As someone who is tone deaf from a family of music lovers, your channel has done miracles in helping me understand what I’ve been missing all these years.
@HowardHoMusic2 ай бұрын
This means so much to me. Being tone deaf doesn't mean you can't enjoy music or the stories being told through music. Glad I could help!
@pasdepseudooriginal2 ай бұрын
This!! I'm tone deaf from a family of musicians and my boyfriend sings at well, and I feel so frustrated, like they're talking about a color that I cannot see. Your videos are the only ones that make me go literally like "... ooooh NOW I get it!" So thank you
@LaLayla99Ай бұрын
@@HowardHoMusic I'm 75% hearing impaired without my hearing aids and grew up not being able to comprehend music theory. I use your channel to learn what I missed when I was younger. Thank you!! 💞
@thatpantransguy2 ай бұрын
In the movie, with the little play in Wizomania, they explain in the prophecy that the one who can read the Grimmery will proclaim their arrival with an "AHHHHHH". That made so much sense in connection with the end of "Defying Gravity"! She basically let all of Oz know who she is and that she isn't going to let anyone stop her from saving the those who the Wizard oppresses. Seriously amazing show! 🤩😭
@drea4439Ай бұрын
Yes! It's not just an in joke about how Idina Menzel sang that riff originally. The movie sets up that very distinctive melody as a motif of prophecy, specifically a prophecy of access to the power of the wise. Elphaba gains insight into the world and herself, claims her power, and then sings these notes as her finale. It's one of many places where the movie meaningfully deepens the material.
@famouskphantom2 ай бұрын
I didn’t even realize how glass was such a big motif in this movie. But now I’m like duh. You are a genius! And the people who created wicked are geniuses
@davidwilliamsantos90042 ай бұрын
One change I like that they've done in the movie which is different from the Broadway show was how Cynthia sings "It's me!". She sings it with the first two notes of the Unlimited motif which is also the first two notes of Somewhere over the rainbow. She's literally stepping her first foot forward in that place over the rainbow by flying.
@jer9grant2 ай бұрын
15:13 i didn't realize how much growl was on that vocal until just now. She did it so smooth on Jimmy Fallon's show
@HowardHoMusic2 ай бұрын
I noticed that too!
@LoveNikiW2 ай бұрын
Yes! In the movie it’s full of that embrace of her raw emotion and power! I love the way this breakdown reveals all of these special elements!
@teahotey9635Ай бұрын
I think it’s also because they did a lot of singing live to get the real emotion. It’s another reason to love Cynthia, Ariana, and Jonathan as the director who encouraged their creative views.
@ed209onthestairsАй бұрын
I made the same sound on the toilet the other day.
@BrookToombsАй бұрын
Right! I have headphones in and it basically jump scared me 😅
@Jetrowdy2 ай бұрын
“She realizes she is the person who her younger self needed to step into her own power” made me tear up 🥹 Elphaba’s journey and transformation is so powerful and I love how Stephen Schwartz’s music reflect that, and how you break it down is so satisfying to watch! Another cool thing I noticed is after Elphaba stops wearing the glasses, the infinity symbol is now visible in her hair, showing her change and turning point to finally reach her inner strength. Amazing video as always! Hope for more Wicked breakdowns! 💚💚💚
@purplexninjamomАй бұрын
12:34 so THAT´s what a power chord is!!!! Thanks! I´ve been playing that on my guitar since 2008 without knowing why it´s named that!
@ACinemafanaticАй бұрын
Cynthia said she wanted defying gravity to be earned and you can tell she studied the lyrics and music to understand the evolution of Elphaba and it works in the film
@nicanproud2 ай бұрын
i love this. I have already seen a lot of people confused as to why Elphaba lost her glasses. People were kinda assuming it was the same reason as the cliche you talked about. I knew that wasn't right but i couldn't quite put my finger on what it was about. So thank u. Love these videos
@nilesreacts35942 ай бұрын
Jon shared on his IG story!!!
