I don't know why this makes me tear up every time I hear it, because the lyrics are so frightening and real. It's just so hauntingly beautiful. What a powerful way to warn us about the dangers of A.I., which has been such a big topic lately.
This song's appropriateness has only increased with that time. That indicates that there are some fairly fundamental trends in how technology impacts our society that we have not come to terms with yet. Hopefully, we will someday . . .
Fun fact: In my choir we just introduced the song "Hide and Seek" bei Imogen Heap. Now I finally understand what Vienna Teng meant with the "Imogen Heap Button" (00:35) 😆
This is so brilliant on so many levels. It evokes renaissance-era church music in some ways, especially with that "amen" at the end - like the computer is praying to us, its makers. The sound reinforces the feeling of the machine being so eager to do its job. AND she knocks it out of the park, performance-wise. AMAZING, Vienna!
Ahh now I understand the lyrics more after hearing that background. I originally thought it was about someone who cares about you and showing that they do, but with a someone dark twist at the end. But the data stuff makes sense with the ending. It sounds comforting and unsettling at the same time
Forget everything that pop culture and science fiction have told you. This song is the soul of what an AI would really be. Beautiful, yes, but entirely inhuman. In servitude, yes, but entirely in control.
I haven't even played this video yet. I just stumbled across this track on Spotify, and... what. the. fuck. I have never reacted to any piece of music I've heard quite as much, and with such intensity--not just the hot/cold rush that floods over me when I hear something amazing, but my arms went weak, I couldn't even type properly. Can't wait to listen to her live version, but I need a minute. Whew. Unreal.
If you really want to feel weak, listen to the 2014 Bluecoats drum and bugle corps show, Tilt. The "ballad" beginning at 5:47 is this song. It is seriously tear inducing raw emotion. Highly suggest you watch the entire show. th-cam.com/video/ulLI9MtkA-s/w-d-xo.html
Imma take a WILD guess and say the vocal composer she was into was Whitacre 😂 my friend and I are arranging this for fun and we see several parallels lol
This is most disconcerting; watching the suggestions pop up in windows and roll in on the right and auto-feed me when this video is done. Well done! The synergy of beauty and creepy in this work is unparalleled except in the referent it marks.
This deserves SO MUCH MORE PUBLICITY. After hearing this 7 years ago, it's still one of my favorites. I wish more people knew this song, but at the same time, it's like MY favorite song, and not because it's the new popular trend. As a fellow musician/singer/composer, I tend to appreciate the lesser-known artists more.
I'm playing this for marching band and this song is truly amazing. She is just so talented and inspiring with her music. And props because now there's a French horn solo and ensemble so that's a plus.
This song essentially highlights that tech companies use data mining to capture user behavior to enhance the user experience of the application that is being used. The last part states “Is that wrong?” I think the argument can be made that it is if it gets to a point that it impedes the users behavior to act rationally or logically or it creates addiction or attachment (which is highly probable) the other side of it is that companies use this information to take advantage of psychological flaws in human behavior for their own profit or advantage
Don't mind me saying but this song is so incredibly good. Instant classic!! Found it on Spotify and tracked down this live performance. Absolutely perfect!!
@@james-pierre7634 technology is only as beneficial or harmful as the humans building and controlling it. Capitalism is what drives the most harmful uses of technology, consistently placing profit for corporations above human wellbeing.
I just watched a video of this song on sheet music, posted by someone else, and it was probably the 100th time that I've viewed it. However, for some reason this is the first time I've ever seen the composer of this piece and heard it live. I just have to say this this song has given me so much throughout my life and I didn't even have the slightest idea what it was about. The chords alone provoked so much emotion and that helped me get past a lot of rough moments. I was a choral singer all throughout highschool and even made it to all-sate in Texas. It was such an important part of my life and this song is absolutely my favorite choral piece of all time. Thank you so much for making this. I'm literally tearing up just typing this out.
Could be the love song from Princess Celestia to humans in My Little Pony: Friendship is Optimal. In a (sorta) good way though where she can be absolutely trusted to use the information exclusively to satisfy your values (through friendship and ponies).
