The thing that drew me to Phoebe was always her lyrics. I stumbled upon her tiny desk concert, and I couldn't get over the fact that I was instantly hanging on every word she said.
4:21 her lyric structure is quite reminiscent of country music. in country its a lot of human relations and conversational elements, along with the carry of a storyline throughout it. but she took that and made it sound different which is so so cool
see as someone who barely dips into country i wasn’t really aware of this too much - pinegrove and kacey musgraves is as country as it gets for me lol, so ty for this!
@@sergescardigno yeah, I saw Taylor swift talk about Country in the new Folklore docu on disney+ and she talked about how Betty was written in a specific structure thats used a lot in country so thats how I know about it. its super interesting though
Yeah, I was thinking this myself! Imo narrative, conversation, and a lot of the more plain-spoken "narrative-based" stuff, so to speak, draws a lot in general from folk music and folk-adjacent genres. Not a knock on Phoebe's music -- it's great stuff!! 😊 Just...the history of things is important because we're all building on what came before, is all.
as a guitar player, I noticed she uses a lot of passing chords in quick succession. chords are also rarely played for a full bar as they typically would in a pop song. lots of chord changes, it is as though the chords are following the melody instead of vice versa, which is how it usually is. her songs sound simple but they are difficult to master for this reason.
I love her you said lyrics. The Scott Street lyric "I said that makes me feel old, you said "well what does that make me?" is actually kind of a funny/neutral line in conversation but with her delivery it's just 💔
The “You said” thing reminded me a lot of Matty Healy’s (The 1975) “you said/she said” writing style too. They both have that conversational aspect to their songwriting.
The tone of Phoebe’s voice is what drew me in when I first heard her music, and you really nailed the explanation of how it’s her ‘secret sauce’. Even though you explained it to a certain degree, I still feel like it’s impossible to put into words why her voice is so captivating. Maybe it’s the effortlessness of her tone. And I think it’s almost like her tone is in this certain sweet spot because of her naturally low talking voice mixed with her ability to hit super high notes when singing. It’s fascinating to think that this magic can come purely from the way different humans are built. She was just born with this incredible tone that I can’t get enough of.
as someone who is virtually illiterate in music theory but can always appreciate the artistry of shaping and constructing form to support and amplify content, this was a uniquely great video, and I hope to see more
MINOR MISTAKE (quite literally lol): that “i” at 1:06 should be a capital “I”, in order to indicate it’s a major chord. Sorry about that! Edit: There are lots of mistakes in here lol, I was a mere theory student. I'm not much better now, but my videos from hereon out are more focused on what's in my wheelhouse - lyrics, structure, sound palette, career trajectory, live performances...basically everything but theory. Hope you'll stick around for those types of video essays for the foreseeable future :)
Hi. Also, at 1.30, you show a G chord as ‘G-Bb-D’. Do you think the chord would be better labelled ‘G minor’? Thanks for the video. (Sure, you’re just referring to it as a number here - I to VI - but I just think some out there might get confused, thinking those are the notes for a G chord). Cheers
yeah so the lowercase roman numeral vi indicates that the chord is of a minor quality, but that’s a good point that maybe i should’ve made that a but clearer for the viewer. thanks for the heads up!
@@sergescardigno thanks for the reply. Yeah, I got that that’s what you intended, it was more for someone else out there, who isn’t familiar with that sort of notation. Thanks again
I think some people talk about this in the comments but I really like her delivery of lyrics, especially when they aren't particularly sad, sometimes they can just sound so helpless and miserable while joking still. For example in Chinese satellite when she says when you said i would never be your vegetable, because I think, when your gone its forever, I know thats not super jokey, but when i listened to it for the first time I was laughing and then just got sadder, its really cool how she does this with lots and lots of music. She always is able to be so direct and intentional in her lyrics and it really gives each song such a personal tone, especially how each lyric is so related to her but can be interpreted in so many different ways. In Chinese satellite (again lol) she says: Ive been running around in circles, pretending to be myself, why would somebody do this on purpose. On her twitter she explained the lyrics were genuinely about her trying jogging for the first time, hating it and wondering why anyone would want to do it, but listening to it each person relates this to a different motion i guess, and although its so far from any listeners actual experiences, people find what they want it to relate to so easy, and im not sure how she does it so well.
sorry for writing random stuff LMAO its just so cool to see people analysing her music because its somethign ive wanted to do for so long and ive really wanted to see what other people think, shes so talented so thank you soso much for making it :)
agreed 100%! i think it’s less of her writing ability (which she already has a ton of) and more just her bluntness and openness to being transparent about ideas no one really approached before in more pop-centric music. the fact that you get so much out of it i think of just a product of phoebe writing her true feelings like a normal person, and not necessarily adapting her ideas or changing them around for a song’s format, a label’s pressure, etc.
