Understanding Call Me Maybe

Ha! Now that song's stuck in your head.
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About a decade ago, Carly Rae Jepsen's career exploded. She went from being a reasonably successful artist on Canadian radio to an international superstar practically overnight, all thanks to one lucky break. After the lead single for her sophomore album happened to catch the attention of another Canadian pop star, the world immediately fell in love with it, setting her on a journey that would see her local hit become an international sensation. But what makes it so dang catchy?
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Some additional thoughts/corrections: 1) I've seen the thing I've described as popping tones called "free notes", but that's boring and it's also not widely used anyway, so why not just make up my own name? Not that I did that. Totally real music theory term, I promise. I would never lie about music theory terminology. 2) To clarify, when I said "we're in a key that contains B, but isn't very likely to use it as the focus of its melody," I meant in reference to the bass part. My point there is that G, the key laid out by the static line, _is_ likely to pull a melodic emphasis on B, and is thus a better key to read the melody in. Dunno if that came across. 3) I didn't want to get too deep into this in the video 'cause it wasn't the point, but for what it's worth, I suspect the rise if hybrid tonality in modern popular music is likely due to influences from hip-hop and EDM, both styles that decenter strong keys and frequently take more abstract approaches to their tonal vocabulary. 4) I should mention that, for most of the verse phrases, you could also read the accents as falling on the second, fourth, and seventh syllables, rather than first, fourth, and seventh. ("I _threw_ a _wish_ in the _well"_ instead of _"I_ threw a _wish_ in the _well."_ ) That makes sense written down, but listening to her delivery, it doesn't sound like the correct parsing to me. Still, your mileage may vary. 5) The demo at the end, where I lined up the guitar line with the vocal melody, suffers a bit from the fact that all three guitar layers are mixed together on the same track, so I can't avoid also changing the note pattern on the riff behind it. I don't view this as a big deal, and I still think it sounds significantly better, but I wanted to acknowledge the limitation.

[@phillipsiebold8351]

Popping tones is probably more appropriate, especially when you are talking Canadian music, especially with relation to Canadian fiddling. This might also provide an answer to your mystery in that there is the concept of spooling that appears in Canadian dancing that can appear in phrasing. You don't trudge on towards a climax, keeping all your elements to that build up, but you drop off so that you can rise higher to the next, higher climax.

[@TheMister123]

Hey, did you switch mics around 11:42? Your voice changes quality subtlely, somehow.

[@fredashay]

Hmmm. I've always thought this was just a simple pop song, but you gave me a new appreciation for how complex it really is! I'm gonna go listen to it carefully after watching your video...

[@richardfox668]

putting the guitar line back in the end chorus would complete the emotional lift but this isn't a completed emotion, only a completed action. she's given him her number but the story isn't over, as we don't know if he will actually call. So mission accomplished but not completed, she's left with the glow of that success without the closure of them actually getting together.

[@prapanthebachelorette6803]

@@richardfox668nice speculation!

[@Thinginator]

This isn't just a pop song. It's THE pop song. Growing up if you asked me what the most genre-defining pop song of all time is, I would answer with "Call me maybe," and that's still my answer today. It perfectly tows the line between simple enough to get stuck in your head and complex enough to never grow old and be forgotten. If I met someone who had never heard a pop song before, this is the first thing I'd play for them as THE example of what pop music is.

[@julielappano4531]

I think it's on the same tier as ABBA's dancing queen

[@defeatstatistics7413]

​@@julielappano4531and ABBA's Gimme Gimme Gimme

[@Nooticus]

Agreed!

[@Nooticus]

Not quite abba level in the level of musicality in my opinion, but pretty close!

[@a13z.]

I'd play them "What does the Fox Say?" immediately after. It would be the equivalent of showing them "the definitive documentary" (probably something with Attenborough) and then "This is Spinal Tap" immediately after.

[@ameliarosesheppard9007]

"before you came into my life i missed you so bad" is such a beautiful and profound line, it fascinated me in my angsty preteens when this song was popular 😂

[@Insert_Bland_Name_Here]

This song and "Toxic" by Britney Spears really demonstrate that you can make complex Pop music that's still easy to listen to and catchy as hell.

