"Teardrop" | MASSIVE ATTACK musical breakdown

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  • Опубликовано: 16 дек 2021
  • For song & album requests and to support my channel and musical projects, please consider joining my Patreon (I can't monetize my videos): / iximusic 🙌 You can also commission me to analyze your original music or do a piano cover. 🎹 And I teach private & group lessons, do film/video game scoring, and music transcriptions 🎶 TIPS: www.buymeacoffee.com/iximusic 💄
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Комментарии • 820

  • @iximusic
    @iximusic  4 дня назад

    For song & album requests and to support my channel and musical projects, please consider joining my Patreon (I can't monetize my videos): www.patreon.com/iximusic 🙌 You can also commission me to analyze your original music or do a piano cover. 🎹 And I teach private & group lessons, do film/video game scoring, and music transcriptions 🎶 TIPS: www.buymeacoffee.com/iximusic 💄

  • @callumw9067
    @callumw9067 2 года назад +113

    Teardrop used to be used in the industry to test audio production equipment in the 2000's. Thankyou for the breakdown, I love this tune so much.

    • @Cristalskulle
      @Cristalskulle Год назад

      Do you know why that was ?

    • @aglees2b
      @aglees2b Год назад +5

      I always thought that Angel was very similar for sub testing. An absolute beast for low resolution

    • @matthijsclaessen8152
      @matthijsclaessen8152 19 дней назад +1

      Yeh. Not only is it a great song, but it sounds awesome as well!
      Those smooth deep bass notes gives me an almost unnameable sense of ‘safe danger’ that’s palpable, wholesome and enticing at the same time.

  • @professoryaffle
    @professoryaffle 2 года назад +61

    I was at university when the song came out. I walked into the Student Union bar as the video for Teardrop came on playing on the TV’s dotted around the walls and the WHOLE PLACE ground to a halt. Everyone just stopped what they were doing and stared at it. Unforgettable moment.

    • @iximusic
      @iximusic  2 года назад +6

      woah!

    • @professoryaffle
      @professoryaffle 2 года назад +8

      @@iximusic whoa indeed. I loved this analysis btw (and your others). You have the ability to take away that unfortunate feeling you get when you get older where you lose some of the visceral nature of music and you bring back the emotion. Thanks for that. I only just found out that Elizabeth Fraser had a relationship with Buckley. That’s a combination of voices!

    • @tronlady1
      @tronlady1 2 года назад +4

      Goosebumps reading this!

    • @KevinSpooner
      @KevinSpooner Месяц назад +1

      I had a similar experience - shortly after I graduated college this song dropped and they played the song with its video at a club I frequented. Normally the dance floor was very packed and lively. For this video everyone just stopped and stared at it, as if an angel had spontaneously appeared. It was magic.

  • @DeeNimmin
    @DeeNimmin 2 года назад +239

    Mezzanine is a masterpiece. Fantastic breakdown.

    • @AKAtAGG
      @AKAtAGG 2 года назад +12

      It's one of the greatest albums ever recorded. So good.

    • @smkh2890
      @smkh2890 2 года назад +3

      Yes, it's a great groove. and ixi is a good analyst.

    • @ThaoLe-pi4hk
      @ThaoLe-pi4hk 2 года назад +2

      Facts

    • @Lol_Pig
      @Lol_Pig Год назад +1

      Mezzanine.....just an iconic album. It was an entire vibe

    • @KoBez44
      @KoBez44 3 месяца назад +1

      Along Heligoland a true timeless masterpiece

  • @exerciserelax8719
    @exerciserelax8719 2 года назад +37

    The vocals on this song are so magical. And a good example of what's lost if everything is autotuned. Those "between the cracks" notes really contribute to the ambiguous, expressive, and mystical quality of the song, like an ancient folk melody.

    • @iximusic
      @iximusic  2 года назад +5

      Really good point!

  • @freemansteinslab
    @freemansteinslab 2 года назад +54

    This is one of the reasons why I love the city of Bristol...it gave us Massive Attack and Portishead

    • @helenchelmicka3028
      @helenchelmicka3028 Год назад +4

      Cheers drive 😋

    • @thevalueofn6994
      @thevalueofn6994 5 месяцев назад +2

      Tricky too

    • @Name_then_some_numbers
      @Name_then_some_numbers 2 месяца назад

      "Drive" 😁 I first heard that from a mate in Brecon, I guess it’s a South West thing. Love it. Cheers drive.@@helenchelmicka3028

    • @Name_then_some_numbers
      @Name_then_some_numbers 2 месяца назад

      Don’t forget DJ Krust and his mates!

    • @annettecorbett9842
      @annettecorbett9842 Месяц назад +1

      And Martina Topley Bird. I was in musical heaven for the whole time these guys were a big thing

  • @lichtfilme
    @lichtfilme 2 года назад +58

    Massive Attack are genius to me because they make a lot out of very little. They choose their few ingredients so wisely and create MAGIC with them.

  • @tuomashelin555
    @tuomashelin555 2 года назад +22

    I saw Massive Attack in a concert in Pori Jazz Festival, Finland. I think it was in at the end of July 2008. If you know about the Finnish summer, the daylight is very long lasting.
    The band had to delay beginning the concert, because they had a very impressive light and media show that needed darkness.
    Anywhooo, the concert started and it was incredible and to top it all, just before Massive Attack started playing "Teardrop", the setting sun went behind a curtain of clouds and it started to rain a little - a warm summer rain. Like little tears falling from the sky above.
    The sun was showing sympathy to the song and the story behind the lyrics.