HA well if you learn a just a little bit of guitar, i think this vid would start makin a lot of sense off the bat, ya don’t have to necessarily be a theory nerd!
Great analysis, especially regarding Phoebe's vocal "secret sauce" - I think the upper end boost almost gives it a whispery quality that combined with the confessional lyrics just feels super personal, like just a slight tinge of ASMR. I'd be curious to see a side by side frequency comparison with something like Billie Eilish's vocals. Different style but similar qualities
ty!! yes exactly i think it’s like that textured whisper that can still come off powerful that really what makes it. but yes indeed, billie’s voice works so well for similar reasons!
@@sergescardigno In that early clip at 5.49 she was singing into a Shure SM58, a dynamic mic known for a 'pushed' midrange, little real top end, and something of a '1970s PA system' sound quality. Granted, she also wasn't singing in as laid back and 'breathy' a manner as she does in the clip at 6.46, but also, in that clip she's using a condenser microphone, which reveals that breathy quality with much greater clarity and fidelity.
@@royalpemberton8724 yeah for sure! ik the mic difference definitely plays a role, have actually used both those mics before. but i think you hit the main point i was getting at which was just vocal style and delivery :)
i love the way you picked apart and analysed every aspect of her music in a way that’s accessible and easy to understand. will be recommending your videos to my gcse music class!!
I discovered Phoebe this year and became obsessed with both her records very quickly. Your video was so interesting, it's great to see people talk about and analyse this type of music on RUclips. I find it very hard to describe music myself so I admire people who can do that! Thanks for your hard work!
I realized that, relating to what you said with the climax being at the end of the song (especially in Scott Street, I Know the End, and Chinese Satellite) it mirrors how a Shakespearean tragedy is set up. For Shakespeare, a tragedy would at the end of the show. Think Macbeth, the show ends with Macbeth the fight between Macbeth and Macduff and ends with Macbeth getting his head cut off by Macduff then there is maybe one or two scenes more and the show is over. This is arguably the point of highest tension, it is when everything is realized and comes full circle. You can see that tension and climax at the end of Scott Street, I Know the End, and Chinese Satellite, just like you said you could. I just think that is such a cool thing, especially since all three of the songs are tragedies in their own sense.
I think phoebe also has a really unique gravitation for her melodies in her note choices. Lots of 9s, adding sus4 to a chord that already has a 3rd, a couple #11s, some b6s, and she really hangs on those tense notes, which I've not seen a whole lot of folks do
yeah for sure, her melodic lines do have an unsettling quality to them sometimes which often reflects lyrical content - i think in her head it’s just really thoughtful melodic accompaniment to what she’s saying, which isn’t easy!
This was such an interesting video to stumble upon. She has so many amazing lyrics I can only aspire to write half as good as she does. This brings so much insight to the more technical side of songwriting/music that I never really noticed before and now I can't not notice them (but in a good way). Thanks for making this video!
tysm!! yeah i think it just goes to show that pengame is just as important as all the other things i talked about in this vid. that’s why she’s up for grammys!
As a big Phoebe fan, I just wanted to say that your analysis was truly awesome here. The whole time I was nodding along and may have even agreed out loud a few times - what a great distillation of what makes her writing so unique and compelling!
You have a gift for being able to explain music in an easy to understand manner. I appreciated this video, your knowledge, and the effort to produce this content.
I'm a huge phoebe fan and an amateur songwriter so this is an amazing video! my music theory knowledge is.... patchy.... to say the least, but you laid out this information very clearly. Phoebe's lyrics are so straightforward in tone but they have such fascinating depth. her conversational style has really inspired me
glad you got somethin out of it!! appreciate the kind words :) - and yes i think that conversational, brutally honest tone is what’s separating her from the rest at the moment
I just discovered her when I saw her on SNL this past weekend and now I'm obsessed! I know the end is on constant repeat and Chinese Satellites is a close second. Her voice is mesmerizing and the music is simple yet powerful. Throw in her thoughtful lyrics... BOOM! Musical Magic!
Amazing video! Thanks for the analysis of this phenomenal artist. Glad to see someone is even more obsessed than I am. One thing to add to her use of chord progressions - she's fond of using the Major 2 chord, which is typically minor, diatonically speaking. It hits HARD when she does it, too. For instance, at the line "Like a dog with a bird at your door" on Moon Song and "I'll be whatever you want" at the end of Halloween. Also at "In your one room apartment" on Savior Complex! Not sure if she does it on Stranger, too or if it's a more recent technique. It has a huge emotional effect - on me anyway. Thanks again!
