This critique will contrast the pop song Jailhouse Rock with reggae track Legalize It. The songs will be compared in musical aesthetic, rhythmic properties, song form and structure, harmonic progression and melodic contour, the dynamic relationship between harmony and melody as well as the lyrical content. .
As my pop piece, I have selected the classic Jailhouse Rock by Elvis Presley. I define this as a popular song because it charted at number 1 in the Billboard Hot 100 Charts (All Music, 2014) and the UK Singles Chart (Official Charts, 2014). .
The song is set at about 150bpm. Seven seconds into the song (having already laid the foundations of the track with Scotty Moore's memorable riff), Elvis begins to sing the verse lyrics over the same intro Riff in a tenor/countertenor. At 18 seconds the song has already stepped into the chorus section, which delivers a short 12 bar blues turnaround in the same key but away from the initial riff. At 30 seconds it repeats the verse and chorus. At 57 seconds it repeats the verse and chorus again. After the 3rd chorus we reach the guitar solo, which is played over a short 3-chord turnaround and then flies straight into the 4th verse and chorus. We then have a 5th verse and chorus. The chorus is repeated along with the 'Jailhouse rock' refrain until the song is faded out to its conclusion. The song essentially follows a verse-chorus structure with a guitar break two-thirds through. So we'd say its in an ABABABCABAB format. This is easy on the listener's ear and allows the chorus to stay fresh in the mind at all times, creating a memorable refrain.
The song lasts for 2:35 seconds but manages to fit 5 verses and choruses, as well as a solo. This keeps the listener's attention. The contrasting rhythmic elements of the beat between the verse and the chorus give it a great dynamic. It's constantly up and down, creating a wonderful tension throughout. Elvis' melodic contour is of the same register throughout, in a pentatonic blues style, which adds more contrast and colour to the track.
