By Zackary Kozak
Today, not unlike many other days, I find myself listening to my ‘Favorite Songs’ playlist on shuffle. My usual stream of motley music plays in my ears as I let my mind relax and the songs do their magic at connecting the musical strings of my heart. In this mix of classic hits and hidden gems, I suddenly notice a common thread in the past couple of songs. The shuffle algorithm has surprised me with three succeeding songs, all featuring some of my favorite synth parts in music. The following three songs highlight not only my love for the synth, but also its inextricable role as a multifaceted instrument.
Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This) – Eurythmics
If you know “Sweet Dreams,” then I can guarantee that you can instantly recall its iconic synth riff. It is undoubtedly one of the most emblematic songs of 80s synth-pop and a fantastic representation of the mystery, intrigue, and rhythm that a synth part can fortify in a song. In the beautiful wave of vocals, it is the bouncing synth that propels us forward and deeper into the traversal of “the world and the seven seas.” The synth pairs aptly with the visual realms that have adopted it: not only the song’s quirky music video, but Yorgos Lanthimos’s 2024 film Kinds of Kindness, which sustained the absurdity and fun exuded by the track.
A Violent Yet Flammable World – Au Revoir Simone
After hearing their song “Lark” in an episode of David Lynch’s Twin Peaks: The Return, Au Revoir Simone has quickly become a favorite in my rotation for their trove of comforting and always extremely satisfying music. “A Violent Yet Flammable World” opens with a percussive backbone before leading into an array of synthesizers which all contribute to the construction of the song’s alluring musical world. The synths pave the sentimental melody and then slowly fade into the background, though not as an afterthought but as an inseparable piece of the song’s fabric that serves to support the vocal harmonies. I truly believe that Au Revoir Simone has mastered the sense of their own aesthetic as this song’s title, its poetic lyrics, and, importantly, the music all blend perfectly together. “A Violent Yet Flammable World,” those words I mean, vividly describe the foreboding yet hopeful feeling that arises from the atmosphere produced by the song. The last 35 seconds of this song cement this paradox with an elating and somehow bittersweet ending that has me coming back time and time again for its special feeling.
Subdivisions – Rush
Last but certainly not least, is a song from my favorite band: Rush. The titans of progressive rock were yet another band to indulge in the synth domination of the late 70s and 80s. However, their artistic expertise allows them to stand out from the crowd and make the instrument something unique to their sound. “Subdivisions” begins with a deep synth rhythm soon accompanied by a loftier melody that forever resonates in the hearts of Rush fans. The song’s lyrics explore feelings of alienation in an environment that seems to “cast out” creativity and those who do not fit in with the “cool” high school crowd: “Nowhere is the dreamer or the misfit so alone.” As the lyrics progress in emotional complexity, the tension of these emotions is released in a synth solo, occurring twice throughout the song. As the vocal, synth, and emotional rhythms intertwine and reinforce one another, the song’s memorability is established. Rush’s catalogue is designed with careful respect and attention, resulting in a complete musical experience that grows closer and closer to you as you continue to come back to it. I’d say you should listen to Paul Rudd’s character in his film “I Love You, Man” and start “Slappin’ Da Bass” along with Rush.