What are some popular science songs and albums?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around popular science-themed songs and albums, exploring various musical works that incorporate scientific concepts or themes. Participants share their favorite tracks and artists, as well as engage in light-hearted debate about what qualifies as a science song.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants mention "Astronomy" by Blue Oyster Cult and "Dark Side of the Moon" as favorites, while questioning if the latter qualifies as a science song.
  • Others suggest "The Galaxy Song" from "The Meaning of Life" and "Do the Evolution" by Pearl Jam as notable entries.
  • Lyrics from "Maxwell's Silver Hammer" by The Beatles are quoted, highlighting its narrative related to science.
  • A song about the Doppler Shift is referenced, along with a mention of MC Hawking in the context of rap music.
  • Participants discuss various songs and albums, including "Rocket Man," "Blinded Me With Science" by Thomas Dolby, and "The Planets" by Gustav Holst.
  • One participant recalls a local band's song about "Heat death and bell curves," suggesting a connection to scientific themes.
  • There are mentions of "Particle Man" by They Might Be Giants and "Mind Games" by John Lennon, both of which touch on scientific ideas.
  • Several participants express enthusiasm for Blue Oyster Cult's lyrics and their personal connections to the music.
  • Discussions include humorous takes on the genre, with some participants joking about the nature of rap music in relation to science.
  • Links to previous threads and external resources are shared, indicating a community interest in compiling science-related music.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express a variety of opinions on what constitutes a science song, leading to multiple competing views without a clear consensus on specific titles or definitions.

Contextual Notes

Some contributions reference personal experiences and preferences, which may influence the selection of songs. There is also a mix of serious and humorous tones in the discussion, reflecting diverse interpretations of science in music.

  • #31
Don't Fear the Reaper is a science song? :eek:

Then don't leave out Enter Sandman (Metallica).

Or how about 2000 Light Years From Home (Stones)?
 
Science news on Phys.org
  • #32
ooh, ooh...

Bet there aren't many here who remember Sheb Wooley's "Purple People Eater".

It was a one-eyed, one-horned flyin' purple people eater...
 
  • #33

TheStatutoryApe said:
There is also a great Canadian band that I love called Darkest of the Hillside Thickets. Most of the science songs are more SciFi the science though.
This is The Math Song...
They are best known though for their Cthulhu mythos themed songs like Shoggoths Away, Goin Down to Dunwich, Yog-Sothoth, and Innsmouth Look. Fun geeky music.
That's not quite enough to make me renounce my citizenship, but you're gettin' there.
gnome said:
Bet there aren't many here who remember Sheb Wooley's "Purple People Eater".
Absolutely, I do. Right in there with Wooly Bully... (who incidentally was no relation to Sheb Wooley.
 
  • #34
I don't mean to dis Sam the Sham & the Pharoahs, but wasn't this supposed to be "Science Songs", as opposed to "old geezer songs"?
 
  • #35
A few more-
"See the Constellation" by There May Be Giants
"The Astronaut" by Something Corporate
"The Music of the Night" from Phantom of the Opera (some people debate this one... until they hear it played while staring at a star-studded sky...)
"I Wish I was the Moon" by Neko Case
"Way Up There" by LaBelle
"The Galaxy Song" from Monty Python (of course!)
"Far Out" by Blur
The last one is nerdy enough to have its lyrics posted-
I spy in the night sky
Don't I
Phoebe Io Elara
Leda Callisto Sinope
Janus Dione Portia
So many moons
Quiet in the sky at night
Hot in the Milky Way
Outside in
Vega Capella
Hadar Rigel Barnard's Star
Antares Aldebaran Altair
Wolf 359 Betelgeuse
Sun
 
  • #36
  • #37
TheStatutoryApe said:
http://www.haverford.edu/physics-astro/songs/links.html
This site has a lot of links for the songs my friend had on his CD.
This is a great one...
http://www.uky.edu/~holler/CHE107/media/first_second_law.mp3
"First and Second Law(of thermodynamics)"

:smile: :smile: :smile: :smile: :smile:
 
  • #38
gnome said:
"old geezer songs"?
? :bugeye: With an attitude like that, you expect to make to my age? :-p
 
  • #39
How do you know I haven't already? :biggrin:
 
  • #40
Since I know how much Danger loves Country music :biggrin:, I'll add to the list Trace Adkins' "No Thinkin' Thing" (and I think I'll also dedicate this to Franz).

Here are some of the lyrics since I don't suppose too many of the folks here listen to country music.

I've reached the only illogical conclusion,
That love ain't supposed to make sense.

It ain't no thinkin' thing.
Right brain, left brain,
It goes a little deeper than that.
It's a chemical, physical, emotional devotion,
Passion that we can't hold back.

There's nothing that we need to analyze,
There ain't no rhyme or reason why.
'Cuz this ain't, this ain't, no thinkin' thing.

Forget mathematical equations,
Self-help psychology,
Gray matter don't matter much darlin',
When it's gettin' down to you and me...
 
