Breaking down the production of Weak and Birthday Party

[@WilliamDafoe67]

Ryan: is a professional musician* Also Ryan: My talent is catching bugs midair

[@10thletter40]

51:02 for those interested ^

[@rebeccamiller6970]

My dog did that this morning and ate the mosquito

[@notamemerjustanidiotpyc2531]

Ry has a talent we all wish we had

[@jeanpieralonsocastanedasal4885]

Xd

[@drewbennet3435]

It’s unbelievable how good these guys are

[@jdjack4611]

Yep

[@wesjacksonjigaboonmonkeykoom]

the best man

[@nemerice]

Ikr

[@johntschernach8554]

"Agrees in AJR super fan"

[@squarebreads]

Yes

[@10thletter40]

"Bongo and wongo start being a congo" lol that couldnt get much better ty Ryan for this comedy

[@robbiehorn7690]

I’m so glad it’s not just me that burst out laughing

[@aaaronbeats3582]

bro i was about to comment that lol

[@ajrsmelodypyc4042]

@@aaaronbeats3582 yo same!

[@Cashcorn]

I checked the comments as he said that and it was the first thing I saw

[@yeeeyey69]

“Suddenly the bongo and wongo start being a Congo.” -2022 Ryan

[@cactus_6332]

When Ryan said it was a clarinet at the beginning I was like, “wait, how did not know that... I play clarinet...” I will never hear Birthday Party and Weak the same, I shall always hear the background instruments and weird sounds like the rope in Birthday Party.😂

[@gwentd6511]

Hahaha ya

[@mattrutherford4641]

Cactus _ It’s like this with all these songs he’s broken down now. And I love it! They were already so complex to my tuned experienced ear but there is so much more than I could ever pick up.

[@Roux36Prod]

For me, the horns at 16:18

[@AlexanderTheMiddle]

Absolutely...

[@leaf8997]

Yees

[@dearwinter_clikkie3639]

me: what's that noi- the dishwasher: BEEP

[@aidenperrea2742]

Who sings them

[@bravemenrun.]

aiden perrea explain what that means

[@dcd21]

OMG I READ THIS AND MY DISHWASHER BEEPED EEEEEEEEEEEE

[@reillymccabe8462]

Yeah I was so confused like "what is that beep???"

[@ericg6380]

@@dcd21 im scared, bc when i finished reading this comment it beeped, im terrified bro

[@robbiehorn7690]

7:31 “suddenly the bongo and wongo start being a congo” 34:35 “tHiS dOeS nOt CoMpUtE”

[@littlebluecomet]

For anyone who’s curious: The Eraserhead chord change Ryan mentions at 19:48, but in more detail, explained by a rookie music theorist! :P The original chord is A major, but AJR changed it to A flat major. We’re in the key of D flat major, A flat major is the V(5) chord, which is a chord typically used in modern pop/contemporary music at a cadence(the end of a chord progression). That’s why AJR’s version sounds more pleasant to the ear. In Eraserhead however, the chord is A major. The A major chord does not exist in the key of D flat major, but it does exist in the key of D flat MINOR. In D flat minor the chord is B double flat major, or the VI(6) chord. The VI chord is not commonly used in cadences to begin with, but the reason it sounds “weird” or different is because that chord is borrowed from the parallel minor key. Furthermore you’ll notice the melody was changed as well, at that same last part with “things, I’ve got mine”. In Eraserhead’s version, that note is E(or F flat), but in AJR’s version it’s F. As we know we’re in D flat major, and F is the 3rd scale degree. The 3rd scale degree of a key determines whether it’s major or minor. That 3rd being lowered a halfstep to E makes a HUGE difference, as it changes the key from major to minor for a brief moment. While the key is minor, the A major chord is used, so it isn’t just a random bad chord, there’s a logic behind it. It was meant to sound that way, and like Ryan mentioned it probably correlated to the time period of early 20th century showtune music(though I can’t claim that for sure). That’s about it, feel free to correct me or add onto this if I made any mistakes or left anything out! This took me about half an hour to figure out, I didn't try looking up sheet music so I was going by ear.

[@Thewetseal47]

waste of time for that lmao

[@easyaviation3205]

Jar There’s definitely gonna be at least one person who’s gonna read the whole thing and really understand the change of keys a lot better

[@ajrsmelodypyc4042]

whoa this is cool tysm for this! you're awesome!

