As I was folding clothes at the laundromat last night, I heard a tune on the radio. It’s been stuck in my head ever since. Yep, an earworm.
As I remember, it sounded like a love theme. The yearning, aching kind. The radio arrangement was string-heavy and quite pretty. It was familiar; either it’s part of a film score or opera I saw recently, or… or…. GAAHHHHH! I DON’T KNOW!
Ten years ago, I’d have hummed the tune for everyone I knew, waiting for someone to recognize the piece…. …. but as an Ace Detective, I now have NewFangled Technology© on my side.
Behold my patented Six Step Earworm Eliminator:
1. Visit Wikipedia to research likely films and/or composers. I’ve [basically] ruled out The Remains of the Day, The Go-Between, Eugene Onegin, and Doctor Zhivago —- I knew it wasn’t Lara’s Theme, but thought maybe Dr. Z had another famous theme or two
2. Search YouTube for likely source videos. Try not to be distracted by laughing quadruplets
3. Find an online interactive flash keyboard where I can plunk out the melody before I forget it. Again.
4. Attempt to notate melody using Adobe Illustrator CS4
5. Ask Mr. Jaunty for help
6. Ask Interweb friends to name that tune
Ah, better living through NewFangled Technology©.
Don’t worry, I’ll keep you posted.
Silly; how can we name that tune if we can’t hear it…AND if you notate it, how will we ever get such a catching tune out of OUR ears!!!!?
[Reply]
Rebekah Reply:
March 9th, 2010 at 8:59 AM
I use my powers for evil, not good.
[Reply]
There’s an iPhone app that can recognize songs. It’s pretty neat, though I guess it takes the fun out of song detective work.
[Reply]
Hahahahaha Silly you! hahahahhaa Never heard that “earworm” expression before =) Learning with Reb! ;)
[Reply]
Oh, I love Name That Tune – darn it! Call me and hum it in the phone!
[Reply]
The app is Shazam – it is astounding the amount of obscure music they have cataloged. Including world music and “contemporary flamenco acoustical guitar tracks”, no lie.
[Reply]
Pravit – Ah, but it’s great to have a backup plan. Maybe this melody is OUTRAGEOUSLY OBSCURE and no mere mortal can name it for me.
Adam – Magical, thank you! I’ll consult Ian and his iPod Touch, see if that’ll work.
Smiley Woman – I don’t know if it’s a common term or not, I can’t remember where I learned it.
jean – Expect to hear from me soon. =)
[Reply]
I like this illustration almost as much as Facepalm. Nice!
[Reply]
Generally speaking, it’s about 6 months later when I least expected to hear that song that it plays, and I remember that it got stuck in my head…and before I can write the song down… it gets stuck in my head again.
[Reply]
jen – Thanks! I thought you might like it.
Dylan – SIX MONTHS? Good heavens, we could be dead by then. I refuse to die with a schmaltzy love song ringing in my ears.
[Reply]