  • #41
'It Came Out of the Sky' CCR
 
  • #42
Dan Dare (Pilot of the Future) Elton John
 
  • #43
'Levitate' Dr. Hook

gnome said:
How do you know I haven't already?
Because your profile says that you're a student. I'm too old to learn.
 
  • #44
You rummaging through all your LP's??

Ziggy Stardust (Bowie).

Alley-Oop (look at that caveman go) Hollywood Argyles

(never too old to learn)
 
  • #45
Moonbear said:
Since I know how much Danger loves Country music :biggrin:, I'll add to the list Trace Adkins' "No Thinkin' Thing"
Of course it's no thinkin' thing...it's cowboy s***!

'Right brain, left brain,' Of course with that damned twangy voice it's 'rat brain'. Mix it up with some o' them squirrel heads and you'll have an Ozark salad.
 
  • #46
gnome said:
You rummaging through all your LP's??
yeah... :redface:
 
  • #47
Danger said:
Of course it's no thinkin' thing...it's cowboy s***!

'Right brain, left brain,' Of course with that damned twangy voice it's 'rat brain'. Mix it up with some o' them squirrel heads and you'll have an Ozark salad.

Rat brains I can provide! :biggrin: Though, I actually do like that song. It's not as twangy as some, and the tune is pretty catchy. :smile:
 
  • #48
Moonbear said:
Rat brains I can provide!
You should keep a closer eye on them. I strongly suspect that some of them are posting.
 
  • #49
Danger said:
You should keep a closer eye on them. I strongly suspect that some of them are posting.

*squeak* You caught me. :redface: When my blonde roots start causing me trouble, I sometimes just swap in one of the rat brains to give the roots more room while my own brain takes a breather. :-p
 
  • #50
Moonbear said:
Rat brains I can provide!

Can I borrow one? I have a test tomorrow.
 
  • #51
gnome said:
Can I borrow one? I have a test tomorrow.

Well, unless your test involves running through a maze, they're not very good for test-taking. :biggrin:
 
  • #52
Moonbear said:
*squeak*
Not so loud! Now Lucy's trying to get into the monitor...
 
  • #53
Moonbear said:
Well, unless your test involves running through a maze, they're not very good for test-taking. :biggrin:

Distributed algorithms. Pretty much the same thing.
 
  • #54
Danger said:
Not so loud! Now Lucy's trying to get into the monitor...

*squeak*[/size] :eek: *runs as Lucy swats monitor*
 
  • #55
gnome said:
Distributed algorithms.
Sounds nasty. I didn't realize that you were studying immunology.
 
  • #56
This is obscure, but it's one of my favorites...

Biology
by Jane Child

I’m attracted anatomically
Need to know you scientifically
Strange confusion has come over me
Need the fusion between you and me
Mother Nature’s legislature, Mother Nature takes her course
Gravitation of the nation, Gravitation to the source

I’m distracted biologically
My attention dominating me
I’m a victim of Divine design
I’m a victim of a one-track mind
Gut reaction, satisfaction, Gut reaction’s never lie
Need I mention my intention, Do I need an alibi

It happens every time you’re next to me,
Biology

Oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh uh oh,
Biology

I’m defenseless, lacking all control
It’s relentless, longing of my soul
I am driven, I’m completely yours
It’s a given, I’ll be back for more
It’s instinctive, so distinctive, and on that you may depend
Don’t go mess with Mother Nature, she’ll defeat you in the end

It happens every time you’re next to me,
Biology

Oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh uh oh,
Biology

Need I mention my intention, Are you willing to supply
Gut reaction, Satisfaction, Gut reaction’s never lie

It happens every time you’re next to me,
Biology

Oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh uh oh,
Biology
 
  • #57
Moonbear said:
*squeak*[/size] :eek: *runs as Lucy swats monitor*
Okay, you can relax now. She's tyoooepooti g again.

Math Is Hard said:
This is obscure, but it's one of my favorites...
See, Moonbear? The woman who lists her occupation as 'cowgirl' isn't quoting cowboy s*** at me. :-p
 
  • #58
Danger said:
Okay, you can relax now. She's tyoooepooti g again.

Phew!

See, Moonbear? The woman who lists her occupation as 'cowgirl' isn't quoting cowboy s*** at me. :-p

Hmph! Her occupation changes every time she gets a new outfit! :biggrin:
 
  • #59
Moonbear said:
Her occupation changes every time she gets a new outfit! :biggrin:
So we're back to the bit about the pole position... :-p
 
  • #60
BicycleTree said:
Chi meson, Particle Man is a clever song!

That's right! IT's "Particle Man." After all "particle man hates triangle man."


Oh, and Danger? "Space Oddity" is not really about space! It's about (gasp) drugs! . "Rocket man" too, I'm afraid.

Cast my vote for Eric Idle's Galaxy song, BTW. If it wasn't for that last line, I'd have all my classes memorize it.
 

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