Personal response to three pieces of music

The Beatles: Helter Skelter 
Genre: Rock

The 1960s was a time of experimentation in rock and roll with different genres of rock emerging such as folk rock and progressive rock and later on in the decade psychedelic.

Helter Skelter was written by Paul McCartney and recorded by The Beatles on their 1968 LP album The White Album. This song was best known for its experimental sound which Paul McCartney tried to make as loud and dirty as possible. This piece of music was used by the mass murderer Charles Manson as inspiration for his cult. Many artists have covered this track over the years including artists such as Siouxsie and the Banshees, Motley Crue, U2, and Oasis.

The song features fast guitar and loud complicated drums and is a loud and energetic song.

I did not really enjoy Helter Skelter by The Beatles I found that it was very angry and loud. The lyrics in the song are very loud and screaming, I thought that it would have been a lot better and more enjoyable if they had sung the lyrics a little quieter and relaxed not screaming over the beat. The beat of the song compared to the rest of The Beatles music is a lot different - more hard core rock sound with the louder electric guitar and loud complicated drums. I did not like that sound as it made all the instruments sound all slammed together.

I think the emotional quality that The Beatles were trying to express is making people feel wild, angry and energetic. I felt that it was very wild and if that is the sound they were trying to go for they did a good job.


Bob Marley: One Drop 
Genre: Reggae

One Drop was written and recorded by Bob Marley on his 1995 album Natural Mystic. This song is about everyday life for him with people dying of hunger and starvation and to keep on fighting and relating all his words to the sound of the one drop drum.

The features of the song are the skank guitar, trumpets, and the one drop drum.

I really enjoyed One Drop by Bob Marley I found that it is a very relaxing laid back song with a nice beat. The lyrics of the song were nice had a nice kind of story in them. The Beat was nice and bubbly puts you in a good mood. Over all it’s a really nice song and put together really well.

I think the emotional quality that Bob Marley was trying to express is sending out a message saying keep strong and keep fighting things will get better. I felt it was very nice and that he did a good job and made a very nice and relaxing song.


Snoop Dogg: Gin and Juice 
Genre: Rap

Gin and Juice produced by Dr Dre and recorded by Snoop Dogg, this was his second single from his album Doggystyle released in 1994. In 1995 this song was nominated at the Grammy awards for best solo rap performance. It was also a top ten hit single on the Billboard Hot 100 it came in at number eight. This song is about drinking, partying and money.

The features of the song are loud slow drums and a synthesizing back up beat.

I thought that Gin and Juice by Snoop Dogg was alright it was quite laid back and had a cool beat, but I didn’t really get the lyrics if they were about all different things or the same thing. I think the beat was happy and has a little bit of a party feel to it.

I think that emotional quality that Snoop Dogg was trying express is love, money, and doing whatever he wants to do. I felt that he did a good job and it was a cool sounding song.

By T. Elwin-Pepperell