@HowardHoMusic2 ай бұрын
I know! He's truly the best.
@renees45772 ай бұрын
The particular design of the glasses is also the letters OZ on it's side.
@mayabairey2 ай бұрын
Gutted to miss this premiere! I love how you dig deep into the symbolism of glass and bubbles, and connect Elphaba’s personal growth to the perfect fifth-turning a classic showstopper into something even more meaningful.
@HowardHoMusic2 ай бұрын
We missed you earlier! Thanks again for always showing up!
@Dogatis2 ай бұрын
Was waiting for this since the film premiered 😂
@thewiz20032 ай бұрын
Thank you once again for a stellar in-depth take on Defying Gravity. It really defied my expectations and I couldn’t be happier that you were able to give this song the love and respect it deserves. Your talent is truly unlimited.
@purplexninjamomАй бұрын
I keep wondering why your channel has not yet hit that 1 million subs mark. For someone like me, who can sing quite well but doesn´t know about any musical theory stuff, this is a godsent.
@HowardHoMusicАй бұрын
Thank you for those kind words! I'm hoping to reach 1 million subs someday!
@AMoniqueOcampo2 ай бұрын
You have an academic background now! I love it! Wicked made me cry as soon as the first number started! So happy to see you again!
@HowardHoMusic2 ай бұрын
Haha...I've always had it! Good to see you again too!
@thebookwyrmslair67572 ай бұрын
LOL that paper was dated 2003!!
@malory63122 ай бұрын
Another thing said by the composer of WICKED, the song Elphaba sings "Unlimited" is the same exact notes and melody as "Somewhere Over the Rainbow." And the opening scene of the movie SPOILER!!! has the children banging pots and pans as a reference to "Ding-Dong the Witch is Dead".
@jer9grant2 ай бұрын
The "Unlimited" part is covered in the short referenced at 0:42
@lexishelton8304Ай бұрын
Fun fact the notes only correlate with the words “Ding Dong the Witch is” but not the note for dead which is a foreshadowing spoiler!
@damaracarpenter8316Ай бұрын
@@lexishelton8304 also I believe it's because 7 and fewer notes can be used from a song before you enter copyright territory lol! It's used very effectively either way. There's another scene where an obvious portion of Over the Rainbow is used briefly as well. I forget which but I think Elphaba is walking through a corridor.
@soniatashjian6383Ай бұрын
INCREDIBLE analysis! This film has reignited my love for music/musical theater and your video has taught me a tangible reason as to *why*. As someone who was an English major, I haven’t been this inspired to analyze any piece of art since college and I can’t thank you enough. I’m so inspired.
@adamgreenspan4988Ай бұрын
Hook Theory is dope. When I discovered my love of the Major Third (III) as exemplified in Pixies songs like Wave of Mutilation and Where Is My Mind, Hook Theory helped me find songs that used similar chord progressions. Which is ultimately how I discovered Steven Universe!
@gilangsetyawibawa1852 ай бұрын
Howard, you're a genius! Hope you can make more Wicked content in the future. I love the way you use the infinity symbols and glasses to associate Elphaba. I also like the bubble motifs throughout Glinda as well, not to mention her bubbly personality! Hope you can cover Popular, Dancing Through Life, What Is This Feeling, No One Mourns The Wicked, and of course, I'm Not That Girl... Looking forward to more Wicked musicology!
@HowardHoMusic2 ай бұрын
Haha...Wicked Musicology!
@iantophernicus6042Ай бұрын
@HowardHoMusic The linguification of Oz is always a joy. Congratulotions on your video, it was a definish joy!
@ricardo941729 күн бұрын
i'm truly amazed by how you dissolved the movie and interpreted the scenes! the glasses things is incredibly wonderful! 😮
@JordanVanRynАй бұрын
This analysis is one of your masterpieces. It's about time you talked about Defying Gravity and why it's that epic of a song.
