St Paul's Music

Moby - Why does my heart feel so bad?

 

Background

Why does my heart feel so bad is an example of late nineties electronic dance music. Usually the style is characterised by a "four to the floor" bass drum beat but in the this piece Moby has opted for a hip hop style beat. 

 

Stylistic features

Synthesisers, drum machine, samples, sequenced instruments, looping, heavy beat, 4/4 timing.

 

Instruments

Piano, Bass, Drums, Vocals, strings, synth pad.

Structure

Verse, chorus, verse, chorus, verse.

 

Texture

Homophonic, melody and accompaniment

 

Melody

Verse=male tenor voice

Chorus=female soprano voice both are samples from a 1950's gospel choir

Syllabic (one note per syllable), moves in steps.

 

Harmony/chords

Verse=Am Em G D

Chorus=C Am C Am F C F C

Each chord last 2 bars each

 

Tonality

A minor overall

But the chorus is more towards C major

 

Rhythm/metre

4/4, very straight rhythms

 

Technology

Samples from 1950's gospel choir

Use of drum machine

Sequenced instruments

Effects include EQ and Delay (echo)/reverb

 

The samples of the gospel have been unedited to keep the authenticity of the sampled recordiing as Moby felt it gave them more emotion