Love your videos especially when you analyse different songs. I was thinking it would be really cool if you analysed something like L’Isle Joyeuse by Debussy, which has some really interesting harmonies and i think would be really interesting for you as a jazz pianist to look at...
This song is the perfect example of how major keys don't always mean happy. The root chord is G major, and yet, especially in the context of the movie, this song sounds really sad. It just goes to show how much well written harmony does for a song.
@Charles_Cornell2You are nothing, bot, nothing absolutely nothing, you know what i’ll contact the scammer behind you and troll him so bad he’ll never impersonate another great jazz musician again.
exactly! jacob collier once said in a video (i sadly cant‘t remember how it’s called) that the saddest chord probably is some sort of a major chord…it‘s just a thing of how you approach it (as in context: chords before and after & melody)
Part of what makes it sound sad are the chords that come from minor though (for example the Cm, Dm, F, and Eb chords are from G minor), but I agree that it's not that simple.
I like to think of major vs minor in the way 12 tone explains it in his video about welcome to the black parade. Major doesn't mean happy and minor doesn't mean sad. Major is bright and minor is dark.
Toby Fox, Rebecca Sugar, and Aivi and Surashu's ability to not only make timeless music you want to repeat over and over again, but to foreshadow points of the story within it, will never not floor me
@@mayavp Larkin has a different style, probably because he’s classically trained. He fits so much STUFF into every song that it’s always a delight to hear people break them down, because they constantly gush over the sheer density of the Hollow Knight score
Not surprised that SU music is good, I'm a huge fan of The Consouls and their keys guy (Julian Sanchez) worked on the SU movie soundtrack (the second track in this Consouls stream is also composed by him th-cam.com/video/rhlMR8KQvpo/w-d-xo.html)
Charles, you should check out some of Aivi and Surasshu's less popular works on the show, mostly instrumental and no lyrics. They have this lovely electronic chiptune + piano jazzy sound, and their work is often overshadowed by the more popular SU songs. - rose's fountain / the hill - alone together - dance of swords - I'm still here - the waterfall - amalgam - pearl's theme - opal theme some of their amazing work.
I actually prefer instrumental, probably why I love The Consouls so much - their vgm covers are exquisite eg. Nier Automata 'Amusement Park' from Radio #24 - OG vocals are nice but the jazz instrumental sounds phenomenal (their keys guy worked on the SU movie soundtrack too)
@@lesserevil8136 An interesting comparrison. I have not played hollow knight so I just vaguely know the lore throughout the memes and general knowledge, but i the comparison checks out. Thank you!
Yes!! This song came at a real difficult period in my life, it was the 5th anniversary of my mom's death and when the lyric went "she doesn't exist now, survived by her son," I completely lost it, such a beautiful song
the music of this whole series and movie is completely unreal, I think that’s what played a big part in the love for this show from fans, the dedication Sugar and everyone behind the scenes put into the characters and story💗
The composers for Steven Universe, Aivi and Surasshu, are absolutely unreal. You should check out some of their other work that they do for the show, all of the music is layered with thematic motif and it ties the entire franchise together in ways you would never expect.
There were a few years where pretty much all I listened was their SoundCloud page. I got really sad when the actual soundtrack albums released, because all of their SoundCloud posts got took down, yet not all of them were actually on the soundtrack! So now there’s only bootlegs of cool tracks like “Drop the Cherry“, and other short ones, which people happened to record before the posts were taken down. Plus they never even released a raw version of the super catchy ringtone they made for Steven with the lovely counterpoint. People’s recreations never got all the same layers of harmony as the original in that case.
Remember You from Adventure Time is a must listen. Another beautifully sad song and the instrument she plays is pretty unique. It was also written by Rebecca Sugar.
I'd love it if you covered the "come live with us in the palace" song, which is also from the SU movie. There's two separate parts to the song with the refrain at the end of the film. It's a really lovely three part vocal harmony and I'd really enjoy hearing your take on it! Steven Universe is one of my favorite things in the world so I always get so excited when I see you explain the way the music works!
Theory analysis of SU is so much more fun when you have the lore and storyline as well! Rebecca Sugar has particular motifs, pitches, keys, sound effects ect for even when particular characters are speaking, entering a room, making an impact. It’s incredibly genius aurally 😭
As with VGM, much of 'cartoon' music is overlooked but when you think about it Charlie Brown/Vince Guaraldi is absolutely iconic and bands like The Consouls (their keys guy contributed to music for the Steven Universe movie) and 8-Bit Big Band creatively tap into tunes which are collectively nostalgic. Phineas & Ferb music is also worth a look - both for the music and the lyrics.
Phineas and Ferb’s music team doesn’t get enough attention. Not necessarily because of the special qualities of any specific song (though there are some bangers), but the sheer variety of style within the show proper, while keeping a pretty consistent level of quality. It’s downright impressive.