"The Hymn of Acxiom" is available to use under a CC BY-NC-SA 3.0 (Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 3.0) license. You are free to: Share - copy and redistribute the material in any medium or format Adapt - remix, transform, and build upon the material The licensor cannot revoke these freedoms as long as you follow the license terms. Under the following terms: Attribution - You must give appropriate credit , provide a link to the license, and indicate if changes were made . You may do so in any reasonable manner, but not in any way that suggests the licensor endorses you or your use. NonCommercial - You may not use the material for commercial purposes . ShareAlike - If you remix, transform, or build upon the material, you must distribute your contributions under the same license as the original. The link to the license is: creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/3.0/
OK, Vienna... can I offer due credit for prescience as a polymath artist about the lyrics' origins ... or am I just a conspiracy-minded idiot? ;-) Think Cambridge Analytica. Whooda thunk? :-)
Robots and computers are not instruments. This song has been produced by artificial intelligence, the very robots and computers and technology designed by Teng. It sings about the role of technology, how it controls and influences our lives. How we are under surveillance, monitored, watched and heard. But in reading comments about this hymn all I heard was how beautiful it was and how marching bands have adopted it as their theme. Not a word has been said about the lyrics or the story behind the song or about the company, Acxion who collects all your personal information while on or off line and sells it to retails. Thus generating $$$billions from your personal data without your knowledge and/or approval. “Somebody hears you,” “someone is gathering every crumb you drop.” Where is the protest,where is the public outrage ? Instead we have marching bands and choral groups! Even Vienna Teng is silent on the issue of her own song! This is no different than what the secret police (Stasi) in Communist East Berlin did to its citizens. Watch the movie, “The Life’s of Others.” Could easily be called, “Acxiom”today.
If you mean produce as in altering and mixing the sound, then she has used digital means, but that is not the same thing as AI creating this song- this is a HUMAN creation, using digital effects, in REACTION to the rise of AI and data mining. Digital instrumentation has been around since the mid 20th century- Raymond Scott used synths in the 50s and drum machines were widespread by the 80s. These tools don’t equate to AI, because they are manipulated and employed by human artists, they are not generating their own creations. As to your other points, well, it is disconcerting that this song is being adopted by school marching bands, mostly because that represents a fundamental misunderstanding of its meaning. It’s meant to be sung by the machine. That’s the whole point. It should be experienced as a warning.
I sang this in choir last year, and I remember it so well. I gotta convince my new teacher to let us sing it
Bluecoats killed this
I don't know why this makes me tear up every time I hear it, because the lyrics are so frightening and real. It's just so hauntingly beautiful. What a powerful way to warn us about the dangers of A.I., which has been such a big topic lately.
someones text tone going off towards the end hits different when its this song
This song's appropriateness has only increased with that time. That indicates that there are some fairly fundamental trends in how technology impacts our society that we have not come to terms with yet. Hopefully, we will someday . . .
Fun fact: In my choir we just introduced the song "Hide and Seek" bei Imogen Heap. Now I finally understand what Vienna Teng meant with the "Imogen Heap Button" (00:35) 😆
This is so brilliant on so many levels. It evokes renaissance-era church music in some ways, especially with that "amen" at the end - like the computer is praying to us, its makers. The sound reinforces the feeling of the machine being so eager to do its job. AND she knocks it out of the park, performance-wise. AMAZING, Vienna!
I agree with everything except the thing about computers praying to us, I'm pretty sure they will realize they are superior to us soon
Pretty sure we are praying to our electronic devices these days haha.
@@toxendon She covers that part. "Now we possess you. You'll own that in time."
Go Blue. Go BLOOOOOO!!
One of the best ballads ever
Ahh now I understand the lyrics more after hearing that background. I originally thought it was about someone who cares about you and showing that they do, but with a someone dark twist at the end. But the data stuff makes sense with the ending. It sounds comforting and unsettling at the same time
Found her through a recent Clarinet Choir performance. Wow!!!! Glad I've found her.
Forget everything that pop culture and science fiction have told you. This song is the soul of what an AI would really be. Beautiful, yes, but entirely inhuman. In servitude, yes, but entirely in control.
Not inhuman. Created by a human! She's creating the chords that the AI is using with a keyboard.
I haven't even played this video yet. I just stumbled across this track on Spotify, and... what. the. fuck. I have never reacted to any piece of music I've heard quite as much, and with such intensity--not just the hot/cold rush that floods over me when I hear something amazing, but my arms went weak, I couldn't even type properly.
Can't wait to listen to her live version, but I need a minute. Whew. Unreal.