    • @iximusic
      @iximusic  2 года назад +3

      That must have been unforgettable!

    • @OurSpaceshipEarth
      @OurSpaceshipEarth 2 месяца назад

      Just reminded me of when my uncle died it rained for a week and a half here. The funeral [procession] was soo long caused shutdown straight through the middle of the city for long enough for the news to show up [to cover it].. Where's this Mandella effect when you need it.. He was only 33 but for years after his death people from all over the world would be sending him mail. I've travelled and made good friends all over Canada and no one's ever written me a letter. Let malone many letters for years after my passing. I'm sadly serious when I say one can still see the chaotic ripple effects of the loss of such a respected successful keystone figure of the city's underground right at his peak.

  • @justincordray
    @justincordray 2 года назад +27

    Wouldn't be mad if you did a breakdown of this whole album

  • @IvanoForgione
    @IvanoForgione 2 года назад +19

    "you can feel the majorness wash over you", yes. Yes I can. Spectacular wording.

  • @Antonio_Ortiz
    @Antonio_Ortiz 2 года назад +19

    This song was my first exposure to Trip-Hop when I was 10-years-old back in the 90's. It's impact has never aged for me.

    • @Name_then_some_numbers
      @Name_then_some_numbers 2 месяца назад

      I met my wife the day after a Massive Attack gig. She was at the same gig. It’s very special to me too.

  • @neonom1024
    @neonom1024 2 года назад +55

    Another Massive Attack & Tool connection: Tricky, a sometime member of Massive Attack, was in Tool's "Parabola" video.

    • @sodestroyed8364
      @sodestroyed8364 2 года назад +2

      wow

    • @familiarsting4108
      @familiarsting4108 2 года назад +1

      Whattttt that’s crazy

    • @righteouswhippingstick
      @righteouswhippingstick 2 года назад +1

      I love Tricky. I have been spreading his grooves since 1997.

    • @gigachad192
      @gigachad192 2 года назад

      What other connections are there between them?

    • @atrus3823
      @atrus3823 2 года назад +1

      Tricky also opened for Tool in 2001, at least at their Vancouver show.

  • @xpkareem
    @xpkareem 2 года назад +19

    The first time I heard this album it was in a bar, I interrogated the bartender until she told me the album name and I went out and bought it on CD the next day (we still bought CD's back then). I listened to it for at least a month straight on repeat, really opened up a whole new universe of music for me. Amazing album.

  • @ThisCreepingLife
    @ThisCreepingLife 2 года назад +17

    I've been a hardcore Massive Attack fan for years, and every time i listen to their songs i always find something new in them. Their music is so incredible

  • @atraveleronthesea9806
    @atraveleronthesea9806 2 года назад +89

    Mezzanine is a great album all around. Risingson is one of my favorites followed close by Angel.

    • @iximusic
      @iximusic  2 года назад +8

      So good!

    • @DeeNimmin
      @DeeNimmin 2 года назад +3

      It’s still one of my all time favorite albums. A masterpiece from start to finish.

    • @TheMarotron
      @TheMarotron 2 года назад

      Totally agree, Risingson was my introduction to Massive Attack, my favourite track on the album definitely. the bass line was the killer.

    • @TheMarotron
      @TheMarotron 2 года назад +1

      “💋 …fantastic genre” part was a masterpiece, instant subscribe.

    • @Lunarplex
      @Lunarplex 2 года назад

      Same!

  • @NealSanche
    @NealSanche 2 года назад +17

    I'm probably not alone but the first time I heard this was leaking out of Neo's headphones in The Matrix, just before following the white rabbit. I had to find what that music was, and found Mezzanine. Thanks for this.

    • @Krugljar
      @Krugljar Год назад

      He's actually listening to Dissolved Girl, another great song off Mezzanine

    • @NealSanche
      @NealSanche Год назад

      @@Krugljar Yeah, you're right. Whoops. ;) Thanks for the correction.

  • @themidgardguy9796
    @themidgardguy9796 2 года назад +21

    I have consumed your analysis like a delicious treat. Teardrop holds an emotional place for me. It was the first time music told me how to feel and i complied willingly.

  • @night_speed
    @night_speed 2 года назад +72

    I bought this album on vinyl in the 90s and for a long time never knew the crackly texture was part of the song and not just my dusty turntable. I miss this era of music. I think without bands like this and Portishead and Tricky and trip hop in general the whole lo-fi thing wouldn't be as popular now. My favorite album from this time is Becoming X by Sneaker Pimps. The entire album is great beginning to end and i prefer the original release from 96. Subsequent releases used different versions of a few songs particularly Post Modern Sleaze which took out a cigarette reference and was one of my favorite lyrics in that song.

    • @sulecen
      @sulecen 2 года назад +5

      Totally agree the roots of lo-fi is trip hop!

    • @avedic
      @avedic 2 года назад +2

      Oh yes! Becoming X is stellar. Great mix of trip hop and shoegaze. Such a thoroughly 90s album lol. Every song is great, but i def prefer the alternate mixes on the two singles Spin Spin Sugar and 6 Underground. "a one two...a one two..."