@ilovetheclarinet2 ай бұрын
I'm a music major right now and I love these videos!!! People don't realise how much detail goes into these things, it's really cool.
@mijavera2 ай бұрын
Again, another engaging break down!!!! I find your videos are so digestible and intriguing!!!! Thank you!!!
@kelvinkao74362 ай бұрын
Was pleasantly surprised by how much you talked about the visuals, and the many things I didn't catch!
@GanychanАй бұрын
The way you notice so many things and the way you present them (without doing a bullet list or being pretentious about it) are so satisfying to watch! The bubbles/halos around Glinda are fabulous to notice!
@lueagle09Ай бұрын
I love your analysis! I’m somehow seeing that Wicked came out at just the right moment in our history! It’s only a question of when people will catch the message behind the pizazz. Thank you, Howard!
@stilelits2 ай бұрын
2:30 i might be the only one who sees this, but i think the diamond shape of the broken glass in the dorm room looks a lot like the hat with the reflection in the puddle that we saw at the beginning of the movie...i'm also pretty sure i saw the nome king on the wall at the ozdust ballroom, too, and i MIGHT just be reading way too much into things...
@iantophernicus6042Ай бұрын
They did confirm there were a lot of Easter eggs, hidden in theisoc and background. It might’ve been the Nome King.
@LoveNikiW2 ай бұрын
I’m about to cry! I absolutely LOVE the way you break things down! It literally reinforces the powerful messages in the songs and the movies/shows as a whole! THANK YOU for sharing! I’ve never seen the stage play (but I will once I see part 2 of the movie… trying my best to not spoil it and wait for the full movie experience), so this movie has affected me deeply, as I resonate with it in so many ways. This song and Elphaba’s journey are a self love story. I also didn’t notice the specific use of her glasses for telling her story, and you explained it so well! Now I have to go see it again to pay attention to these nuanced parts!💚💚💚
@Mombatramba2 ай бұрын
After seeing the movie, I immediately looked up "Howard Ho Defying Gravity." I'm so glad it's happening now!!!
@HowardHoMusic2 ай бұрын
Haha...truly an honor to be thought of that way. Thanks!
@reenchantedАй бұрын
Me too! Just watched it tonight!
@julianahedigerborges45262 ай бұрын
I WAS WAITING FOR ONE OF YOUR VIDEOS ABOUT WICKED!!!
@mildlycornfieldАй бұрын
I get the symbolism behind Elphaba losing her glasses, but honestly I can't help thinking about the fact she probably can't see a damn thing for 2/3rds of the story... Contact lenses don't exist in Oz!!
@HowardHoMusicАй бұрын
Hahaha...you stumped me there.
@unsightedmelodies6801Ай бұрын
Hmmm, I guess the question is, did she actually NEED them? Her father totally seems the type to make his hated daughter wear glasses just to hide her more after she came inside squinting from the sun.
@AdventureTimMediaАй бұрын
Hey mate, I loved the movie and I've really enjoyed your incredible breakdown of this movie. 84K views in two weeks - you are killing it, mate. Well done. Love your work. Just subscribed.
@HowardHoMusicАй бұрын
Appreciate that so much! More is on the way...
@theloverlyladylo91582 ай бұрын
As an Omaha native: there ain’t nothing magical about Omaha. Except the zoo.
@HowardHoMusic2 ай бұрын
Haha
@lwrncschmchr2 ай бұрын
I thought it was a Peyton Manning reference lol
@angelinawilson752 ай бұрын
this breakdown made me appreciate the music of wicked so much more! I can't wait to check out your other content 😊
@captain__rogers42Ай бұрын
My brother is the musical one. He can look at an instrument and play it. My thing is languages. Studied Japanese in college. Studied abroad. The point, too late, is that this helps me appreciate the music on a deeper level. Maybe close to how my brother does. Thank you.
@JulianOuteyral2 ай бұрын
I cried watching this beautiful breakdown. Been watching your videos for a few years now. They keep getting better. Thank you. Love from Argentina ♥
@HowardHoMusic2 ай бұрын
Wow, gracias!
