What Songs Mention Isaac Newton?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around identifying songs that mention Isaac Newton, as part of a project for a physics class. Participants share their findings, opinions on the use of music in presentations, and suggest alternatives or related songs.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • One participant mentions two songs that reference Newton: "The Sounds of Science" by the Beastie Boys and "Man on the Moon" by REM, and seeks additional suggestions.
  • Another participant questions the necessity of having audio during a presentation, suggesting it may distract from the speaker.
  • A participant humorously quotes lyrics from a song that does not mention Newton, indicating a light-hearted approach to the topic.
  • Some participants express skepticism about the quality of songs related to Newton, with one sharing a link to a database of songs and commenting on their poor quality.
  • Another suggests using James Brown's "Gravity," although they admit to not knowing the lyrics.
  • A participant notes a lack of good songs specifically about Newton and suggests shifting the project focus to a topic with more musical options, like the electromagnetic spectrum.
  • One participant mentions an allusion to Newton in the song "King of Birds" by REM, highlighting a connection without direct reference.
  • Several participants agree that music can capture attention but express differing views on its appropriateness in presentations, with some advocating for limited use.
  • One participant suggests the "Ballad Of Sir Isaac Newton" as a potential song to consider.
  • Another mentions the possibility of using the old Fig Newton song, adding to the list of suggestions.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express a mix of opinions regarding the inclusion of music in presentations, with some supporting it as a tool for engagement and others viewing it as distracting. There is no consensus on the quality or quantity of songs specifically mentioning Newton.

Contextual Notes

Some participants express uncertainty about the effectiveness of music in presentations, and there is a lack of clarity regarding the quality and relevance of the songs mentioned.

wasteofo2
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I'm doing a project on Isaac Newton for my physics class, and the main part of it is a power point project.

I figure that I might as well have some songs that mention Newton playing in the background, but I've only been able to find 2 so far.

So if you know any songs besides "The Sounds of Science" by the Beastie Boys, and "Man on the Moon" by REM, please share them so I can drop some extra science on my class.
 
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don' t take this the wrong way, but is there any need to have audio when you will be speaking. from what i have been taught and seen myself this distracts from what is being said.
 
"Immanuel Kant was a real pissant,
who was never really stable.
Heidegger, Heidegger was a boozy beggar,
who could drink you under the table"
Hmm..that song doesn't mention Isaac, does it?
Sorry for the intrusion..
 
Herman Kahn, but Immanuel Kant...

Dammit, Arildno! Now look what you've gone and made me do.
 
dmail said:
don' t take this the wrong way, but is there any need to have audio when you will be speaking. from what i have been taught and seen myself this distracts from what is being said.
I'm not going to have songs playing while I'm speaking, I'll cut up the bit of the song that mentions Newton and have it play at the beginning of the slide, then talk.
 
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Evo said:
Music and sound effects added to a powerpoint get people's attention, it's a good idea.
Edit: I just googled "Isaac Newton songs" and found this. My speakers are broken, these are probably horrid.
http://www.haverford.edu/physics-astro/songs/database/srcNewton.htm
The first one's abysmal. The second is worse:

On the first day of Newton , Sir Isaac gave to me
The acceleration due to Gravity
On the second day of Newton , Sir Isaac gave to me
Two torques a balanced
On the third day of Newton , Sir Isaac gave to me
Three laws of motion
On the fourth day of Newton , Sir Isaac gave to me
Four apples falling...
 
I think I would have just used James Brown's "Gravity". I have no idea what the lyrics are, though.
 
I haven't heard many good Newton songs. Maybe you could change your subject to something more musical, like the electromagnetic spectrum. "I intended to do a project about Newton, but this subject has cooler songs.":smile:

The Astrocappellas sing some very good science songs, just none about Newton (my favorites are the Doppler Shift and the Swift Song).

http://www.scientainment.com/songs.html "Carbon Is a Girl's Best Friend" is pretty good, too.

There just seems to be a huge vacuum when it comes to good Newton songs, though. If I were William Hung, I'd take advantage of that fact to make a surprising comeback. :smile:
 
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  • #11
BobG said:
If I were William Hung, I'd take advantage of that fact to make a surprising comeback. :smile:
William Hung is hot.
 
  • #12
Not Newton per se, but in the song "King of Birds" by REM there's somewhat of an allusion to a Newton-ism: "Standing on the shoulders of giants / leaves me cold"
 
  • #13
Waste : You've got to look at this

* Ballad Of Sir Isaac Newton

http://www.acme.com/jef/science_songs/
 
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  • #14
Evo said:
Music and sound effects added to a powerpoint get people's attention, it's a good idea.
I usually have the complete opposite reaction. Unless it really is needed as part of a demonstration of something, I find music and sounds to be distracting and amateurish. I'd be very careful about using it, limiting it maybe to just the introduction, or if there's a place where you need to show an animation/movie that is silent and requires no speaking to explain it. Don't try to talk over the music, or you'll risk that nobody can hear/understand you, or will be distracted listening to the music instead of you.
 
  • #15
I like the idea of intro piece while you wait for folks to settle down.
 
  • #16
You might be able to use the old Fig Newton song.
 
  • #17
Gokul43201 said:
Waste : You've got to look at this

* Ballad Of Sir Isaac Newton

http://www.acme.com/jef/science_songs/

Well, as an upshot, that site does have a version of "Why Does The Sun Shine?"
 
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