What songs incorporate physics concepts?

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In summary, the conversation discussed songs that incorporate physics ideas in their lyrics, such as "Bound By Time" by Little Neutrino and "Chemical Calisthenics" by Blackalicious. Other examples mentioned include "When I Fall" by BNL and raps by Blackalicious. The lyrics of "Chemical Calisthenics" specifically mention various scientific concepts such as proton, electron, neutron, and chemical reactions. Overall, the conversation touched on the intersection of music and physics in creative and entertaining ways.
  • #1
stedobs
Saw the following song (Bound By Time) doing well on a radio contest chart and made me wonder what other physics ideas had been attempted in lyrics:

http://www.triplejunearthed.com/Artists/View.aspx?artistid=2633

Part of lyrics sample:

"I want to slow time but I do not have the speed.
Or gravity - I can barely pull my needs"

Can anyone remember any other songs which incorporate any physics ideas or is that considered too taboo for musos?
 
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  • #3
Little Neutrino - Klaatu

Across your open mind
I trace erratic lines
In motion and in time

I fought a battle won
To the surface of the sun
Through fires on and on

It's only you
It can't be me
For I myself refuse to be

I am someone you'll never know
I am the little neutrino

Solus is not far away
It's face is brighter than a day
So don't turn me away

It's only you
It can't be me
For I myself refuse to be

I am someone you'll never know
I am the little neutrino

And now I'm passing through
The one who is known as you
And yet, you'll never know I do

I really do
 
  • #4
The BNL song "When I Fall" has the line "9.8 straight down" in it. I always liked that.
 
  • #5
Quite a few it seems - especially in the link by j77
 
  • #6
Anyone listen to rap here?

There is an artist by the name of blackalicious and he does a song called "Chemical Calisthentics" and I think its brilliant.

[MEDIA=youtube]TJWxs83GLP8[/MEDIA]&mode=related&search=blackalicious[/URL]

[QUOTE]I can do anything

Neutron, proton, mass effect, lyrical oxidation, yo irrelevant
Mass spectrograph, your electron volt, atomic energy erupting
As I get all open on betacron, gamma rays thermo cracking
Cyclotron and any and every mic
You're on trans iridium, if you're always uranium
Molecules, spontaneous combustion, pow

Law of de-fi-nite pro-por-tion, gain-ing weight
I'm every element of brown

Lead, gold, tin, iron, platinum, zinc, when I rap you think
Iodine nitrate activate
Red geranium, the only difference is I transmit sound
Balance was unbalanced then you add a little talent and

Careful, careful with those ingredients
They could explode and blow up if you drop then
And they hit the ground

Let it flow, yo, just let it go, get back

C-O-H-O-2 wine water solution of calcium hydroxide
Slobbin it, C-A-O lime will make bleach powder
Galvanic metal beats stomp out louder
Dried ice, C-0 squared refrigerant
N-O-2 makes you laugh, it's laughing gas used by the dentists
I nearly added acid glue, I'm like oil of a toil, the king of chemicals
And the G heat gas waved all your mats
Chemical change, ice point, melt all your raps
Atomic weight, hold shocks, when you call
Refillable gas keep going way beyond
Biotch I'm only ill with buzzin, feel the ambiance
A diabetic process outta calm your ass
After I warm your ass, I'll give sodium, silicate N-O-2-S-1-O-3, a water glass
Borax flexure full of brimstone sulfur
Boraxic acid, hip-hop preserver
C-O-2 could never put away the fire
Style aroma is scientific; the lyrical fuse would be connected
To teach you chemical calisthenics

The Theory is that all matter is composed of at least three fundamental particles
Protons, electrons, neutrons, Protons charge is positive
By now you've guessed electrons are probably negatively charged
Neutrons don't follow either, neutral, in the middle, only no apologies
Centered, unmoved by yin and yang ideology
Neutron, bomb songs, electron fury
Cosmic musical radio-activity
Different points in joints within infinity
Oxygen and hydrogen alive within all types of energy
Within all types of energy
Within all types of energy
Within all types of energy
Within all types of energy, inside a world, inside a world
Inside a universe, inside of me existing although I can't see it

Hydrocarbon, nitrogen cycle, ionization
Heavier than electric motor metals that weigh over a ton
This has been a chemist, Blackalicious creation
Clean out your desk, put your papers away cause class in almost done

This is chemistry plus calisthenics
I'm calcium plus potassium, magnesium, newspaper of sodium, sulfate
Your solvent, chloroform, remedy from the norm
glycerin, purest form Titanium
there is no way out, when this newfy is out
of all arms vibration, forming in a nigga
some bleachin' to teach you religious is equal to pieces of meteor
Eager to be here or is it, can see here I know all of all
I'ma pickin' up pretty little Cindy
I'm more, I'm thinkin of more,
I'm cookin a potion![/QUOTE]
 
Last edited:

1. What is the connection between physics and music?

The connection between physics and music is that sound and music are both forms of energy that can be explained and understood through the principles of physics. The laws of physics, such as frequency, wavelength, and resonance, govern how musical instruments produce sound and how our ears perceive it.

2. Can you give examples of songs that incorporate physics concepts?

Yes, there are many songs that incorporate physics concepts. Some popular examples include "Bohemian Rhapsody" by Queen, which references the theory of relativity, "Rocket Man" by Elton John, which references Newton's laws of motion, and "Particle Man" by They Might Be Giants, which references subatomic particles.

3. How do musical instruments demonstrate physics concepts?

Musical instruments demonstrate physics concepts in various ways. For example, string instruments like guitars and violins rely on the physics of vibration and resonance to produce sound. Wind instruments, such as flutes and trumpets, use air columns and the principles of acoustics to create sound. Percussion instruments, like drums, produce sound through the transfer of energy and the laws of motion.

4. Are there any specific genres of music that incorporate physics concepts more than others?

No, there is no specific genre of music that incorporates physics concepts more than others. Physics concepts can be found in all types of music, from classical to rock to hip-hop. It ultimately depends on the specific song and its lyrics or musical composition.

5. How can learning about the physics of music enhance our understanding and appreciation of music?

Learning about the physics of music can enhance our understanding and appreciation of music by allowing us to understand the technical aspects of how music is produced and how our ears perceive it. It can also help us appreciate the complexity and beauty of music and how it is intertwined with the natural world and the laws of physics.

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