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

  • Thread starter Thread starter saddlestone-man
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Music Relativity
AI Thread Summary
The discussion centers around the influence of relativity, particularly time dilation, in music, highlighting Queen's song "39" as a key example. The lyrics reflect the emotional impact of time passing differently due to relativistic effects, likely inspired by Brian May's background in physics. Participants share additional songs that incorporate themes of relativity, including Tom Lehrer's humorous take on the subject, and mention works by Van Der Graaf Generator and John Carpenter. The conversation also touches on lyrical interpretations related to time and space, showcasing a variety of musical expressions that resonate with scientific concepts.
saddlestone-man
Messages
80
Reaction score
20
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
 
Science news on Phys.org
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
 
  • Haha
Likes pinball1970
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"
 
Back
Top