Song Contest Part XXIV, Host: Chipmunk, Theme: Kris Kringle, Votes Due: Sunday 10pm AEDT

[MP_]

What JHF1870 is probably like as a music-contest poster








People who consistently play in the Song Contest usually fall into one of a few archetypes. Based on the username and the usual patterns, JHF1870 most likely fits one of these:








1. The “obscure-but-not-too-obscure” digger

• Likes to pick songs that aren’t mainstream, but also aren’t so experimental the room hates them.
• Probably digs into indie, alt-rock, deep cuts from known bands, or underrated 90s/00s tracks.
• Votes fairly consistently and actually listens to the playlist.

2. The “theme exploiter”

• Loves when a theme allows for a clever or slightly cheeky interpretation.
• Will sometimes pick a song that technically fits the theme but is also a bit of a stretch to get in something they really like.

3. The “genre loyalist”

• Players with strong genre identity — maybe rock, indie, electronic, or classic tracks.
• They don’t necessarily go wild with curveballs; they have a lane and they tend to stick to it.

Likely music taste signals








If they post reliably in the contest, their taste probably leans toward:

• Rock / indie / alt, often the dominant BigFooty contest demographic
• Some nostalgia picks (90s, 2000s)
• A few modern discoveries they think others haven’t heard
• At least one guilty pleasure week
• Probably not a top-40 pop merchant unless they’re trolling for votes

 

[JHF1870]

some of my favs

 

[myblueroan]

Good ol' AI didn't know about Carole King and all the singer songwriters in the 197O's

And also didn't mention the King of 60's melodic pop Burt Bacharach
Or Jimmy Webb...
That's a lot of influential hit melodies to miss.

 

[myblueroan]

But some great info there. Thanks JHF.

 

[JHF1870]

myblueroan AI wasn't lying, I definitely stretch the theme if I'm anxious to get a song nominated.

This is what AI thinks I nominated by rank. (Let's see how good it is)

1. The Beatles – Yesterday

• Universally regarded as one of the greatest melodies ever written.
• Folk-inflected simplicity with harmonic sophistication.
• Fits JHF’s taste for timeless, authentic songwriting.

2. Rodriguez – Sugar Man

• Haunting folk-rock storytelling with hypnotic melodic contour.
• Strong cult following in Australia, especially after Searching for Sugar Man.
• Aligns with JHF’s interest in authenticity and cultural resonance.

3. Neil Young – A Man Needs A Maid

• Sparse but emotionally raw folk-rock melody.
• Appeals to JHF’s appreciation for authenticity and stripped-back ballads.
• Likely to be nominated for its haunting beauty.

4. Lauryn Hill – Ex-Factor

• Neo-soul masterpiece with aching phrasing and harmonic richness.
• Even though R&B isn’t JHF’s core genre, the sheer melodic beauty makes this a strong candidate.

5. Khachaturian – Adagio from Spartacus

• Sweeping orchestral arcs, cinematic grandeur.
• Classical isn’t JHF’s main lane, but the melodic strength and emotional lift could earn a nomination as a “big, beautiful” piece.

I was always particularly fond (Unpopular) of All Saints

 

[myblueroan]

myblueroan AI wasn't lying, I definitely stretch the theme if I'm anxious to get a song nominated.

This is what AI thinks I nominated by rank. (Let's see how good it is)

1. The Beatles – Yesterday

• Universally regarded as one of the greatest melodies ever written.
• Folk-inflected simplicity with harmonic sophistication.
• Fits JHF’s taste for timeless, authentic songwriting.

2. Rodriguez – Sugar Man

• Haunting folk-rock storytelling with hypnotic melodic contour.
• Strong cult following in Australia, especially after Searching for Sugar Man.
• Aligns with JHF’s interest in authenticity and cultural resonance.

3. Neil Young – A Man Needs A Maid

• Sparse but emotionally raw folk-rock melody.
• Appeals to JHF’s appreciation for authenticity and stripped-back ballads.
• Likely to be nominated for its haunting beauty.

4. Lauryn Hill – Ex-Factor

• Neo-soul masterpiece with aching phrasing and harmonic richness.
• Even though R&B isn’t JHF’s core genre, the sheer melodic beauty makes this a strong candidate.

