Musical Analysis: "Hey Bulldog"

I've been finding myself getting lost in music lately. If I'm walking somewhere with my iPod on, I often focus more on the music I'm listening to than the actual road I'm walking on, which can obviously get dangerous. But I've been able to think clear, pristine thoughts about said music, which gives me hope. One of the things I wanted to do with the blog's re-debut is try to examine some of my favorite songs, and figure out a) how they tick and b) what's appealing in them to myself. So, as I just beat the fuck out of a journalism exam, and I've got no pressing homework at the moment, I figure why not start now?

The first song I'm going to write about is The Beatles' "Hey Bulldog." I first found this track on the setlist of "The Beatles: Rock Band," as it was getting flack from The Internet for taking a space that should have been reserved for "Help!" or one of the other hundred excellent tracks that didn't make it into the game. The song itself is a Beatles B-side, cast aside during some recording session and re-purposed by the band for their animated film "Yellow Submarine." Of course, while most bands' b-sides are shitty excuses for music, one by Paul, John and company is fairly stellar. It's not my favorite Beatles song, but it always makes me smile.

The song itself opens with a killer piano riff that climbs up and then back down the ivories, followed by an innovative intro Ringo drumbeat on toms. They combine to create a fuller, faster sound than most Beatles songs are known for. George's riff and Paul's bass also make themselves known well, as they're fast and rocking.

John's lyrics pop in, and they're well-written. The song's not the most lyrically brilliant of the band's singles, but still has some killer lines: "What makes you think you're something special when you smile," John barks like the titular animal, and while the lyrics can get nonsensical (what the hell is a "bull grog?") they're poppy and light-hearted. "If you're lonely you can talk to me" isn't too far off from "if you're lonely, listen to our music."

The solo in "Hey Bulldog" is what brings the song from "pretty good" to "pretty fantastic." George riffs up the fretboard like a monster. For a 60's solo, it's pretty hard, and it really exemplifies the glee one can find in the Beatles' music. The way George twists the main riff, just a little bit, near the end of the solo with a short, high-pitched tremolo shows they're really having fun here.

Speaking of "fun," the other fun part of the song is the open studio atmosphere. Throughout the song, at least on my rip (which I assume is from an early release), you can hear members of the band talking, whispering and murmuring to one another. As the end nears, not only do they get louder, but the band actually starts barking like dogs, and a late call-and-response between Paul and John plays owner-master; "Ruff!" "You know any more?" Really, why I love "Hey Bulldog" has to be the interplay and happiness the band's showing, especially when you count that the band would be broken up two years later.

Hopefully this worked as actual writing. Next time, I'm going to write about Neko Case's fantastic "Deep Red Bells." LATERZZZ

Rebirth: A Rope Of Sand

Last night, as I took an evening drive with my friend Sid to... do nothing illegal, of course, we were talking about life, and such. I brought up my writing, he suggested that I get back at it, and I agreed. Thus, I have continued to write this blog, nearly a year after I stopped last time (holy christ).

Expect me to muse about life and write about entertainment and stuff (maybe some political stuff if I can glean enough understanding about a subject). I'm figuring I'll update whenever I have an hour I'm wasting, which will be somewhat often. Well, enjoy, once I start to actually write.