I notice that homegirl has quite a few songs on capo 3 (3rd fret) maybe that’s where she’s most comfortable singing? Like in that key - Scott Street - Would You Rather - Chinese Satellite - Graceland Too - Smoke Signals - Steamroller
I have been contemplating what makes a PB song in my car driving to work the past few days and youtube recommend me this video! I didn't even search it! How perfect. I am a singer and listening to Phoebe is the first time I have felt like, yeah, I could be a songwriter too! Thanks for such a high quality and fun video.
I liked this video a lot! Though Phoebe has a lot of simplicity in her songs like you said, there’s a lot of complexity that goes unnoticed in her stuff, I think, particularly on Punisher. Also, are you ever gonna do a video on Phoebe’s production cuz maaaaan it’s good!
I've been so hungry for good, love-filled, intelligent analyses of music. Thank you, sincerely, for providing just that. It helps remind me there are kindred souls out there the same way the music you've analyzed does. Good art brings us together.
i'm not very knowledgeable on music theory but this was really great!!! conor really described her voice perfectly. her voice is really comforting and that combined with her lyrics that just poetic enough it's amazing
Nice analysis. When It comes to both albums, there's a lot to talk about their music production. They are full of little details and unusual mixing approaches. Good job!
You have a great simple presentational style. Your information was completely understandable, and very insightful. I love your delivery and your information. The video was totally engaging! Thanks.
there’s this russian band called motorama and in their song “old” they have the lyrics “you said that my new suit looks better on a hanger” and i spent so long thinking about which phoebe lyric that reminded me of. just realized it’s like 4 different lines
love this! would also love to bring in her frequent use of baritone guitars and how that gives a lot of her guitar parts a somewhat unique tone against songwriters who keep to standard guitars exclusively. i think it also contrasts her vocals really well, heightening that specific vocal tone and getting out of the way of those fq's even further.
I love it, love it, love it. Phoebe Bridgers is truly special, and you gave such a thoughtful reflection of her music. The summary formula at the end is so well selected. I loved the point about the orchestral drums on Chinese Satellite. Among the many brilliant qualities of that song is the drum treatment. I'm going to check out that slash chord baseline thing.... Thanks for such a quality analysis of her work!
This video is really great in its analysis of the timbral shift of her voice. Brian Krock has a great video that focuses more on the theory side of things, and her use of "Elliott Smith chords," which is basically a major II, and would serve as a nice companion piece to this video :)
I know hardly anything about music but this was framed in such an insightful way! Also the music editing along your discourse (especially the ‘drops out / whooshes back in’ bit) is so great and worth the efforts 👏
Thanks for this amazing video essay on one of the best artists out there! I'm so impressed by everything you just said plus how you said it. Best video I've watched in a while!
She's just got IT.. Smoke Signals and Motion Sickness. Quite the one two punch. But check out Shawn Colvin. I'm curious about that possible influence. Love Phoebe.
Really admire your points of view and the depth of your work. Research and editing are top and nail so much about these great artists. One nitpicky thing- for Garden Song I’m hearing the last chord as a IV, no? Pretty common pattern in her writing using that ii / iii / IV walk up. Especially with first position acoustic chord shapes as mentioned. Thanks again for your work on these, please keep em coming!
I liked your point about the restrained harmonic movement. I think in many songs-I know the end, for example-this not only provides space for her to explore melodically, it also reinforces the lonely, static quality of the lyrics. "Somewhere in Germany, I hate this part of texas." It is literally beautifully describing the floating, nowhere, out-of-time quality of being on tour. ( a fitting metaphor for our current stasis). The limited harmonic movement reinforces the message of the lyrics. Good analysis
ty! yes indeed, a lot of lines across both records have that floating quality because of the restrained movement, and I think phoebe’s vocal register really helps reinforce that effect too!
@@sergescardigno I really appreciated your juxtaposition of her vocal style over the years. It makes it clear that the lighter, ethereal style is an intentional choice. I like your point.
Have you listened to her Song Exploder episode? It's a deep dive into Scott Street which was actually originally written by her drummer. They talk about that moment when the drums kick in.
Amazing video! I'm so obsessed with her music. Garden Song and Chinese Satellite are my favorites. There is just something so transcendent and emotionally gripping about her lyrics.
if we’re talking lyrics i think the most notable thing about hers compared to other similar artists is the jokes and puns hidden within them. in smoke signals the “that song will *creep* you out” after talking about thom yorke, in graceland too “she could *go home* as julien baker....a lot more interesting stuff to unpack there
Wow, Sergio, I think you completely nailed it. Punisher to me is easily one of the best things to come out of 2020, where otherwise there just wasn’t much of anything solid to hold on to. Cheers.