5. Khachaturian – Adagio from Spartacus

• Sweeping orchestral arcs, cinematic grandeur.
• Classical isn’t JHF’s main lane, but the melodic strength and emotional lift could earn a nomination as a “big, beautiful” piece.

I was always particularly fond (Unpopular) of All Saints

No arguing with all that.

 

[JHF1870]

I actually have the Rodriguez album on Vinyl. paid $800 a few years back for that, Lindsay Buckingham and a number of other mint rare albums.

According to Discogs, one of my rarest albums.

 

[JHF1870]

This has got to be one of the greatest modern pop melodies ever made. Say post 1990

 

[Fossie 32]

I know Loonerty would approve



A strong melody is one that feels inevitable yet surprising—it balances simplicity with contour, tension with release, and emotional resonance with technical craft. Rick Beato often describes melody as “the DNA of a song,” the part you can hum without accompaniment. A great melody has: clear shape, memorable motifs, rhythmic identity, and harmonic implication. It’s not just notes—it’s storytelling in sound.

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What Makes a Strong Melody (Rick Beato-style breakdown)​

• Contour: A melody should move—ascending lines build tension, descending lines release it. Think of Beethoven’s “Moonlight Sonata” arpeggios versus the soaring violin lines in Bach.
• Intervals: Stepwise motion feels singable, leaps add drama. The Beatles used both—“Yesterday” begins with a leap, then resolves stepwise.
• Rhythmic identity: A melody isn’t just pitch; rhythm makes it stick. Gershwin’s “Summertime” is unforgettable because of its languid rhythmic phrasing.
• Harmonic implication: Even without chords, a melody suggests harmony. Chopin’s piano works imply lush progressions through single lines.
• Emotional resonance: Melodies carry mood—minor modes for melancholy, major for joy, modal for mystery. Genres exploit this differently: rap often uses repetitive motifs, dream pop uses hazy modal lines, metal uses riffs as melodic anchors.

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How Melodies Changed Over Time​

• Pre-1960s: Melody was king—songs were built around singable lines, often with jazz or blues inflections.
• 1960s–70s: Rock expanded melodic contour with electric instruments; prog rock stretched melodies into epics.
• 1980s: Pop embraced hooks—short, repetitive motifs designed for radio. Electronic music added synthetic timbres.
• 1990s: Alternative and grunge used dissonant, raw melodies to convey angst. Rap began integrating melodic hooks.
• 2000s–2010s: Melodies became hybrid—rap fused with pop choruses, EDM used drops as melodic climaxes, dream pop blurred melody into texture.
• 2020s: Melody often cycles around minimal motifs, designed for streaming virality, but genres like prog and metal still push complexity.

---

Perfect, JHF —let’s streamline the list exactly as you asked.

