What does obsession sound like? The aural components of a voyeuristic track are very similar to ones of a simple Pop song. What makes these components unique, however, is how they are used in tandem. From a chromatic riff to a simple form, these tools are used to convey the “sound” of obsession.

The catchiness of such songs begin with what has been dubbed an “earworm”- “the experience of an inability to dislodge a song and prevent it from repeating itself in one’s head”- (Beaman and Williams).¹⁾Beaman, C. Philip, and Tim I. Williams. “Earworms (Stuck Song Syndrome): Towards a Natural History of Intrusive Thoughts.” British Journal of Psychology, vol. 101, no. 4, 2010, pp. 637–653., doi:10.1348/000712609×479636.The earworm takes the form of a catchy synth and chromatic melodies, and it is repeated over and over to “lodge” itself into the listener’s ear. “Always Something There to Remind Me” features a synth melody line moving fairly chromatically that mimics the sound of church bells ringing. This correlation can actually be seen in the music video, as the first scene is in front of a church tower, with actual bells ringing before the synth starts. This riff continues throughout the song, reminding the listener of its catchiness. In fact, “simple and repetitive tunes are more likely to become overlearned over a short time period… exposure to the tune is a crucial factor” (Beaman and Williams).²⁾Beaman, C. Philip, and Tim I. Williams. “Earworms (Stuck Song Syndrome): Towards a Natural History of Intrusive Thoughts.” British Journal of Psychology, vol. 101, no. 4, 2010, pp. 637–653., doi:10.1348/000712609×479636. And these songs take this concept to heart- in “Always Something There to Remind Me,” the instrumental synth riff mimicking church bells by using a very chromatic “DECF#GBCBGDGF#DC” pattern is repeated throughout the song 5 times. In “Animals,” the even more chromatic melody of “EEEEEEDDBBEEEEDDBBEF#GF#EGF#EF#GF#EC” is repeated 8 times.

Despite being very chromatic in nature, both the synth riff in “Always Something There to Remind Me” and Adam Levine’s voice in “Animals” “form strong hooks…it becomes very difficult to deny the ‘catchiness’” (Traut, 58).³⁾Traut, Don. “‘Simply Irresistible’: Recurring Accent Patterns as Hooks in Mainstream 1980s Music.” Popular Music, vol. 24, no. 1, 2005, pp. 57–77., doi:10.1017/s0261143004000303. Levine’s voice actually mimics a synth as it reaches the higher notes of the melody line, forming the catchy phrase that repeats throughout the song. While we would think that an audience would reject a simple chromatic melody line, their chromaticism and repetition is exactly what makes them so undeniably irresistible.

Listen to the repetitive synth riff mimicking the sound of church bells in “Always Something There to Remind Me” and the high-pitched riff of Adam Levine’s voice in “Animals” below.

 

(A lyric video of Naked Eyes’ “Always Something There to Remind Me,” published by kidscelebritydislikr on youtube.com. Licensed to YouTube by Kobalt (AWAL Digital Limited) (on behalf of Chrysalis Records); BMG Rights Management, PEDL, CMRRA, UMPI, and 14 Music Rights Societies)

(A lyric video of Maroon 5’s “Animals,” published by Robert Van on youtube.com. Licensed to YouTube by Kobalt (AWAL Digital Limited) (on behalf of Chrysalis Records); BMG Rights Management, PEDL, CMRRA, UMPI, and 14 Music Rights Societies)

The final aural aspect of these tracks is a simple form which emphasizes lyrics about stalking. While a simple form is common amongst Pop songs, these songs are unique in their content. Each of the songs listed below feature an emphasis on the “A” section of the form. In “Animals,” the lyrics of the “A” section are the most disturbing and the most memorable- “baby I’m preyin’ on you tonight, hunt you down eat you alive.” Thus, the simple form helps the songs reiterate their obsessive character, to the point where the listener is “hooked” on both the melody and lyrics of the song.

Forms of Four Pop Songs About Stalking

“Always Something There to Remind Me” →ABABCAB

“One Way or Another”→ABABAC

“Animals”→ABABACA

“Paparazzi”→ABABCB

While these aural aspects are certainly not unique to Naked Eyes or Maroon 5, their use in tandem promote the concept of obsession both musically and lyrically. Chromatic, repetitive riffs and a simple form give audience’s ears a palpable sense of voyeurism.