The story of Rebecca Sugar and Aimee Mann (also the voice of Opal) working on this song, swapping back and forth to make it sadder makes it even better.
@@Pelaymi sorry, I thought I replied but don't see it... it was either in the book about the movie or in the documentary they had (I think that's in the dvd set) which focused on RS's seaside retreat to write all these songs in a month (6 weeks?).
Its so hilarious you describing this sonically and as someone who has seen this episode I can say that it pretty much describes Spinel’s situation. She was pinks “best friend” but she got left abandoned (suspended) by herself in isolation and it made her depressed and traumatized while pink moved on and kept progressing. And the walk down would be her slowly realizing over time that pink isn’t coming back.
My top picks from Steven Universe would be Happily Ever After, Being Human, Escapism, and Change Your Mind. There's something about the first one that always makes me smile, with one of my favourite key changes in any song at the end. The others are more serene and solemn, but have something that I always just want to keep listening to. And Change Your Mind might be short, but there's a simplicity that is just beautiful.
I listen to this entire OST while playing video games and it honestly doesn’t get old. Some of the other songs I’ve listened to have gotten old after like a week but I’ve been listening to this OST for months now. The music is so beautifully written and even though I can’t appreciate it as much since I don’t know too much about music theory or just music in general I still think almost each and every song is so incredible. People may not like the show cuz of the ending but you cannot deny the brilliance of the music
Rebecca Sugar's impressive ability to capture the feeling of so many genres of music is astounding to me. While she can write these amazing jazz ballads amazingly, she also writes pop well, r&b well, even captures the feeling of the indie music scene well. Hahaha, and even what I consider "Dad rock". Music is such a major part of Steven Universe, and it's ALL music, not just one subsection of it!
I remember coming across this show and while it really wasn't for me, the music rather blew me away. I couldn't believe some random little kid's show had something like that going on. Much respect to the show's creator.
It's kind of like when I discovered The Consouls and they opened my ears to how brilliant a lot of VGM really is. (Their keys guy actually worked on the music for the SU movie!)
You may want to check out My Little Reason Why (or what’s the use of feeling blue) from Steven Universe, the first of which has a just stunning 3 parallel M9 chord opening and closing, and lots of classic harmony in between. Note that the CN official clip doesn’t have the opening in it, but when the chords come back at the end, hoo boy.
Less of a theory thing, more about production, but I love how, no matter how big and unwieldy the plot gets, most of the songs are produced in such a way that they feel “small.” Part of it is due to the fairly minimalist production, and some is also due to Sugar’s lyrics and willingness to have short lines that punctuate the music rather than the opposite. No matter how fancy and wild the progressions get, the songs always feel personal and intimate.
Great video, as always! I would love to hear you talk about Over the Garden Wall. It's very autumn-focused so maybe my request is a bit late, but it's such a lovely show with a great folk/jazz/country soundtrack! Many of the singers also have really unique voices, especially Ms Langtree and the singers in episode 4.
I can’t get enough Over The Garden Wall analysis. Maybe Charles will look at it but just not release the video until Halloween, heh. I’ve seen some basic mentions of the musical influences alongside visual aesthetic references, but to hear Charles discuss some of the songs would be great. I love the frog’s singing the best.
Steven universe is a lot about trauma and how that effects people, it's a major theme throughout the show and this song highlights spinels trauma, its a piece that makes you feel like shit for the villain who up until now Steven saw as just a bad mean person. For other songs that confront other characters trauma you could check out "what's the use of feeling blue" and "do it for her"
This is one of the MANY fantastic songs in this show along with an amazing soundtrack written by Rebecca Sugar and Aivi and Surrassu that are just absolutely amazing. I’m so glad to see you breaking down the show’s music again
I think this video explains why it's not always major=happy and minor=sad. There's a verity of emotions that can come out of those chords depending on their connection to the chords before them
The first music I heard from Steven Universe was Pearls Theme; it’s been years and I still plays often in my head. The SU soundtrack is something special.
You should check out the music from Star Vs the FOrces of Evil, particularily Queen Moon's Theme, Eclipsa's Theme, really all of it is SO good, and the way it's all connected is insane!
Sarah Stiles' voice is ridiculously good, and she should have won all the Tonys she's been nominated for. Also it's absurd that H. Jon Benjamin beat her at the Annies for best voice acting. ]
True!! Her performance both in voice acting and singing were both so amazing, Other Friends and Drift Away are such different songs and yet she performs them both SO well, I BAWLED the first time I heard Drift Away
It's fascinating to see so many major chords, which are usually so associated with positive and happy tonality, used in a way to convey melancholy, especially given the context of the character singing (whose purpose is to be FUN! but experiences so much pain at the behest of a "game" she was playing).
