113. FRANK ZAPPA: Plastic People
A detailed analysis of the above Frank Zappa composition.
Plastic People
LYRICS
Drum roll
Fellow Americans
The opening notes of "Louie Louie" are splotched unevenly across our sonic canvas -- the guitar is out of sync with the vocal
He's been sick
then the chords get tighter but with sharply focused dissonances added.
Plastic people
This rubato-soaked section is played in perfect sync, and we know that -- no matter how goofy things "seem" to be -- this is SERIOUS business!
I know it's hard to defend
Listen for smooth sax/guitar unisons...
And there's this guy from the CIA
...and meanderings
Fine little girl
Again the stopping and starting, so typical of the classical oratorio form
Now you're such a drag
Again some gorgeous noodling in sax/guitar with heavy tremolo
I hear the sound of marching feet
Interesting random-sounding accompaniment
Take the day
Urgency in the vocal delivery (quasi-Sprechstimme [see "Hungry Freaks, Daddy" from Freak Out!]) Equal to the forceful lyric
You're such a drag
Into 3/4. We've already discussed what a wonderful natural knack FZ had for composing in this meter. Does the beginning of this short 3/4 section remind you of other FZ compositions in three?
Me see a neon
Back to 4/4. After the verse, listen to how the music is layered -- first a sax, FZ's voice
Plastic people
Ray's rap, another voice in the background, some Spanish, vegetable discussion, Purple Prancing -- ending with
bee-bee-bee-bee-bip
Next track
Plastic People
LYRICS
Other Official Versions:
Mothermania (1969)
You Can't Do That On Stage Anymore, Vol. 1 (1988)
Mystery Disc (1998)
Joe's Corsage (2004)
Understanding America (2012)
Mothermania (1969)
You Can't Do That On Stage Anymore, Vol. 1 (1988)
Mystery Disc (1998)
Joe's Corsage (2004)
Understanding America (2012)
Drum rollFellow Americans
The opening notes of "Louie Louie" are splotched unevenly across our sonic canvas -- the guitar is out of sync with the vocal
He's been sick
then the chords get tighter but with sharply focused dissonances added.
Plastic people
This rubato-soaked section is played in perfect sync, and we know that -- no matter how goofy things "seem" to be -- this is SERIOUS business!
I know it's hard to defend
Listen for smooth sax/guitar unisons...
And there's this guy from the CIA
...and meanderings
Fine little girl
Again the stopping and starting, so typical of the classical oratorio form
Now you're such a drag
Again some gorgeous noodling in sax/guitar with heavy tremolo
I hear the sound of marching feet
Interesting random-sounding accompaniment
Take the day
Urgency in the vocal delivery (quasi-Sprechstimme [see "Hungry Freaks, Daddy" from Freak Out!]) Equal to the forceful lyric
You're such a drag
Into 3/4. We've already discussed what a wonderful natural knack FZ had for composing in this meter. Does the beginning of this short 3/4 section remind you of other FZ compositions in three?
Me see a neon
Back to 4/4. After the verse, listen to how the music is layered -- first a sax, FZ's voice
Plastic people
Ray's rap, another voice in the background, some Spanish, vegetable discussion, Purple Prancing -- ending with
bee-bee-bee-bee-bip
Next track
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