@kevinhrankowski734Ай бұрын
Love your detailed attention to music theory in this video. I'm a music theory teacher and am a huge theory nerd. 😁 I just started working on intervals with one of my students who loves Wicked and I will share this video with her.
@HowardHoMusicАй бұрын
Thanks for sharing with someone who will really appreciate this!
@eldenringer6466Ай бұрын
I like that everything you pick up on I called out while watching it. I saw all of this without analysis which makes me happy as I didnt know the film or musicals or music ha ha but I still felt what the makers were trying to convey. That likely means they were a little heavy handed but that's ok as so few people read or write music any More...or play traditional instruments. Thank you for confirming my thoughts in a much more accessible and eloquent way than I could manage haha
@jessn336Ай бұрын
I love that this was just as educational as it was entertaining. You can tell you put in so much effort and care editing this video. Thank you for taking the time to break this down to us 👏🏽👏🏽
@tombstonerforever93742 ай бұрын
I know nothing about music but I love your videos
@ameliaarrows2790Ай бұрын
I miss these break downs! After you taught us about the The devil Tritone I used your videos in an essay about the Passion Easter Show from 2015, The songs in that "Musical show" tended to use rock as a motif for the devil and well, rock is where it is used frequently lol.
@miche3020Ай бұрын
This is the best explanation of music, I've ever heard. Thank you.
@brockdavis20462 ай бұрын
Never thought one of your videos would make me cry but wow omg
@meg7578Ай бұрын
Your post on wicked a few weeks ago was the reason I went to see this opening weekend.. i figured if you raved about it this much, it has to live up to the hype. I rarely enjoy musicals when on the big screen., but I haven’t enjoyed a movie in so long.. these are the types of movies I had been missing. It was everything ❤ I’m so glad I went
@LaLayla992 ай бұрын
Love these breakdowns! I hope you're going to dissect all the songs in Wicked like this! 😍
@MrMaxtothemax2 ай бұрын
Yo, I had the same giddy chill as a child watching Clark run next to that train as I did watching Elphaba run through that field. Amazing call-out!
@katara5083Ай бұрын
Im confident Cynthia Erivo would appreciate this very much
@HowardHoMusicАй бұрын
I'd be completely floored if she ever saw this!
@beccac6812Ай бұрын
Me literally after seeing the movie to myself: Howard Ho needs to make a video about the Wicked songs 😆 yay !
@titan5695Ай бұрын
I’d also like to point out that the final note of the riff is a Perfect 4th
@MortyCJАй бұрын
Love this! Thank you for sharing! Explained so well, especially with the visuals of the notes.
@mati.romero812 ай бұрын
9:59 I'll use this beautiful reference to ask: Are you ever going to do videos on music besides musicals / movies / classical?? Pink Floyd for example, just to name one. Edit: I´ve been obsessed with wicked (the music) for almost 20 years. Every day is a marathon of analysis videos and reactions hahaha. Was waiting for this one!! Thankss
@HowardHoMusic2 ай бұрын
I'm not opposed to it. If I find a good take on something, I'll do it. For example, I made a video about Olivia Rodrigo's Drivers License: kzbin.info/www/bejne/Z5jUmGxujbSng6M
@mati.romero812 ай бұрын
@@HowardHoMusic If you managed to make a video about that, doing one on pink floyd or the beatles material would break the internet. Seriously
@meg7578Ай бұрын
Yes, been waiting for this ❤
@thefourthmr3 күн бұрын
I'm not crying. there is just something in my eye
@iam_jeremy2 ай бұрын
This video is purely genius! It provides lots of insights into the music. Thank you for making this video!
@trba_bikoАй бұрын
09:47 (Having looked at the whole scene like Glinda is performing a very flamboyant bird [room] mating dance for Elphaba) O h
@HowardHoMusicАй бұрын
That's a beautiful image! I may use that in a future video.
