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2.15.2012

The Underlying Logic Behind Adele's Effectiveness

Curious as to why Adele's "Someone Like You" feels like an emotional rollercoaster and also possibly why she swept her Grammy nominations Sunday night? Science!
An appoggiatura is a type of ornamental note that clashes with the melody just enough to create a dissonant sound. "This generates tension in the listener," said Martin Guhn, a psychologist at the University of British Columbia who co-wrote a 2007 study on the subject. "When the notes return to the anticipated melody, the tension resolves, and it feels good."
Chills often descend on listeners at these moments of resolution. When several appoggiaturas occur next to each other in a melody, it generates a cycle of tension and release. This provokes an even stronger reaction, and that is when the tears start to flow.
"Someone Like You," which Adele wrote with Dan Wilson, is sprinkled with ornamental notes similar to appoggiaturas. In addition, during the chorus, Adele slightly modulates her pitch at the end of long notes right before the accompaniment goes to a new harmony, creating mini-roller coasters of tension and resolution, said Dr. Guhn.
I love it when scientists reveal the meaning behind these seemingly "unanswerable" questions. Now if only they would get the ball rolling a little faster over at CERN...

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2 comments:

  1. I find this song incredibly tiresome. The line "someone like yoooouuuuu" especially when listened to at half-volume just becomes a needle in my brain.

    Good to know its intended that way.

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  2. Dan Wilson? Like, the guy from Semisonic?

    ReplyDelete