8.6.08 (if you would like to consult the doctor, click here)
Dear Dr. Rhythm,
What's up with the "Welcome to Beijing" theme song for the Olympics? It is soooo boring! What were they thinking? Why couldn't they just get an American songwriter to come up with something? You know, something that is livlier, or with a beat? Can you enlighten me?
TJ
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Dear TJ,
I can understand why you would have such an opinion. But let us keep a few things in perspective. The Olympics is a world venue, not an American venue, or a European venue. This year China needs to present an image to the world that it is a free, beautiful, culturally rich and welcoming country AND that their people are kind, talented, sensitive and genuine. So imagine that you are a songwriter given that task. What would you do? You cannot have a hip-hop song, or an electronic-pop song. These styles could be seen as too American for a Chinese Olympics.
Do you remember a song that was used for the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta? Michael Cretu's, aka Enigma, song, "Return to Innocence" was used to promote the Olympics about twelve years ago. This caused a minor, undisclosed controversy. Cretu failed to secure the rights to the recording of a Taiwanese man and woman singing a traditional song. Even though the man lived in a tribal community in Taiwan, he eventually heard his voice being used over the radio and quickly consulted an international attorney. The case was eventually settled out of court.
"Return to Innocence" is a good example of an Olympic song gone wrong. Despite Cretu's use of an unlicensed performance the context in which he placed the excerpt, and the length of the excerpt gave a false musical impression. Many people were unaware of the song's use of a Taiwanese singer, and assumed that the singing was that of an American Indian. Using that assumption bruised the cultural image of both ethnic groups, the Taiwanese Ami tribe and the American Indian diaspora.
Though the use of indigenous and culturally unique musics in popular music is not always in bad taste, it is important to respect the cultural from which you sample. That means you should not imitate a particular style, for example making something sound African without any knowledge of that music. Also, recordings of indigenous tribes or communities are not public domain. These people have rights too and are no different than major recording artists when it comes to copyright.
Now think about what China had to do with their Olympic theme. They used several examples of traditional Chinese musics, while preserving the cultural associations. Essentially, they did not try to just make it sound "Chinese," rather it was Chinese while it appealed to the rest of world. It uses elements of Western song construction with Chinese melodic constructions, and harmonies. Given the circumstances you really cannot ask for a better song. Also, keep in mind that only parts of this song will ever be used in popular media, the full version (available here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cjwc-lDgkok) is really for promotional purposes.
It is completely reasonable for you to not like a song, but perhaps try to consider what a song needs to accomplish before letting the "boring" label come out so quickly. As well I think you will enjoy a song, or other types of music more when considering such things. And do not forget to always consult your doctor.
In good musical health,
Dr. Rhythm
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Dear Dr. Rhythm,
Please settle an argument my roommate and I are having. Is Led Zepplin the greatest band of all time? Or are the stupid Beatles better?
LS
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Dear LS,
Sorry but I do not think I can settle this argument. First, they are two very different bands, from two different decades. Second, the Beatles have sold more songs/albums than most rock bands combined. Led Zepplin is a great band, and so are the Beatles. So perhaps instead of either of you asserting your musical aesthetic superiority you should try to just enjoy the music and not let your ego get in the way. Honestly, who cares?