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HELLO and THANK YOU for watching :) If you enjoyed this video, check out the one I just did on Snail Mail!
ruclips.net/video/8k6K4plLgJY/видео.html
Phoebe went from a Taco bell commercial to being nominated for a Grammy 4x...she is truly living más
very well said
WTF the commercial also features a SWMRS song thats the most random crossover ever
Is that actually her in the add? Kinda sucks if she actually did that lol
And as of now she won 4 Grammys 🥲
“You said this, and I felt like this” that’s such a perfect way to describe her songwriting and I love it
ty :)
I see what you did there
The thing that drew me to Phoebe was always her lyrics. I stumbled upon her tiny desk concert, and I couldn't get over the fact that I was instantly hanging on every word she said.
tiny desk was phenomenal for real
I was listening to Julien Baker then spoitify radio suggested Smoke Signals, the rest is history
Chinese Satellite is also a good example of orchestral drums, especially when they come in after the line “you were screaming at the evangelicals”
for sure!!
Best line on puninisher, tied with “But thats impossible”, also from Chinese Satellite. Easily my favourite of all her songs
I’m slowly and slowly becoming more in love with this woman, she’s a genius truly
agreed!!
I do really love her music; but a genius she is not
There are so many amazing performances of her on youtube, I've really enjoyed finding them and falling deeper into the phoebe pit
Yeah, that Taco Bell commercial was genius. If she wasn't a cute white girl nobody would be talking about her.
@@adamgillespie3393 yeah that word gets waaaay overused when describing musicians these days. Definitely talented but in no way a genius lol
sergio: doing it for the assignment
sergio, deep down: doing it for phoebe
...I have nothing to say to this
wait im famous
SHES NOW A 4TIME GRAMMY NOMINATED ARTIST WOOHOO
🤠🤠🤠🤠
4:21 her lyric structure is quite reminiscent of country music. in country its a lot of human relations and conversational elements, along with the carry of a storyline throughout it. but she took that and made it sound different which is so so cool
see as someone who barely dips into country i wasn’t really aware of this too much - pinegrove and kacey musgraves is as country as it gets for me lol, so ty for this!
@@sergescardigno yeah, I saw Taylor swift talk about Country in the new Folklore docu on disney+ and she talked about how Betty was written in a specific structure thats used a lot in country so thats how I know about it. its super interesting though
hmmm that’s so interesting- i’ll have to search round for that clip!
Yeah, I was thinking this myself! Imo narrative, conversation, and a lot of the more plain-spoken "narrative-based" stuff, so to speak, draws a lot in general from folk music and folk-adjacent genres.
Not a knock on Phoebe's music -- it's great stuff!! 😊 Just...the history of things is important because we're all building on what came before, is all.
She is HEAVILY influenced by Conor Obersts song writing. But Conor is influenced by Townes Van Zandt, Paul Simon, Springsteen, Simon Joyner.
as a guitar player, I noticed she uses a lot of passing chords in quick succession. chords are also rarely played for a full bar as they typically would in a pop song. lots of chord changes, it is as though the chords are following the melody instead of vice versa, which is how it usually is. her songs sound simple but they are difficult to master for this reason.
I love her you said lyrics. The Scott Street lyric "I said that makes me feel old, you said "well what does that make me?" is actually kind of a funny/neutral line in conversation but with her delivery it's just 💔
yeah that line hits too, her delivery of those kinds of lines really says everything it needs to :)
yup and “you said when you met me you were bored”
it sound like one of those dreamy sweet country smirks if you get what I mean?
The “You said” thing reminded me a lot of Matty Healy’s (The 1975) “you said/she said” writing style too. They both have that conversational aspect to their songwriting.
you aren’t the first person to point this out - very interesting and good catch!
Phoebe was opening for The 1975 on the recently cancelled tour.
She featured on the 1975 song 'Jesus Christ 2005 God Bless America' alongside Healy if I'm not mistaken
The tone of Phoebe’s voice is what drew me in when I first heard her music, and you really nailed the explanation of how it’s her ‘secret sauce’. Even though you explained it to a certain degree, I still feel like it’s impossible to put into words why her voice is so captivating. Maybe it’s the effortlessness of her tone. And I think it’s almost like her tone is in this certain sweet spot because of her naturally low talking voice mixed with her ability to hit super high notes when singing. It’s fascinating to think that this magic can come purely from the way different humans are built. She was just born with this incredible tone that I can’t get enough of.
well said!!
as someone who is virtually illiterate in music theory but can always appreciate the artistry of shaping and constructing form to support and amplify content, this was a uniquely great video, and I hope to see more
ty! you definitely will :)
MINOR MISTAKE (quite literally lol): that “i” at 1:06 should be a capital “I”, in order to indicate it’s a major chord. Sorry about that!