    • @night_speed
      @night_speed 2 года назад +2

      @@avedic yes you're totally right. There is that darker mix of Spin Spin Sugar that's way better than the more pop version but you have to admit the original lyrics to Post Modern Sleaze are much better. 'All through the night. She's chokin' on Marlboro Lights'. Also, how great are the lyrics for Roll On? 'When you're breathing through your elbows, down on me'. A lot of people prefer their second album, Bloodsport? I think. But unfortunately Kelly's vocals are what does it for me. Same with *SALEM* and Heather's voice. I'm a sucker for breathy female vocals.

    • @night_speed
      @night_speed 2 года назад +2

      @@henriquematias1986 tis the circle of life. Every generation grows up and sells their childhood to the current youth. In the 90s all the baby boomers sold us Woodstock 94 and 99, The Beatles 1 and psychedelic colors for our iMacs. Not to get all 'yellow king' on you but if you think about it, to be nostalgic of the 90s is to also be nostalgic of the 60s and 70s. Dazed and Confused, That 70s Show. Time is a flat circle.

    • @blatherskite3009
      @blatherskite3009 2 года назад +2

      Yes, Becoming X (the original release with the DJ-killer circuit-board artwork) is a work of genius. I tend to "rediscover" it every few years and the production still blows me away today :) The modified re-release version was an abomination. I guess the aim was to make it more "commercial" and radio-friendly when the album suddenly got popular. Big mistake :(

  • @isajmody2344
    @isajmody2344 2 года назад +51

    If God explains my life half as well as you dissect songs, I may have some resolve when I shuffle off this mortal coil. You are almost a heart surgeon explaining why someone's heart is broke into pieces listening to music. Once again, bravo and belissima!

    • @benharvey2881
      @benharvey2881 2 года назад +5

      This Mortal Coil is another amazing British group associated with Liz Fraser! Check out "Song to the Siren" with her on vocals - another absolute heartbreaker!

    • @isajmody2344
      @isajmody2344 2 года назад +1

      @@benharvey2881 I didn't even know. Wow!

    • @770yd1n5pac3
      @770yd1n5pac3 2 года назад +3

      Indeed This Mortal Coil was a 4AD side project - It’ll end in tears is a phenomenal album for the time (1984); re Cocteau Twins - Cherry-Coloured Funk as killer track and BBC/Peel Sessions album is also good. Who am I kidding, it all is!

    • @crackbaby4444
      @crackbaby4444 Год назад +3

      And your way of commenting on that made me feel like I was reading a poem

    • @thevalueofn6994
      @thevalueofn6994 5 месяцев назад

      @@crackbaby4444 That's similar to what I was about to write.

  • @amplethought
    @amplethought 5 месяцев назад +6

    I love how passionate you are. I feel the same way about this song and pretty much anything Beth Hirsch sings. But I cry for a LOT of songs. I don’t think I’m an empath- and I’m not depressed- and I can’t read music- but I CAN FEEL it.

  • @beclamide
    @beclamide 2 года назад +18

    I knew it was an incredibly well written song but it really takes watching a deconstruction by a music theory expert to make you fully appreciate how perfect a song it is.

  • @sintheal
    @sintheal 2 года назад +16

    A missed trip hop classic in my book is a group named Daughter Darling. The song broken bridge is my favorite.

    • @kaicanyonellis
      @kaicanyonellis 2 года назад +3

      Listening to this song now. Not hard to see why it's your favorite!

  • @DJKuroh
    @DJKuroh 2 года назад +7

    This song is in my top 5 of "changed my life as a budding musician" songs for sure.

  • @kaicanyonellis
    @kaicanyonellis 2 года назад +15

    One of my favorite moments in Trip Hop history: Tricky was on the Late Show with Craig Kilborne performing "Evolution Revolution Love". Afterwards, Kilborne is interviewing him and says, "So you're the inventor of trip hop! What exactly is trip hop?" And Tricky just shrugs and says, "I have no idea" 😂

    • @RyanStone143
      @RyanStone143 2 года назад +4

      I just realized "Tricky" was in The Fifth Element. lol

    • @kaicanyonellis
      @kaicanyonellis 2 года назад +3

      @@RyanStone143 Yes!!! And so good!!! Despite having zero ability to project his voice. He's the real life version of the quiet girl from Pitch Perfect 😂 but he says so much through body language and facial expressions.

    • @cooptrol
      @cooptrol 2 года назад

      one of the first videos uploaded to youtube: ruclips.net/video/5NhM1IO_SYE/видео.html

  • @joemann2178
    @joemann2178 2 года назад +6

    Remember this song from the year when I finished Uni, I studied in Bristol where Massive Attack are from. The Aurora version rekindled this beautiful song for me.

    • @iximusic
      @iximusic  2 года назад +1

      That version is truly amazing. I watch/listen to it regularly!

    • @Hakucho64
      @Hakucho64 Год назад

      Came here to tell you about it, but you already know. Bless that JJJ.

  • @woolfy101
    @woolfy101 2 года назад +8

    The crackle, the vocals, chords and well, everything really as I already had Liz on my wall. This goes right down my spine.

