My archetypal example is the sped-up piano interlude in the Beatles' "In My Life", as it meets the essential criteria: doesn't repeat chord/melodic structure from the verse or chorus, effectively moves the song forward, segues cleanly into the verse or chorus that follows it, and is precisely eight bars long. Two other favorites which exceed the eight bar criterion but work oh so beautifully are the horn break in Aretha Franklin's "Respect" and the "And birds might fall from black skies..." section in XTC's "Senses Working Overtime".
Please chime in with other favorite examples, ye mavens of pop songcraft. Thanks!
― Nom De Plume (Nom De Plume), Tuesday, 11 November 2003 22:55 (twenty years ago) link
― Nom De Plume (Nom De Plume), Tuesday, 11 November 2003 22:56 (twenty years ago) link
Van Halen has some great middle eights too.
― Shakey Mo Collier, Tuesday, 11 November 2003 22:59 (twenty years ago) link
― skreddy57 (skreddy57), Tuesday, 11 November 2003 23:23 (twenty years ago) link
― Geir Hongro (GeirHong), Tuesday, 11 November 2003 23:47 (twenty years ago) link
― Edward G. Remix (Damian), Wednesday, 12 November 2003 00:00 (twenty years ago) link
― anthony kyle monday (akmonday), Wednesday, 12 November 2003 00:03 (twenty years ago) link
― skreddy57 (skreddy57), Wednesday, 12 November 2003 00:09 (twenty years ago) link
― Lynskey (Lynskey), Wednesday, 12 November 2003 00:17 (twenty years ago) link
― dylan (dylan), Wednesday, 12 November 2003 02:18 (twenty years ago) link
― Alex in NYC (vassifer), Wednesday, 12 November 2003 04:22 (twenty years ago) link
The part that goes, "And Johnny is my main man, he's the keeper of the keys..." etc.
You know who never wrote middle 8ths? The Rolling Stones. I'm sure someone can prove me wrong, but sitting here thinking about it, I can't think of a Stones song with an actual bridge.
Oh, and Q-tip's break on "Groove Is in the Heart" -- does that count as a middle 8th?
― spittle, Wednesday, 12 November 2003 07:38 (twenty years ago) link
― stevem (blueski), Wednesday, 12 November 2003 10:26 (twenty years ago) link
― Rob M (Rob M), Wednesday, 12 November 2003 11:54 (twenty years ago) link
― mms (mms), Wednesday, 12 November 2003 12:13 (twenty years ago) link
― Dan Perry (Dan Perry), Wednesday, 12 November 2003 13:58 (twenty years ago) link
― Jazzbo (jmcgaw), Wednesday, 12 November 2003 14:07 (twenty years ago) link
Nirvana have some really good ones - On a Plain, Rape Me, Dumb, Radio Friendly Unit Shifter
― Inevitable stupid samba mix (chap), Tuesday, 9 August 2011 00:13 (twelve years ago) link
always loved the M8 of Strange Town
― Dr X O'Skeleton, Tuesday, 9 August 2011 14:37 (twelve years ago) link
OK, I misspelled "eighths".
No, you misspelled "eights".
I love the one in 10,000 Maniacs' "What's The Matter Here": "If you don't sit in my chair straight..."
― ban this sick stunt (anagram), Tuesday, 9 August 2011 14:41 (twelve years ago) link
Ultimate Nirvana middle 8 for me is Drain You.
― Chewshabadoo, Tuesday, 9 August 2011 14:55 (twelve years ago) link
The Go-Gos - Our Lips Are Sealed
― corey, Tuesday, 9 August 2011 15:00 (twelve years ago) link
Steely Dan - Only A Fool Would Say That
everybody on the street has murder in his eyes
― Axolotl with an Atlatl (Jon Lewis), Tuesday, 9 August 2011 16:16 (twelve years ago) link
Back on the Chain Gang!
― I'm Passing Open Fistulae (rip van wanko), Monday, 19 September 2011 05:50 (twelve years ago) link
OK, I misspelled "eighths".No, you misspelled "eights".
― When I Stop Meming (James Redd and the Blecchs), Monday, 19 September 2011 14:11 (twelve years ago) link
"The Riddle" by Nik Kershaw. A wonderful study in constant key changes.
― Hongroe (Geir Hongro), Tuesday, 20 September 2011 12:14 (twelve years ago) link
My archetypal example is the sped-up piano interlude in the Beatles' "In My Life", as it meets the essential criteria: doesn't repeat chord/melodic structure from the verse or chorus
The piano solo in In My Life is the same, harmonically, as the verse. The middle eight, or bridge, is the other section -- "All these places have their moments," etc.
― St3ve Go1db3rg, Tuesday, 20 September 2011 14:44 (twelve years ago) link
The Posies, "Golden Blunders." Four weeks seemed like a long time then/but nine months is longer now/and even if you never speak again/you've already made the wedding vows. Along with a chromatic climb to get out from the middle eight's key change.
― Woolen Scjarfs (Phil D.), Tuesday, 20 September 2011 14:57 (twelve years ago) link
Not sure I agree that section is a "bridge" or "middle eight" in "In My Life." Doesn't seem to me that those terms usually refer to repeating sections where you get the title words as a refrain line at the end.
Not sure what I would call them - "verse extension" or something.
― timellison, Tuesday, 20 September 2011 23:27 (twelve years ago) link
the "look at the beautiful patterns that form on the wall" middle 8 in The Soft Boys "Rock n Roll Toilet"
― the tune is space, Wednesday, 21 September 2011 00:55 (twelve years ago) link
"The Chain" - McVie's beastly moment.
― collardio gelatinous, Saturday, 5 May 2012 05:28 (eleven years ago) link
Blondie - Call Me
― I wish to incorporate disco into my small business (chap), Saturday, 5 May 2012 11:36 (eleven years ago) link
The Kinks "Tired of Waiting"
The 'It's your life and you can do what you want' bit <3<3<3
― Emperor Cos Dashit (Adam Bruneau), Saturday, 5 May 2012 19:09 (eleven years ago) link
"World Leader Pretend"
― fremmes with neppavenettes (rip van wanko), Saturday, 21 September 2019 03:27 (four years ago) link
― Woolen Scjarfs (Phil D.), Tuesday, September 20, 2011 3:57 PM (eight years ago) bookmarkflaglink
OTM! Phil D from eight years ago almost to the day...
― Maresn3st, Saturday, 21 September 2019 15:41 (four years ago) link
― I'm Passing Open Fistulae (rip van wanko), Monday, September 19, 2011 1:50 AM (eight years ago) bookmarkflaglink
me otm. this will forever be my favorite
― fremmes with neppavenettes (rip van wanko), Saturday, 21 September 2019 15:50 (four years ago) link