Snippets of Rock Culture: An Ode to the Little Things
It’s not what you put into it. It’s what you leave out.
Listen to Marvin Gaye — a song like “What’s Happening, Brother.” There’s a single “woo!” at the end of the second verse. That’s what you remember.
It’s the little things, the silly things, the mistakes! There’s only one of them and it makes the song. It’s what you leave out.
That’s rock ‘n’ roll. It’s what you leave out.
- a scene from Almost Famous1
It’s the little, undefined snippets of popular culture that enables us to joyfully sprint back to the same creative work time and time again. Often we become frustrated–at loss of words–when we describe why we enjoy a certain song, movie or painting so deeply, simply because the reasoning exists in what we naturally overlook.
That’s because it’s the peculiarity, not the seeming perfection, that is easily missed. It’s the jagged, bleeding edge, not the smoothness of sound, that we tend to ignore. And, I believe when the artist’s intention is questioned the quality of the work has reached it’s peak.
In effort to define my favorite little things that rock, I’ve tracked back through history. I hope you enjoy these embedded songs in their whole, and pay special attention to the snippets I’ve picked out as what makes them special. I’ve named each snippet, followed by the time in the song when it occurs.
Here is my salute, and ode to the little things:
Its-Not-My-Cross-To-Bear.mp3Album: The Allman Brothers Band | Moment: “The Echo” at 4:25
Duane Allman cries behind the blaring guitars and drums, echoing each musical syllable with his own voice.
01-St.-Stephen.mp3Album: Aoxomoxoa | Moment: “The Scream” at 3:40
Jerry Garcia let’s out a high and happy scream prior to the final, fluent jam of the track.
1-08-Happiness-Is-A-Warm-Gun.mp3Album: The White Album | Moment: “The Transition” at 1:35
A dark, musical transition, composed by John Lennon, where the song feels like it breaks into two parts.
01-And-She-Was.mp3Album: Little Creatures | Moment: “The Hey” at 2:13
David Byrne releases an enthusiastic wail in perfect alignment with the electric music.
02-What-Goes-On-1.mp3Album: The Velvet Underground | Moment: “The Solo” at 1:07
Lou Reed breaks from the verse to let Sterling Morrison take lead on the drained, off-key, but awesome guitar solo.
–
The insecurity in any creative piece is often what is most attractive. It’s the little things, the silly things and the mistakes, that makes us return. The beauty is in what was not written, and what was not intended. The burst of life, especially in music, is what makes it soulful enough to revisit.
Listen to the music and pick out your own. Because, that’s rock ‘n roll.
- As a side note, Bill Simmons recently wrote two pieces quoting Almost Famous in relation to the NBA. [↩]
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