Close to you (II)

I've included a link to Close to You sung by Carpenters

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cAYBjDMQjHc

Melody:

The first Long subdivision in the antecedent phrase (from the lead in to 2 ¾ bar) seems to be the recurring musical figure in this piece. This motive is identifiable throughout the piece in Section A and A’. We see how the composer made use of the first 3 notes: C- E Flat- B Flat to create characteristic rhythmic pattern in the consequent phrase (bars 5-8). Although this short motive is somewhat imitated in the consequent phrase (for 3 consecutive times!), the music in general was still able to sustain audiences’ interest. Perhaps the clever use of asymmetric phrasing, rhythmic motive and lyrics serve well together to enhance the appeal of the piece.

Texture:

This piece has a homophonic texture, where the accompaniment in the piano part is presented in the form of block chords. In contrary to many contemporary pop songs, the accompaniment is not broken into a variety of figuration nor is it arpeggiated in this score.

Chord progression:

There is a wide use of 7th and 9th chords in this piece. The composer could have intentionally added the 7th/9th to create a fuller vertical sonority. Block chords could perhaps also serve to thicken the texture of the piece.

Harmonic function:

The harmonic function follows the (T) --- PD--- T for Section A. Absence of dominant function chords or perfect cadence, could be intentional so as to create the feeling of non-closure to sustain listeners for more musical interest that is to come.

Section B is basically an “expansion” of the predominant function that wraps up in an imperfect cadence.

(I could have made a mistake by indicating a tonisization in the 3rd bar of Section B. Pls correct me.)

Harmonic rhythm:

I find that the piece has a rather slow harmonic rhythm, perhaps to create a kind of calm and pleasant feeling. This should complement with the lyrics that sing so metaphorically of birds and stars in the first section. If fast harmonic rhythms were used, listeners may sense unstable passages and hence the beauty of the effect will be lost.

Close to you (I)

Form

This piece has a thematic structure of //: A : // B // A’ //
Section A was literally a ‘written out’ repeat. This form is closest to the extended binary form where thematic structure consists of two sections that resemble harmonically. Section B continues in the same key as section A and is not harmonically independent. The difference is that section B and Section A’ were not repeated.

Hypermetric structure

The metrical units in this piece I thought was fairly straightforward with stress pattern generally on the first beat of every bar. Eg:


Why do/ birds suddenly ap -/ pear every - /time you are/ near / Just like me /they long
x x x x x x x x x
to be/ close to you
x

Phrase structure

Section A consists of a simple period containing an antecedent phrase, and a consequent phrase. The interesting part is that the antecedent phrase is characterized by a long-short- short subdivision, whereas the consequent phrase is the usual short-short-long subdivision we encounter.

Section B is made up of a period consisting of an antecedent phrase (3 ¾ bars long) and a consequent phrase (3 ¼ bars long). The asymmetric phrasing could add interest to the music.


(look out for Close to you (II))