  • @James7995
    @James7995 2 года назад +23

    Those haunting line “You’re stumbling in dark, you’re stumbling in the dark” like she’s calling out to Jeff.. It’s just heartbreaking

  • @RubemOliveiradePaula
    @RubemOliveiradePaula 11 дней назад +1

    God, you've got a fan! This song remembers me parachuting for the first, and only, time, at Queenstown, New Zealand, exactly 20 years ago! What a gorgeous triphop trip!

  • @DustyCustard
    @DustyCustard 2 года назад +7

    I'm hoping this is going to be a gateway to analysis of the Cocteau's Cherry Coloured Funk. x

  • @AbbyJasmine-xu1kg
    @AbbyJasmine-xu1kg 2 года назад +5

    Still moves me the same way as when I first heard it. I didn’t know about the sample or that she had heard about Jeff. It’s ageless

  • @iximusic
    @iximusic  2 года назад +132

    Hope you enjoyed the video! 1) Apparently the lyric site I used is wrong, it's "fearless on my breath", sorry! 2) The black lipstick and white shirt is to match the album cover and 3) Aurora has an awe-inspiring cover of Teardrop I'd like to recommend: ruclips.net/video/GPTY6l_PX5k/видео.html. I particularly love her vocals between verses! 🖤 BLOOPS: ruclips.net/video/QXqde_7B5DI/видео.html

    • @dajje100
      @dajje100 2 года назад +1

      I'd say that this version is one of those few times that the cover might actually be better than the original for me.

    • @christophermcginnis2790
      @christophermcginnis2790 2 года назад +2

      You should try giving a listen to "The Box - Full/Extended Version" by Orbital. It has great vocals from Alison Goldfrap and Grant Fulton as well as some great harpsichord.

    • @kohhna
      @kohhna 2 года назад +2

      The Mad Professor Mezzanine remix tapes are on Spotify now too. That stuff is insanely good.

    • @esdhin
      @esdhin 2 года назад +3

      Jose Gonzalez did a cover a while ago that is great too. ruclips.net/video/3l21_I8rEds/видео.html

    • @duroxkilo
      @duroxkilo 2 года назад +1

      @@dajje100 don't say that :}
      it is indeed exceptionally good

  • @JAYDUBYAH29
    @JAYDUBYAH29 2 года назад +13

    This was fantastic. I cry over musical analysis and why the emotions are so orchestrated by the harmony too. 🥰

  • @lichtfilme
    @lichtfilme 2 года назад +14

    Its stunning to know it’s about the death of a friend, but sounds so life-affirming. Shows insight into the universe to me. The whole song with the heartbeat and neverstarting harpsichord is so much about LIFE

  • @HungryForTastyFoodAndComicArt
    @HungryForTastyFoodAndComicArt 2 года назад +45

    Being GenX, I remember enjoying the original version of the song w/friends lonnnnnng before the "House" version. And even decades later, R.I.P. Jeff B. You meant so much to us even if you were not "Ministry", or Sisters of Mercy or Peter Murphy or Siouxsie Sioux. May you hit every note perfectly as you sing beyond-the-limits-of-corporeal-form, wherever your soul now resides, J.B.

    • @parkerswaxmuseum3746
      @parkerswaxmuseum3746 2 года назад

      Don't forget the Elton John stint...;)

    • @normajoe
      @normajoe 2 года назад

      Why the dig on Ministry, Sisters, Murphy, and Sioux? They’ve got fuck all to do with Jeff Buckley.

  • @angelobruschini4899
    @angelobruschini4899 Год назад +5

    Dave the cleaner wrote the piano chords one evening, the long notes was me using feedback on a Cello guitar and using the studio monitors from different positions... All is not as it seems, remember when this was made years ago we did not have the computer power we have now. !

    • @byronmarais
      @byronmarais 4 дня назад

      Insane this comment only has five likes. If this is Angelo Bruschini then this is a part of music history…

  • @defensivewag
    @defensivewag 7 дней назад +1

    Stumbled onto this, it highlights some of the reasons for the emotional tension that I always feel hearing and listening. Wonderful analysis, really enjoyed this thank you.

  • @kambinoxwins
    @kambinoxwins 2 года назад +13

    Seeing the beetle from 'Mezzanine' in my notifications made my day as I've been listening to it heavy recently. THEN I saw it was a breakdown from your channel and I was elated. Thank you SO much for this! I adore your channel. Keep it up!

  • @jonstapp6179
    @jonstapp6179 2 года назад +10

    Ho-lee-shee-YIT. You’re onto Mezzanine, one of my all time favorite albums ever. Awesome analysis of Teardrop, Ixi. It’s funny, you name dropped several of my favorites from this album at the end of your video: Angel, Dissolved Girl, Risingson, and Inertia Creeps. I saw Massive Attack live in around 2006ish; it was my and my wife’s first official date (we had hung out a few times prior), and I fell in love with her so hard at that show. So Massive Attack will always have a special place in my heart.

  • @markmitera4521
    @markmitera4521 2 года назад +6

    Trip Hop is my all time favorite genre. Massive Attack was my first experience in the genre, as well. I recommend a deep dive into their work. Thievery Corporation, Morcheeba, DJ Shadow are other greats. Welcome to the most beautiful music in the world. Your analysis is amazing. Sub'd and checking out more videos!!

