Name That Tune (Really Difficult One)

[FAX]

Greetings music lovers. It's FAX.

Listen, I am experiencing a serious predicament and if there's one thing I hate, it's a ding dang serious predicament. I much prefer the far less stressful postdicament which allows you some time to reflect on how you escaped.

In this case, though, I really need some assistance. Here's the deal ...

Last night I was in a grocery store and there was a song playing on the speaker system somewhere near the bananas and already-hunked-up watermelon in plastic boxes. I had never heard the song before, nor since, which is not unusual since I don't listen to the radio much. Sadly, the tune is stuck in my head and I've googled until I'm blue in the face as well as the ass and I can tell you right now, a blue ass is nothing to joke about.

The problem I'm having is that I couldn't hear the lyrics or the hook or anything, but I'm hopeful that you guys can help me because the song was very unusual and I'm guessing was probably released in the last 5 years or so due to the production techniques used. Also, it must have been somewhat popular or it wouldn't be included in the market's muzak rotation. Here's what I gleaned from the banana area speaker system ...

1. The song is kind of a drone deal utilizing maybe 2 or 3 chords total.
2. The vocal is male, predominant, and the singer has a very high tenor range.
3. I think I heard some saxophone. Maybe playing in a chorus type deal.
4. As I mentioned, only a couple of chords are used and they stay on the same chord for the entire verse except for a chord change at the very end ... this is the unusual part.
5. I don't recall hearing any percussion, although there may have been some. If so, it was not dominant at all. It's a dramatic, semi-slow tune. Love songish.
6. The singer's accent could have been British, but it could also be one of those Americans who try to sound British because it's cool. The "R"s were pronounced "Ah"s.
7. I reckon that the version I heard was probably 4 or 5 minutes long.
8. The meter is slow. Dramatic.
9. From what I could ascertain, there might have been strings in the background.
10. As I mentioned, I couldn't hear the lyrics, but the verse/vocal went "da da da daaaaa ... dada dada dada da daaaaa" ... like that. Assuming the thing was in D Major, the primary melody was "G F# D E ..... DD EE DD G A". The main theme was that first part ... the "G F# D E". It sounded like the lyrics in the verses repeated themselves over and over again. The word, "heart" may have been used several times.

Again, the main thing that is unique is the fact that the high tenor vocal works over a single chord for a long, long time. Then, at the end of the verse there's a minor change for a 4 or 8 count or so then it returns back to the tonic or root chord once again. Very unique. Not normal.

I know this isn't much to go on, but if you could help a brother out, I sure would appreciate it. I once had Dean Martin's "That's Amore" (the moon pie song) stuck in my head for about a month and a half and I've never been the same after that. I don't think I could withstand another similar episode.

There's rep and casino cash (assuming I have any - I don't really know) in it for the angelic being who can help me out on this deal.

Many thanks in advance.

FAX

Disclaimers: Sorry if repost.

[NewChief]

Originally Posted by FAX

That, my friend, is the closest yet.

You know, the more I think on it, the more I think that song was something that a truly alternative band would do. I mean, it was so unique in terms of the structure.

I figured that, on account of the fact that it only had one chord throughout most of the piece, that would be sufficient for you guys to nail it. I only wish I had more clues to offer.

FAX

You can stream the entire Alt-J album free. They're getting a lot of popularity over here after blowing up in the UK. I've made a few posts promoting them and predicting that they'll get big here. Anyway, the entire album is worth a listen, and you might find your song.

[FAX]

Originally Posted by Colt4540

Try The Gaslight Anthem, the lead singer has a sort of The Killers vibe in some of their stuff.

Nope. The singer in the Song of Madness had a much higher voice, I think.

I've sampled several of their songs and would be highly surprised if it were them. I think not.

FAX

[FAX]

Originally Posted by mcaj22

it's not this crappy Interpol song is it Fax? It better not be but it fits some of your clues; shitty british accent, 3 chords, the use of the word "heart"

ERRRNT!!

Is that how you spell that buzzer sound when the guy gives the wrong answer and gets a pie in the face?

FAX

[DaneMcCloud]

Originally Posted by FAX

Nope. The singer in the Song of Madness had a much higher voice, I think.

I've sampled several of their songs and would be highly surprised if it were them. I think not.

