How Does Queen's '39 Illustrate the Concept of Relativity in Music?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the representation of the concept of relativity in music, specifically focusing on Queen's song '39' and its themes of time dilation. Participants explore various songs that reference relativity, sharing lyrics and discussing their connections to the scientific concepts.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants note that Queen's '39' illustrates time dilation through its lyrics, suggesting a connection to Brian May's background in mathematics and physics.
  • Others mention Tom Lehrer's songs, highlighting lines that reference the effects of relativity, though not specifically time dilation.
  • A limerick is shared that humorously touches on the concept of traveling faster than light, linking it to relativity.
  • Van Der Graaf Generator's song "Pioneers Over C" is mentioned as a relevant piece, with one participant expressing admiration for it.
  • Another song, "Benson Arizona" by John Carpenter, is presented with lyrics that evoke themes of time and distance, suggesting a connection to relativity.
  • Participants also reference other songs and lyrics that touch on the themes of space and time, including a mention of a thought experiment from Einstein's work.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree that various songs reference relativity, but there is no consensus on which songs best illustrate the concept or how they relate to time dilation specifically. Multiple competing views and interpretations remain present throughout the discussion.

Contextual Notes

Some contributions reference specific lyrics and their interpretations, but the discussion does not resolve the accuracy or relevance of these interpretations to the concept of relativity.

saddlestone-man
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Hello All

You may be aware of Queen's song '39 where the effects of time dilation are key to the plot.

Quote:
For so many years have gone though I'm older but a year
Your mother's eyes, from your eyes, cry to me


Presumably the lyrics were influenced by Brian May's studies in maths and physics at Imperial College, London.

Are there any other songs where Relativity plays a part?

best regards ... Stef
 
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Yes I like the Tom Lehrer song

Now who would think, and who'd forecast,
That bodies shrink, when they go fast.
It makes old Isaac's theory
Look weary.


and (though I'm not sure if it's strictly true):
So then if you are near when atom bombs appear,
And you're reduced to a pile of debris,
You'll know it's largely due to -- Relativity.
Yes, you can place the blame on -- Relativity.
 
saddlestone-man said:
Hello All

You may be aware of Queen's song '39 where the effects of time dilation are key to the plot.

Quote:
For so many years have gone though I'm older but a year
Your mother's eyes, from your eyes, cry to me


Presumably the lyrics were influenced by Brian May's studies in maths and physics at Imperial College, London.

Are there any other songs where Relativity plays a part?

best regards ... Stef
A bit specific!

This mentions relativity but not time dilation

 
A limerick?

There was a young lady called Bright
Who traveled far faster than light
She went out one day
In a relative way
And came back the previous night
 
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Not time dilation in particular but relativity. The lyrics kick in about 35 seconds in.
 
Van Der Graaf Generator - Pioneers Over C

 
CJ2116 said:
Van Der Graaf Generator - Pioneers Over C


A masterpiece!
 
saddlestone-man said:
Hello All

You may be aware of Queen's song '39 where the effects of time dilation are key to the plot.

Quote:
For so many years have gone though I'm older but a year
Your mother's eyes, from your eyes, cry to me


Presumably the lyrics were influenced by Brian May's studies in maths and physics at Imperial College, London.

Are there any other songs where Relativity plays a part?

best regards ... Stef
Dilation of time, song by Plastydy, available on Spotify ,etc.
 
  • #10
I'm surprised no one has mentioned...

Benson Arizona, by Master of Horror John Carpenter, from the movie "Dark Star":

A million suns shine down
But I see only one
When I think I'm over you
I find I've just begun
The years move faster than the days
There's no warmth in the light
How I miss those desert skies
Your cool touch in the night

[Chorus]
Benson, Arizona, blew warm wind through your hair
My body flies the galaxy, my heart longs to be there
Benson, Arizona, the same stars in the sky
But they seemed so much kinder when we watched them, you and I

[Verse 2]
Now the years pull us apart
I'm young and now you're old
But you're still in my heart
And the memory won't grow cold
I dream of times and spaces
I left far behind
Where we spent our last few days
Benson's on my mind

[Chorus]
Benson, Arizona, blew warm wind through your hair
My body flies the galaxy, my heart longs to be there
Benson, Arizona, the same stars in the sky
But they seemed so much kinder when we watched them, you and I
 
Last edited:
  • #11
CJ2116 said:
Van Der Graaf Generator - Pioneers Over C


Reminds me of Booker T and the MGs' Green Onions.
 
  • #12


This has the mirror thought experiment from Albert's 1905 paper.
 
  • #13
A song for you by Donny Hathaway..."I love in a place where there's no space and time"
 

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