  • @tavishn
    @tavishn 22 дня назад +2

    It's hard to say what my favorite song is, but when I think about it, "Teardrop" always comes to mind.

  • @jamesbarron5590
    @jamesbarron5590 2 года назад +23

    Yes!! Huge fan of all of your NIN breakdowns and Massive Attack would be my next fave! Liking it and I haven’t even heard/watched this yet.

  • @mikebailey783
    @mikebailey783 2 года назад +9

    Every time I hear Teardrop it sends shivers up my spine; such an arrestingly beautiful tune. Mezzanine was an absolute tour de force, and I don't think it left my CD player for months when it came out.
    This was a very enjoyable analysis, thank you.
    As for being MA's most famous song... I think that might actually be Unfinished Sympathy (!) - fancy doing a breakdown of that'n?

  • @jackiedaytona7681
    @jackiedaytona7681 2 года назад +8

    Be sure to check out "All Flowers In Time" which is a duet between Buckley and Fraser. Unbelievable especially since they recorded it in Jeff's living room in Memphis. On my Rushmore of songs in my life.

  • @tobielang5730
    @tobielang5730 2 года назад +12

    Having grown up with this tune as the backdrop to my youth, and over the last two years throughout lockdowns attempted to learn the piano, finding this channel today I must say has been a wonderful find to end the year. So many of your breakdowns are of tunes I loved but don't often listen to anymore. So to revisit them through your medium is going to be glorious!! wonderful analysis and such a great channel!!

    • @iximusic
      @iximusic  2 года назад +2

      Happy New Year! Glad I could help 🎹

  • @Kermitonwheels
    @Kermitonwheels Год назад +4

    I used to routinely skip this track when playing the album, initially because I had heard it so much vs the rest of the songs, but later because of how I felt listening to it. This goes a long way to describing why this song leaves me feeling so anxious.

  • @alkatorsh07
    @alkatorsh07 2 месяца назад +2

    I listened to your Radiohead video on understanding the time sig. and then the harmonies in that song as well. Needless to say I now have 10+ tabs queued of your videos on all my favourite bands! :')
    Really, really click with how you explain, the vocabulary, visuals on the piano, the passion and enthusiasm. Such awesome content and juicy music theory. Found a new fan here

  • @equinox1304
    @equinox1304 2 года назад +12

    I’ve never heard of that show House but I’m a fan of Massive Attack, so super happy you’re breaking this gem down. Thank you!

    • @familiarsting4108
      @familiarsting4108 2 года назад +3

      House is a medical procedural drama. It’s badass. Check it out.

    • @equinox1304
      @equinox1304 2 года назад

      @@familiarsting4108 cool I’ll have to get on that!

    • @andrewkatz3845
      @andrewkatz3845 2 года назад +2

      @@familiarsting4108 Its worth pointing out that Hugh Laurie, as well as being superb actor, is also an incredibly accomplished musician. He does play the piano a few times in the show.

    • @duroxkilo
      @duroxkilo 2 года назад

      @@familiarsting4108 like any (too) long shows, the characters and situations get overplayed towards the end in a soap opera style :}
      great writing and acting for such a long running series...

  • @moondog548
    @moondog548 2 года назад +6

    The vocals on this are such a transcendental marvel to me: Her voice is small and vulnerable, but never *anything approaching* weak! Small, vulnerable, and POWERFUL. Astonishingly, I can think of one other example in the universe of such a phenomenal performance: Art Garfunkel's A Bridge Over Troubled Water.

    • @mattd8725
      @mattd8725 2 года назад +2

      Crazy thing is she can do it even better live.

    • @eboethrasher
      @eboethrasher 25 дней назад

      @@mattd8725cause Liz is fucking magical.

  • @PianoDentist
    @PianoDentist 2 года назад +10

    I really like your observations and breakdown of this track. The track in someway reminds me of Escher's stairs, in a weird kind of way. The way the chord progression moves forward, albeit ambiguously, but ends back at the start and one wonders how we got there?

    • @annettecorbett9842
      @annettecorbett9842 Месяц назад

      Totally! When she talked about the phrases in 3s I got a similar image. It's like one of those rotating spirals you hang in your window where you can't tell which direction it's spinning if you look at it for a while

  • @leoself9858
    @leoself9858 2 года назад +9

    First time watching you, you’re really cool & clearly a very knowledgable talented musician. Teardrop is a Gorgeous song, a delicious melting pot of the band members different musical backgrounds. Great instrumentation chord progression major/minor resolution. Record crackle heart beat bass & the main arpeggio. But Liz Frasers vocals & lyrics made me really fall in love with this song. (Watch Cocteau twins Carolyns fingers) Didn’t know the Jeff Buckley factoid. 👍🏻

  • @davidesparon1487
    @davidesparon1487 2 года назад +5

    Wow. I just dropped there... I wasn't actually prepared.. This is a sensational analysis, and it literally helped me find out why this song mesmerizes me like that... THANKS !