[@vitormelomedeiros]

YES. Call Me Maybe and Toxic are two of the most legendary pop songs ever, instant classics that are surely still gonna last for a very long time

[@satyris410]

both bangers absolutely.

[@BGL19283]

This is some thing I genuinely take issue with when people make, and have made for decades, broad sweeping accusations that all pop music is bad, when we have clear examples of genuine, creative people making music in a pop style that is absolutely generation, defining, and stands the test of time. Whether it's created by some background force and performed by known person, or it's performed and written by an individual by themselves, it doesn't matter the pop genre in itself is no different from any other genre. It's just the one currently co-opted by corporations, which almost every genre has faced in the past

[@theaddictofgaming9174]

This song? This song ain't complex at all. I love it, but it's really not

[@samuelitooooo]

I think this explains why I instantly clicked with Japanese 80s city pop, because this is the default, rather than the exception.

[@dkerwood1]

In defense of not using the guitar line: the guitar line and the post chorus are actually the high point of the song. The post chorus actually represents her happiness of finding something she never knew she was missing. This recontextualizes the final chorus into the fun excitement that she's having now that she finds herself complete. Adding that guitar part here would take away from its impact on the post chorus. The post chorus is the exploding balloon; the final chorus is the confetti inside- lighter but made meaningful by what caused it. Moreover, it just sounds bad over the chorus. The chorus needs the space between the staccato notes to capture the energy. The legato guitar line works counter to that energy.

[@jamietaylor4260]

Just posted the same thing. On a dance floor, the post chorus is where everyone starts jumping. It's the peak, for sure.

[@hudy323]

Totally agree, the guitar is nice but feels like fall/wistful/nostalgic and even on top of that it feels old, like something that would be on a soundtrack or montage. Not wrong, but not fresh

[@somniloquous0]

I feel like the simplest explanation for not including the guitar line is that it would just be too much and would clutter up the arrangement. given that the whole song (other than said guitar line) is instrumentally based on just two themes, i think it's fair to assume the producer was aiming for potency through economy

[@MattnUska]

@@somniloquous0I agree. I think the guitar would make it sound cluttered.

[@stubbsmusic543]

Wow! All this deep, insightful "analysis" with doodles too!

[@rmdodsonbills]

It wasn't until you separated out the various instrument lines that I actually noticed how intricate they get in this song. I've always thought of it as sort of a guilty pleasure, but I'm finding a new appreciation for it. It's better than I've ever given it credit for. Thanks!

[@rmdodsonbills]

@@ghost_mall heh, I never actually felt all that guilty :)

[@pr0m3th3us7]

In every pop/rock song that has a string section, that string section carries the song. Call Me Maybe, Eleanor Rigby, Iris, Bittersweet Symphony, every single one just wouldn't work without the strings.

[@sjoerdassenberg7293]

I wouldn't say *every*... but yeah it's done a lot. For some reason, even though you didn't mention it, the string part from viva la vida is stuck in my head now. lol.

[@d_mickey]

I like the band version of tonight tonight better personally

[@Steveofthejungle8]

Drops of Jupiter

[@ShadowWizard123]

Stop The Train ✋️

[@moimeme6533]

Come On Eileen

[@pizzamozzarella9911]

I've thought for a long time that this was probably one of, if not, the best radio hit of the 2010's. It is impossibly catchy, and I rarely listen to music like it, but I still love the song so much.

[@kylenorthrop8735]

I know this channel mostly dissects the musical choices of songs, but I have always been impressed with CRJ's lyrics and the way that they subvert traditional pop music. The speaker always has the agency to pursue who she wants romantically in a way that yes, exists in pop music, but is not the norm. Classics such as "Run Away with Me" and "Call Me Maybe" all give CRJ the upper hand in the situation. A recurring theme throughout her entire catalogue is being confident enough to make the first move and speaking up for her own needs.