My guy, there is SO much more to analyze in this series. I recommend "It's Over, Isn't It" next, or even "Change" from the Steven Universe Movie soundtrack.
When I was going through some shit with my ex. Couldn't listen to this song because it mirrored the situation enough and made me so emotional. Took me forever to be able to listen to it xD; Really love the song though and RS and crew did such a lovely job with this one. Can't believe how good it turned out.
Rebecca Sugar is sooo good!!! This song reminds me of "You'll be back" from Hamilton, probs cuz they both start on G major and have a chromatic motion. Amazing content as always and I hope you'll cover more Steven Universe in the future I love the way the soundtrack uses chords from the parallel minor key. Thank you Charles!
I'd watch videos of you analysing Steven Universe for forever. Please do more! You've only just scratched the surface! Some of the scores (like the themes of the characters and the meaning behind the choices of those pieces) are really interesting!
the song "love like you" from steven universe is one of my favorites. it's not too complex but there's some beautiful harmonic twists here and there that id love to see you check out :)
The song that comes right after this scene is even more complex and incredibly written, it's called "Found" and it uses a lot of diminished chords, I hope you check it out as well.
Would love an analysis of some of the soundtrack from Ori and the Will of the Wisps or Ori and the Blind Forest. The music is really well written and matches the tone of the story perfectly, especially with the callback to the beginning of the first game in the closing piece of the second. Brings tears to my eyes every time.
omg guys, he said sus. :3 EDIT: Seriously though, Drift Away is my favorite SU song by far. The way it's written and composed really makes you feel the emotions we know Spinel had to have been feeling in those moments that she was singing it, the loss, the sadness... And yet for all those years, she kept hoping that one day Pink would come back. And then the feeling of anger when she sees that Pink no longer exists, and Steven replaced her... It's all so beautiful, yet so sad, and you can't help but to cry along with her.
Yeah ikr? I hate how they just ignored all of her backstory after the movie. They just made her exactly how she was before as if nothing happened which is sad
@@Jaydove2387 It’s just the part where Rose says « let’s play a game, I’ll show u how it s done😁» and Spinell says « this’ll be so much fun!! 😆», I mean that’s too real bro wtf
Glad you decided to revisit the show, I hope this means you might also take another look at things like Undertale, Hollow Knight, and Spirited Away! Minecraft got a new composer with Lena Raine, maybe look at the new music?
The Consouls do great covers of vgm from those games and their keys guy was a contributor to the soundtrack of the SU movie. He also worked with Leina Burton (whom I thought you might have been referring to when you metioned Lena Raine) on the Kana Quest OST
PLEASE do more Steven Universe videos. I’ve seen others suggest it already, but many of the instrumentals and themes for the characters are equally if not more beautiful. I’d love to hear your take on them.
Please check out more songs from Steven Universe The Movie! Particularly "True Kinda Love" (super jazzy), "Independent Together", "Other Friends", and "Change"
I rewatched the Steven Universe Movie last night for the first time since my last relationship ended, the relationship that actually introduced me to Steven Universe. In retrospect, I realize now how much I relate to Spinel, between her chronic people pleaser mentality and her codependency on Pink Diamond, both things I was guilty of doing. It's great to know that I love this song not just because I relate to it so much lyrically, but because its composition is so fervent and thoughtful. Great video as always!
Thank you for inspiring me to keep working at music production even though I don't know what I'm doing yet, in the hopes that one day my music will be explained in a video like this ❤️
I will never forgive the movie for shoehorning Spinel's supposed newfound love/attachments but this song maintaining a major key but somehow keeping integrity tones of depressing sentiments was an absolute banger. If you're interested, I actually am curious to hear your hot take on track(s) from the rhythm video game No Straight Roads-- especially "VS Yinu" theme. It samples Pachelbel's Canon in D major, but holy fuck it goes 0 to 100 so fast to shift the gentle piano sample turning into forte tones of urgency, accompanied with strings. Figured I'd recommend "VS Yinu" as it's more piano focused than other tracks from the game.
Bruh I love your analysis of these songs, it’s really well put together and helps me learn so much more! I’ve been watching you since I picked up the keyboard in September and it’s really helped my understanding grow so much in just a few months!
So far you've covered songs all written by Rebecca Sugar. I would be fascinated to hear your thoughts on the background compositions by Aivi, I love her work a ton.
There are so many cartoon and vgm composers who don't get the credit they are due. I follow The Consouls because they do amazing things with vgm and I'm not surprised that SU music is good as their keys guy worked on the SU movie so they clearyl choose good people to write their OSTs
I have to say I have been hoping that you'd take a look at The Big O anime's soundtrack. There's some gorgeous pieces in there I think you'd get a kick out of, lots of beautiful mixes of jazz, to blues, to bombastic orchestral scores.
