Origins: What is this song based on?

Subject: Origins: What is this song based on?
From: GUEST,drquoz
Date: 04 Sep 08 - 08:33 PM

So... this is a very silly song from a very silly show. But the tune sounds familiar for some reason, and for the life of me I can't figure out what song it's supposed to be. So if anyone recognizes it, that'd be great.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2FhSW5QG5CM

Subject: RE: Origins: What is this song based on?
From: masato sakurai
Date: 05 Sep 08 - 01:31 AM

The song is David gnomo amico mio. The lyrics are here.

Subject: RE: Origins: What is this song based on?
From: Gurney
Date: 05 Sep 08 - 01:34 AM

Masato. Wondered where you'd gone. Nice to see your tag again, and first as usual.

Subject: RE: Origins: What is this song based on?
From: GUEST,drquoz
Date: 05 Sep 08 - 11:31 AM

Yes, I know what the song is. But the tune sounds familiar. If it's not based on another song, it's at least very similar. That's what I'm after.

Subject: RE: Origins: What is this song based on?
From: Scabby Douglas
Date: 05 Sep 08 - 11:39 AM

The main part of the song rings no bells, but half way though, the flute plays a phrase that sounds very like a major chord version of "Hall of The Mountain King" from Peer Gynt.

Subject: RE: Origins: What is this song based on?
From: Scabby Douglas
Date: 05 Sep 08 - 11:40 AM

In fact the phrase repeats at various points

Subject: RE: Origins: What is this song based on?
From: Black belt caterpillar wrestler
Date: 05 Sep 08 - 11:44 AM

"I fought the law and the law won" ? Somewhat similar and could be what's spooking your memory.

Subject: RE: Origins: What is this song based on?
From: GUEST
Date: 05 Sep 08 - 11:50 AM

You're right about "Hall of the Mountain King" (good ear!), but I was going for the main melody -- and I just realized it's "Ballad of a Teenage Queen" by Johnny Cash.

Subject: RE: Origins: What is this song based on?
From: Jeri
Date: 05 Sep 08 - 12:16 PM

I just figured out it sounded like Jed Marum's 'John Brown's Dance' which used the tune 'John Brown's March'. Don't have that for a comparison though.

Subject: RE: Origins: What is this song based on?
From: Jim McLean
Date: 05 Sep 08 - 12:26 PM

Try Hills of Connemara, a speedier version of Couter's Candy

Subject: RE: Origins: What is this song based on?
From: Gene
Date: 05 Sep 08 - 01:02 PM

Ballad of a Teenage Queen was written over 50 years ago by
Award Winning songwriter/producer Jack Clement.

I do not hear a single thing in the listed song audio that
even remotely reminds me of Ballad of a Teenage Queen.

FWIW DEPT:
Johnny Cash said on several occasions that he argued with Jack
over having the VOICES in the song. Several years later JC said
Jack had been right about it, it made the song a smash hit.

G

Subject: RE: Origins: What is this song based on?
From: GUEST,drquoz
Date: 05 Sep 08 - 03:18 PM

The John Brown song is very similar, but I don't think it's quite right. And Coulter's Candy is similar too (and I know I heard it somewhere recently, but I can't remember where).

Gene, listen to "Un cappello a punto hai, David Gnomo amico mio" and then "there's a story in our town, of the prettiest girl around." The melodies are very similar. I kept humming the tune to myself over and over, and I thought "hmm, sounds like that one Johnny Cash song." (I didn't know someone else wrote it -- did the writer ever perform a version?)

I'm sure there are plenty of other songs that sound similar as well; it seems to be a common structure. By all means, keep posting if you think of more. If nothing else, you'll introduce me to cool songs I haven't heard before or reminded me of old ones I have.

Subject: RE: Origins: What is this song based on?
From: GUEST,leeneia
Date: 05 Sep 08 - 03:38 PM

It doesn't remind me of anything. Sounds like a folk dance, either an old one or an imitation of an old one.

(Notice the corny touches. Why is it that when Money Culture decides to do something old-fashioned, they can't just DO it? They have to make money off it and ridicule it at the same time.)

I clicked on other videos of the same singer. I don't have children, and I'm out of touch with their culture. So it amused me to watch this video

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LKoLKwaLEVw&feature=related

and to see the young children at what looked like a rock concert but is clearly more, um, more - I guess the best word I can think of is more innocent than that.

If you are a people watcher, you will enjoy it.

Subject: RE: Origins: What is this song based on?
From: GUEST,drquoz
Date: 05 Sep 08 - 03:45 PM

Well, what this lady is famous for is doing the Italian versions of theme songs for TV shows, especially cartoons and anime. That would explain all the kids at her show.

Subject: RE: Origins: What is this song based on?
From: Jim McLean
Date: 05 Sep 08 - 04:01 PM

Go here and listen to the Hills of Connemara   http://www.kinglaoghaire.com/site/lyrics/song_510.html

Subject: RE: Origins: What is this song based on?
From: GUEST,drquoz
Date: 05 Sep 08 - 04:31 PM

That version sounds a lot more like it than the version I found earlier! I think that might be the answer. Thanks!

Subject: RE: Origins: What is this song based on?
From: Jim McLean
Date: 06 Sep 08 - 04:24 AM

The TOD (A) version in the digitrad shares a very similar tune.