[@davineuskens21]

That's cool, I dont know much about her music, but I know she has very loyal fans

[@DanJohnstone-x5t]

There's an article in Sound on Sound by Dave Ogilvie about mixing "Call Me Maybe." It's an awesome song, and his mix was a big part of it. It's a great read, here's an excerpt addressing the kick drum, comparing it to his work with Nine Inch Nails: "The main thing that Josh wanted me to do during my mix of 'Call Me Maybe' was to make the kick drum really prominent and punchy. He wanted me to do everything I could to make it super-special. I think I spent a good couple of hours on the kick drum alone, and kept pushing myself to create the ultimate kick drum, and have it super-loud and driving the track. When I finished the mix, I thought it really was very, very loud, and I was a little apprehensive about the power of the bottom end, wondering whether I'd gone too far with it for a pop song. But Josh and I looked at each other and said: 'This is what we are shooting for.' So we printed it like that and when I later heard it on the radio I was like, 'Wow, this is awesome.' It seems to work because of the space in the track, which I was careful to leave, which means that you can hear the punch the kick drum is intended to have on computer speakers and in cars and in stores, in fact pretty much everywhere. "My background in industrial music definitely helped in achieving this. I was trying to get the same feel in 'Call Me Maybe' as in a Nine Inch Nails song, making sure it had a pop sensibility, but with people not even noticing how aggressive the kick drum is. It was the same thing with the strings, which are canned, taken from a Miroslav sample bank, an Orkester patch and an EXS24 patch. I find that it's so easy for strings to get lost in a track. You often mix them to a level where you think they are good, and later you hear them on the radio and you think, 'Man, I should have put them up a dB or more.' Josh and I both knew that the strings provided a big hook for the song, and so he had doubled them with electric and acoustic guitars to make them sound beefier and more aggressive. I mixed these guitars in just behind the string samples, so you don't really consciously notice them, but they definitely gave the strings more kick. I normally wouldn't think that strings and guitars would combine well like that, but in this case it gave the strings such an aggression and a striking sonic image. We had to get over our fear of mixing the strings and kick too loud and for them not to drown out the vocals, which were the third crucial element. The vocals also had to be clear as day and aggressive-sounding.” www.soundonsound.com/techniques/dave-ogilvie-mixing-call-me-maybe

[@daviddalby6217]

I mean, CMM is alright, but for CRJ's true masterpiece "Run Away With Me' is the hero that wins it. Jesus Christ, that song is so fucking good.

[@crimsonhawk52]

Everything on Emotion (both sides) is instant classic. Your Type or maybe Boy Problems is my favorite, cant decide

[@leftovernoise]

Run away with me is honestly one of the greatest pop songs of all time. The whole album is banger after banger

[@daviddalby6217]

Emotion/side B and Dedicated/Side B are all excellent albums, and Cut to The Feeling is also spectacular. CRJ is a modern marvel.

[@InventorZahran]

Sungazer's arrangement of 'Run Away With Me' takes that song to a whole new level!

[@daviddalby6217]

@@InventorZahran I love Adam Neely, but I really don't like that arrangement. The OG version of RAWM is perfect. It's one of those songs that should never be covered, because you won't better it (see also 'Another Girl Another Planet' by the Only Ones)

[@muffinthefennec]

I love the instrumentalism of this song, that part being developed by fellow Canadian and Mariana's Trench singer, Josh Ramsay. I love Josh and his band, his blend of punk, pop, and in some cases softer metal works extremely well. Josh Ramsay is probably one of the most underrated musicians of our generation

[@JamesOKeefe-US]

Absolutely! Trencher for life :)

[@ellenk560]

Agreed, and even he feels the weight of this song, as he says in Pop 101: "They say where's the next hit, baby? God, how could I top Call Me Maybe?"... His songwriting and arranging just blows my mind.

[@iandean1112]

I've never been more excited for a song to be covered...

[@sharragamez1318]

I'm so glad you did this song, because it was co-written by Josh Ramsay of Marianas Trench, and I wish he were a bigger name so I could see more analysis of his music. I only have the background to do the lyrics for my own entertainment, which are always pretty interesting, but it feels like I'm missing 2/3 to 3/4 of the meaning.

[@ChaiElemental]

I would die happy if someone could break down the music theory of Astoria (my favorite Marianas album).

[@idksomething274]

Astoria and The Killing Kind are my favorite tracks from them.

[@whym6438]

​@@ChaiElemental Wildfire, my favorite song off of Astoria, is a masterclass in emotional singing and in building and releasing tension, almost all built over a repeated three-chord loop. It's a very simple song where all the... epicness? Grandiosity? The grandiosity comes from Josh's singing and production. It's also extremely hard to sing - I know because I've tried, and it took me about a month of practice to really get all the little nuances down. Anyway, most of Marianas Trench's music is like that - simple pop songs that Josh's incredible singing, production, and arrangement turn into something special.