You're so valuable to music nowadays. With life as atomized and separate as it is, it's great to have someone appreciate music from all different kinds of media and backgrounds. Also ps this song smacks, as was your analysis......... might I suggest the music of The Legend of Spyro DotD?
Black Friday sale is LIVE! cornellmusicacademy.com/blackfriday
Hello Charles
Hey Charles! You should check out Sky: Children of the Light. Such a great soundtrack… Thanks for another great video!
Please check out ZUN's music from his Touhou games. They are insane
Video 3 of plz react to On the coast from Hades and Hades music pkz
Love your videos especially when you analyse different songs. I was thinking it would be really cool if you analysed something like L’Isle Joyeuse by Debussy, which has some really interesting harmonies and i think would be really interesting for you as a jazz pianist to look at...
me: *uncontrollably sobbing*
charles: Yeah so anyway this is a really lovely chord, ooo listen to that, its so nice
I love his one mention of "by the way this is horribly sad" and then going back into analysis 😂😭
I just started the video and I’m already singing the rest of the song trying not to cry.
@@EMan753 IKR 😭😂
Tbh, I was the same way when I first heard this song. It's like, "Man. This is fucked up, but these harmonies slap..."
FOR REAL
This song is the perfect example of how major keys don't always mean happy. The root chord is G major, and yet, especially in the context of the movie, this song sounds really sad. It just goes to show how much well written harmony does for a song.
@Charles_Cornell2You are nothing, bot, nothing absolutely nothing, you know what i’ll contact the scammer behind you and troll him so bad he’ll never impersonate another great jazz musician again.
exactly! jacob collier once said in a video (i sadly cant‘t remember how it’s called) that the saddest chord probably is some sort of a major chord…it‘s just a thing of how you approach it (as in context: chords before and after & melody)
An augmented chord is basically a major chord with a sharp fifth, and it sounds very sad
Part of what makes it sound sad are the chords that come from minor though (for example the Cm, Dm, F, and Eb chords are from G minor), but I agree that it's not that simple.
I like to think of major vs minor in the way 12 tone explains it in his video about welcome to the black parade. Major doesn't mean happy and minor doesn't mean sad. Major is bright and minor is dark.
Toby Fox, Rebecca Sugar, and Aivi and Surashu's ability to not only make timeless music you want to repeat over and over again, but to foreshadow points of the story within it, will never not floor me
Let's add Christopher Larkin to this list. The Hollow Knight OS is stunning.
@@mayavp Larkin has a different style, probably because he’s classically trained. He fits so much STUFF into every song that it’s always a delight to hear people break them down, because they constantly gush over the sheer density of the Hollow Knight score
Have you checked out The Consouls' cover of City of Tears? (Their keys guy worked on the SU movie soundtrack)
@@cooldebt I'll have to look it up!
Noticed...typo...in my post...*dies*
Aaand just noticed I called ma comment a post perchance i am indeed tired. Well. More than usu
The music from this show is absolutely unreal.
YES!! Although I do have a particular soft spot for Rebecca Sugar's music in general, she feels like the soul of Marceline!
aivi and surasshu are incredible composers
fr people can criticize the show for all of its valid faults, but the music stays straight boppin
@@kaded_ yeaah aivi & surasshu and Rebecca Sugar are awesome!!
It’s absolutely perfect. Bar none. Name a show with better music. Rebecca Sugar, Aivi, and Surasshu are consummate geniuses.
Please keep doing SU analysis, they are just phenomenal
Not surprised that SU music is good, I'm a huge fan of The Consouls and their keys guy (Julian Sanchez) worked on the SU movie soundtrack (the second track in this Consouls stream is also composed by him th-cam.com/video/rhlMR8KQvpo/w-d-xo.html)
YEAH, IT'S JUST LIKE
I always knew that Steven Universe's score was phenomenal, but thanks to this videos i'm learning why and how it works
Aivi and Surasshu are literal geniuses. Their work is so unique and SU would not be what it is without them.
And with lena raine helping with the movie and Future, it was even more beautiful.
Charles, you should check out some of Aivi and Surasshu's less popular works on the show, mostly instrumental and no lyrics. They have this lovely electronic chiptune + piano jazzy sound, and their work is often overshadowed by the more popular SU songs.
- rose's fountain / the hill
- alone together
- dance of swords
- I'm still here
- the waterfall
- amalgam
- pearl's theme
- opal theme
some of their amazing work.
Absolutely agree with every one of these picks!
