If you one of those people who think classical music boring and prefer listen to only Pop music, you may change your mind because probably you’ve been listening to Classical music this whole time without even knowing it.
Let’s take for example popular musicians of 20th and 21st centuries who’ve been influenced by classical music and have used it in their songs;
Most pop songs are based on few chord sequences that were used by classical composers of the 18th century; like Bach, Beethoven, Mozart, or Haydn in their music.
Although instruments, style, and performance of modern artists make them original, the chords and sequences they use have been around for a very long time. Billy Joel, The Beatles, Janet Jackson, Alicia Keys , Pet Shop Boys, Adel , Era , Evanescence, Muse, Elvis Presley, Beyonce, Bright Eyes, En Vogue, Barry Manilow, Apollo 100, John Denver, Jem, Kelis, Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross, Nina Simone, Queen, Radiohead, Sting, The Ventures, Muse, Glenn Miller
In truth, a list can go on …
We’re going to look at only
1. Alicia Keys – As I Am (Intro) and Frederic Chopin – Nocturne No. 20 in C sharp minor.
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2. The Beatles- Because and Ludwig van Beethoven –Moonlight Sonata
One day Yoko Ono John Lennon’s wife who is a professional pianist played Beethoven’s Moonlight Sonata. John Lennon was inspired by music and asked her to play the chords backward. That’s how the song “Because” was created around asimilar chord progression.
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3. Evanescence -Lacrymosa and Mozart -Requiem Mass in Dm Lacrymosa Dies Illa
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4. Muse – United States of Eurasia and Frederic Chopin – Nocturne In E Flat Major, Op.9 No.2
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By now, you’re probably convinced that artists of all styles make the most interesting adaptations of classical music in their original compositions.
In fact, almost everywhere you turn, classical music is there, in harmony, melody, or in the background of pop, rock, hip-hop, new age music, and more.
You can call it whatever you want; stealing, adopting, being inspired by it, music recycling, or paying tribute, but Classical music will always inspire artists of all times and styles.
Thank you for reading