[@thrib1754]

51:55 is the Weak demo

[@asexualpolarbear880]

You should break down bud like you. I loved that song, but i CANNOT pick a favorite i love you guys so much.

[@rexasoarus]

Same tho Thier songs are too good I can't pick a favorite T-T

[@Leo-st9ti]

I might have to go with 3 0’ Clock things but its rlly hard to decide I totally agree

[@gabrielhelewa]

3:06 who noticed that when Ryan said “Hey”, the dishwasher beeped along with it.

[@TheEpicestCatism]

1:22 he really said *ALL CAPS*

[@judsonparker4921]

52:13 weak og 7:31 bongowongocongo 34:33 does not compute 31:06 synchronized beeping 3:06 ^ Just leavin this for me

[@Roux36Prod]

16:18 I will forever have these horns stuck in my head now. =)

[@bethcook7066]

I love these videos. It so cool seeing how the production techniques can be used.

[@tessnevaeh5880]

If you think of it, someone could take a bunch of their songs and make a musical with them. They make the perfect songs for a movie musical or a broadway musical because all their songs tell a short story

[@sevvyyyyyyyyyy1989]

that is a brilliant idea- and now i know what i’m gonna do for the rest of quarantine. i’ll link it once i’m done:) but any ideas of what you want in the storyline?

[@tessnevaeh5880]

C Jill i think you should make your own version of it cuz I haven’t rly thought about it much but i do have idea like for example Let The Games Begin would be a cool song for like a musical where they are trying to win a sport or something idk lol, you do what you think fits

[@DailyDominoes]

theyre making songs for a musical right now!

[@thecustom_xd]

amazing, at 17:20 that trumpet plays almost the exact notes for the bassline in 3 O'Clocks Things, way before OK ORCHESTRA got released

[@kiyomi4432]

They always have the best beats

[@turtlejoy4ever]

I love these livestreams so much. They are def the best part of my week bc they help me reconnect with my musical side :))

[@johnydepp4600]

Cannot believe how incredibly talented you all are. Y’all deserve the world for your work. Thanks for bringing us so much joy!

[@clairep4518]

“Suddenly the bongo and the wongo start being a congo” 🤣 Luv these guys 💕

[@Gen_twii]

16:18 for me personally, this part is my absolute favourite. And hearing it in the song makes my heart... DaNcEEEE💖💖💖

[@emanuelebaetiong9877]

THE TURNING OUT PART 1&2 FOR NEXT EPISODE Beep Gang!!

[@gabrielhelewa]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/gamToYB3r9mKo7s

[@MutantBlake]

2 was already done.

[@10thletter40]

The thing Im most thankful for is that Jacks voice is in my key and they all make epic music, that is so hard to find both, at least for me

[@notbeds]

I’m so sad this series ended

[@dpwjbdnsm]

oh boy i have news for you

[@jgmusic_]

@@dpwjbdnsm what?

[@tyunpeters3170]

It didn't though

[@asianbo5120]

I cried to Finale this morning. You guys are pure genius.

[@reillymccabe8462]

The song Weak is so captivating. Especially hearing those horns on their own just reminds me why I fell in love with this band. That type of song just bring me to my feet in the best way, it's like the song you want to see with memories of your whole life.

[@emmahodkin1321]

THIS IS THE BEST BAND IN THE WORLD AND I CAN'T FIGURE OUT HOW TO USE THE LIVE CHAT SO I'M SAYING IT HERE YOU GUYS ARE AWESOME AND THE COMPOSITION IS FIIIIIRE!!!!

[@AJREarlyReleases]

That Weak demo though

[@WILFORDCLUX]

What timestamp?

[@AJREarlyReleases]

Wilford Clux 51:50

[@firegurt2030]

Dawg that should be a song itself

[@clairep4518]

For some reason my favorite part of birthday party is the piano. I think it’s bc in the concert at the last time Jack sings the chorus, Ryan just plays the piano part in the background and it’s sound so amazing.

[@morosesourpatch8165]

I hope they continue doing this after quarantine

[@christine.w515]

7:27 reminded me of Stressed Out by 21 pilots. anyone else?