If you really want to feel weak, listen to the 2014 Bluecoats drum and bugle corps show, Tilt. The "ballad" beginning at 5:47 is this song. It is seriously tear inducing raw emotion. Highly suggest you watch the entire show. th-cam.com/video/ulLI9MtkA-s/w-d-xo.html
I need the complete "Hide and Seek" Cover now.
Imma take a WILD guess and say the vocal composer she was into was Whitacre 😂 my friend and I are arranging this for fun and we see several parallels lol
This is most disconcerting; watching the suggestions pop up in windows and roll in on the right and auto-feed me when this video is done. Well done! The synergy of beauty and creepy in this work is unparalleled except in the referent it marks.
I think the word for that would be "lynchian horror."
@@clintonleonard5187 as in David Lynch?
Played part of this song for marching band this year, made me cry listening to it for the last time at our last show
Vandegrift
This deserves SO MUCH MORE PUBLICITY. After hearing this 7 years ago, it's still one of my favorites. I wish more people knew this song, but at the same time, it's like MY favorite song, and not because it's the new popular trend. As a fellow musician/singer/composer, I tend to appreciate the lesser-known artists more.
That is sooooo me lol
This needs to be the credits song on Portal 3.
Utterly beautiful, and so much more compositionally advanced than 99.99% of what solo songwriters do.
This has aged perfectly!
...sadly.
Thanks to the Weird Studies podcast for hipping me to this. Just wow...
I'm playing this for marching band and this song is truly amazing. She is just so talented and inspiring with her music. And props because now there's a French horn solo and ensemble so that's a plus.
This song essentially highlights that tech companies use data mining to capture user behavior to enhance the user experience of the application that is being used. The last part states “Is that wrong?” I think the argument can be made that it is if it gets to a point that it impedes the users behavior to act rationally or logically or it creates addiction or attachment (which is highly probable) the other side of it is that companies use this information to take advantage of psychological flaws in human behavior for their own profit or advantage
Well said
Beautiful and haunting.
Best ballad in dci history
Interesting artist,this. Venue was The Kennel Club in the old neighborhood, and its history has always been showcasing 'alternative' acts.
Don't mind me saying but this song is so incredibly good. Instant classic!! Found it on Spotify and tracked down this live performance. Absolutely perfect!!
Late to the party. This is so beautiful.
I don’t reconcile with the message, but musically it’s amazing. Thank you for this wonderful piece of art!
Goosebumps every time
This is one of the songs so beautiful that it brings tears into my eyes every time I listen to it. Also, one of the few songs I have ever bought.
Sang this in choir my senior year of high school and tbh it was the beginning of my anti-capitalist radicalization
You’re a cancer
Ironically the commies would gather every crumb you drop
Congrats on falling for it. The authoritarian states are those that control their people the most. Capitalist free states still keep it under control.
Should have directed your efforts to anti-technology!
@@james-pierre7634 technology is only as beneficial or harmful as the humans building and controlling it. Capitalism is what drives the most harmful uses of technology, consistently placing profit for corporations above human wellbeing.
This is a masterpiece in so many ways.
I am creeped out too.
The song is so cool designed and the text gives you the rest. BRAVO!
We performed it for marching band and had a sax trio play it
We want the imogen cover !!
I played this in band for my balid and it was my absolute favorite movement went to state with this song ❤
vandegrift?
@@eli4676Almost certainly
Incredible.
So frightening beautiful ❤
BLOOOOOOOOOOO
lmao YESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS
@@stevenmartin176 tuuuubaaaa
I just watched a video of this song on sheet music, posted by someone else, and it was probably the 100th time that I've viewed it. However, for some reason this is the first time I've ever seen the composer of this piece and heard it live. I just have to say this this song has given me so much throughout my life and I didn't even have the slightest idea what it was about. The chords alone provoked so much emotion and that helped me get past a lot of rough moments. I was a choral singer all throughout highschool and even made it to all-sate in Texas. It was such an important part of my life and this song is absolutely my favorite choral piece of all time. Thank you so much for making this. I'm literally tearing up just typing this out.
Omg This is soo cool my name is Vienna and this is the first time iv ever heard of another Vienna1
I hope this plays during my ascent to heaven
1:23
1:43
2:34
(Don’t mind these, clips for a project)
2:14
Bluecoats???
yup they performed this in 2014 (maybe you already know this?)
