8 Modern Songs You Didn’t Know Incorporate Classic Piano Pieces

“That is just such a catchy tune! (Insert artist name here) is just so talented! Everything they create is gold!”

While we agree with you that (insert artist name here) is indeed a very talented individual, you may be surprised to discover that many modern songs you know and love are in fact largely based on classic pieces you would have otherwise never heard. So the next time you’re in the car jamming to Elvis, Mika, or whoever your (insert artist name here) is, just keep in mind that perhaps it’s actually Mozart or Bach you should be thankful to.

1. Mika’s “Grace Kelly”

The Modern Song You Know

Mika’s 2007 hit “Grace Kelly” became as popular as its namesake was. The reason for its success is arguable. Perhaps it can be attributed to the musical explosion of colorful imagery it created in people’s minds, or its association to the ever-fashionable Princess of Monaco, etc… But we here at OnlinePianist think we know the exact reason why the song shot to the top spot of so many charts way back in the yesteryear of ‘007—the tune! We dare you to find a person who won’t crack a smile or get a little bounce in their step after hearing this catchy song. Therefore, let’s give a little shout out to our friend, Gioachino Rossini.

The Classic Song It’s Based On

“Who?” You might ask. Gioachino Rossini was an “Italian composer who wrote 39 operas as well as sacred music, chamber music, songs, and some instrumental and piano pieces” (thanks Wikipedia!). On at least one occasion, Mika confirmed that he used the main melody for his hit from the aria “Largo al factotum” in the opera “The Barber of Seville” by Rossini. It’s not so easy to hear exact replicas of Rossini’s piece in “Grace Kelly”, but the general bouncy theme is definitely there. Hence, we’ll just call Rossini Mika’s muse.

 Gioachino Rossini just musing around

.

2. Sweetbox’s “Everything is Gonna Be Alright”

The Modern Song You Know

Although Sweetbox is still around and kicking, it’s safe to say that they’ve already had their day in the sun. Back in 1997, their single “Everything is Gonna Be Alright” dominated the radio stations throughout much of Europe and spread throughout the world the optimistic but inaccurate message that, no matter what, “Everything is Gonna Alright” (even though Breaking Bad is over).

The Classic Song It’s Based On

Unlike Mika, who merely plays ode to Rossini’s aria, Sweetbox’s “Everything is Gonna Be Alright” blatantly uses the exact first 40 seconds from Bach’s Air on the G string. The final result is a cool little mashup of what this article is all about, Modern and Classic music beautifully uniting and becoming one.

3. Eric Carmen’s “All By Myself”

The Modern Song You Know

Warning: Don’t click the link above (or below) if you’re already sad. Eric Carmen’s emotional and hope-destroying ballad “All By Myself” made waves (probably from all the tears) in the music world back in 1975. And guess what? It too drew inspiration from a classic! Yes, yes, that means that there are at least two musical pieces out there whose sole purpose in the world is to convince you that no matter what Sweetbox says, everything is definitely not gonna be alright.

The Classic Song It’s Based On

I’ve gone through the liberty of listening to all 11.34 minutes (I’m done crying now, thanks for asking) of Sergei Rachmaninoff’s Piano Concerto No. 2 in C minor, and it seems that from roughly second :47 of the video you can hear little segments that made it into Carmen’s ballad. Yes, it’s quite a saddening tune, but very beautiful nonetheless. Still, I’d like to give Eric Carmen and Sergei Rachmaninoff a big ol’ bear hug.

4. Lana Del Ray’s “Once Upon a Dream”

The Modern Song You Know

Lana Del Ray’s beautiful and eerie piece “Once Upon a Dream” is making its impact at this very moment all over the world as the trailer song to the child-nightmare fuel called “Maleficent”, staring Angelina Jolie. Del Rey has become renowned in recent years for her special talent in turning anything happy into darkness and gloom, and this song is no exception!

Bonus! Learn to play Lana’s “Once Upon a Dream” on OnlinePianist here.