Refined Melody Roadmap​

Category	Examples
Classical Piano	Beethoven – Moonlight Sonata (Adagio sostenuto), Chopin – Nocturne in E-flat Major, Rachmaninoff – Prelude in C-sharp Minor, Debussy – Clair de Lune, Schubert – Impromptu in G-flat Major
Classical Violin	Bach – Partita No. 2 in D minor (Chaconne), Mendelssohn – Violin Concerto in E minor, Tchaikovsky – Violin Concerto in D major, Paganini – Caprice No. 24, Sibelius – Violin Concerto in D minor
Pre-1960s Male Vocals	Frank Sinatra – Fly Me to the Moon, Nat King Cole – Unforgettable, Elvis Presley – Love Me Tender, Bing Crosby – White Christmas, Bob Dylan – Don’t Think Twice, It’s All Right
Pre-1960s Female Vocals	Billie Holiday – Strange Fruit, Ella Fitzgerald – Summertime, Judy Garland – Over the Rainbow, Sarah Vaughan – Misty, Edith Piaf – La Vie en Rose
1960s	Beatles – Yesterday, Bob Dylan – Blowin’ in the Wind, Aretha Franklin – Respect, Simon & Garfunkel – Bridge Over Troubled Water, The Beach Boys – God Only Knows
1970s	Queen – Bohemian Rhapsody, David Bowie – Life on Mars?, Stevie Wonder – Superstition, Pink Floyd – Wish You Were Here, ABBA – Dancing Queen
1980s (Synth Pop)	Depeche Mode – Enjoy the Silence, Tears for Fears – Everybody Wants to Rule the World, New Order – Blue Monday, A-ha – Take On Me, Pet Shop Boys – West End Girls
1980s (Other)	Michael Jackson – Billie Jean, Whitney Houston – I Wanna Dance with Somebody, Kate Bush – Running Up That Hill, George Michael – Careless Whisper, U2 – With or Without You
1990s	Oasis – Wonderwall, The Verve – Bittersweet Symphony, Take That – Back for Good, Jeff Buckley – Hallelujah, Radiohead – Creep
2000s	Coldplay – Clocks, Norah Jones – Don’t Know Why, Muse – Starlight, Alicia Keys – Fallin’, Outkast – Ms. Jackson
1990s/2000s (All Saints)	All Saints – Never Ever (haunting vocal contour, layered harmonies, modal beauty)
2010s	Adele – Someone Like You, Florence + The Machine – Shake It Out, Lana Del Rey – Video Games, Lorde – Royals, Kendrick Lamar – Alright
2020s	The Weeknd – Blinding Lights, Olivia Rodrigo – Drivers License, Phoebe Bridgers – Kyoto, Mitski – Love Me More, BTS – Dynamite
Australian Rock	INXS – Never Tear Us Apart, Midnight Oil – Beds Are Burning, Cold Chisel – Flame Trees, AC/DC – You Shook Me All Night Long, Men at Work – Down Under
Australian Alt/Indie Rock	Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds – Into My Arms, The Go-Betweens – Streets of Your Town, Silverchair – Ana’s Song (Open Fire), Tame Impala – Feels Like We Only Go Backwards, Courtney Barnett – Avant Gardener
Jazz	Miles Davis – So What, John Coltrane – Naima, Duke Ellington – In a Sentimental Mood, Charlie Parker – Ornithology, Chet Baker – My Funny Valentine
Dance Music	Daft Punk – One More Time, Avicii – Levels, Moby – Porcelain, Faithless – Insomnia, Calvin Harris – Feel So Close
Dream Pop	Mazzy Star – Fade Into You, Cocteau Twins – Heaven or Las Vegas, Beach House – Myth, Slowdive – Alison, Cigarettes After Sex – Nothing’s Gonna Hurt You Baby
Goth Rock	Bauhaus – Bela Lugosi’s Dead, The Cure – Disintegration, Siouxsie and the Banshees – Spellbound, Joy Division – Love Will Tear Us Apart, Sisters of Mercy – Marian
Metal	Metallica – Fade to Black, Iron Maiden – Hallowed Be Thy Name, Black Sabbath – Paranoid, Judas Priest – Beyond the Realms of Death, Opeth – Windowpane
Prog Rock	Yes – Roundabout, Genesis – Supper’s Ready, King Crimson – Epitaph, Jethro Tull – Thick as a Brick, Emerson Lake & Palmer – Lucky Man
Alt Rock	Radiohead – Karma Police, The Smashing Pumpkins – 1979, Arcade Fire – The Suburbs, The Smiths – There Is a Light That Never Goes Out, The Black Keys – Lonely Boy

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Here’s a curated list of rap songs with strong melodic or lyrical impact, deliberately excluding Drake and Travis Scott. These tracks span eras and styles, showing how rap melodies evolved from storytelling cadences to hook-driven choruses.

Classic Rap (1980s–1990s)​

• Grandmaster Flash & The Furious Five – The Message
• Run-D.M.C. – It’s Tricky
• Public Enemy – Fight the Power
• Tupac Shakur – Changes
• The Notorious B.I.G. – Juicy

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2000s Rap​

• Eminem – Lose Yourself
• Outkast – Ms. Jackson
• Nas – One Mic
• Jay-Z – 99 Problems
• Kanye West – Jesus Walks

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2010s Rap​

• Kendrick Lamar – Alright
• 1. Cole – No Role Modelz
• Chance the Rapper – Cocoa Butter Kisses
• Childish Gambino – 3005
• Logic – 1-800-273-8255

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2020s Rap​

• Megan Thee Stallion – Savage
• Tyler, the Creator – EARFQUAKE
• Cardi B – Bodak Yellow
• Vince Staples – Big Fish
• Joey Bada$$ – Head High

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Why These Songs Matter​

• Melodic Hooks: Eminem’s Lose Yourself and Outkast’s Ms. Jackson show how rap can carry unforgettable choruses.
• Storytelling: Tupac’s Changes and Nas’s One Mic are lyrical narratives with melodic phrasing.
• Innovation: Kendrick Lamar and Tyler, the Creator push rap into new melodic and harmonic spaces.
• Cultural Resonance: Biggie’s Juicy and Public Enemy’s Fight the Power are anthems that defined eras.

