Assignment 23 - Maddie Klumb

Playlist of Interesting Songs to Dance to:
None of these songs would be traditionally chosen to dance to, but I find the possibilities these songs hold interesting. This playlist transitions in and out of slow and fast songs and ultimately leaves the reader with a happy, upbeat feeling.

1)  I See Fire - Ed Sheeran
     Dance style that would be used with this piece : contemporary
This song has an eerie and haunting tone to the words and several sharp accents consistently in the music that could be used to create really cool effects. I like that you can clearly hear the guitar in the background and it isn't drowned out by his voice. Placing this song first opens on a peaceful, and is easy to listen to rather than throwing listeners directly into the fast paced songs.

2) Secrets - One Republic
     Dance style that would be used with this piece : contemporary
I really enjoy the opening of this song and the prominent role the cello plays in setting the pace for the song. It creates a lull and steady builds until the tone of the song changes. The cello drops back and a strong beat is added. This creates more space in the song. As the song continues successive layers are added creating the feeling of progress. Placing this song after I See Fire allows the mood to build from slow and calm in the beginning to explosive and more technical.

3) White Winter Hymnal - Pentatonix
    Dance style that would be used with this piece : lyrical
This song starts with a simple repeated beat and builds into a complex pattern of beats and voices. I like that if you listen carefully you can hear each individual clap and snap creating the sound. There is a moment in the song of complete silence and I love that it is used as a tool to draw the attention of the listeners. This song has a sad and gory message, but is sung in an upbeat and interesting way. I also like that the last two things you hear are the same beats as the beginning, tying it in a pretty bow. Placing this song after Secrets continues the layering theme and face pace.

4) Guns and Ships (Hamilton) - Lin-Manuel Miranda
    Dance style that would be used with this piece : tap
The music is fast paced and contains many tempo changes and accents that could be used for tap. Also, the call and response of the song and tempo changes creates interesting pockets and patterns that would be interesting to explore. This song does have some layering, but not as much as the two before it. This song also helps transition from the fast and loud to the slower and calmer songs to come.

5) Piano Man - Billy Joel
    Dance style that would be used with this piece : tap
The last song ends with a long, drawn out note accompanied by piano, and this one opens with a riff. Placing this song after Guns and Ships allows the tempo to be dialed back to a slower pace, and the mood to be shifted to more melancholy. I love the shared emphasis of Billy Joel's voice and the instrumentation of this song. This is a slower paced song than some on the playlist, but also carries a light, bouncing feel juxtaposing the melancholy lyrics and situation described.

6) I Won't Give Up - Jason Mraz
    Dance style that would be used with this piece : lyrical
The slow end to Piano Man before allows the steady, slow pace of this song to fit in and not seem odd or out of place. I like the message this song carries of patience, acceptance and fighting for what you care for. That is why you would have a lyrical piece to this music. I also like that there are moments in this song that are different and exciting, and some that are slow and calming.

7) Hallelujah - Jeff Buckley
    Dance style that would be used with this piece : lyrical
I love that this song transitions from a melancholy almost dragging pace and tone to a powerful, soulful one. Placing this song after I Won't Give Up continues the slow pace and builds off the interesting moments in the song before. I love the way Jeff Buckley builds some notes and drags others out. You can feel the emotion he feels when he sings this song, the reason for a lyrical piece.

8) Bohemian Rhapsody - Queen
     Dance style that would be used with this piece : production(tap, lyrical and jazz)
This song is placed here in the playlist to lighten the mood and transition back to faster paced songs. The quick shifts between style, tempos, and tone helps accomplish this. I love this song because it tells a story in a interesting compilation of several styles and movements. The song starts as a ballad and transitions to a rock song complete with a guitar solo. This would be a production because of the diverse styles of the sections. Begin with lyrical, transition to jazz, to tap, then back to jazz then back to lyrical.

9) Dollhouse - Melanie Martinez
     Dance style that would be used with this piece : contemporary
As Bohemian Rhapsody draws to a close it shifts back to a slow and simple ballad. This song plays off of this calling back to earlier layering and slow to fast tempos. I like the background beats prevalent in this song and the interesting noises like a clock. The lyrics of this song are weird and quirky; a satirical commentary on society. I like the interesting choices Melanie Martinez makes in this song. There are several places where the beat is suspended and the song almost hovers before restarting, creating an interesting dynamic.

10) Nancy Mulligan - Ed Sheeran
      Dance style that would be used with this piece : tap
The slow pace of the end of Dollhouse contrasts with the immediately fast pace of this song. This song has interesting layering and predominate moments with an Irish fiddle. I love the interesting feel this song caries and the story told through the song. Placing this song last leaves the listener with a positive and upbeat mood with a positive story and outcome. This song carries a jovial and community feel that I enjoy and want to be able to keep even after listening to this playlist.