[@camryn184]

I think of that every time I listen to Birthday Party

[@kodekYT]

Cause the bass and drums are identical

[@kiera__willow7660]

Yesss

[@Alex-dn2fn]

🤫

[@MutantBlake]

My vote for the next stream would be 100 bad days and sober up. In the stream i was trying to ask if the next album has an overture or easter eggs. I know ryan doesnt read these comments but i was wondering if others had the same question or also really wants the answer

[@stutigururaj4783]

They confirmed in a livestream that the next album has an overture but idk about the easter eggs

[@MutantBlake]

@@stutigururaj4783 that's awesome now I'm so excited!

[@FreezeOfBlackrock]

Birthday party was the song that introduced me to AJR! I remember it playing while I was on a boat with my brother and his friends.

[@supunh6579]

This was amazing 😭❤️ it made me appreciate the songs even more and I love how you build it up using small details because it really brings the song together ❤️❤️

[@10thletter40]

Yeah all the small details in the song really bring it all together. I really like it when he makes the last chorus all out with fanch schmancy stuff that way I can really rock out to it

[@ZNDRMUSICOFFICIAL]

I appreciate how they break their stuff down

[@ashleycarter400]

i have seen one song that my mom showed me and i fell in love with your music

[@Creepsington]

Hearing that you took inspiration from We Are Young was amazing

[@NickSchoenfeld]

57:19 I love this. You used the “Jack gurgling sea water in his mouth” filter.

[@jaewol359]

It’s so fun to see all of the processes behind the song. I’d probably never realize that there’s a Dont Throw Out My Legos melody in Birthday Party, nor would I catch the pitched up horns and the pitched down vocals. The amount of work and attention to detail in each song is incredible.

[@riss1484]

As a Clarinet player I feel ashamed I didn’t know that the beginning part was a clarinet! This is my first time watching this vid cus I just watched their live breakdown of Bang! And instantly thought “I wOnDeR iF tHeY dId ThIs WiTh BiRtHdAy PaRtY!?!?” That is so cool, I now need to learn this on my instrument.

[@mercyfaustina22]

I had my 4 school age kids sit down and watch this awesome video, very educational and fun, and one of our favorite songs! Thanks*❤👍*

[@lexi4138]

You guys are amazing!! I get so excited to see Ryan discuss how they make their music!!

[@juliodevesa8792]

thank you so much for doing this. as a new producer myself, you cant even imagine how much this helped me.

[@michaelstudios6100]

i like how they break down everything. it helps struggling producers and songwriters

[@ODUBlue]

Can never have enough of these. Ever. An entire hour of my favorite part of the live show? Yes, please, and thank you. Very considerate lads.

[@hanikhatib2012]

I love your music ❤❤❤

[@pogzz]

Thank you

[@JJampayas]

That's my yearbook quote right there. Suddenly the wongo bongo, start to become a combo

[@galaxynova6667]

Nice Chipotle Shirt Ryan! I really enjoyed watching and learning more during this stream, your fans are great people! Maybe for the next stream you could do Marble Heart?

[@rebeliloz5894]

bang! was in the first stream!

[@galaxynova6667]

@@rebeliloz5894 oh, I didnt know that, thank you!

[@lainanoelle8283]

Im such a fan of AJR and the amount of thought and creativity that goes into their art is unmatched. This was so fascinating to watch 🫶 can’t wait to see them live for the first time in April!!💙😌✨

[@spencer4771]

My favorite song of AJR is birthday party probably

[@lostar781]

Same lol.

[@10thletter40]

@@lostar781 yeah its great! I disagree with the politics but agree with the beats so Im tooorn

[@lostar781]

@@10thletter40 👍🏻👍🏻

[@lmaook1912]

Same, love the horns in the chorus omfg

[@personname9011]

My favorite is drama. My second is birthday party

[@jules8976]

The clarinet's delightfully Toy Story!

