 5:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-itty-bitty-bits-you-love-in-certain-songs/831368/93 "2019-03-26T17:19:06Z")
Tom Petty’s Free Fallin’ Opening guitar riff but also “All the vampires walkin through the valley Move west down Ventura Boulevard” I look forward to the harmony in “Ventura Boulevard” every time. ---
**Author:** ![Covfefe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ee7513/32.png) [@Covfefe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Covfefe)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2019, 4:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-itty-bitty-bits-you-love-in-certain-songs/831368/94 "2019-03-28T04:32:01Z")
The moment the high octave harmonized backing vocals come in on the “So before it e-mails your grandmother…” line in Virus Alert by Weird Al ---
**Author:** ![Les\_Espaces\_Du\_Sommeil](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/les_espaces_du_sommeil/32/308_2.png) [@Les\_Espaces\_Du\_Sommeil](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Les_Espaces_Du_Sommeil)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2019, 11:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-itty-bitty-bits-you-love-in-certain-songs/831368/95 "2019-03-28T11:54:13Z")
> [@](#): > > Originally Posted by Annie-Xmas > Fleetwood Mac: On the first line of the chorus, the female voices sing “You can go your own way,” and the man kicks in “GO YOUR OWN WAY.” I love the way he sings it > [@Yorkshire\_Pudding](#): > > With you all the way. Add the descending bass line right afterwards and I’m with you, too. Actually, the whole bass line in the chorus is one of my favourites in rock : [driving but very melodic](https://youtu.be/4AmzUnClie8?t=28). ---
**Author:** ![Cuckoorex](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ad7895/32.png) [@Cuckoorex](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cuckoorex)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2019, 2:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-itty-bitty-bits-you-love-in-certain-songs/831368/96 "2019-03-28T14:15:14Z")
In Metallica’s “One”, when the guitar and bass fall silent and all you hear are the double-bass drums. Love that part. ---
**Author:** ![Annie-Xmas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecc23a/32.png) [@Annie-Xmas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Annie-Xmas)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2019, 5:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-itty-bitty-bits-you-love-in-certain-songs/831368/97 "2019-05-09T17:56:14Z")
The Who’s Who Are You has the amazing, beautifully sung “I really wanna know.” ---
**Author:** ![Jack\_Batty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jack_batty/32/3201_2.png) [@Jack\_Batty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jack_Batty)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2019, 6:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-itty-bitty-bits-you-love-in-certain-songs/831368/98 "2019-05-09T18:32:55Z")
Speaking of The Who, in “Won’t Get Fooled Again,” I love the part where, after Roger sings, “you know that the hypnotized never lie,” a few bars go by and Pete adds, “… do ya? …” ---
**Author:** ![ftg](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ftg/32/2801_2.png) [@ftg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ftg)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2019, 9:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-itty-bitty-bits-you-love-in-certain-songs/831368/99 "2019-05-09T21:50:32Z")
Just heard this again earlier today: [_Thorn in My Side_](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_AmkmqYEarw) by the Eurythmics. That “Yeah!” at the opening puts a good swerve into the song from the initial guitar chords, setting up the rest of the song. ---
**Author:** ![Annie-Xmas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecc23a/32.png) [@Annie-Xmas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Annie-Xmas)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2019, 2:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-itty-bitty-bits-you-love-in-certain-songs/831368/100 "2019-05-10T14:03:55Z")
I’ve yet to play Tom Paxton’s Jesus Christ SRO for anyone who doesn’t laugh at the last two word: Jesus, you’re the biggest star on Broadway And what a proper superstar you look A golden oldie, a blast from the past It’s great to see that you’ve come back at last And someday I just have to read (dramatic pause) The Book [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-itty-bitty-bits-you-love-in-certain-songs/831368.md?page=4) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-itty-bitty-bits-you-love-in-certain-songs/831368.md?page=6)