POPULAR SONG SECRETS.

Pelorus Guardian and Miners' Advocate., Volume 18, Issue 31, 16 April 1907, Page 2

POPULAR SONG SECRETS.

Persons who understand the love of good music are constantly quarrelling with the public taste as evinced in its selection of the songs it makes popular. They do not seem to be able to comprehend why an inferior melody will be avidly seized by the public, ' whistled and sung until it has become a nuisance, and then thrown aside for some other popular air, while the better class of songs—songs that are musicianly— remain almost unknown, unless some accident should bring them before the public. Nevertheless, the reason is exceedingly simple. We are a quick and yet a lazy nation. We discourage originality in music because we are too busy to learn songs which have an unfamiliar air. We like to. whistle and hum the songs which we hear, and the only ones with which tins- is possible upon a first hearing are those which we unconsciously know. They may be labelled new, but we have known them for years, even though we do not recognise them in their disguise. Sometimes the plagiarism of a tune is absolutely complete, note for note, as, for instance, in the case of "A little bit off the top," which was so popular a few years ago, and the air of which is identical with that of "When Johnny comes marchinghome." Usually, however, the time is changed, and a note altered here and there. The air of "Maid of Athens," so treated, has done duty for at least a score of new popular ditties, including at least one Gaiety success. Another example ! Everyone knows a certain setting of the famous old hymn "Nearer, my God, to Thee," Almost everyone nowadays knows "Bluebell." Try them over after each other, and see if they are not the same.

It is unnecessary to specify further. You can take any of the popular hits and you will not need a detective to find where it came from. Now, I am .not blaming the songwriters. They are merely supplying a demand. I am trying to help supply it myself, and if I want a hit I go back to a hit. Of course, this may not be very high art, but it is the only thing (hat pays in the songwriting- business. That, is the answer. The public demands the old tunes and the composers are composing them for it every day. Relieve me, you do not need to know anything about music to compose one. Practically all that is lH'oded is a good memory. The arranger will do the rest.