[@aboywithadreambutendedindi295]

You guys are so talented I love you guys and I love you too AJR fandom 🥺💕

[@dannydonoghue1581]

I WILL COME TO ONE OF YOUR CONCERTS ONE DAY 😍😍😍😍😍😍❤❤❤❤

[@asexualpolarbear880]

i was supposed to see them in august.... 😞

[@10thletter40]

Id come but Im Christian server! (and poor) #burnthehousedowncleanversion Also thats unfortunate hope you guys get to see one of their concerts in the future

[@Jeb.07]

WE MUST PROTECT JACK’S HAT IF HE CROWDSURFS WITH IT AGAIN

[@tessnevaeh5880]

Its amazing, you will all love it when you go❤️

[@clairep4518]

I supposed to see them on May 30th so in two days but it got cancelled 😢 I have been to two of their concerts before and it is my favorite concert I have ever been to!!

[@bossarrow6063]

Literally now when I hear the song I mostly listen to the background😂😂 literally love your guys music sooo much

[@torchicdahero7375]

MAN I LOVE YOUR SONGS!!!!

[@enjoymytutorialchannelimad8844]

“are there any collabs on the next album” his face knowing it was literally blue man group

[@reimerexpress6295]

O great, now I have that horn melody stuck in my head for the rest of the day

[@AmtrakProductions]

Awesome! Thank you guys for being so genuine and amazing to do things like this!

[@ICEDNOTBLENDED]

I can never listen to an AJR song without hearing a new sound I haven’t heard before in the song in the background.

[@idkdude8795]

This is super cool, Love it! Your music is awesome! :D

[@aubreyreeves5439]

I love you guys. Whenever I'm in a bad mood, I go up to my room and blast a mix of your guy's music on my Alexa. After that, I always feel better. It's as if your music makes me a better person. Also, whenever I'm really bored i will listen to your music and I'll try to figure out the different layered instruments. (Although I have no musical background). Thank you for all that you do, you amaze me.😄😍😍❤❤❤

[@God_did_it_he_saves]

7:05 “There’s this bongo and wongo that suddenly turn into a Congo” yep that’s the best sentence in this video.

[@brandonellison2860]

A lot of my friend who were in band in highschool always say they don't understand why I listen to AJR, they always say the same thing "they aren't good, everything is to random, there is no organization to in the way they sound" and always I reply "I know, that's why they are so amazing" they just shake there heads.

[@karleymurphy]

I love you guys evem more for putting these out! I'm a musician and someone whose always trying to learn different ways to produce, these are always some of my favorite videos from the artists I listen to! ❤❤❤

[@MelissaNgai]

I didnt realize One Hit and One Sip were Alba! Whoa

[@pcfllms]

Same! Made that part feel different for me! I thought it was Jack lol

[@reginanoureddine3571]

Me too hahaha! I always thought it was Jack too hahah

[@RootedInThePastWoodworking]

My God, you guys are insanely talented!!!

[@deejay3ever681]

At first I thought the rope sound was someone ruffling a deck of cards

[@ajrsmelodypyc4042]

"suddenly the bongo and wango start being a congo" oh my god i love Ryan 🤣

[@yupitsmebrody1820]

He’s just gonna drop that bombshell that there will be collabs and then leave??!!! It is taking all my power to not type this in all caps I’m so jazzed

[@10thletter40]

He got you *weak* in the knees for it?

[@yupitsmebrody1820]

10th letter you son of a gun. He did

[@aubreyreeves5439]

I am so obsessed with your music, that I can look at a list of your songs and place them in your albums.😆 love you guys😍😍❤❤❤❤

[@madeleinemac5171]

fhkdsjagg i got so excited that he mentioned peter and the wolf bc i thought he would mention the oboe being the duck but then he didn't and he said it was the clarinet instead (heart been broke so many times) ((side not i know its probably clarinet if no oboe is in the orchestra i just found it funny))

[@madeleinemac5171]

I TAKE IT BACK HE MENTIONED OBOE LIFE COMPLETE

[@Abetca_09]

I really like these brothers songs i just wish that the whole world could hear this

[@Kallyn]

I feel like I prefer the “weird” songs

[@josephcurran192]

Thirsty and don’t throw out my legos are the best

[@rexasoarus]

31:06 Great timing dishwasher XD (/'○')/ you guys are the best!!

[@naomi4217]

I really love listening to you guys! Its always great to listen to your guys music on a late night, where i can close my eyes and just feel the music! Thank you guys for helping me connect with your music!☺️👍

[@chillvibes7387]

Not only is this wholesome, but this is also just amazing and inspiring. Thank you for sharing how you, Jack and Adam made your music Ryan!