[@WineSippingCowboy]

Marianas Trench often records in Vancouver. I hear them a lot when I travel there. 😃 Totally underrated here in San Francisco, my hometown, 🌉, USA 🇺🇸.

[@sharragamez1318]

@@whym6438 I love it that he doesn't rhyme "wildfire" with "higher" or "desire" and reaches for much more interesting words like "dire" and (personal favorite) "transpire."

[@Viviantoga]

The idea that 12Tone may have just implied that Guitar String/Wedding Ring would have been a stronger single from that album amuses me in a way that very few things can achieve.

[@ViltrumiteIsRite99]

SO CALL ME MAYBEE Wow, great timing. 10 years ago, this track was always on the radio during 8th grade. Catchy beat. 🤙

[@profbbfab6211]

Apparently it's timeless, I'm a teacher and a month ago it was all the rage in of my 8th grade classes

[@musicbydemarcus]

Call me maybe truly is pop gem! The chorus/post chorus are a work of art. The production and arrangement really help to show the emotions the song is trying to convey

[@sfhenno7846]

I find myself wondering if the new acceptance of poly-key ideas comes from the birth of sampling? So many of the geniuses to pioneer that worked solely by ear, so they'd find complimentary loops that work "well enough" and treat the interesting conflicts as sort of blue notes. It makes sense that, since our pop music foundation is so heavily influenced by that, it's become part of our vocabulary. I think it's great because it's artists building by sound and not necessarily by rule, even though the "rules" generally end up illustrating and shaping the process as well.

[@MalloonTarka]

I obviously can't speak for others, but my process is very much based on what I think would sound good. I mostly use the rules as a good source of inspiration, not a code to live by.

[@sfhenno7846]

@@MalloonTarka I think that's awesome. I feel sampling has offered a way to return to thinking within sound, which is opening so many doors for artists such as yourself simply because the popular-music ear is expanding (again) to embrace new flavors. And it doesn't negate the rules at all because they exist to describe what's happening musically, not entrap us.

[@amandacapsicum686]

Yes! I think you're right. It is also probably related to the use of sequencers which let you pitch an entire chord up or down without changing it between major and minor. I Feel Love worked in this way, a song which influenced the development of both EDM and Pop in the post electronic landscape. There's a video out there that calls it Chord Planing but I can't remember who by.

[@sfhenno7846]

@@amandacapsicum686 Oh thank you, I'll have a look for the video. I totally hear what you're saying, and even have a personal obsession with I Feel Love because of how "modern" it sounds. I hadn't put in into context with its influence so I have more digging to explore. Which is awesome. Thank you.

[@09jojavi]

The FMA reference.... 👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽 well played sir

[@tukachaka264]

I did NOT anticipate this childhood trauma unlock in a Call Me Maybe video

[@Dog-Jet]

Underrated, Carly has multiple bangers on every album

[@ssatva]

It almost feels like the ending empties out a bit, almost as if the intent were to leave you wanting more? Which for an earworm is kind of brilliant.

[@AlaskaSkidood]

I wonder if the climax chorus section was left intentionally smaller in order to end the song leaving the listener wanting for more? If the song had a perfect dynamic cycle, it would have felt more complete at the end. However, with leaving just a little bit of potential energy out, it makes the listener feel like there's more to the story. Maybe you continue listening to the album? Maybe you hit repeat? Maybe it's stuck in your head for the next 68 hours?

[@rmdodsonbills]

I think you might be on to something there. I've been paying attention to the songs that get stuck in my head and it's not the ones that I've learned/memorized/internalized, it's songs that the music parts of my brain are working on, like I don't know all the lyrics or there's a tricky melody, or something like that. Maybe not bringing to the logical conclusion induces your brain to keep coming back to try to work it out.

[@mrsteamie4196]

​@@rmdodsonbillsooooo I like the conclusion you guys have come to! I'll have to keep an eye out as well, that's curious. I wonder if any musicologists or psychologists have ever written on similar points?

