Steve PMHMusic can make us feel festive and full of energy, or angry, dejected, and wistful. The range of emotions that music can make us feel is pretty wide, and what a magical thing that is.
Songs can even take us back in time. Listening to the intro of a certain song can bring back memories of a happy time in your life, and the sad times as well.
Music isn’t only powerful, it’s also universal. Every single person on the face of the planet enjoys listening to one type of music or another.
So, are you into hip-hop or rap? Or do you prefer classical music and chilling back to soft jazz? The noteworthy thing is that all the musical pieces ever composed have something in common: theme.
“What’s a theme in music?” you ask. Keep reading to find out.
What Is a Theme in Music?
The quick answer is that a theme in music is a short and simple tune repeated throughout a piece of music. In simpler terms, the theme is the foundation of any musical composition.
This foundation is made up of a sequence of notes that generate a tune. Once the tune is set, composers repeat it to create a unified theme throughout the whole piece.
The theme in music is the first melody you hear. Its main aim is to set the tone for the rest of the composition. It’s what’s known as the ‘main melody’ and is repeated from beginning to end. Even though the melody is the same, the alterations make it much more captivating.
What Is Variation?
Variations always work hand in hand with themes. Together, they create a musical form, or structure, called Theme and Variation.
With this form, the theme repeats itself, but with some distinctive changes. As a result, the composer prevents the music from sounding mundane and monotonous.
Themes are short and simple, lasting for a brief eight bars in length or for much longer. Next, comes the first type of variation, which is referred to as Variation 1.
Once Variation 1 is played, the composer repeats the theme again. This modification is usually different from the first one, which is why it’s called Variation 2.
The composer can repeat the process for as long as they want. Yet, no matter how many variations there are, each one must contain remnants of the original theme in one form or another.
Now that we know what variations are, here are a few techniques used to create musical variations:
- Melody: adding or taking away notes, and going up or down in pitch are all variations
- Harmony: playing a theme in a major key and harmonizing in a minor key and vice versa
- Time signature: playing a theme in 4/4 then changing it to 3/4 leads to variation
- Rhythm: changing the rhythm of the theme is a common variation
The Most Common Themes in Music
Music is a powerful communication tool. It doesn’t matter if there are no lyrics; music is enough to convey emotions.
The main elements that help tell the story are the key signatures, the way notes are played, and the instruments used. By combining these elements together, we get a wide range of emotions and themes.
A study was carried out by researchers at North Carolina State University on the themes in music. First, they put together a list of every hit that made the No.1 on the Billboard charts. They started in January 1960 and worked their way up to December 2009.
Their goal was to find what turned these songs into such big hits. Another aspect of their study was to find the top themes that these songs talked about.
Their findings showed that during the 1960s and 70s, songs mostly focused on rebellion. Anger and desperation were also two popular themes. Then, with the start of the new century, songs were more about hope, aspiration, and friendship.
The research team was able to put together a list of 12 major themes. No matter the singing style, lyrics, or melody, these themes have repeated themselves over the years.
Here are the top 12 themes in music.
Breakups
The pain that comes with ending a relationship is the same anywhere you are in the world. That’s why songs about heartbreak are so successful.
We’ve all had our hearts broken at one point or another in our lives. Even though we get over it after a while, all it takes is one song and we’re right back there.
A couple of well-known examples are Adele’s Someone Like You and Rolling in the Deep.
However, not all songs about heartbreak are pensive. Some of them evoke emotions of resilience like I Will Survive by Gloria Gaynor and Elton John’s I’m Still Standing.
Friendship
Everyone connects with the theme of friendship, no matter where they are in the world. It’s why almost every single artist has sung about friendship at least once in their lifetime.
One of the best songs that talks about friendship is Mariah Carey’s Anytime You Need a Friend. Then, there’s the beloved Lean on Me. Released in 1972 by Bill Withers, this song became an ode to friendships all over the world.
Rebellion
Studies show that music can be a powerful catharsis. Anytime you feel angry and annoyed with the world around you, your first reaction is to rebel.
Musicians use lyrics and melodies to express their frustration and feelings of abandonment. Here are just a few famous examples:
- Byrds, Turn! Turn! Turn!
- REM, Losing My Religion
- Radiohead, Creep
Nostalgia
The theme that deals with how we look back on our childhood and younger years is pretty common. Some songs are about fond memories of when the artist was a child. Other songs are reflections of when a singer was just starting in their careers.
A popular song that deals with the theme of growing older is Stressed Out by Twenty One Pilots. Another one that tackles the issue of getting older is Dream On by Aerosmith.
Loss
This is one theme no one likes dealing with. Unfortunately, everyone has had to deal with losing a loved one at one time or another.
One of the most well-known songs about death is one we all remember listening to as an ode to a lifetime of friendships. See You Again by Wiz Khalifa and Charlie Puth was sung as a tribute to the death of Paul Walker in 2013. Another example is There is a Light That Never Goes Out by The Smiths.
Desire
Desire and longing are pretty much what many songs were about at the beginning of the 20th century. We all still can’t get enough of those slow, romantic ballads that evoke emotions of love, lust, and longing.
Like all the other themes, there are too many songs to count. Yet, the two that immediately come to mind are Love to Love You Baby by Donna Summer and Beast of Burden by The Rolling Stones.
Aspiration
Hope and aspiration are important motivators in life. What better way to get pumped up before a test or interview than listening to a song with inspiring lyrics?
Even if you just need a pick-me-up, listening to the right song can change your mood for the better. It can give you the motivation you need to appreciate what you have and give you that lift you need.
Here are our favorite hopeful and encouraging songs of all time:
- Bon Jovi, It’s My Life
- Queen, We Are the Champions
- Irene Cara, What a Feeling
Desperation
Listening to songs that talk about despair and loneliness can bring great relief and can even be cathartic. They’re intense at times, but they’re excellent at conveying what the listener is going through.
The Bee Gees have a famous song that deals with desperation. I’ve Gotta Get a Message to You is deep, reflective, and full of profound emotions.
Pain and Disillusionment
This theme has become more and more widespread in the past few years. In the past, it used to be more of a punk-style theme. Now, it’s spread to almost every music genre.
One of the most listened-to songs about pain and disillusionment is American Idiot by Green Day. Another one is Ohio by Crosby, Stills, and Nash.
Escapism
The first thing that pops into our minds when we hear the word escapism is running away from their reality. While that may be true, songs dealing with escapism aren’t all morbid. Some of them deal with this touchy subject by combining the emotional lyrics with an upbeat melody.
Avril Lavigne’s Birdie is one great example. Also, let’s not forget Xscape by Michael Jackson.
Confusion
Have you ever felt confused about a specific situation or person in your life? Listening to these songs will help you make sense of the world:
- INXS, Devil Inside
- Coheed and Cambria, Island
- Killing Joke, Pandemonium
Jadedness
When you feel jaded, you’re not interested in doing certain things. You lose your joie de vivre, or joy for life. Being unmotivated by anything can rob you of enjoying all that life has to offer.
Hurt by Nine Inch Nails is a song about feeling at a loss. Another song that deals with dejection is Ed Sheeran’s Save Myself.