@@SneezingSquink i listen to rose’s fountain everyday keeps me sane
I actually prefer instrumental, probably why I love The Consouls so much - their vgm covers are exquisite eg. Nier Automata 'Amusement Park' from Radio #24 - OG vocals are nice but the jazz instrumental sounds phenomenal (their keys guy worked on the SU movie soundtrack too)
Yesss amalgam it's one of my favorites! 🥺
Opal's Theme absolutely slaps and is one of my favorite moments in the whole series and the music has a huge role in that.
The feelings of neglect, abandonment and selfblame in such complex and harmonies are staggering. You are right this is just horribly sad!
Similar to the Broken Vessel in Hollow Knight
@@lesserevil8136 An interesting comparrison. I have not played hollow knight so I just vaguely know the lore throughout the memes and general knowledge, but i the comparison checks out. Thank you!
Yes!! This song came at a real difficult period in my life, it was the 5th anniversary of my mom's death and when the lyric went "she doesn't exist now, survived by her son," I completely lost it, such a beautiful song
I'm sorry for your loss. 💓
@@rebellibrarian thank you so much. I know she's watching over me
One day a year where you're allowed to be sad. Rest of the year be happy, if only for her. Stay strong man
@@Ispharel Amen to that. I'm at peace that she is watching over me
@@MikeEZ ❤️
Rebecca Sugar only had very little time to compose the film's music. And yet, every song in this film is memorable and impactful.
This song, and this performance, make me cry every. damn. time.
I fucking sobbed when I first heard it
the music of this whole series and movie is completely unreal, I think that’s what played a big part in the love for this show from fans, the dedication Sugar and everyone behind the scenes put into the characters and story💗
I love how each person in SU has their own instrument/sound associated with them.
The composers for Steven Universe, Aivi and Surasshu, are absolutely unreal. You should check out some of their other work that they do for the show, all of the music is layered with thematic motif and it ties the entire franchise together in ways you would never expect.
There were a few years where pretty much all I listened was their SoundCloud page.
I got really sad when the actual soundtrack albums released, because all of their SoundCloud posts got took down, yet not all of them were actually on the soundtrack!
So now there’s only bootlegs of cool tracks like “Drop the Cherry“, and other short ones, which people happened to record before the posts were taken down.
Plus they never even released a raw version of the super catchy ringtone they made for Steven with the lovely counterpoint. People’s recreations never got all the same layers of harmony as the original in that case.
Rebecca Sugar is a brilliant composer. So many memorable songs from Steven Universe and Adventure Time.
Rebecca Sugar is a genious, both by Writing Steven Universe and creating the soundtrack!
Recommend for everyone
I also recommend The Consouls - their keys guy contributed to the SU movie soundtrack
@@cooldebt wow I didn’t know
(And Aivi & Surhassu, who wrote most of the soundtrack and produced all of it)
Well steven universe as a show is written pretty terribly at least for the last like 2 seasons and steven universe future.
@@Foeisudhxj I agree in the movie and future. But I liked the series as a whole
Remember You from Adventure Time is a must listen. Another beautifully sad song and the instrument she plays is pretty unique. It was also written by Rebecca Sugar.
I'd love it if you covered the "come live with us in the palace" song, which is also from the SU movie. There's two separate parts to the song with the refrain at the end of the film. It's a really lovely three part vocal harmony and I'd really enjoy hearing your take on it! Steven Universe is one of my favorite things in the world so I always get so excited when I see you explain the way the music works!
“Let Us Adore you” and the LUAY Reprise
@@MAORIguy25 Yes that one! Thanks. I always get refrain and reprise mixed up too lol
Omg YES this song is fantastic
Theory analysis of SU is so much more fun when you have the lore and storyline as well! Rebecca Sugar has particular motifs, pitches, keys, sound effects ect for even when particular characters are speaking, entering a room, making an impact. It’s incredibly genius aurally 😭
As with VGM, much of 'cartoon' music is overlooked but when you think about it Charlie Brown/Vince Guaraldi is absolutely iconic and bands like The Consouls (their keys guy contributed to music for the Steven Universe movie) and 8-Bit Big Band creatively tap into tunes which are collectively nostalgic. Phineas & Ferb music is also worth a look - both for the music and the lyrics.
Phineas and Ferb’s music team doesn’t get enough attention. Not necessarily because of the special qualities of any specific song (though there are some bangers), but the sheer variety of style within the show proper, while keeping a pretty consistent level of quality. It’s downright impressive.
@@harrylane4 💯
The story of Rebecca Sugar and Aimee Mann (also the voice of Opal) working on this song, swapping back and forth to make it sadder makes it even better.
Ooh! Where'd you hear about that? I would love to learn for myself, but I am not finding anything online.
The “you keep on turning pages…” bridge is absolutely a classic Aimee Mann bridge. Stunning.
@@Pelaymi sorry, I thought I replied but don't see it... it was either in the book about the movie or in the documentary they had (I think that's in the dvd set) which focused on RS's seaside retreat to write all these songs in a month (6 weeks?).