[@alexiamenard35]

I loved Peter and the Wolf when I was younger but the cat was the clarinet and the duck was an oboe. It's actually what inspired me to learn the oboe. It's why it's mischievous

[@bravemenrun.]

We had to learn about Peter and the Wolf in music class but it was like 3rd grade so the teachers made us do like a game on paper for it, which just ruined it. My elementary school needs to stop being like that. Just totally taking out like 50% of the musical interest when it comes to that. I also remember doing a stupid musical bingo game in which you could tell nobody was interested so that also ruined what maybe could’ve made me spark interest in another instrument. But, I’m happy I’ve stuck with playing the drums mainly over the years. And my music class wasn’t as bad as I’m saying it was, but just for musical interest and stuff like that it’s not ideal. I only got into producing a little bit because I figured that would be cool and interesting. I didn’t like learn that in music class. And I get it’s “general music” but it needs to be just a little more general. In terms of like producing, methods, genres of music, and stuff like that. It would just feel more natural to be not so constricted as a class. An example of this is like when one of the teachers mentions “Octaves are a thing” (I mean not that dumb I mean in like a more organic way), and the other kids just go “WOOWWWWW”. I’m not saying I’m a superior child for knowing what a freaking octave or triad or whatever is, I’m just saying it should be more “Mhmmm”s instead of “WOWWWWW”s. I feel like elementary school systems need to kind of boost music as a little more of an important class. Well any way that happened, how’s life?

[@finngeometry7570]

Though I’m not a big fan of their music, I really appreciate that they’re trying something different and unconventional. Even though I don’t like Neotheater, it’s way more unique than any generic pop album nowadays.

[@dizzybunnies]

ah respect my man. kudos for not bein a hater 👍

[@CarGuy-xe9cy]

Ryan: Hello I’m live Random guy: Oh hi live

[@johnaplin9848]

Love your music I’m used to Led Zeppelin and Metallica but this hit a spot no other musicians have hit yet so thanks and have a great new year and Christmas

[@biby311]

I love you’re music bro

[@10thletter40]

Knock knock

[@WILFORDCLUX]

your*

[@metalcts84]

Gosh, I just love AJR so much!!!💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜

[@timothyhammons6913]

I have absolutely no idea how they wrote "Karma" first with all the sound bites from multiple songs in it, that's absolutely nuts

[@erinsmith302]

That rope snap always sounded like medical gloves snapping for me alluding back to the hospital “just being born” idea

[@jaronporter6481]

Yoyoyo i met you guys at spotify you guys are the best no joke

[@clairep4518]

“I gEt a LiTtLE KoOKy”

[@alexreeder3111]

It’s so cool watching this and listening to things u never realized was there

[@skkart4885]

Ikr it makes me love the song even more

[@SierraKyliuk]

I can't wait for another one of these--I could listen to Ryan talk about music forever!

[@yupitsmebrody1820]

I miss these I hope he starts to do them again

[@mccoyyoung4806]

Yes absolutely

[@sarahclanton9871]

please please please do one for the entertainment’s here. love that song

[@Ronke]

i like that they used the line “stay out of politics to keep half your fans” in 3OT, and ryan said literaly that about the end of birthday party.

[@judsonparker4921]

No one: The chat: b e e e e e p

[@mccoyyoung4806]

I really want Ryan to start doing these again!

[@Lava_Girl6869]

I love seeing the building blocks of these ajr songs. It's so fascinating to hear them talk about it

[@reillymccabe8462]

I LOVE that you put politics into Birthday Party, it fit so well and made so much sense. I love it and I agree . . .

[@lukegames5810]

The only reason we’re all nice to each other is because we watch you guys

[@Iabandonedmychannel3033]

Thanks for explaining why the original lady in the radiator song existed! I was so confused when I originally heard it.

[@WaffleEBay12]

Love so many elements of their songs, but one of my faves is the finales. They're so fun and epic!

[@theupbeatnarwhal585]

He should break down Netflix Trip and beats next

[@tessnevaeh5880]

Ive always loved this song but my favorite version of it is the instrumental version. I love when the main part comes, the horns in the backround give me such a mappy feeling