Who is Sam Smith and Tom Petty?
While Sam Smith and Tom Petty come from different musical backgrounds and generations, they share a common ability to connect with audiences through their authentic storytelling and memorable lyrics. Despite the differences in their musical styles, both artists have left a lasting impact on the music industry and continue to be respected by fans around the world.
One of Sam Smith's most popular songs is called, "Stay with Me." "Stay with Me," was released in 2014 as part of his debut studio album "In the Lonely Hour." In the lyrics, Sam Smith expresses a plea for companionship and emotional support, asking his partner to stay with him for a moment longer, even if their connection is only temporary.
"I Won't Back Down," by Tom Petty was released as the lead single from Petty's debut solo album, "Full Moon Fever," in 1989. It became one of Tom Petty's most iconic songs, reaching the top 20 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and receiving widespread acclaim from critics and fans. The song's message of resilience and determination resonates with listeners, making it an enduring anthem for anyone facing challenges or adversity.
"Stay With Me" by Sam Smith and "I Won't Back Down" by Tom Petty share a notable similarity in their melodic compositions, particularly in the main hook of each song. These two songs are a great example of Sellnow's musical ascription arguments. Here are some key aspects where the two songs intersect:
1.) Musical Structure
Both songs follow a relatively straightforward musical structure, with verses that lead into the memorable choruses containing the main hooks. This structure helps to emphasize the impact of the hook and reinforces its significance within the composition.
2.) Musical Hook
Both songs feature a prominent melodic hook that serves as the focal point of the composition. In "Stay With Me," Sam Smith's repeated plea of "Stay with me" forms the central pattern of the song. Similarly, Tom Petty's "I Won't Back Down" revolves around the defiant declaration of "Hey, baby, there ain't no easy way out, I won't back down."
What do you think, was it really just a coincidence of the two songs or do you think he did have some intent to "copy" his certain keys?
You've made a great case for the similarities between Sam Smith's "Stay With Me" and Tom Petty's "I Won't Back Down". But whether intentional or coincidental, based on Adorno's criticism of popular music, I think it could be just as likely that they stem from shared influences and universally marketed themes in music as much as a deliberate attempt to "copy" certain keys or melodies.
ReplyDeleteWow this was so well written. I definitely went and listened to both songs back to back and tried to see this illustrated. I don't think I would go as far as saying he had intent to copy but agree with Carol's comment above. There are influences and themes like Adorno talks about that can share influence without us intentionally being aware of it. This is a concept or question I would love to look deeper into.
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