@@rebellibrarian ah, thanks so much!
I would love for you to analyze That Distant Shore and Here Comes a Thought, both from Steven Universe.
Its so hilarious you describing this sonically and as someone who has seen this episode I can say that it pretty much describes Spinel’s situation.
She was pinks “best friend” but she got left abandoned (suspended) by herself in isolation and it made her depressed and traumatized while pink moved on and kept progressing. And the walk down would be her slowly realizing over time that pink isn’t coming back.
Omg yes. Yes yes yes. I love this song.
My top picks from Steven Universe would be Happily Ever After, Being Human, Escapism, and Change Your Mind. There's something about the first one that always makes me smile, with one of my favourite key changes in any song at the end. The others are more serene and solemn, but have something that I always just want to keep listening to. And Change Your Mind might be short, but there's a simplicity that is just beautiful.
Steven Universe has plenty of songs to cut your heart out but "it's Over, isn't it?" is up there with the sharpest knives with which to do so.
I listen to this entire OST while playing video games and it honestly doesn’t get old. Some of the other songs I’ve listened to have gotten old after like a week but I’ve been listening to this OST for months now. The music is so beautifully written and even though I can’t appreciate it as much since I don’t know too much about music theory or just music in general I still think almost each and every song is so incredible. People may not like the show cuz of the ending but you cannot deny the brilliance of the music
Rebecca Sugar's impressive ability to capture the feeling of so many genres of music is astounding to me. While she can write these amazing jazz ballads amazingly, she also writes pop well, r&b well, even captures the feeling of the indie music scene well. Hahaha, and even what I consider "Dad rock". Music is such a major part of Steven Universe, and it's ALL music, not just one subsection of it!
I remember coming across this show and while it really wasn't for me, the music rather blew me away. I couldn't believe some random little kid's show had something like that going on. Much respect to the show's creator.
It's kind of like when I discovered The Consouls and they opened my ears to how brilliant a lot of VGM really is. (Their keys guy actually worked on the music for the SU movie!)
*me sobbing uncontrollably while getting my Steven Universe tattoo while listening to this song*
Charles:
“It’s a really nice sound to us-“
What’s the tattoo of?
You may want to check out My Little Reason Why (or what’s the use of feeling blue) from Steven Universe, the first of which has a just stunning 3 parallel M9 chord opening and closing, and lots of classic harmony in between. Note that the CN official clip doesn’t have the opening in it, but when the chords come
back at the end, hoo boy.
LOVE that you're doing this, I'm a huge Steven Universe fan and the music is a very very big part of that
This sing still gets to me. It is so heartbreaking and emotional.
This song always makes me tear up, good writing and a minor iv are an unstoppable combo
Less of a theory thing, more about production, but I love how, no matter how big and unwieldy the plot gets, most of the songs are produced in such a way that they feel “small.”
Part of it is due to the fairly minimalist production, and some is also due to Sugar’s lyrics and willingness to have short lines that punctuate the music rather than the opposite. No matter how fancy and wild the progressions get, the songs always feel personal and intimate.
Great video, as always! I would love to hear you talk about Over the Garden Wall. It's very autumn-focused so maybe my request is a bit late, but it's such a lovely show with a great folk/jazz/country soundtrack! Many of the singers also have really unique voices, especially Ms Langtree and the singers in episode 4.
I can’t get enough Over The Garden Wall analysis. Maybe Charles will look at it but just not release the video until Halloween, heh. I’ve seen some basic mentions of the musical influences alongside visual aesthetic references, but to hear Charles discuss some of the songs would be great. I love the frog’s singing the best.
i second this!! over the garden wall has one of my favorite soundtracks. it adds SO much to the already incredible show
I was so hoping you’d get to “Let Us Adore You” it’s my favorite from SU and so haunting
Please, PLEASE do a video on the music of Over the Garden Wall- Genuinely some of the most beautiful music I’ve ever heard in a TV series or otherwise
Steven universe is a lot about trauma and how that effects people, it's a major theme throughout the show and this song highlights spinels trauma, its a piece that makes you feel like shit for the villain who up until now Steven saw as just a bad mean person. For other songs that confront other characters trauma you could check out "what's the use of feeling blue" and "do it for her"
This is one of the MANY fantastic songs in this show along with an amazing soundtrack written by Rebecca Sugar and Aivi and Surrassu that are just absolutely amazing. I’m so glad to see you breaking down the show’s music again
Rebecca Sugar’s also written another song in the same key - All Gummed Up Inside. It’s my favorite Adventure Time song
I think this video explains why it's not always major=happy and minor=sad. There's a verity of emotions that can come out of those chords depending on their connection to the chords before them
The first music I heard from Steven Universe was Pearls Theme; it’s been years and I still plays often in my head. The SU soundtrack is something special.
