It's A Jungle/ Randy Newman

[1955]

(Monk theme)

There is something so incredibly brilliant about this piece in my opinion, I'd like to better understand it's deceptively simple-sounding but seemingly complex beauty. Perhaps to the enlightened it is more an exercise in compositional prowess or metrics-driven jingle-by-numbers. Doesn't seem so to me. I've heard it many times, and am still fascinated by it.

There is an underlying style, an order, more than basic theory here that is beyond my grasp. Well, basic theory is also beyond my grasp, but that never stopped me.

I get that suspension is used as an emotional underpinning to the lyric, but the actual nuts and bolts are a complete skeleton that I would suppose must have rules of some sort that could be learned?

Can anyone explain to me (in layman's terms) how he is able to arrive at these junctions symmetrically, after walk-ups/downs, roller-coastering into safety and resolution?

What is this particular niche-genre, as it would pertain to guitar especially, and where did R. Newman find the inspiration for this, in your opinion?

I dare not say I understand much here. Only that it has aspects of blues/swing/jazz/etc. What period is really manifesting in his piece?

I'd like to hear more of this genre, and get used to those types of moving chords under the melody.

Any help on this would be greatly appreciated, if only to say: Listen to this (artist,) etc.

Thanks!

 

[AndyLowry]

I don't know that particular tune, but Newman is a master of counterpoint. I suspect he may have spent a lot of time playing Bach as a youngun. Try "Texas Girl at the Funeral of Her Father" and "Old Man on the Farm" for more examples of his skill.

 

[jondanger]

Randy Newman is a genius, an American treasure, my favorite songwriter. I'm not sure he knows how he does stuff. Or maybe he pretends he doesn't. You should watch these videos:

 

[suave eddie]

I've never watched MONK--had to look this up. It's pretty classic Randy Newman.




Probably many who don't realize he wrote these songs

 

[jondanger]

This thread made me want to listen to "Sail Away." I got to "Last Night I Had A Dream" before my 3 year old asked me to put on a "cheer up" record. Skipped to "Simon Smith". Still not happy enough for Jack. Oh well.

 

[1955]

Very helpful, thanks so much!!

 

[cowboytwang]

On the first season of Monk the intro theme was the gypsy jazz guitar one that they use at the end of the show. Randy Neumann said he got hooked on the show, and wrote the song while watching the show. After the first season he sent the song the the producer of Monk, and they made it the theme song for the remainder of the series. On the rebroadcast, DVDs, and even on Netflix they use "It's a jungle out there" for the theme on season one now.

 

[1955]

On the first season of Monk the intro theme was the gypsy jazz guitar one that they use at the end of the show. Randy Neumann said he got hooked on the show, and wrote the song while watching the show. After the first season he sent the song the the producer of Monk, and they made it the theme song for the remainder of the series. On the rebroadcast, DVDs, and even on Netflix they use "It's a jungle out there" for the theme on season one now.

Great info here! Wow, I didn't know that!

I also love the early gypsy jazz guitar piece, extremely catchy.

 

[1955]

Randy Newman is a genius, an American treasure, my favorite songwriter. I'm not sure he knows how he does stuff. Or maybe he pretends he doesn't. You should watch these videos:

<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-nMG2QARRY8">YouTube Link</a>

<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_KX73Cwx61U">YouTube Link</a>

These two interviews were so inspiring, thanks for posting! His humor is unique, refined, honed to the smallest details.

 

[1955]

I've never watched MONK--had to look this up. It's pretty classic Randy Newman.

<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LmrsP6u7We0">YouTube Link</a>

Probably many who don't realize he wrote these songs

<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fJ86vV2GDeY">YouTube Link</a>

<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fXLYFQef7O8">YouTube Link</a>

<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zUmLAGEHB0U">YouTube Link</a>

These were all great!

So neat to hear his versions, really beautiful!

 

[1955]

...Newman is a master of counterpoint...

From Wiki for my own reference:

"In its most general aspect, counterpoint involves the writing of musical lines that sound very different and move independently from each other but sound harmonious when played simultaneously.

In each era, contrapuntally organized music writing has been subject to rules, sometimes strict.

By definition, chords occur when multiple notes sound simultaneously; however, harmonic, "vertical" features are considered secondary and almost incidental when counterpoint is the predominant textural element.

Counterpoint focuses on melodic interaction&mdash;only secondarily on the harmonies produced by that interaction."

This is a fantastic epiphany to me, not knowing much about any of this. But this describes eloquently what I hear!

I also wonder about the specific use of the minor key in "Jungle," which genre best describes this? What period?