Edit: There are lots of mistakes in here lol, I was a mere theory student. I'm not much better now, but my videos from hereon out are more focused on what's in my wheelhouse - lyrics, structure, sound palette, career trajectory, live performances...basically everything but theory. Hope you'll stick around for those types of video essays for the foreseeable future :)
surely you mean MAJOR mistake haha
Hi. Also, at 1.30, you show a G chord as ‘G-Bb-D’. Do you think the chord would be better labelled ‘G minor’? Thanks for the video. (Sure, you’re just referring to it as a number here - I to VI - but I just think some out there might get confused, thinking those are the notes for a G chord). Cheers
Oops... of course, that should read ‘I to vi’...
yeah so the lowercase roman numeral vi indicates that the chord is of a minor quality, but that’s a good point that maybe i should’ve made that a but clearer for the viewer. thanks for the heads up!
@@sergescardigno thanks for the reply. Yeah, I got that that’s what you intended, it was more for someone else out there, who isn’t familiar with that sort of notation. Thanks again
I think some people talk about this in the comments but I really like her delivery of lyrics, especially when they aren't particularly sad, sometimes they can just sound so helpless and miserable while joking still. For example in Chinese satellite when she says when you said i would never be your vegetable, because I think, when your gone its forever, I know thats not super jokey, but when i listened to it for the first time I was laughing and then just got sadder, its really cool how she does this with lots and lots of music. She always is able to be so direct and intentional in her lyrics and it really gives each song such a personal tone, especially how each lyric is so related to her but can be interpreted in so many different ways. In Chinese satellite (again lol) she says: Ive been running around in circles, pretending to be myself, why would somebody do this on purpose. On her twitter she explained the lyrics were genuinely about her trying jogging for the first time, hating it and wondering why anyone would want to do it, but listening to it each person relates this to a different motion i guess, and although its so far from any listeners actual experiences, people find what they want it to relate to so easy, and im not sure how she does it so well.
sorry for writing random stuff LMAO its just so cool to see people analysing her music because its somethign ive wanted to do for so long and ive really wanted to see what other people think, shes so talented so thank you soso much for making it :)
agreed 100%! i think it’s less of her writing ability (which she already has a ton of) and more just her bluntness and openness to being transparent about ideas no one really approached before in more pop-centric music. the fact that you get so much out of it i think of just a product of phoebe writing her true feelings like a normal person, and not necessarily adapting her ideas or changing them around for a song’s format, a label’s pressure, etc.
lol no it’s not random! love your thoughts, thanks for watchin :)
not sure I know what u were talking about most of the time but I will now study music theory for phoebe
HA well if you learn a just a little bit of guitar, i think this vid would start makin a lot of sense off the bat, ya don’t have to necessarily be a theory nerd!
See if you have it in you to create some art too
The $5 cravings deal ad KILLED me
This deserves so much more attention. This was incredible
aw why thank you - tell your friends :)
Great analysis, especially regarding Phoebe's vocal "secret sauce" - I think the upper end boost almost gives it a whispery quality that combined with the confessional lyrics just feels super personal, like just a slight tinge of ASMR. I'd be curious to see a side by side frequency comparison with something like Billie Eilish's vocals. Different style but similar qualities
ty!! yes exactly i think it’s like that textured whisper that can still come off powerful that really what makes it. but yes indeed, billie’s voice works so well for similar reasons!
Phoebe said ASMR was one of her inspirations for "Punisher"!! :D
@@sergescardigno In that early clip at 5.49 she was singing into a Shure SM58, a dynamic mic known for a 'pushed' midrange, little real top end, and something of a '1970s PA system' sound quality. Granted, she also wasn't singing in as laid back and 'breathy' a manner as she does in the clip at 6.46, but also, in that clip she's using a condenser microphone, which reveals that breathy quality with much greater clarity and fidelity.
@@royalpemberton8724 yeah for sure! ik the mic difference definitely plays a role, have actually used both those mics before. but i think you hit the main point i was getting at which was just vocal style and delivery :)
i love the way you picked apart and analysed every aspect of her music in a way that’s accessible and easy to understand. will be recommending your videos to my gcse music class!!
omg wow thank you!!