The Classic Song It’s Based On

“Once Upon a Dream” has been covered many a time over the years, but perhaps you didn’t know that the song originally appeared in Disney’s classic movie “Sleeping Beauty” and is based upon a waltz in Tchaikovsky’s ballet appropriately called “The Sleeping Beauty”. From second :32 onwards, you’ll hear a much happier version of this song than Lana’s rendition, one that will make you believe in dreams, happiness, unicorns and fairy-dust.

5. Allan Sherman’s “Hello Mudduh, Hello Fadduh! (A Letter From Camp)”

The Modern Song You Know

Ah, the very famous camp song which has received lyrics anew every year, in every camp, in every country in the world. The jingle is an accompaniment to child’s letter home from camp, and it is oh so very catchy, and oh so very directly taken from a classical piece that preceded it by about a 100 years!

The Classic Song It’s Based On

The piece in question is Amilcare Ponchielli’s “Dance of the Hours” from La Gioconda, and if you are a busy guy/gal and don’t have time to listen to the full piece, you can find the exact “borrowed” segment at minute 2:03. Thanks to Sherman who renewed this classic, children everywhere are winning their camp talent shows and knocking any other competition out of the water.

6. Elvis’ “Can’t Help Falling In Love”

The Modern Song You Know

What can’t be said about Elvis? He is the King of Rock N’ Roll, the ultimate master of amazing hair (sorry Justin Beiber) and is just so very perfect in every way. One of his most famous songs “Can’t Help Falling In Love”, hasn’t stopped being played since its release in 1961, making girls everywhere roll their eyes at their boyfriends, disappointedly asking “Why can’t you be more like him?”

The Classic Song It’s Based On

Guess what? Turns out Elvis is not the original king of swoon. In fact, Elvis’ most romantic song is completely based on a song from the romantic capital of the world- France. The French Elvis in question is Jean-Paul-Égide Martini, who wrote the ultimate love song “Plaisir d’amour” way back in 1784. The piece went relatively unnoticed for quite some time, gaining only small successes as covers started being created over the years, until Elvis leg-twitched along and granted the melody an eternal legacy of love.

7. Perry Como’s “Catch a Falling Star”

The Modern Song You Know

Perry Como was the One Direction of his day (I hope no one is offended by this comparison, Como and 1D fans alike) in that every song he touched turned to gold. Perry’s warm and soothing voice led to hit after hit, one of which was his sweet 1957 rendition of the jingle “Catch a Falling Star”. The song has been featured in several films, including The Princess Diaries, Love Actually and Never Been Kissed, and it was often featured in the TV series “Lost”, which automatically makes it a good song in our book.

The Classic Song It’s Based On

So what classic piece is Perry Como’s song based on? We’re glad you asked, oh curious one. The answer is that it’s loosely based on a theme from Johannes Brahms’ Academic Festival Overture. Unlike the other modern songs on this list however, “Catch a Falling Star” is a bit tougher to crack in terms of providing you with the exact segment taken from Brahm’s piece. But alas, the internet never lies, and the link between these two songs is factually known. So that leaves you, classy reader, with the task of listening to all 10:23 minutes of this song, to find the exact moment of inspiration. Let us know of your discoveries in the comments below.

8. Alicia Key’s “Karma”

The Modern Song You Know

Alicia Key’s is one of those people who was blessed in deciding to take up a career that would fully complement her name. In 2004, she released one of her popular songs preaching of justice, called “Karma”. To help emphasize the point that “What goes around comes around. What goes up must come down”, a dramatic instrument was needed to show that Alicia wasn’t kidding around. Enter the violin, which can be heard prominently in the background throughout the whole song.

The Classic Song It’s Based On

Hey whaddaya know, that whole violin ensemble is taken from non-other than our friend Johannes Brahms (The “Catch a Falling Star” guy)! Yes indeed, Alicia Keys‘ “Karma” pretty much takes a whole 3:45 minutes out of Brahm’s 43 MINUTE piece, Violin Concerto in D major, Op. 77. This means that apparently, a man from over 100 years ago pretty much dictated what songs would be heard in the future, and that’s pretty impressive. Again, we have been defeated in locating the exact segment that Alicia used, but we know that you’re more capable and won’t give up! So sit back, free an hour, and enjoy the class of the past!

So readers, which of these old & new song pairings most surprised you? Let us know in the comments below!