another song in Steven Universe with some immaculate chromatic bass motion is Let Us Adore you, and to top it all off, the harmonies are heavenly
You could do every Steven universe song twice and I would still ask for more! Excellent work
You should check out the music from Star Vs the FOrces of Evil, particularily Queen Moon's Theme, Eclipsa's Theme, really all of it is SO good, and the way it's all connected is insane!
yesssss i was hoping you'd do more steven universe music!! one of my favorite shows and the music is wonderful
Sarah Stiles' voice is ridiculously good, and she should have won all the Tonys she's been nominated for. Also it's absurd that H. Jon Benjamin beat her at the Annies for best voice acting. ]
True!! Her performance both in voice acting and singing were both so amazing, Other Friends and Drift Away are such different songs and yet she performs them both SO well, I BAWLED the first time I heard Drift Away
Can you just make a video like this about every Steven Universe Song? :D I'd pay for that haha
That show helped me everyday when I was a little kid and now. When I’m stressed I can listen to it and be settled.
It's fascinating to see so many major chords, which are usually so associated with positive and happy tonality, used in a way to convey melancholy, especially given the context of the character singing (whose purpose is to be FUN! but experiences so much pain at the behest of a "game" she was playing).
My guy, there is SO much more to analyze in this series. I recommend "It's Over, Isn't It" next, or even "Change" from the Steven Universe Movie soundtrack.
Just finished watching all of SU with the wife, so this is perfect timing. I’ve just been listening to the whole OST, and I absolutely love this song.
I just recently saw this movie, and it blew me away with how WELL DONE it was, just such a great film
When I was going through some shit with my ex. Couldn't listen to this song because it mirrored the situation enough and made me so emotional. Took me forever to be able to listen to it xD;
Really love the song though and RS and crew did such a lovely job with this one. Can't believe how good it turned out.
So happy to see you cover Steven Universe again, Charles, and with one of the saddest songs from the franchise, no less!
I'VE BEEN WAITING FOR THIS ONE!!! TURN IT UPPPPPPPP
Hoping to see you reacting to more of SU! it's songs are indeed a bless
Rebecca Sugar is sooo good!!! This song reminds me of "You'll be back" from Hamilton, probs cuz they both start on G major and have a chromatic motion. Amazing content as always and I hope you'll cover more Steven Universe in the future I love the way the soundtrack uses chords from the parallel minor key. Thank you Charles!
YES!!!!!!
Spinel: “You’ll be back. Yes it’s true. You’ll remember I belong to you.” 😅
glad you covered this!
the music from SU made a huge impact on me. 90% of everything i’ve learned about harmony, i learned from those songs
I love this show so much and the music is incredible, thanks for making this :)
I'd watch videos of you analysing Steven Universe for forever. Please do more! You've only just scratched the surface! Some of the scores (like the themes of the characters and the meaning behind the choices of those pieces) are really interesting!
Aivi and Surasshu have my whole heart!
the song "love like you" from steven universe is one of my favorites. it's not too complex but there's some beautiful harmonic twists here and there that id love to see you check out :)
he already has, in a different video
The song that comes right after this scene is even more complex and incredibly written, it's called "Found" and it uses a lot of diminished chords, I hope you check it out as well.
Would love an analysis of some of the soundtrack from Ori and the Will of the Wisps or Ori and the Blind Forest. The music is really well written and matches the tone of the story perfectly, especially with the callback to the beginning of the first game in the closing piece of the second. Brings tears to my eyes every time.
omg guys, he said sus. :3
EDIT: Seriously though, Drift Away is my favorite SU song by far.
The way it's written and composed really makes you feel the emotions we know Spinel had to have been feeling in those moments that she was singing it, the loss, the sadness...
And yet for all those years, she kept hoping that one day Pink would come back. And then the feeling of anger when she sees that Pink no longer exists, and Steven replaced her...
It's all so beautiful, yet so sad, and you can't help but to cry along with her.
Yeah ikr? I hate how they just ignored all of her backstory after the movie. They just made her exactly how she was before as if nothing happened which is sad
I really love the steven universe videos! your knowledge really shines through with the analysis of such complex harmony. Please keep making more!!
Literally the saddest song of all time the writers must have had serious abandonment issue
She lost her stuffed bunny
@@Jaydove2387 that'll do it
@@Jaydove2387 It’s just the part where Rose says « let’s play a game, I’ll show u how it s done😁» and Spinell says « this’ll be so much fun!! 😆», I mean that’s too real bro wtf
Honestly, at this point you should do a musical breakdown of all more complex Steven Universe songs. I’d pay for a series of thatZ
I just adore this song. and watching you experience it and break it down was really lovely.