  • @Hairyfoot_Studio
    @Hairyfoot_Studio 2 года назад +5

    Great breakdown. I've loved this album and song since it was fist released, so many years ago now. I did not know Elizabeth Fraser recorded this on the same day Jeff Buckley died. It makes so much sense now hearing the lament in her voice. Your singing voice sounds so much like her, I had goosebumps listening to you. Thank you

  • @Wayne_Robinson
    @Wayne_Robinson 2 года назад +5

    Great video! This song was my introduction to Massive Attack years ago. Despite my love of the song, I never bothered to analyze it. You clearly expressed the harmonically ambiguous aspects that makes it so intriguing. There's so much complexity inside this otherwise quiet and superficially simple piece.

  • @steveteare3865
    @steveteare3865 2 года назад +18

    This was so enjoyable. Truly revealing analysis and so expressively communicated! Loved it!

  • @kohhna
    @kohhna 2 года назад +4

    Yeeeees!
    Trip hop was one of the best music genres to come out of the 90s, it was huge for a while then it just disappeared. Please do Glory Box some time xo

  • @Barravian
    @Barravian 2 года назад +7

    This was a lovely walk through one of my favorite songs. Thank you.

  • @reykjavik666
    @reykjavik666 2 года назад +4

    That was so incredibly thorough. From the sampled break and Elizabeth’s lyrics, to the chords and harmonic DNA, and to the improv at the end. Beautifully done.

  • @whodovoodoo2313
    @whodovoodoo2313 2 года назад +5

    One of my favourites. I didn't know the lyricist's/singer's background to this song and that makes it all the more poignant. Love the black lips in honour of the album cover!

  • @jdrukman
    @jdrukman 2 года назад +3

    Great analysis. By coincidence I’ve been listening to all the Mad Professor versions of Massive Attack recently. If you haven’t heard them he provides a very interesting spin on the material. Also loved how you came *this* close to saying that “Dm is this saddest of all keys” in true Spinal Tap fashion.

  • @HungryForTastyFoodAndComicArt
    @HungryForTastyFoodAndComicArt 2 года назад +6

    lmao the lipstick choice while discussing this particular song (a massive fave of 90's goths) is perrrrrrfect! 💪

    • @iximusic
      @iximusic  2 года назад +4

      I'm glad you appreciated that :) I try to match the song or album or the ineffable "vibe" in some way!

    • @HungryForTastyFoodAndComicArt
      @HungryForTastyFoodAndComicArt 2 года назад +3

      @@iximusic You did so perfectly! Though I "guess-timate" with a Sisters of Mercy song, the shade would be more in the violet-side of the colour-spectrum! (yes, I am a retired illustrator whom equates musical notes to hues, lol).

  • @CPTcopium
    @CPTcopium Год назад +3

    I used to reconstruct songs to learn from them in a mod tracker and I couldn't do this one. I noticed so many things about how unpredictable and complicated the arrangement was so I gave up in the end. You've done an amazing deconstruction here and the depth you go into is incredible. Awesome job with this!

    • @iximusic
      @iximusic  Год назад +1

      Reconstructing a song sounds like an engaging way to learn how to produce & learn your tools. I've seen people do it but haven't tried it myself!

  • @adamgranger5725
    @adamgranger5725 2 года назад +4

    Massive Attack (along with Leftfield, Sneaker Pimps and Faithless) really shaped my appreciation for the ambient electronic genre in the 90s... Mezzenine got me through some really lonely introspective times in my life. Haunting music and a classic that has stood the test of time... Subscribed to this channel for this reason as I had the same reaction when I heard it first. Please do some more of their tracks... particularly my second favorite of theirs : Paradise Circus.

    • @smitcher
      @smitcher 2 года назад

      Agree about Leftfield, Sneaker Pimps and Faithless and also the brilliant Paradise Circus, I'd like to see an analysis of that one too!

  • @greganderson1681
    @greganderson1681 Год назад +2

    My thoughts exactly. Watched House for years, then heard the vocal version with Elizabeth Fraser who I loved a saw back in the ‘80s. What a surprise and what a strange adjustment. Took a while but now I treat them as two distinct songs. Both of them amazing. ❤

  • @ggstarwizzrd
    @ggstarwizzrd 2 года назад +5

    I absolutely adore this song, I'm so glad someone did a deep analysis on it.

  • @JohnKerans
    @JohnKerans Год назад +3

    Newton Faulkner did a fantastic acoustic cover, playing the percussion line with fingers and palm on the body of his guitar

    • @bradp3386
      @bradp3386 Год назад

      His was the first version of Teardrop that I heard outside of House. He has a beautiful voice.

  • @ansmfella
    @ansmfella 2 года назад +3

    Your music breakdown feels nearly as inspired as this masterpiece itself! Brilliantly and concisely explained. Love how you explain theory in congruence with its visceral feeling. So very important. Blessed thank you

  • @tobiasthiel5291
    @tobiasthiel5291 Месяц назад +1

    I love (besides everything else) how you used visuals in this video. Not only to support your explanations, but also to showcase the cover art of the album, because visual art is an integral part of massive attack.

  • @alabvix
    @alabvix 2 года назад +2

    I never understand how the musicians in general know to mix the chords in a way thats makes sense, amazing.

