"Happy Birthday" is the Worst (with Anne-Marie)

Switched on Pop

Vox Media Podcast Network

Music Interviews, Music History, Music, Music Commentary

4.6 • 2.7K Ratings

🗓️ 24 March 2020

⏱️ 32 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

With Nate’s birthday around the corner, it’s time to admit that our go-to birthday song is actually the worst to sing to someone. There are reasons both musicological and cultural why this wooden celebratory number needs to go, ranging from funereal rhythms to Wagnerian opera to the Wizard of Oz. Tune in to uncover the horror of “Happy Birthday” and consider some of the alternatives on offer, including a recent Anne-Marie hit that takes birthday wishes and turns them around 180º. Songs Discussed Frédéric Chopin - Piano Sonata No 2 in B-Flat Minor, III John Williams - The Imperial March Judy Garland - Over the Rainbow Richard Wagner - Liebestod from Tristan und Isolde The Beatles - Birthday Anne-Marie - Birthday Fetty Wap ft. Monty - Birthday Stevie Wonder - Happy Birthday Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Transcript

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0:00.0	I'm just gonna have to go back to the studio.
0:07.0	Which time?
0:10.0	And pop?
0:13.0	Charlie, lately there has been a pop song that is everywhere.
0:19.0	I cannot get it out of my head and it is driving me crazy.
0:23.0	What's that?
0:24.0	Okay, rather than tell you, let's sing it together.
0:29.0	Happy birthday to you.
0:33.0	Happy birthday to you.
0:37.0	Happy birthday dear Nate.
0:41.0	Thank you very much.
0:43.0	Happy birthday to you.
0:47.0	And many more.
0:48.0	That was horrible.
0:49.0	Yeah.
0:50.0	I hate this song so much.
0:52.0	It is your birthday.
0:53.0	My birthday is in two days and yes, I'm an Ari, so I'm very stubborn.
0:58.0	Once I get something in my head, I can't get it out.
1:01.0	We're gonna dedicate this episode to discussing why the song is so horrible
1:06.0	and why it needs to go away forever.
1:09.0	And this is a moment where Happy Birthday is everywhere, right?
	...

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