YES i always wondered why/ what prompted her to change the way she sang especially georgia bc it sounds more comforting and open
totally does!
When that ad hits in the middle of the Garden Song clip 🥴
oof did YT do me dirty like that? i’ll go in and adjust the midroll smh, ty for the heads up
I discovered Phoebe this year and became obsessed with both her records very quickly. Your video was so interesting, it's great to see people talk about and analyse this type of music on RUclips. I find it very hard to describe music myself so I admire people who can do that! Thanks for your hard work!
why thank u! means a lot :)
Dominant 2 chord, Elliott Smith used it a lot too
I realized that, relating to what you said with the climax being at the end of the song (especially in Scott Street, I Know the End, and Chinese Satellite) it mirrors how a Shakespearean tragedy is set up. For Shakespeare, a tragedy would at the end of the show. Think Macbeth, the show ends with Macbeth the fight between Macbeth and Macduff and ends with Macbeth getting his head cut off by Macduff then there is maybe one or two scenes more and the show is over. This is arguably the point of highest tension, it is when everything is realized and comes full circle. You can see that tension and climax at the end of Scott Street, I Know the End, and Chinese Satellite, just like you said you could. I just think that is such a cool thing, especially since all three of the songs are tragedies in their own sense.
wow, what a thoughtful parallel - totally agree!
this would be cool w Mitski esp with her first albums
everyone’s sayin mitski or the national!
I think phoebe also has a really unique gravitation for her melodies in her note choices. Lots of 9s, adding sus4 to a chord that already has a 3rd, a couple #11s, some b6s, and she really hangs on those tense notes, which I've not seen a whole lot of folks do
yeah for sure, her melodic lines do have an unsettling quality to them sometimes which often reflects lyrical content - i think in her head it’s just really thoughtful melodic accompaniment to what she’s saying, which isn’t easy!
This was such an interesting video to stumble upon. She has so many amazing lyrics I can only aspire to write half as good as she does. This brings so much insight to the more technical side of songwriting/music that I never really noticed before and now I can't not notice them (but in a good way). Thanks for making this video!
tysm!! yeah i think it just goes to show that pengame is just as important as all the other things i talked about in this vid. that’s why she’s up for grammys!
As a big Phoebe fan, I just wanted to say that your analysis was truly awesome here. The whole time I was nodding along and may have even agreed out loud a few times - what a great distillation of what makes her writing so unique and compelling!
thank you!!! haha yes this was what i was hoping people would be doin along with learnin smthn here and there
the way the background songs in this video were in sync with what u were talking about **editing chef’s kiss 🤌
this i worked hard on and i appreciate u for noticing :)
You have a gift for being able to explain music in an easy to understand manner. I appreciated this video, your knowledge, and the effort to produce this content.
why thank you :))) - there will be another vid like this soon!
There is no other artist that takes me where Phoebe does in her music.
Smoke Signals is my favourite song of all time.
I'm a huge phoebe fan and an amateur songwriter so this is an amazing video! my music theory knowledge is.... patchy.... to say the least, but you laid out this information very clearly. Phoebe's lyrics are so straightforward in tone but they have such fascinating depth. her conversational style has really inspired me
glad you got somethin out of it!! appreciate the kind words :) - and yes i think that conversational, brutally honest tone is what’s separating her from the rest at the moment
I quite literally understand nothing but, yes 🤠
🤠🤠🤠
When I first heard phoebe I told everyone about her now that everyone knows about her I don't want anyone to
HA so the cycle goes
That’s okay, true fans get the opportunity to stick around once all the hype has died down.
I just discovered her when I saw her on SNL this past weekend and now I'm obsessed! I know the end is on constant repeat and Chinese Satellites is a close second. Her voice is mesmerizing and the music is simple yet powerful. Throw in her thoughtful lyrics... BOOM! Musical Magic!
this is my new comfort video 🤚
:)
Amazing video! Thanks for the analysis of this phenomenal artist. Glad to see someone is even more obsessed than I am. One thing to add to her use of chord progressions - she's fond of using the Major 2 chord, which is typically minor, diatonically speaking. It hits HARD when she does it, too. For instance, at the line "Like a dog with a bird at your door" on Moon Song and "I'll be whatever you want" at the end of Halloween. Also at "In your one room apartment" on Savior Complex! Not sure if she does it on Stranger, too or if it's a more recent technique. It has a huge emotional effect - on me anyway. Thanks again!
ty!! yes yes some mixture with that major two chord does seem to make a huge harmonic impact, and it’s usually lyrically well-timed!
I really dig these music theory vid! I'd love to see even more! Nice sweatshirt too
ty homie!!