  • @WiredTalkWithBigG
    @WiredTalkWithBigG 2 года назад +3

    Discovered your channel while trying to find the correct chords for towards the end of this song, subscribed instantly when I watched and listened to how you break down the song and explain the relationships between the chords. Have now added a whole slew of your videos to my watchlist to binge on, brilliant channel full of passion and love for music! 😀😀

  • @skyhighdiamonds910
    @skyhighdiamonds910 2 года назад +4

    I've seen this song performed live, few words can describe the experience, just beautiful. Great song and tune breakdown, thank you.

  • @JAYDUBYAH29
    @JAYDUBYAH29 2 года назад +4

    This is one of my favorite songs of all time and your breakdown is fantastic.

    • @iximusic
      @iximusic  2 года назад +2

      Glad I could do it justice for you. Happy new year!

    • @JAYDUBYAH29
      @JAYDUBYAH29 2 года назад

      @@iximusic yea you crushed it.

  • @friedpicklezzz
    @friedpicklezzz 3 месяца назад +1

    18:23 what I love about this part is that at this exact moment there is finally relief. The singer sustaining that word really brings it home, after a long build-up. Goosebumps.

  • @possiblystevo9141
    @possiblystevo9141 2 года назад +4

    once again you nailed one of my favourites! any plans to delve into some portishead?

  • @GizzyDillespee
    @GizzyDillespee 2 года назад +2

    That modal interchange and major minor ambiguity reeks of the mid to late 90s and I love it.

  • @justanaveragetreeg1554
    @justanaveragetreeg1554 2 года назад +2

    This album has been one of my faves for a while now. I really have grown to love (Exchange) and Group Four

  • @cosmosynthesizer
    @cosmosynthesizer 2 года назад +4

    Oh yes! Massive. That was the impact on me when it came out. I was at a party that year it came out and was completely hooked when I heard the Albums first track. I immediately stopped talking and drinking to anyone, and read the whole booklet of the CD and listened at that party over and over to the CD (nobody really cared). Fun: listen to the samples they used (Cures 10:15) I drove 200 km to that party to meet a girl, but got home with a completely new experience. I knew MA before (blue lines) but this Album was a total different level. For me one of the most intense albums ever. House: yes, i loved the very first Season and they changed the original Song to the instrumental version and re-arranged it. It wasn’t MA doing this, it was the producer. They had to to this cos of copyright problems with the Label. So they used different takes and unused lines to create a new atmospheric track.

  • @Danny-wv8ec
    @Danny-wv8ec 2 года назад +6

    I’ve been listening to Mezzanine every morning this past week, such a beautiful album and in my top 5 for sure.

    • @kohhna
      @kohhna 2 года назад

      Have you ever heard the Mad Professor Mezzanine remix dub plates? It should all be on Spotify.

  • @wellurban
    @wellurban 2 года назад +5

    What a wonderful combination of analysis and appreciation! You perfectly pinpointed those heartbreaking moments that take an already beautiful track to another level of emotional impact. I’ve always preferred Blue Lines and Protection to Mezzanine, but you had me in tears when the song reached its climax, and that really helped me understand why this is so many people’s favourite Massive Attack song. I’d also never really noticed the 3 against 4 harmonic rhythm before, but I can now how important that is in generating the atmosphere.

  • @InertiaCreeps
    @InertiaCreeps 3 месяца назад +2

    If the world ends tomorrow, I hope that Massive Attack’s “Mezzanine” and Nine Inch Nail’s “Pretty Hate Machine” survives us all!

  • @Arakiel9
    @Arakiel9 2 года назад +2

    I also encountered this song for the first time as the theme song on House, it struck me similarly. Then I watched the show... love Hugh Laurie. Then I found out that House = Sherlock Holmes adaptation... I read Sherlock Holmes when I was a child. Always loved it. It was just a rush of synergy and joy. Happy you did this.
    Oh God... just got to the end... your high, rapid shifting of notes... just broke me. So beautiful. I mean, I was already crying, because... song... but hearing what you added, it was beyond poignant. Perfection.

  • @brandond.johnson167
    @brandond.johnson167 2 года назад +4

    I've always loved this song. Your breakdown is excellent, actually breathtaking. I didn't know the drum was a sample from Layers, an album I've loved from my college years. Your analyses of the chords and vocals is enlightening. Thank you, so very much.

  • @dus10dnd
    @dus10dnd 21 день назад +1

    The story about recording the lyrics... even before you ever reached an analysis of the lyrics... I had to stop and think about that. When you lose someone like that, there can be a couple of significant ways to handle that (plenty of others, as well). But there is some untouchable beauty in the idea of capturing those last closest moments to when that love was still with you with your talent. Unfortunately, I figure I would probably go in the exact other direction... but I feel privileged in this life to have paused your video for about an hour thinking about that and to truly contemplate that my love is more a part of me than I am... thank you.

  • @hoppy2829
    @hoppy2829 9 месяцев назад +1

    I remember the first time I heard the b6, "Deep sea ranch" from ponyo. I was completely astonished.

  • @Windowpane88
    @Windowpane88 Год назад +2

    I cannot believe how many times I've returned to watching this video over the past year. Whenever someone asks me for the greatest song of all time, I usually say that 'Teardrop' has meant a lot to me since way back, then I reference them to your video (Because you've explained it better than anyone so far). Loving the channel, the passion and the music. Is there a possibility to hear something from Portishead in the future, by any chance? Keep up the good work, you're absolutely amazing!
    Greetings from Sweden!