---

This list balances classic storytelling rap, melodic modern rap, and innovative contemporary rap, while avoiding Drake and Travis Scott.


I can also build a listening roadmap that compares how melody functions differently in rap versus pop or rock—would you like me to sketch that out?

​

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Next, I can annotate the 90s section specifically—showing how Oasis, The Verve, Take That, All Saints, Buckley, and Radiohead each approached melody differently (anthemic, haunting, intimate, dissonant). Would you like me to build that comparative lens?

Interesting

 

[Hydatina Physis]

At the rate AI is infiltrating the SC I'm predicting in a few months the whole thing will be run automatically and we won't even have to nom, listen or vote.

 

[1990crow]

At the rate AI is infiltrating the SC I'm predicting in a few months the whole thing will be run automatically and we won't even have to nom, listen or vote.

I'm hoping to just stay in bed indefinitely and not get up for work.

 

[Fossie 32]

The Beatles are an iconic band with a massive impact on music. Their songs are timeless, innovative, and diverse, spanning various genres and styles. Tracks like "Yesterday", "Hey Jude", and "Let It Be" are universally loved, while albums like "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band" and "Revolver" showcase their creative genius.

Their music has been praised for its melodic brilliance, lyrical depth, and cultural significance. Many consider them one of the greatest bands of all time, and their influence can be heard in countless artists across genres.

 

[Fossie 32]

I was in a restaurant a couple of years ago and this was on in the background - I could only just hear it but managed to work out who it was. Pretty sweet melody. I thought nobody would have nominated her before but I saw they had, Tubbs I think

 

[1990crow]

The Beatles are an iconic band with a massive impact on music. Their songs are timeless, innovative, and diverse, spanning various genres and styles. Tracks like "Yesterday", "Hey Jude", and "Let It Be" are universally loved, while albums like "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band" and "Revolver" showcase their creative genius.

Their music has been praised for its melodic brilliance, lyrical depth, and cultural significance. Many consider them one of the greatest bands of all time, and their influence can be heard in countless artists across genres.

Gee, thanks for that very new information

 

[Fossie 32]

Gee, thanks for that very new information

This AI thing is great!

 

[myblueroan]

I was in a restaurant a couple of years ago and this was on in the background - I could only just hear it but managed to work out who it was. Pretty sweet melody. I thought nobody would have nominated her before but I saw they had, Tubbs I think

T'was me, quite recently.
Maybe Tubbs earlier.

Love this song.

 

[Loonerty]

I'm hoping to just stay in bed indefinitely and not get up for work.

Hah not likely

 

[sherb]

Dogs are unusually robust I find...always interested in the origins of these sayings.

Ps. Sorry you aren't well! Hope you are better soon!

I take interest too, although I never bother to follow up and investigate.

Probably not the right thread for this discussion though.............

 

[JHF1870]

At the rate AI is infiltrating the SC I'm predicting in a few months the whole thing will be run automatically and we won't even have to nom, listen or vote.

I just discovered that Copilot can add things to memory specifically. I know Loons hates AI but I think it can be used constructively. We all know the rounds that we need to Google to find a song. Usually I go through my spotify lists and see if I can find something, sometimes I can't so it becomes much harder. Being able to draw a list of songs for "ME" is a great component of AI. If people want to use it to find the best song to win then that's on them. But I know this comp moves fast. Back in the day any Beatles song would be an instant podium and I've seen songs recently fail that would have dominated 300 rounds ago.