[@jasonGamesMaster]

So... as a long time metal head with interests as extreme as death and black, i am not ashamed to say i adore this Carly Rae Jepsen album :D

[@julielappano4531]

I think CRJ is able to cram so much movement/tension and drive that her songs do some of the same things I love about metal.

[@jasonGamesMaster]

@@julielappano4531 you know... that's an interesting take, and I wonder if that is what I was picking up on

[@vigilantcosmicpenguin8721]

@@julielappano4531 people should mosh to Carly Ray Jepsen. someone should get on that.

[@flansolo94]

Both me & my husband are metalheads and we've loved this song since it came out haha. It's just so catchy!

[@marknewbold2583]

That's not extreme, it's unimaginative

[@nickmasters8474]

Carly Rae Jepsen is my favorite living artist. I love her music, which embodies virtually everything I appreciate about pop. Cool to see a serious analysis of this song. I always think of it as just hanging out on IV and V; no need to shoehorn things into keys or modes or anything (some stuff obviously fits that sort of model, other stuff is just more ambiguous). This song just gets its resources from "one sharp world." Good enough for me! Jepsen has a lot of fantastic music - I can't recommend her enough to any potential pop fans. Her music is a really positive force in my life - such good vibes.

[@julielappano4531]

I can't ever skip a concert of hers when she comes by the vibes are SO GOOD

[@markowalski1]

Carly Rae Jepsen is so underrated, absolutely my favorite pop singer.

[@realroadrunnr]

While I do like this song and have surely heard it hundreds of times, your analysis has made me hear stuff that I absolutely had no idea was in there, like the guitar riffs. You’re doing a great job with these analyses. Every time you do a song that I really enjoy it brings a whole new level of appreciation for the music.

[@Lambretta_G]

Why even suggest that the instruments are in different key between them? The bass just makes the chords inverted by simply not playing the root note.

[@connordix1859]

Even as my tastes in music have become increasingly more varied and diverse, I’ve always thought this song went unreasonably hard

[@zoeybarter3246]

Shout out to Josh Ramsay, the frontman of a band called Marianas Trench that’s very popular in Canada, also one of the cowriters of this song.

[@mollypocrass4562]

My favorite album of theirs is ever after. I love the concept album situation, and it is a really good album anyway.

[@zoeybarter3246]

@@mollypocrass4562 ooohh yeah, that’s probably my favourite as well. Masterpiece Theatre is up there too though.

[@garfeeble]

the fact i listened to this 2 days ago for the first time in YEARS and then this video comes out is scary to say the least

[@ocean_0602]

Carl Jung’s concept of synchronicity :)

[@garfeeble]

@@ocean_0602 THAT SOUNDS COOL IM GONNA RESEARCH IT NOW

[@silkyz68]

The Algorithm knows

[@colinmunro3158]

Call Me Maybe was so prevalent on Canadian radio stations in the summer of 2012 that to this day there are people who initially liked the song who wish to never hear it again.

[@vigilantcosmicpenguin8721]

Let's call that the "Last Christmas effect".

[@trademarkshelton]

You threw it out very briefly and casually, but I was struck when you said, "For me, the goal of analysis isn't to get inside the artist's head, it's to get inside a listener's." It's a cool thought that wasn't ever really posed to me in any of my music classes, but it makes a lot of sense. After all, as much as you want to understand how a piece of art was made, it's just as important if not more so to understand what makes it have an effect on the audience.

[@therobotFrom94]

I remember hating this song back in 2012. I've since come to adore CRJ's music, Emotion is one of the best pop albums ever recorded

[@JeremyForTheWin]

The popping tone sequence tones in the intro are also church bell notes

[@erronblack1]

There is an awesome mash up with this song and Semi Charmed Life.

[@nickb20]

“Can be combined” And he draws that!!!!!!!

[@IsaiahBoutz]

Is nobody going to talk about the chimera ("combination") at 6:06? I almost started crying... again!

[@0nYxJester]

Okay, that FMA chimera was completely unnecessary and absolutely perfect.

[@carubnut]

That subtle reference to FMA is crushing it all.

[@churchofmarcus]

I've always loved this song and now I love it even more.

[@Lalo-cw1fq]

Why do you use your right hand in the intro?