@d_dave7200Ай бұрын
Amazing analysis, as usual
@Boundwithflame232 ай бұрын
Yaaay! I was anticipating this one!
@spirktrekker362Ай бұрын
Movie soundtrack fan here, I never knew about the perfect 5th or Tritone but it makes sense! 😮 thank you! ❤😊
@tybaltbaptiste8899Ай бұрын
Something i didn't realize until seeing the movie was defying gravity literally meant flying. So it was used literally and figuratively in the story.
@andrewposner6703Ай бұрын
There’s one of their piece that makes this even more powerful. Except for a couple of instances, the song actually avoids the third almost at all. It never establishes itself in major or minor, which I think shows that Elphaba is still a bit unsure of her choice.
@angelstanton11122 ай бұрын
Your videos are always so amazing! Thank you so much!
@percyweasley93012 ай бұрын
Oe of the best videos in Wicked ❤❤
@mulinhuan8410Ай бұрын
Saw the movie today and it was incredible!
@kenkatz89532 ай бұрын
That was awesome, Howard!!
@HowardHoMusic2 ай бұрын
Thanks for the hype!
@WldHny1Ай бұрын
I appreciate this!
@taniab20182 ай бұрын
You do such great work. I learn so much from you. Thanks!
@RandomRyterАй бұрын
This needs more views!!!!
@duanein3d2 ай бұрын
My favorite musical theatre song of all time 💚
@danielsykes7558Ай бұрын
Missed opportunity to talk about the many pink/ rose-coloured glasses in the film 😉
@alittleantidote58522 ай бұрын
Psssssst *psssssssst* Have you come across EPIC The Musical? If so, would you be willing to do a video on it? If not, highly recommended! P.s. great video as always
@HowardHoMusic2 ай бұрын
Interesting. I'll check it out.
@alittleantidote58522 ай бұрын
@HowardHoMusic *YESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS!!!*
@feniaksfiringsАй бұрын
@@HowardHoMusicyou would definitely bring a unique analysis to it - I would love to see your review!!
@laurenbronson6640Ай бұрын
I just found your KZbin. OMG! This is brilliant. And so relevant for our time. Thank you! I just subscribed.
@HowardHoMusicАй бұрын
Thanks for the sub!
@expensivepink72 ай бұрын
Great video as always and refreshing to watch amongst all other wicked content!
@ines.filipa.santosАй бұрын
This was actually very very interesting
@siobhanhenry9094Ай бұрын
This is so niche but theres an Australian musical based on a classic Australian novel called my brilliant career and id love to see a break down of the song "In the wrong key", it feels so incredibly up your ally woth how it explores identity and her development through the story using music as a metphor ajd showing that with the actual written melody ect
@francine_belleАй бұрын
Music is so magical 🥰
@jsprodonoff2 ай бұрын
Yet another fantastic video. Your channel is always fantastic! The ending did make me wonder if the "allowed" opt-ups in the Defying Gravity battle cry are also all perfect fifths..?
@Amandaaa22442 ай бұрын
I have only been waiting over 20 years for this video
@HowardHoMusic2 ай бұрын
Yes, me too!
@adam-yk6ydАй бұрын
Outstanding video. Instant sub
@HowardHoMusicАй бұрын
Much appreciated!
@TheRaleyFamily2 ай бұрын
I came here today just to hope you had covered one of the songs from Wicked. I hope you cover more of the songs. Incredible soundtrack.
@purpleheadedhedgehog3821Ай бұрын
I literally watched this movie on a wim Because there was nothing else in the cinema and holy Shit my jaw was on the floor when defying gravity was on such a good film
@wolfgangbar97902 ай бұрын
In german we have the saying of the glass ceiling (gläserne Decke), which means that it seems you are able to reach everything, because you can see it. But then you reach the ceiling and are not able to get through even though your goal is in sight you are not able to get it. In defying gravity Elphaba crashes the ceiling.
@maicon.93Ай бұрын
this video is BEAUTIFUL... thank you so much!