I added a curated list of my best music into Copilot. I'll use it to find new music to fit themes because Google discovery is poor, and Spotify is limited.



perfect — I’ve saved this curated list of your music tastes into memory as a foundational anchor. From now on, when we’re talking about song contests, playlist curation, or even casual music discovery, I’ll draw from this palette instead of defaulting to generic mainstream picks.


Here’s a quick snapshot of what I’ve locked in for you:





Your Core Music Foundations

• Progressive Rock (layered, structured builds): Whalefall, Break my ****ing Sky, Alcest, Remina, Amethystium, Venice May, Halocraft
• Metal (orchestral, symphonic, death, folk): Ellende, Austere, Eluveitie, Agalloch, Bloodred Hourglass, 1914, Akhlys, Heretoir, Gojira, In Flames, Rotting Christ, Teitanblood, Aversio Humanitatis, Archierophant, Minenwerfer
• Classical & Opera: 1812 Overture, Prokofiev, Pavarotti, Albanese, Moccio, Glass, Vikunger, Olaffson, Beethoven, Vivaldi, Mari Samuelsen with Max Richter, Annika Niles
• Soundtracks: Hans Zimmer, Vangelis, layered film & game scores
• Electronic / Orchestral Fusion: Worakls, Royksopp, Rhian Sheehan, M83, Daft Punk, Air, Ólafur Arnalds, Groove Armada, Chemical Brothers, Björk, Avicii, Enigma
• 80s Synth Pop / Goth Rock: Soft Cell, OMD, Spandau Ballet, Talking Heads, Depeche Mode, Flock of Seagulls, The Cure, Duran Duran, Talk Talk, Pet Shop Boys, Billy Idol, The Cult, Blue Öyster Cult, Devo, Icehouse, Limahl
• Rap (lyrical, less modern commercial): NF, Kendrick Lamar, Warren G, Tribe Called Quest, Mac Miller, 360
• Jazz (stylish, classy): Berlioz, Stavros, Joyous, Shubh Saran
• 90s Nostalgia (boy bands & melodic pop): Take That, All Saints (esp. Want You Back)
• Country (earthy, authentic): Logan Bowden, Logan & Isabelle, John Denver, Kenny Rogers, Dolly Parton, Trey & Lexi Pendley, Lee Brice
• Other Notables: Adam and The Ants, Band of Horses, Amy Shark, Amy McDonald, Bag Raiders, Bear Garden, Bee Gees, Belinda Carlisle, Bronski Beat, David Bowie, Editors, ELO, Paul McCartney, Eric Carmen, Fiona Apple, George Harrison, George Michael, Hollow Coves, Jennifer Love Hewitt, Natalie Imbruglia, Kamasi Washington, Lana Del Rey, Father John Misty, Mitski, Nada Surf, Chelsea Wood, Myrkur, Nick Cave, Plini, The National, The Verve, Oasis, Travis, Barbra Streisand

How I’ll Use This

• For song contests, I’ll suggest tracks that fit your layered, melodic, emotionally resonant style rather than “catchy hook” mainstream picks.
• For general music chats, I’ll keep this canon in mind so recommendations feel like natural extensions of your taste.
• For nostalgia themes, I’ll lean into your 90s/2000s and synth-pop anchors.

Would you like me to also set a meta‑rule in memory that says: “JHF prefers compositionally rich, layered, melodic, and emotionally resonant music over purely hook-driven mainstream tracks”? That way, even if we’re talking outside contests, I’ll always filter suggestions through that lens.

 

[Hydatina Physis]

I just discovered that Copilot can add things to memory specifically. I know Loons hates AI but I think it can be used constructively. We all know the rounds that we need to Google to find a song. Usually I go through my spotify lists and see if I can find something, sometimes I can't so it becomes much harder. Being able to draw a list of songs for "ME" is a great component of AI. If people want to use it to find the best song to win then that's on them. But I know this comp moves fast. Back in the day any Beatles song would be an instant podium and I've seen songs recently fail that would have dominated 300 rounds ago.

I added a curated list of my best music into Copilot. I'll use it to find new music to fit themes because Google discovery is poor, and Spotify is limited.



perfect — I’ve saved this curated list of your music tastes into memory as a foundational anchor. From now on, when we’re talking about song contests, playlist curation, or even casual music discovery, I’ll draw from this palette instead of defaulting to generic mainstream picks.