    • @iximusic
      @iximusic  Год назад

      Happy the video made an impact! It really is one of the greatest songs! I did a Portishead listening party on my Patreon for Dummy: www.patreon.com/posts/portishead-party-62816321
      Not expecting you to sign up just for that but it's there in case you ever decide to check out my Patreon! :)

  • @jaykong1128
    @jaykong1128 2 года назад +1

    something about this song, and many songs in the early 2000s, very emotional and dramatic, tension filled.....

  • @randyegibson
    @randyegibson 2 года назад +1

    I rarely comment on videos, but I have to tell you how much I enjoyed this one. Teardrop is one of my favorite songs, and the minor to major resolution that you discuss around 19:15 is possibly my favorite few seconds of music ever. I love the song even more after hearing your detailed breakdown. Thank you so much.
    (edit to add) Also, when I first heard it, I thought it was "feathers on my breath" as well. :-)

  • @julianplacencia
    @julianplacencia 2 года назад +1

    I've listened to this song about a thousand times in the last 20 years and you've just completely changed it for me. So much meaning and depth in those chords and melodies that we usually take for granted. Thank you for sharing all of this.

  • @Quarker
    @Quarker 2 года назад +2

    I'd absolutely love to see you do more Massive Attack, I think you'd really love the piano bits on Protection!

    • @Comet72
      @Comet72 4 месяца назад

      Yes, Protection is the perfect song for a breakdown like this!

  • @M-demo
    @M-demo 2 года назад +2

    Thanks for posting. Really great break down of Massive Attack. Elizabeth Fraser is an absolutely brilliant singer and songwriter. My favorite Pearly dewdrops and Song to the Siren. Thanks again.

  • @phasezero000
    @phasezero000 20 дней назад +1

    Thank you so much for this fantastic video. Congratulations for translating what we listen to this charming interpretation. I believe that the end of the song (which is not an ending) symbolize the end of a young life, a life that did not conclude in a "natural" way.

  • @claymccoy
    @claymccoy 2 года назад +2

    I shed a teardrop when I see the criminally low subscribers on this channel. I actually caught the music video for this song on the MTV show 120 Minutes. When I watched a House M.D. episode, I got excited when I hear the song was used as the theme song to the show.

    • @tronlady1
      @tronlady1 2 года назад +1

      I honestly think that most people aren’t intelligent enough, or get emotional enough about music…..to understand it

  • @fredericbrown8871
    @fredericbrown8871 2 года назад +2

    I had friends that mentioned Massive Attack in passing in college but only discovered them a while later through Angel and in fortuitous circumstances: OMG... it's the menu theme from that video game! (hearing Angel in Pi [the 1998 film]) => Listened to the movie's soundtrack => Listened to Mezzanine => OMG... it's Teardrop from that Massive Attack album! (watching House's intro) Yeah I was late to the party! :)

  • @cesarperez-cardenas97
    @cesarperez-cardenas97 2 года назад +2

    I never noticed how ambiguos the riff and chords were. Goes to show you how INGENIOUS the piece is. The very airy/floaty sus/5 chords with the melodic singing. A modern masterpiece. And great, lovely video!!!!!!!!!! 🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰

  • @cyrillere611
    @cyrillere611 21 день назад +1

    Thanks Ixi for breaking down this masterpiece.. every sentence , every word in your analysis is so relevant. Would love to ear you sing this song. Small cuts already leave me chills 😍

  • @hoon4tw
    @hoon4tw 2 года назад +2

    Thank you for breaking down some Massive Attack. Especially this track. I remember the second time I heard this song on the radio when it was released the DJ said "1 million babies will be conceived around the world while this music sets the mood". I think he guessed low.

  • @gizza2
    @gizza2 2 года назад +3

    I’m an engineer who loves music; especially tracks like Teardrop. I have a long way to go in my quest to understand more deeply but I very much appreciated your insightful analysis Thank you for sharing!

  • @danchaquico4525
    @danchaquico4525 20 дней назад +1

    The analysis of this amazing tune I've always wanted. It's all about that note in the cracks in the melody. Subscribed.

  • @JensLarsen
    @JensLarsen 2 года назад +23

    Great breakdown and great choice of song! :)

    • @JensLarsen
      @JensLarsen 2 года назад +2

      You take on the melody is so spot on.

    • @iximusic
      @iximusic  2 года назад +1

      Thank you for watching, it's always been an interesting one for me!

    • @blviking56
      @blviking56 2 года назад +1

      @@iximusic can you do more massive attack please 🙏🏼

    • @iximusic
      @iximusic  2 года назад

      Yes at some point!

  • @smitcher
    @smitcher 2 года назад +3

    Thanks ixi, that was brilliant analysis of arguably one of my favourite Massive Attack songs too. The other one though that I wonder if you know of which is also a theme tune (for Luther, a BBC show starring Idris Elba) is Paradise Circus. I love the clap rythym and the melody and the voice and would be great to hear your impressions of it.

  • @stevecarter8810
    @stevecarter8810 2 года назад +3

    You hit the nail on the head for me with the idea that the riff didn't start you just moved towards it. This whole song feels like scuba diving debussy's engulfed cathedral. The kick & sub bass are heartbeat and breath.