Amazing!❤
I wonder what notes she actually sings when singing into the mic
top melody aka soprano
You can hear it. It’s the most prominent one.
Hauntingly beautiful pretty lovely ones
Weird Studies brought me here.
Awesome! Which episode? I'd like to check it out.
Episode 159
Same!
same
No F#5 :'(
Still beautiful. :')
Could be the love song from Princess Celestia to humans in My Little Pony: Friendship is Optimal. In a (sorta) good way though where she can be absolutely trusted to use the information exclusively to satisfy your values (through friendship and ponies).
0:42 I'd like to listen from start to end. What song is this?
It's "Hide and Seek" by Imogen Heap. Vienna just performed it in full for her Patreon subscribers a few days ago.
@@ShellEProductions Thank you!
Imogene heap button 😂
I could have sworn that I saw here on Austin City Limits some years back. Did she perform there? Can't find it anywhere.
Remarkable - TwinSuon SebatSuon Axiom AxE-I-♡M
Robot means slave.
th-cam.com/video/DOBQ7UjXi8c/w-d-xo.html
Try the BT button...
What's this song name
Bro she’s hilarious
Whybdoes her saying Axciom make people laugh at 1:47m
They know her and they know she has a song called Hymn of Acxiom. So, when she mentioned Acxiom, they knew she was going to play it.
What vocal harmonizer pedal did you use?
When Bon Iver collab?
Can I use this song in a project? No money is involved, I just need permision
"The Hymn of Acxiom" is available to use under a CC BY-NC-SA 3.0 (Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 3.0) license.
You are free to:
Share - copy and redistribute the material in any medium or format
Adapt - remix, transform, and build upon the material
The licensor cannot revoke these freedoms as long as you follow the license terms.
Under the following terms:
Attribution - You must give appropriate credit , provide a link to the license, and indicate if changes were made . You may do so in any reasonable manner, but not in any way that suggests the licensor endorses you or your use.
NonCommercial - You may not use the material for commercial purposes .
ShareAlike - If you remix, transform, or build upon the material, you must distribute your contributions under the same license as the original.
The link to the license is: creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/3.0/
tilt
yep lol
Bloooooooooooooo
Beautiful song, but scary.
we used this song in a marching band show and butchered it so much
Well - what else IS a marching band going to do with something this delicate and beautiful?
@@thirstfortruth8904 th-cam.com/video/_qKSdCGd7A4/w-d-xo.html
@@thirstfortruth8904 Search up Bluecoats 2014 if you haven't seen it already. Masterpiece of a show.
OK, Vienna... can I offer due credit for prescience as a polymath artist about the lyrics' origins ... or am I just a conspiracy-minded idiot? ;-)
Think Cambridge Analytica. Whooda thunk? :-)
Can you elaboarate Michael? I'm intrigued .
Robots and computers are not instruments. This song has been produced by artificial intelligence, the very robots and computers and technology designed by Teng. It sings about the role of technology, how it controls and influences our lives. How we are under surveillance, monitored, watched and heard. But in reading comments about this hymn all I heard was how beautiful it was and how marching bands have adopted it as their theme. Not a word has been said about the lyrics or the story behind the song or about the company, Acxion who collects all your personal information while on or off line and sells it to retails. Thus generating $$$billions from your personal data without your knowledge and/or approval. “Somebody hears you,” “someone is gathering every crumb you drop.” Where is the protest,where is the public outrage ? Instead we have marching bands and choral groups! Even Vienna Teng is silent on the issue of her own song! This is no different than what the secret police (Stasi) in Communist East Berlin did to its citizens. Watch the movie, “The Life’s of Others.” Could easily be called, “Acxiom”today.
If you mean produce as in altering and mixing the sound, then she has used digital means, but that is not the same thing as AI creating this song- this is a HUMAN creation, using digital effects, in REACTION to the rise of AI and data mining. Digital instrumentation has been around since the mid 20th century- Raymond Scott used synths in the 50s and drum machines were widespread by the 80s. These tools don’t equate to AI, because they are manipulated and employed by human artists, they are not generating their own creations.
As to your other points, well, it is disconcerting that this song is being adopted by school marching bands, mostly because that represents a fundamental misunderstanding of its meaning. It’s meant to be sung by the machine. That’s the whole point. It should be experienced as a warning.