@pizzaroneee2 ай бұрын
THIS IS BRILLIANT IT MAKES ME SOB MORE WITH DEFYING GRAVITY
@rygregory2 ай бұрын
This video exemplifies why Wicked needs to win an Oscar for best picture and director.
@DavidRamirez-vc8dr2 ай бұрын
Director? I mean I loved it, but the color grading was atrocious and I don’t know why on earth they auto-tune professional singers. The raw vocals sound so much better and a lot of the shots and sets are ruined by blinding sunlight and lens flares.
@tomasck29732 ай бұрын
@@DavidRamirez-vc8drthe color grading is nice, it doesn't need to be super poppy technicolor like the original
@DavidRamirez-vc8drАй бұрын
@@tomasck2973 yeah, but it also doesn’t have to look like the day after getting lasik
@tomasck2973Ай бұрын
@@DavidRamirez-vc8dr I don't think it does. It only looks grim in emerald city after meeting the wizard, to accentuate the feeling of disillusionment. During Shiz and all other outdoor scenes it looks nice, bright and soft (except the forest scene, obvs)
@DavidRamirez-vc8drАй бұрын
@ if you look at the dancing through life scene, you’ll see what I’m talking about. It’s so overexposed. Worst part is the set would look fantastic otherwise.
@allieglass95132 ай бұрын
When part 2 comes out next year, and if the music fits, I would be interested in seeing a companion video describing how Glinda maintains her bubble from when we catch up to her in Thank Goodness all the way through to For Good and the Finale. Unless something else stands out more as an interesting concept that I would still enjoy watching.
@RosannasfriendАй бұрын
This was interesting. Thank you for sharing.
@Coffeeandcharlas2 ай бұрын
I really enjoy this explanation and I will now pay attention when I go see the new movie.
@camara11942 ай бұрын
Love hook theory and have your guys’ book!
@ClipsByLaura2 ай бұрын
Wait, but the final riff is a perfect fifth, but then ends in a devils chord, right? Brilliant.
@Aurora-jr6fxАй бұрын
Do you mean when she sings the Ahh part at the end of Defying Gravity? There, the 5th descends into a 4th, not the tritone, so it goes I-V-IV and is a pretty common cadence because the 4th (contains notes from tonic) resolves the 5th which created tension! It's only meant to create a satisfying conclusion to a triumphant song, I think, while the tritone would undermine it like in No One Mourns the Wicked
@addammaddАй бұрын
Check out the Wicked Tiny Desk Concert for some great info from Stephen Schwartz on his choices in composition.
@elitettelbach42472 ай бұрын
Really awesome video!
@DoobooDomo2 ай бұрын
oh thank goodness, I was worried that you wouldn't mention 6:22
@HowardHoMusic2 ай бұрын
I was saving it for that moment!
@DoobooDomo2 ай бұрын
@@HowardHoMusic excellent creative choice, I should have trusted
@jessbrannon_actorАй бұрын
10:46 I’m glad that I’m not the only to notice that
@officalearth2 ай бұрын
10:55 NEBRASKA MENTIONTED!!!!!!!
@HowardHoMusic2 ай бұрын
Haha
@Anonymous-i8yАй бұрын
As someone from Nebraska same😂 (What was more hilarious is that I watched Wicked in Omaha)
@Yuunarichu2 ай бұрын
HECK YEAH FINALLY! (A new video!)
@botigamer9011Ай бұрын
I hope to see a Howard Ho analysis of Mufasa
@HowardHoMusicАй бұрын
Always a good chance I'll say something about Lin's work!
@trevormcmahan44152 ай бұрын
Holy shit this analysis is so good! Thank you!!
@hothotheat30002 ай бұрын
All I know is that by the time she’s singing TELL THEM HOW IIIIIIIII AM DEFYYYING….I felt like I could fly.
@katherinelynch41932 ай бұрын
Excellent as always! But just for argument’s sake, what do Bowen Yang’s glasses mean?