[@lemonpug6582]

That Sheik drawing was perfect!

[@sayethwe8683]

It took me until now to figure out the biggest part of why I like this channel It has the same "everything has great things about it. let's explore what those are" feeling as CinemaWins instead of "point out every little flaw and justify disliking things" that you see around because it gets clicks.

[@elitettelbach4247]

I’ve always loved Call Me Maybe, but this video gave me an even deeper appreciation for it! Very fun presentation style. Loved all the doodles!

[@Bowshewicz]

I'm glad you did this analysis. I added this song into my main playlist as a joke at first, but then I started to pick up on little flourishes that I appreciated until I genuinely liked the song. This video has helped me understand exactly what was so good about the song that kept me listening to it.

[@TakaComics]

This is why I, generally a metalhead, hate when people don’t give different genres outside their favorite a shot. There is such good pop music, country music, techno music, etc. out there. Call Me Maybe got me into it right from the start.

[@tomaszmazurek64]

For the post-chorus guitar part, I have three main reasons. They are all based around the core dilemma of pop songs - how to have as much repetition as possible, but without making the song boring. 1. Avoiding noticeable repetition. In loop based music there is a rule of thumb that somewhere between the third and fifth loop people start noticing the repetition - and you have to change something. The exact moment depends on the phrase, genre, how audible the phrase is etc. When I was listening to your mock up, even my "producer intuition" kicked in with "this would get repetitive fast". Listening closer I think the phrase is repeated 4 times verbatim during the post-chorus, so repeating it four more times in the following chorus and four more times during the second post would make it overstay its welcome. Removing it from chorus solves this easily. 2. Audibility of the phrase. An interesting thing about this guitar phrase is that it isn't all that audible - the tail end of it sinks below the "so bad" in the vocal and we clearly hear only the soaring high notes at the start. Guitar and vocal fighting for attention is a pretty cool effect on its own in such an emotionally charged moment, but it also has the side effect of hiding the repetitiveness of the guitar section. Now with regular chorus lyrics being rather sparse, less intensive and lower in pitch, this wouldn't happen, the phrase would be audible as a whole and its repetitiveness would be more noticeable. I guess they would have to rework it for that context and with song coming for the final chorus they didn't want to introduce new melodic material. 3. Identity of the section. Until you've pointed it out I didn't even notice the post-chorus was based on arrangement of the chorus, just with new vocal melody and a guitar part. I thought of this section as of a genuine bridge. But I feel like playing the guitar part also throughout the final chorus would've given the trick away, making it more noticeable that this is the chorus in disguise and making it all feel more repetitive.

[@MuriKakari]

Purely as a listener, the post-chorus without the guitar felt like she'd been working herself up and rehearsing and that post-chorus felt like where she actually said it.

[@johnydl]

I think the point at the end was to be a little disappointing, not every crush and longing is reciprocated, and the music video ties well into this point, she gets the excitement and nerves, goes out of her way, makes a fool out of herself and feels good doing so, but it didn't work out this time, and there's always another chance to try again another day or on another listen, I think this is one of the reasons why it's such an easy listen on loop song, I certainly did so for several weeks

[@johncenter4858]

Reason 4 : they just wanted to repeat the same same thing to really burn it in our head for the rest of our live. God I hate/love it !

[@crunchyteardrops4663]

What’s pretty satisfying is that the music video’s resolution goes along with the lack of guitar in the chorus! When Carly finds out her new infatuation is never going to feel back for her, I feel like she looses that longing. Just a theory on my part though

[@TheDutchCreeperTDC]

In the venn diagram with one circle showing people who are into music theory and the other circle showing people that like the song Call Me Maybe the overlapping section is probably not that big so I think it was really interesting and brave that you decided to make a video about it anyway and that's exactly why I decided to watch it. While I do think most musical ideas in this song are very tame you have to admit they're used very effectively and it made me think of the pixies a lot and how they use dynamic changes and simple motifs based on repetition, which is not a comparison I would've ever expected to make before watching this video.

[@rustygray5058]

It's awesome that you did a more recent pop song. A lot of people who do musical breakdowns tend to think that all the good music was made when they were kids and nothing since then has been worth listening to.

