Monday, December 19, 2011

Cello exceptions?

Jim Fleming, on To the Best of Our Knowledge: “It’s a truism in the rock-music industry: if you want to make a sad song, put a cello in it.”

I can think of one flagrant exception to this rule — a song that’s anything but sad in which a cello plays a significant role. And there must be others. Your suggestions are welcome in the comments. (Spoiler alert: mine’s there too.)

comments: 5

Michael Leddy said...

The Beach Boys, “Good Vibrations.” Van Dyke Parks takes credit for suggesting the cello ostinato.

misterbagman said...

The Drifters, later Donna Summer: "There Goes My Baby." Although on reflection, despite its upbeat tempo, it's a sad song.

Ben said...

"Hurt" covered by Johnny Cash (I think).

Michael Leddy said...

Any counter-examples besides “Good Vibrations”?

Michael Leddy said...

Oops — I revised the post to make clearer what I was wondering about: a song that’s not sad in which a cello plays a significant role.