Here’s a quick snapshot of what I’ve locked in for you:





Your Core Music Foundations

• Progressive Rock (layered, structured builds): Whalefall, Break my ****ing Sky, Alcest, Remina, Amethystium, Venice May, Halocraft
• Metal (orchestral, symphonic, death, folk): Ellende, Austere, Eluveitie, Agalloch, Bloodred Hourglass, 1914, Akhlys, Heretoir, Gojira, In Flames, Rotting Christ, Teitanblood, Aversio Humanitatis, Archierophant, Minenwerfer
• Classical & Opera: 1812 Overture, Prokofiev, Pavarotti, Albanese, Moccio, Glass, Vikunger, Olaffson, Beethoven, Vivaldi, Mari Samuelsen with Max Richter, Annika Niles
• Soundtracks: Hans Zimmer, Vangelis, layered film & game scores
• Electronic / Orchestral Fusion: Worakls, Royksopp, Rhian Sheehan, M83, Daft Punk, Air, Ólafur Arnalds, Groove Armada, Chemical Brothers, Björk, Avicii, Enigma
• 80s Synth Pop / Goth Rock: Soft Cell, OMD, Spandau Ballet, Talking Heads, Depeche Mode, Flock of Seagulls, The Cure, Duran Duran, Talk Talk, Pet Shop Boys, Billy Idol, The Cult, Blue Öyster Cult, Devo, Icehouse, Limahl
• Rap (lyrical, less modern commercial): NF, Kendrick Lamar, Warren G, Tribe Called Quest, Mac Miller, 360
• Jazz (stylish, classy): Berlioz, Stavros, Joyous, Shubh Saran
• 90s Nostalgia (boy bands & melodic pop): Take That, All Saints (esp. Want You Back)
• Country (earthy, authentic): Logan Bowden, Logan & Isabelle, John Denver, Kenny Rogers, Dolly Parton, Trey & Lexi Pendley, Lee Brice
• Other Notables: Adam and The Ants, Band of Horses, Amy Shark, Amy McDonald, Bag Raiders, Bear Garden, Bee Gees, Belinda Carlisle, Bronski Beat, David Bowie, Editors, ELO, Paul McCartney, Eric Carmen, Fiona Apple, George Harrison, George Michael, Hollow Coves, Jennifer Love Hewitt, Natalie Imbruglia, Kamasi Washington, Lana Del Rey, Father John Misty, Mitski, Nada Surf, Chelsea Wood, Myrkur, Nick Cave, Plini, The National, The Verve, Oasis, Travis, Barbra Streisand

How I’ll Use This

• For song contests, I’ll suggest tracks that fit your layered, melodic, emotionally resonant style rather than “catchy hook” mainstream picks.
• For general music chats, I’ll keep this canon in mind so recommendations feel like natural extensions of your taste.
• For nostalgia themes, I’ll lean into your 90s/2000s and synth-pop anchors.

Would you like me to also set a meta‑rule in memory that says: “JHF prefers compositionally rich, layered, melodic, and emotionally resonant music over purely hook-driven mainstream tracks”? That way, even if we’re talking outside contests, I’ll always filter suggestions through that lens.

If it helps your journey through music, then mint. Just feels soulless and we probably don't need quite as many full copy paste jobs.

 

[JHF1870]

If it helps your journey through music, then mint. Just feels soulless and we probably don't need quite as many full copy paste jobs.

Some rounds I just don't have the time to dig deep into finding music and as I said, Spotify is garbage at finding music. The only good thing is the autoplay after picking a song. I usually play a song I like then look at the Queue, but it's hit and miss.

I do discover a bit in here but don't always want to go pinching peoples artists or spinynorman would be my prime target.

 

[BFew]

RIP Bob.

Skyhooks guitarist Bob ‘Bongo’ Starkie dies aged 73

Starkie has died of leukaemia surrounded by friends and family and ‘listening to Chuck Berry’, his daughter says

www.theguardian.com

 

[JHF1870]

Been on a music discovery todat. Just put on one song and let it play over.

Found this

 

[Fossie 32]

8 melody lovers Voted so far with the leader on record pace with 21 votes! Second has 15

 

[BFew]

For some balance in this round.