EVERYTHING YOU SAID IS SO TRUE also omg the analysis on phoebe's vocals and her texture was so interesting, very good video! :)
aw tyty! glad u enjoyed :)
i’m so glad i found this i have been SEARCHING for something that dives into an artist, specifically phoebe, like this
:)
I notice that homegirl has quite a few songs on capo 3 (3rd fret) maybe that’s where she’s most comfortable singing? Like in that key
- Scott Street
- Would You Rather
- Chinese Satellite
- Graceland Too
- Smoke Signals
- Steamroller
yeah that could be just a key she’s comfy in or likes the chord shapes in, just preference but great catch!
@@sergescardigno Thank you :)
She’s one of my favorite artists in the world this was so so interesting :’) absolutely loved it 🦋
hehe me too, I'm so happy you enjoyed!
love this video man, would love to hear your take on mitski music. great job
tysm! mitski is deffo in the running for next
I have been contemplating what makes a PB song in my car driving to work the past few days and youtube recommend me this video! I didn't even search it! How perfect. I am a singer and listening to Phoebe is the first time I have felt like, yeah, I could be a songwriter too!
Thanks for such a high quality and fun video.
aw thank u! glad you enjoyed :))
I liked this video a lot! Though Phoebe has a lot of simplicity in her songs like you said, there’s a lot of complexity that goes unnoticed in her stuff, I think, particularly on Punisher. Also, are you ever gonna do a video on Phoebe’s production cuz maaaaan it’s good!
ty! and haha maybe - although i think i’d need a lot more gear/plugins to truly break it down in a cool way lol
I've been so hungry for good, love-filled, intelligent analyses of music. Thank you, sincerely, for providing just that. It helps remind me there are kindred souls out there the same way the music you've analyzed does.
Good art brings us together.
:’-)
I listen to her songs every day and always end up crying my eyes out 😭
i'm not very knowledgeable on music theory but this was really great!!! conor really described her voice perfectly. her voice is really comforting and that combined with her lyrics that just poetic enough it's amazing
glad you enjoyed!! yeah it was a great clip, had to include it, couldn’t have said it better :)
Nice analysis. When It comes to both albums, there's a lot to talk about their music production. They are full of little details and unusual mixing approaches.
Good job!
for sure!! and tyty :)
This was awesome man! Thanks for sharing, all the Phoebe stans appreciate it
haha thank you! i hope to have served them well 🙏🏼
You have a great simple presentational style. Your information was completely understandable, and very insightful. I love your delivery and your information. The video was totally engaging! Thanks.
thank you!
I just love talking about music perception and analyzing an artist's work. Thank you for this video, I learned a lot and really enjoyed it.
i'm glad :) workin on more for the future!
@@sergescardigno My view will be there! Do you like Bleachers by Jack Antonoff? Maybe you'll like it
that frequencies chart at 6:21 reminded me of the little prince
Man, great video. Informative and interesting. Thanks!
best music theory explaination of phoebe bridger ive seen! keep up the good work👍
You should make more of these!
you seem chill. video was sick. thanks dude
ty!
I love you for this in-depth video analysis man! Rewatching this and taking notes 😎
Knew nothing about Phoebe prior to this video. Your video, it seems, opened a new world of music to me. I'm so excited to explore her music! Thanks :)
this makes me so happy :) enjoy!!
there’s this russian band called motorama and in their song “old” they have the lyrics “you said that my new suit looks better on a hanger” and i spent so long thinking about which phoebe lyric that reminded me of. just realized it’s like 4 different lines
love this! would also love to bring in her frequent use of baritone guitars and how that gives a lot of her guitar parts a somewhat unique tone against songwriters who keep to standard guitars exclusively. i think it also contrasts her vocals really well, heightening that specific vocal tone and getting out of the way of those fq's even further.
a lovely point!!
this is fantastic. you put into words what i’ve felt and known about her for years but couldn’t articulate. thank you ❤️
why thank u
i’m obsessed with her music and this video is fantastic
me too! tysm :)
dude this is a great video and really clear and concise. The 15 minutes flew by. Love your demeanour and energy, truly.
aw thanks man, means a lot :’-)
your background music also dropping out as you’re talking about it at 12:28 is so cute I loved it
haha thank you i tried
So I wondered why I became kind of obsessed with Phoebe's music. Thanks for helping me to understand why. Such a brilliant analysis.
glad you enjoyed!
such a clean video, gotta check out Phoebe now
This video is insanely well produced and insightful, please make more content like this! Can't belive you only have 2k subscribers!!
haha thank you! i do plan on it :)
she loves the chords cadd9 and cadd7
I love it, love it, love it. Phoebe Bridgers is truly special, and you gave such a thoughtful reflection of her music. The summary formula at the end is so well selected. I loved the point about the orchestral drums on Chinese Satellite. Among the many brilliant qualities of that song is the drum treatment. I'm going to check out that slash chord baseline thing.... Thanks for such a quality analysis of her work!
