Atypical pop songs?

My choices are:

Mer Girl by Madonna

This song has raw lyrics, a narrative that is quite different from other pop songs, and a very slow dreamy pace with shifting moods.

Secret Garden by Madonna

This song's gloomy frantic jazz atmosphere is quite unusual for pop and it has the feel of spoken poetry.

Cyberagga by Madonna

This song doesn't even really sound like a pop song at all. It's pretty odd and it's rather chaotic sonically. The lyrics are not in English.

As for atypical pop songs that are actually famous (the three mentioned above were not singles), When Doves Cry by Prince. It's pretty unusual for a pop song not to have a bassline.

What are some rather atypical pop songs you've heard?

Does atypical mean that it is not typical?Lonelynight

Yeah. It means it is very much out of the ordinary.

Anything by Radiohead or Muse. lonewolf604

I don't really think of those two as pop, especially not their more atypical stuff. Like Pyramid Song or Reckoner or Idioteque. I would never consider that pop music. Maybe something like High and Dry, Fake Plastic Trees, or Creep could be considered pop alt rock.

[QUOTE="lonewolf604"]Anything by Radiohead or Muse. GreySeal9

I don't really think of those two as pop, especially not their more atypical stuff. Like Pyramid Song. I would never consider that pop music.

[QUOTE="GreySeal9"]

[QUOTE="lonewolf604"]Anything by Radiohead or Muse. lonewolf604

I don't really think of those two as pop, especially not their more atypical stuff. Like Pyramid Song. I would never consider that pop music.

Oh, OK. I get what you're saying: you're saying is that Radioheads hit songs are atypical in which case I'd agree for the most part.

Is Wuthering Heights a pop song? If it is (could never quite figure out if it is; Kate Bush is not really a pop artist after all), that song is pretty damn atypical.

I'd also like to add that any pop song by David Bowie is pretty atypical just because of the way that he sings.

The ch-ch-ch-changes thread make me think of him.

Gonna bump this one more time before letting it go to the graveyard of threads that nobody gave a **** about.

(Quite a few of my threads seem to end up there come to think of it. :lol: )

I've been digging some new stuff lately.. especially from a band called EYE EMMA JEDI (crazy name, yeah). The most pop of their songs is probably Lights (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7sQQ5nSbVJ0).Their songs are a kind of mix of different genres. Cool stuff..

I've been digging some new stuff lately.. especially from a band called EYE EMMA JEDI (crazy name, yeah). The most pop of their songs is probably Lights (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7sQQ5nSbVJ0).Their songs are a kind of mix of different genres. Cool stuff..

wapahala

It sounds kind of like what FallOut Boy (hope that doesn't offend you :P) would sound like if you sprinkled some 80sness on it. It sounds more mature than FallOut Boy tho.

Where to begin ? And once again POP must be determined, whether a song is POP at all when it is atypical ! or whether as in this case, the artist and not the song song determnes whether it is a POP song with atypical elements.

One can start a million places.

With the song "Human Behaviour"´

Bjork surprised the world in 1993 with an really unusual atypical song which actually was POP, both in melodic structures and in sales. Madonna noticed this and went on to hire BJORK as a writer for album "Bedtime Stories".

Where to begin ? And once again POP must be determined, whether a song is POP at all when it is atypical ! or whether as in this case, the artist and not the song song determnes whether it is a POP song with atypical elements.

One can start a million places.

With the song "Human Behaviour"´

Bjork surprised the world in 1993 with an really unusual atypical song which actually was POP, both in melodic structures and in sales. Madonna noticed this and went on to hire BJORK as a writer for album "Bedtime Stories".

digimonkey12

Just to be clear, Bjork was a co-writer on the song Bedtime Story, not the whole album, which is written mostly by Madonna and Babyface and Madonna and some others. That's why that song sticks out like a sore thumb on the album. But yes, you're right that Madonna was once influenced by Bjork.

Where to begin ? And once again POP must be determined, whether a song is POP at all when it is atypical ! or whether as in this case, the artist and not the song song determnes whether it is a POP song with atypical elements.

One can start a million places.

With the song "Human Behaviour"´

Bjork surprised the world in 1993 with an really unusual atypical song which actually was POP, both in melodic structures and in sales. Madonna noticed this and went on to hire BJORK as a writer for album "Bedtime Stories".

digimonkey12

BTW, listening to Human Behavior again, I'd love to hear how Bjork would interpret Bedtime Story. Her voice is really dynamic.

[QUOTE="digimonkey12"]

Where to begin ? And once again POP must be determined, whether a song is POP at all when it is atypical ! or whether as in this case, the artist and not the song song determnes whether it is a POP song with atypical elements.

One can start a million places.

With the song "Human Behaviour"´

Bjork surprised the world in 1993 with an really unusual atypical song which actually was POP, both in melodic structures and in sales. Madonna noticed this and went on to hire BJORK as a writer for album "Bedtime Stories".