Glad you decided to revisit the show, I hope this means you might also take another look at things like Undertale, Hollow Knight, and Spirited Away! Minecraft got a new composer with Lena Raine, maybe look at the new music?
The Consouls do great covers of vgm from those games and their keys guy was a contributor to the soundtrack of the SU movie. He also worked with Leina Burton (whom I thought you might have been referring to when you metioned Lena Raine) on the Kana Quest OST
would love to see your breakdown and analysis on Let Us Adore you. the harmonies and chords in that song give me literal goosebumps!
The music in this show is just amazing. Please do more!!!
PLEASE do more Steven Universe videos. I’ve seen others suggest it already, but many of the instrumentals and themes for the characters are equally if not more beautiful. I’d love to hear your take on them.
Please check out more songs from Steven Universe The Movie!
Particularly "True Kinda Love" (super jazzy), "Independent Together", "Other Friends", and "Change"
Other friends is so catchy and fun, I love it
Can I just say this is why the song “dear prudence” feels so amazing. Great video again! Making me sit in front of my keys again!!
The music makes up for the confusing storyline for me. It's just so comfy along with the animation style.
Charlie, Steven Universe music, is this a dream?!
I would love to see an analysis of the music of Omori!
OMORI OMOER I LOVE OMOEI
I love SU and I love your dissections of its music SO SO SO SO MUCH, thank you :’) two of my favorite things in one video
This is the one Steven Universe song that moves me to tears just with the chord progressions.
I had a student come with a song from this movie too, unbelievably good
I rewatched the Steven Universe Movie last night for the first time since my last relationship ended, the relationship that actually introduced me to Steven Universe. In retrospect, I realize now how much I relate to Spinel, between her chronic people pleaser mentality and her codependency on Pink Diamond, both things I was guilty of doing. It's great to know that I love this song not just because I relate to it so much lyrically, but because its composition is so fervent and thoughtful. Great video as always!
i understand nothing you are saying, i'm just enjoying the piano sounds
by enjoying i mean nearly crying, but in a strangely comforting way
It’s not just great music, a lot of it is based on real cognitive behavioural therapy. Especially Here Comes a Thought.
Steven universe and Phineas and Ferb never disappoint on music in episodes. Just constant bangers
Thank you for inspiring me to keep working at music production even though I don't know what I'm doing yet, in the hopes that one day my music will be explained in a video like this ❤️
Sounds like bridge over troubled waters in some parts. 😄 interesting contrast to the SU song
I love your enthusiasm! You’re so talented
I will never forgive the movie for shoehorning Spinel's supposed newfound love/attachments but this song maintaining a major key but somehow keeping integrity tones of depressing sentiments was an absolute banger. If you're interested, I actually am curious to hear your hot take on track(s) from the rhythm video game No Straight Roads-- especially "VS Yinu" theme. It samples Pachelbel's Canon in D major, but holy fuck it goes 0 to 100 so fast to shift the gentle piano sample turning into forte tones of urgency, accompanied with strings. Figured I'd recommend "VS Yinu" as it's more piano focused than other tracks from the game.
Not like a tear-jerker sort of sad tho, more of a nostalgic/sentimental, very abstract sort of sadness
Bruh I love your analysis of these songs, it’s really well put together and helps me learn so much more! I’ve been watching you since I picked up the keyboard in September and it’s really helped my understanding grow so much in just a few months!
"jazz musician blown away by anything not in the chromatic scale" all jokes aside Steven universe music is pretty amazing
I'm following along in this video with my guitar and I'm learning a lot about rootless chords, like how Pianists have it easy when playing them lol
I recommend "Happily Ever After" and "Finale" from the movie. Finale is a reprise of Happily Ever After and you should definitely listen to both.
So far you've covered songs all written by Rebecca Sugar. I would be fascinated to hear your thoughts on the background compositions by Aivi, I love her work a ton.
There are so many cartoon and vgm composers who don't get the credit they are due. I follow The Consouls because they do amazing things with vgm and I'm not surprised that SU music is good as their keys guy worked on the SU movie so they clearyl choose good people to write their OSTs
*cough cough* you should check out infloresce records.. 👉👈
I have to say I have been hoping that you'd take a look at The Big O anime's soundtrack. There's some gorgeous pieces in there I think you'd get a kick out of, lots of beautiful mixes of jazz, to blues, to bombastic orchestral scores.
You're so valuable to music nowadays. With life as atomized and separate as it is, it's great to have someone appreciate music from all different kinds of media and backgrounds. Also ps this song smacks, as was your analysis......... might I suggest the music of The Legend of Spyro DotD?
@Tele-Gram @Charles_Cornell bro get a fucking job.
I was waiting for this one from the moment I subscribed