[@CSXIV]

There's a Mashup of the backing track of "Call Me Maybe" with the vocal track of NIN "Head like a hole." (They called it "Call me a hole.") The only thing more insane then the fact this Mashup exists is the fact that it works.

[@allwaysareup]

Ashley O - "On a roll" strike your fancy too?

[@EilonwyWanderer]

The only thing more insane than the fact that it works, is the fact that it works... for karaoke!

[@MrMccarthycdxx]

I watched this video went on with my day and decided to grab some lunch. Went to DQ, grabbed some fries and as I sat down what do I hear start playing on the radio... no joke it kind of scared me lol. Love the channel man, thank you so much for being the amazing educator you are and sharing your passion for music with us lucky enough to watch.

[@blueredlover1060]

As a FMA fan you didn't have to hurt me by reminding me of her.

[@Brainwav]

Maybe I'm just a crusty old man, but "don't want it to leave" is not a statement I'd use to describe Call Me Maybe. Though I'll admit listening to you break the song apart does give me some appreciation for it.

[@Wozzke]

Nooo not referencing the disturbing FMA Nina episode when you said “combined” 😭😭 haha

[@somniloquous0]

imo (iirc) this song, Teenage Dream and Digital Love all create a thematically-relevant sense of longing by mostly avoiding unambiguously resolving to the tonic chord

[@bloodymediocrity]

I take the kind of incomplete build up as symbolic of the end of the butterflies stage of a crush. The excitement of not knowing what's going to happen has ended, and it's just not as shiny as the lead up.

[@JM-co6rf]

one of the GREATEST pop songs of all time

[@thetraveller1246]

Time to break out my CRJ CD. Stop judging me

[@GiacomoBocca]

6:05 the drawing for the word “combine” made me shiver… nice reference

[@peristeronic37]

As far as why she didnt include the guitar in the final chorus, I think it's representative of what she "missed" before theyre together. The chorus obviously is from the perspective of just as she approaches him while the post chorus is after they are together reflecting on before. She specifically says "before you came into my life I missed you so bad", and if you enterpret the guitar part as their deeper emotional connection then it only follows that the part would be missing when she first goes to approach him. The guitar part is literally missing from her life until after she's gotten to know him.

[@tylerhackner9731]

This was EVERYWHERE in 2012 lol, I miss when songs were everywhere

[@eoinh]

I've never thought about that actually, why don't certain songs get so popular anymore that by the end of the summer we're sick of them? If we were in school at the time maybe that's why, the same way tiktok audio trends grip schools these days

[@moimeme6533]

iirc the Olympic athletes sang it on the plane to London ✈🎼🎶

[@elinolasco1019]

I’ve been subbed for years and I just realized why you write from right to left.

[@EthanHein]

THE CHORUS OF THE CHORUS

[@---rm8do]

I remember going on some field trip and hearing a bunch of my friends singing this at the top of their lungs while marching down the hotel hallway after I woke up. I hope I never forget this.

[@Fly0High]

I have the instrumental of this music on my ipod and I can say it's annoyingly easy to get stuck in it for hours in a loop... thanks

[@invinciblebear94]

I’m so glad you analyzed this song, because it gives me (and it looks like several other fans) such a brilliant segue to calling for you to breakdown some of Marianas Trench’s greatest hits and albums. Josh Ramsay the Lead Singer and Frontman of that band co-wrote this song, and their albums (several of which are seamless transitions from start to finish) listen more like an opera or a musical theater soundtrack than individual songs and I’ve longed for a greater deep-dive into their music for a very long time. If I had one wish it would be to see a staggering majority of their music broken down and analyzed on this channel, but that would admittedly be quite an undertaking. I would absolutely settle for several deep dives on albums or pieces that tie into the others. There’s a lot of iteration on older music as they made more which is always fascinating to get to see; an artist revisiting their works and reimagining them under new circumstances with new themes to emphasize.

[@thea-beez7693]

I've never had an earworm worse than this one! The chorus was literally stuck in my head for an entire summer and it was nothing short of pure torture.

[@gsuberland]

I've heard pomDeter's "Call Me A Hole" (CRJ / NIN mashup) so many times that when you played the intro notes my brain started singing "god money, I'll do anything for you".

[@croaker517]

For me it's the DMX/CRJ Mashup of this and X Gonna Give it To Ya.