GreySeal9

Just to be clear, Bjork was a co-writer on the song Bedtime Story, not the whole album, which is written mostly by Madonna and Babyface and Madonna and some others. That's why that song sticks out like a sore thumb on the album. But yes, you're right that Madonna was once influenced by Bjork.

I know this. It was just a short example.

Actually Bjork has interpreted a lot of unusual songs.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bi5f3TVhnoE

[QUOTE="GreySeal9"]

[QUOTE="digimonkey12"]

Where to begin ? And once again POP must be determined, whether a song is POP at all when it is atypical ! or whether as in this case, the artist and not the song song determnes whether it is a POP song with atypical elements.

One can start a million places.

With the song "Human Behaviour"´

Bjork surprised the world in 1993 with an really unusual atypical song which actually was POP, both in melodic structures and in sales. Madonna noticed this and went on to hire BJORK as a writer for album "Bedtime Stories".

digimonkey12

Just to be clear, Bjork was a co-writer on the song Bedtime Story, not the whole album, which is written mostly by Madonna and Babyface and Madonna and some others. That's why that song sticks out like a sore thumb on the album. But yes, you're right that Madonna was once influenced by Bjork.

I know this. It was just a short example.

Oh, OK. I guess I misinterpreted your syntax.

Actually Bjork has interpretated a lot of unusual songs.

digimonkey12

Oh yeah definitely. I would just be curious to hear how Bjork would sing the song that she wrote rather than Madonna. I'm guessing it would sound a bit more wild since Madonna's vocals are alot more "controlled" than Bjork's vocals.

I dont hear too much like BlondeRedhead(two links) or Inouwee.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bi5f3TVhnoEdigimonkey

That sounds really good. I almost like it as much as the original.

I'd also like to add that any pop song by David Bowie is pretty atypical just because of the way that he sings.

The ch-ch-ch-changes thread make me think of him.

GreySeal9

Btw, I actually enjoyed "Bedtime Stories" a lot when it came back in 1994.digimonkey12

Yeah. It had a really sexy vibe to it and has more warmth than Erotica, which was really weird, gritty and frigid (which I appreciated), but Bedtime Stories was definitely a smoother, more fluid listening experience.

[QUOTE="GreySeal9"]

I'd also like to add that any pop song by David Bowie is pretty atypical just because of the way that he sings.

The ch-ch-ch-changes thread make me think of him.

digimonkey12

He's one of those artists that put a unique stamp on everything. I don't listen to covers of his songs because to me, only he can do his songs justice.

I dont hear too much like BlondeRedhead(two links) or Inouwee.

Parandrus

The vocalist in the third link is really good. Cool video as well.

[QUOTE="digimonkey12"]Btw, I actually enjoyed "Bedtime Stories" a lot when it came back in 1994.GreySeal9

Yeah. It had a really sexy vibe to it and has more warmth than Erotica, which was really weird, gritty and frigid (which I appreciated), but Bedtime Stories was definitely a smoother, more fluid listening experience.

[QUOTE="GreySeal9"]

[QUOTE="digimonkey12"]Btw, I actually enjoyed "Bedtime Stories" a lot when it came back in 1994.digimonkey12

Yeah. It had a really sexy vibe to it and has more warmth than Erotica, which was really weird, gritty and frigid (which I appreciated), but Bedtime Stories was definitely a smoother, more fluid listening experience.

The R&B of the early/mid 90s was awesome. New Jack Swing is addictive.

[QUOTE="digimonkey12"][QUOTE="GreySeal9"]

Yeah. It had a really sexy vibe to it and has more warmth than Erotica, which was really weird, gritty and frigid (which I appreciated), but Bedtime Stories was definitely a smoother, more fluid listening experience.

GreySeal9

The R&B of the early/mid 90s was awesome. New Jack Swing is addictive.

Exactly !

Which "ties" everything up and brings us back to topic.

Ever heard the atypical R&b POP song with David Bowie "Black Tie White Noise" (featuring Al B. Sure! )

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sAzIatyxTlI

[QUOTE="GreySeal9"]

[QUOTE="digimonkey12"] Always been a fan of Madonna but at time I was particularly interested in "Bedtime Stores" because of "as you wrote" the involvement of Babyface. I was very much into the R&b at the time and the album ( as I remember ) was allmost looked upon as an R&b album.digimonkey12

The R&B of the early/mid 90s was awesome. New Jack Swing is addictive.

Exactly !

Which "ties" everything up and brings us back to topic.

Ever heard the atypical R&b POP song with David Bowie "Black Tie White Noise" (featuring Al B. Sure! )

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sAzIatyxTlI

No, I've never heard it. It ashames me to say it, but I don't have much experience with 90s Bowie.

Interesting song tho. There alot going on it it.

