Call-and-Response Song: Difference between revisions
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Call-and-response is a form of music sung by (or at least from the perspective of) two or more people. Rather than sing the same part or do different verses, one person sings a statement, the other gives a reply to it. While this usually goes on until the end of the song, sometimes only a few lines in a verse are done this way. Though it doesn't necessarily have to be, often the lines in question are a musical argument of sorts. |
Call-and-response is a form of music sung by (or at least from the perspective of) two or more people. Rather than sing the same part or do different verses, one person sings a statement, the other gives a reply to it. While this usually goes on until the end of the song, sometimes only a few lines in a verse are done this way. Though it doesn't necessarily have to be, often the lines in question are a musical argument of sorts. |
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The form arose in Africa and was brought to America by slaves; it later found its way into [[Jazz]], blues, and rock. One of the earliest popular musicians to use it was [[Cab Calloway]] in his [[Signature Song]] "Minnie the Moocher". |
The form arose in Africa and was brought to America by slaves; it later found its way into [[Jazz]], blues, and rock. One of the earliest popular musicians to use it was [[Cab Calloway]] in his [[Signature Song]] "Minnie the Moocher". |
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Nowadays it's usually considered a sub-trope of [[Let's Duet]], although some are also [[Crowd Song|Crowd Songs]]. Fairly common in [[Rock Opera|Rock Operas]] and [[Concept Album|Concept Albums]]. Many [[Sound Off|military songs]] are done in this style, too. |
Nowadays it's usually considered a sub-trope of [[Let's Duet]], although some are also [[Crowd Song|Crowd Songs]]. Fairly common in [[Rock Opera|Rock Operas]] and [[Concept Album|Concept Albums]]. Many [[Sound Off|military songs]] are done in this style, too. |
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* As the page quote shows, [[The Protomen]]'s song "The Sons of Fate" is done this way. A few bits of "The Good Doctor" and "Father Of Death" from Act II are as well. |
* As the page quote shows, [[The Protomen]]'s song "The Sons of Fate" is done this way. A few bits of "The Good Doctor" and "Father Of Death" from Act II are as well. |
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* [[DMX]]'s "Damien" series of songs, with X providing both roles. The song Ready 2 Meet Him uses this trope as well, with DMX arguing with God, while providing both voices. |
* [[DMX]]'s "Damien" series of songs, with X providing both roles. The song Ready 2 Meet Him uses this trope as well, with DMX arguing with God, while providing both voices. |
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* [[Eminem]] and Dr. Dre's "Guilty Conscience" is sung in this style, with the two playing the two sides of a person's conscience. |
* [[Eminem]] and Dr. Dre's "Guilty Conscience" is sung in this style, with the two playing the two sides of a person's conscience. |
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* "Anything You Can Do" from ''[[Annie Get Your Gun]]'' is a classic example- both singers sing-argue about [[Anything You Can Do I Can Do Better|who can do anything better than the other]]. |
* "Anything You Can Do" from ''[[Annie Get Your Gun]]'' is a classic example- both singers sing-argue about [[Anything You Can Do I Can Do Better|who can do anything better than the other]]. |
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* [[The Daily Show|Jon Stewart]] and [[Stephen Colbert]]'s duet in the ''[[The Colbert Report]]'' 2008 Christmas special uses this, with Stewart trying to convince Colbert to try Hanukkah. |
* [[The Daily Show|Jon Stewart]] and [[Stephen Colbert]]'s duet in the ''[[The Colbert Report]]'' 2008 Christmas special uses this, with Stewart trying to convince Colbert to try Hanukkah. |
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{{quote|I think I can fly/Probably just falling |
{{quote|I think I can fly/Probably just falling |
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I think I'm on fire/Probably just smoking }} |
I think I'm on fire/Probably just smoking }} |
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* "I'm Wishing" from ''[[Snow White (Disney film)|Snow White and The Seven Dwarfs]]'' has an interesting variant. Snow White is singing into a well, and it echos out her voice. |
* "I'm Wishing" from ''[[Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (Disney film)|Snow White and The Seven Dwarfs]]'' has an interesting variant. Snow White is singing into a well, and it echos out her voice. |
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* "If I Had $1000000" by Barenaked Ladies. |
* "If I Had $1000000" by Barenaked Ladies. |
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* "It's Still Rock and Roll to Me" by [[Billy Joel]]. |
* "It's Still Rock and Roll to Me" by [[Billy Joel]]. |
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* "Minnie the Moocher" by [[Cab Calloway]]. |
* "Minnie the Moocher" by [[Cab Calloway]]. |
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** A scene in ''[[Jeeves and Wooster (TV series)|Jeeves and Wooster]]'' had the titular characters attempting the call-and-response portion of the song, which was somewhat hampered by Jeeves' [[Verbal Tic]] of saying "sir" at the end of every line. |
** A scene in ''[[Jeeves and Wooster (TV series)|Jeeves and Wooster]]'' had the titular characters attempting the call-and-response portion of the song, which was somewhat hampered by Jeeves' [[Verbal Tic]] of saying "sir" at the end of every line. |
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* Dr. Facilier's [[Villain Song]] in ''[[The Princess and the Frog]]'': |
* Dr. Facilier's [[Villain Song]] in ''[[The Princess and the Frog]]'': |
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{{quote|I've got Friends on the Other Side! (''He's got Friends on the Other Side!'')}} |
{{quote|I've got Friends on the Other Side! (''He's got Friends on the Other Side!'')}} |
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Show them (to my friends!) |
Show them (to my friends!) |
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Make you participate! }} |
Make you participate! }} |
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* The lyrics of Positive K's "I Got a Man" involve a man trying to pick up a woman and repeatedly getting shot down by her because she already has a man. The male character is performed by Positive K ... and the female character is also played by Positive K, but with the pitch of his voice electronically altered. |
* The lyrics of Positive K's "I Got a Man" involve a man trying to pick up a woman and repeatedly getting shot down by her because she already has a man. The male character is performed by Positive K ... and the female character is also played by Positive K, but with the pitch of his voice electronically altered. |
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{{quote|I'll treat you good |
{{quote|I'll treat you good |
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''My man treats me better'' |
''My man treats me better'' |
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''He says he'll do one thing and then goes and does another thing'' |
''He says he'll do one thing and then goes and does another thing'' |
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Who organized all my ex-girlfriends into a choir and got them to sing? }} |
Who organized all my ex-girlfriends into a choir and got them to sing? }} |
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* "Spoiler Alert" by [[They Might Be Giants]] has John Flansburgh and John Linnell singing in counterpoint melodies, portraying two [[Too Dumb to Live]] drivers who are unknowingly about to crash into each other. |
* "Spoiler Alert" by [[They Might Be Giants]] has John Flansburgh and John Linnell singing in counterpoint melodies, portraying two [[Too Dumb to Live]] drivers who are unknowingly about to crash into each other. |
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* Almost every song you learn in Girl Scout Camp. |
* Almost every song you learn in Girl Scout Camp. |
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{{quote|The littlest worm |
{{quote|The littlest worm |