THIS IS THE BEST THING IVE EVER SEEN
haha thank you :))
This video is really great in its analysis of the timbral shift of her voice. Brian Krock has a great video that focuses more on the theory side of things, and her use of "Elliott Smith chords," which is basically a major II, and would serve as a nice companion piece to this video :)
i saw that video! great stuff, considering my theory is littered with tiny mistakes haha - thank you for watching!
I know hardly anything about music but this was framed in such an insightful way! Also the music editing along your discourse (especially the ‘drops out / whooshes back in’ bit) is so great and worth the efforts 👏
why thank u very much, i did take care in the music editing :)
Thanks for this amazing video essay on one of the best artists out there!
I'm so impressed by everything you just said plus how you said it. Best video I've watched in a while!
this means a lot :) glad you enjoyed!!
this was so JUICY i loved watching it u did such a good job analyzing all of this
haha juicy is a new adjective but i’m totally here for it, tysm :)
this is so well made! i cant believe it's not viral ... yet!
im so in love with her music, im so happy that shes getting her recognition that she deservers.
me too!!
I'm really digging these! Keep it up man!!!
ty man!!
Fascinating analysis! Gracias!
de nada!
this is a really, really well-done video. i hope you do this with more artists! (fleet foxes, please do fleet foxes)
ty!! haha fleet foxes i feel like would be pretty fun, will consider!! (i also loved Shore so it’s tempting)
She's just got IT.. Smoke Signals and Motion Sickness. Quite the one two punch. But check out Shawn Colvin. I'm curious about that possible influence. Love Phoebe.
Love it! This boosts my listening experience and appreciation. Please do more of this ✨
ty - more comin dw :)
This video was so informational and extremely enjoyable to watch (a rare combination). Thanks so much!
ty!! more soon :)
Really admire your points of view and the depth of your work. Research and editing are top and nail so much about these great artists. One nitpicky thing- for Garden Song I’m hearing the last chord as a IV, no? Pretty common pattern in her writing using that ii / iii / IV walk up. Especially with first position acoustic chord shapes as mentioned. Thanks again for your work on these, please keep em coming!
I liked your point about the restrained harmonic movement. I think in many songs-I know the end, for example-this not only provides space for her to explore melodically, it also reinforces the lonely, static quality of the lyrics. "Somewhere in Germany, I hate this part of texas." It is literally beautifully describing the floating, nowhere, out-of-time quality of being on tour. ( a fitting metaphor for our current stasis). The limited harmonic movement reinforces the message of the lyrics. Good analysis
ty! yes indeed, a lot of lines across both records have that floating quality because of the restrained movement, and I think phoebe’s vocal register really helps reinforce that effect too!
@@sergescardigno I really appreciated your juxtaposition of her vocal style over the years. It makes it clear that the lighter, ethereal style is an intentional choice. I like your point.
Have you listened to her Song Exploder episode? It's a deep dive into Scott Street which was actually originally written by her drummer. They talk about that moment when the drums kick in.
yes! was a great episode
Amazing video! I'm so obsessed with her music. Garden Song and Chinese Satellite are my favorites. There is just something so transcendent and emotionally gripping about her lyrics.
ty!! those are two faves off punisher for me for sure
excellent break down of the music
ty!
Great analysis, thanks !
if we’re talking lyrics i think the most notable thing about hers compared to other similar artists is the jokes and puns hidden within them. in smoke signals the “that song will *creep* you out” after talking about thom yorke, in graceland too “she could *go home* as julien baker....a lot more interesting stuff to unpack there
very true!!
Amazing analysis, really hope you keep this up!
ty - i definitely will!
this was great, i used the boost in eq around 400 and 14k hz and it worked so well
i loved this video. been on a phoebe binge for like 2 days 🥺
glad you enjoyed :)
Wow, Sergio, I think you completely nailed it. Punisher to me is easily one of the best things to come out of 2020, where otherwise there just wasn’t much of anything solid to hold on to. Cheers.
why thank you :) - punisher was definitely top 5 things to come out of 2020, amen
Very funny and informative. Keep up the good work!
One of my favorite videos
Please do more this is fantastic
ty :) i will!
wow this is incredible well made. You deserve so much more attention. Congrats!
ty :'-)