[QUOTE="digimonkey12"]

[QUOTE="GreySeal9"]

The R&B of the early/mid 90s was awesome. New Jack Swing is addictive.

GreySeal9

Exactly !

Which "ties" everything up and brings us back to topic.

Ever heard the atypical R&b POP song with David Bowie "Black Tie White Noise" (featuring Al B. Sure! )

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sAzIatyxTlI

No, I've never heard it. It ashames me to say it, but I don't have much experience with 90s Bowie.

Interesting song tho. There alot going on it it.

My favourite 90´s Bowie song ( because it reminds me of 70´s and 80´s Bowie ;o) )

"Strangers When We Meet"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tkwQHG3JSdg&feature=fvsr

[QUOTE="GreySeal9"]

[QUOTE="digimonkey12"]

Exactly !

Which "ties" everything up and brings us back to topic.

Ever heard the atypical R&b POP song with David Bowie "Black Tie White Noise" (featuring Al B. Sure! )

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sAzIatyxTlI

digimonkey12

No, I've never heard it. It ashames me to say it, but I don't have much experience with 90s Bowie.

Interesting song tho. There alot going on it it.

My favourite 90´s Bowie song ( because it reminds me of 70´s and 80´s Bowie ;o) )

"Strangers When We Meet"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tkwQHG3JSdg&feature=fvsr

Love the atmosphere of that one.

Sam Bayer ( The music video director ) + Bowie = Genius ;)

"Haysi Fantayzee - John Wayne is Big Leggy" comes to mind: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4tiVljIzsFg David Bowie is just amazing, I really can't say a whole lot else on top of that.Spitfirer

That song is a trip.

These Words - Natasha Bedingfield

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WIqxGp_Bmag

It's atypical because it's very raw, stripped down on the instuments, basic beat and a few strings and singing in a rather course female voice.

It's difficult to think of many since there is a fine line of what's atypical pop track and what's an indie track that just happened to hit the charts. If there even is such a border.

These Words - Natasha Bedingfield

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WIqxGp_Bmag

It's atypical because it's very raw, stripped down on the instuments, basic beat and a few strings and singing in a rather course female voice.

Evil_Saluki

Man, that sounds really freaking good. I love those stabs of synth and the strings.

I've never heard of that artist before.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O_e5oYqNRSM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O_e5oYqNRSM

PWSteal_Ldpinch

That wins the award for the campiest video ever.

Having discovered the Eurythmics and found a new favourite band, I decided to bump this thread with a few recommendations. Download and listen to the songs "She's Invisible Now", "Jennifer", "Who's That Girl and "I Could Give You a Mirror." I also recommend "Sweet Dreams" which is a famous hit you've all probably heard of at some point. They aren't all "weird" but they do deviate from your typical pop song.

Links:

She's Invisible Now - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1srLK0wItyI

Sweet Dreams -http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qeMFqkcPYcg&ob=av2e

Jennifer -http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qeMFqkcPYcg&ob=av2e

I Could Give You (A Mirror) -http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RCEmZpgOVx0

Who's That Girl -http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-5iDKWV6Chg&ob=av2e

Annie Lennox looks particularly beautiful in the above video.

As a bonus, I'll throw in Love Is A Stranger -http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o6f593X6rv8

Links:

She's Invisible Now - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1srLK0wItyI

Sweet Dreams -http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qeMFqkcPYcg&ob=av2e

Jennifer -http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qeMFqkcPYcg&ob=av2e

I Could Give You (A Mirror) -http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RCEmZpgOVx0

Who's That Girl -http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-5iDKWV6Chg&ob=av2e

Annie Lennox looks particularly beautiful in the above video.

As a bonus, I'll throw in Love Is A Stranger -http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o6f593X6rv8

Spitfirer

Thanks for taking the time to post all that. Those are some great songs, especially I Could Give You a Mirror (I have that one on replay). Of course I didn't bother listening to Sweet Dreams since I've heard that song God knows how many times. :P

Stillness Is the Move by Dirty Projectors is an odd pop song.krazykillaz

If this thread was a contest based on who could post the weirdest song, you would definitely win it. That song is very exotic.

two words: lady gaga.

:shock:

two words: lady gaga.

:shock:

FUloin33

If people were actually posting in this thread, you'd probably get flamed for that.

two words: lady gaga.:shock:FUloin33

This doesnt even make sense. What atypical pop songs have I heard? Atypical how? All of these awesome pop songs have great hooks, big choruses, a riff, a lyric that sticks out. Thats why theyre popular.

[QUOTE="FUloin33"]two words: lady gaga.:shock:Lonelynight

What a blanket statement... what is a "typical" pop sound? Do you mean structure? Do you even know how sophisticated her arrangements are? Or do you just see the name "lady gaga" and write her off?

Is everyone on this forum a anti-mainstream brat?