[@curiosity2012]

You really stuck **that** FMA reference in there? I was having such a good day too...

[@zachhh1217]

And there goes the most legendary one hit wonder

[@neverclosetoperfect]

0:17 Holy shit I never knew this but I always noticed there were a lot of Canadians in music a new world has opened up to me

[@egalomon]

5 years ago, Mic The Snare did an in-depth breakdown of "Run Away With Me" - and now yet another CRJ analysis? Damn!

[@rachelbockrath6276]

This song was my ring tone for a good long time because I thought (still think) that was a perfect joke on getting a phone call! Such a fun song.

[@AJ_the_Dragon]

I understand nothing about what your saying, but the little doodles have me hypnotized and hearing all the diffrent parts of the song seperated is so facinating and surrel

[@James-StJames]

"What do you want?" "Information" "You won't get it."

[@GladmanNow]

Love your process.

[@Belbecat]

Lol the picture for "combining" things...... I choked 😂 and the Aphrodite heart for "weak", I see you

[@Belbecat]

I usually just listen to your videos, but just realised from watching this one how much of an anime/manga and gamer you are too. That's cool 😏

[@DeGuerre]

5:18 I hear that as Eb7 with an added or suspended 9, which sounds perfectly consonant.

[@Littaly]

I used to make so much fun of this in my early twenties when it came out. I thought it was so stupid and vapid. I'm so glad I've re-evaluated CRJ since. I think the songs she made after were definitely better (although sadly, less successful), but everything that makes them great was there in Call Me Maybe.

[@hudy323]

Seconded. I thought this was tik tok pt 2 in fact I bet I thought this was Keisha. Feel like I made a point to ignore it. That said I'm sad to read in the comments she was already organically kicking ass on her own, and maybe this hijacked it and indeed made ppl think she was Keisha? Idk, is she doing well now? Come to think about it, I mean it does still sound like a club/fling song to me, and I don't LOVE that message

[@nathanfisher4452]

I’m a musician, and I am NOT a pop fan, however-this song always grabbed me, it’s kinda brilliant. I’m a huge prog fan, but this song just works.

[@UrThysis]

I've learnt more about songwriting with 12tone than on my songwriting class at music school

[@404no57]

This has got to be the epitome of "If I like it it has to be ingenious" lol

[@Dayglodaydreams]

This is a rare example of a pop song that doesn’t suck.

[@steveloge8119]

Finally asking the real questions

[@rheiagreenland4714]

This and 'Firework' were my most hated earworms as a kiss lmao

[@katinasoleil]

while we’re here talking about iconic pop songs, I would loooove to hear your analysis of “Crazy in Love”

[@juanvillagar2958]

6:08 "combined" don't remind me... the fact you sneaked that there lmfao (iykyk)

[@nickwaters9869]

Damn it. I have to go listen to it a bunch of times now.

[@James-px6hp]

This is hilarious timing because for no reason this song has been stuck in my head ALL DAY AND ITS BEEN DRIVING ME NUTS 😵‍💫

[@lucasmartins8846]

I love your drawings and your content 😊

[@meghanhenderson6682]

How do you know you've fallen too deep into analysis videos? You watch one about a song you've just barely managed to get away from. The ear worm is back.

[@sourceeee]

the thing i've noticed with very popular songs, notes and melodies and motifs are played in a more percussive style, using the melody more as a percussion, rather than a layer, which makes it sound like a fundamental building block that meshes well with the rest of the elements.

[@cafespy6906]

I've always wondered how I could possibly know all the lyrics and melody of a song I never went out of my way to listen to. And I think you've answered my question.

[@injustanotherguy]

Great analysis. I was missing somethong important - this song is obviously meant to be enjoyed at 2x speed (not necessarily meant by its producers, but definitely meant by providence). I think an analysis on 2x would be a great follow-up

[@nthSonata]

I can't hear this song without thinking about the mashup of it and Head Like A Hole

[@baosia]

You know, this was so interesting I wanted to share it with my friend Nina, but she disappeared around 6:07... She's probably fine though, she's got her dog Alexander with her

[@valviform]

I'm neither hesitance nor excitement, but a secret third thing

[@cudi313]

GOAT CHANNEL