FAX

Are you positive it's not something older, like Jeff Buckley?

Synths? Strings? Horns? Anything unique?

[NewChief]

Check out "Breezeblocks" by Alt J. I'm on phone or would link it.

[FAX]

Originally Posted by Scorp

Here is my shot Mr. Fax.

Jason Mraz - 93 million miles

Thanks, Mr. Scorp. But no, that isn't it either.

Too many chords, too normalish. I knew this would be tough on account of the lack of clues. However, I figured that because the song was so unusual, you guys would nail it.

I'll try and get back to the market tonight and, by God, if the manager doesn't give me that CD, I'll tear that freaking place apart. There will be lettuce and potatoes and cantaloupe everywhere and I'll smack him square in the nuts with a clump of celery.

FAX

[Baby Lee]

My submission. It the very least, is this the kind of chord progression you're envisioning? Three chord, droning, a key change.

No real dominant percussion

[FAX]

Originally Posted by DaneMcCloud

Are you positive it's not something older, like Jeff Buckley?

Synths? Strings? Horns? Anything unique?

I wish I could offer more. As I mentioned, the listening conditions were less than ideal. It might be older ... honestly, I refuse to listen to the radio much other than classical and jazz in an effort to avoid being let down. The only reason I thought it might be more recent is because it was on a muzak reel with a lot of other stuff that was probably no more than 5 years old.

I'll check out Buckley and see if he's a possibility.

As for strings, horns ... there were probably strings and/or synth throughout but I can't swear to it. I may be projecting, but I think there might have been merely due to the fact that it was a very dramatic sort of arrangement and melody with extremely minimal chord changes ... like almost none. Were I producing something like that, I'd probably use strings. No horns, though ... at least what I could hear.

I recall hardly any percussion. The main clues I can offer are the facts that the vocalist was a high tenor and the song is, essentially, a 1-chord song with very occasional changes ... that is what makes it so unique. The melody line takes place over this sort of droning chord thing. It's a very cool song ... very interesting melody. Wish I could have made out some of the lyrics. Or, alternatively, had gone to a different market to buy stuff for my juicer.

FAX

[JoeyChuckles]

I think people are getting closer to the song style, but forgetting this was played in a grocery store. Go to the local store and take a sample of the music. I doubt they are playing most of the stuff we are guessing.

[FAX]

Originally Posted by Baby Lee

My submission. It the very least, is this the kind of chord progression you're envisioning? Three chord, droning, a key change.

No real dominant percussion

Sorry, Mr. Baby Lee, but nope.

That's in the general ballpark ... kind of. This song was more richly produced ... at least, it seemed that way.

I knew this was going to be tough since I can offer few clues. But I didn't think it would be this difficult. I've googled every conceivable combination of terms trying to churn up something but, so far, nothing. Honestly, it's getting hard to believe that we can't figure this out.

FAX

[JoeyChuckles]

I know this has too much percussion and stuff, but I would hate to have an idea and not throw it out there.

[FAX]

Nope. Not Buckley. Wrong voice.

FAX

[FAX]

Originally Posted by JoeyChuckles

I think people are getting closer to the song style, but forgetting this was played in a grocery store. Go to the local store and take a sample of the music. I doubt they are playing most of the stuff we are guessing.

I think you're right. Everything else they have on that reel (so far as I can remember) is pretty pop/rock oriented and written for radio. Some older, but mainly fairly recent. To be honest, that's the reason this particular song stood out. Otherwise, I would never have noticed.

By the way, that last song isn't it, either. Thanks, man. But sorry.

FAX

[JoeyChuckles]

When we figure this one out, can we keep the thread going? This is like a fun mystery game. Whomever gets the correct song gets to post the next one.

[DaneMcCloud]

Originally Posted by FAX

I wish I could offer more.

Me, too.

Okay, here's what I do, if it's just killing you. Call the grocery store and ask to speak to the manager. Ask him who supplies their music service. If he doesn't know, he can likely give you the number to their corporate office, which will in turn give you the name of the music service.

Contact the music service. Tell them that you heard a song in your city, zip and state playing this month at "x" grocery store and ask them for a playlist. I'd be shocked if they didn't comply. Once you have the list, post it here or search for yourself on Spotify or whatever.

It sounds like more work than it actually is and you'd probably have your answer in less than an hour. Good luck!