Analysis of “Someone Like You” by Adele Atkins and “Fantasy” by Mariah Carey

Romantic Songs in the Early 19th Century

Romantic songs have been written and played since the early 19th century. This type of music aims at expressing emotions, feelings, artistic and philosophical themes that best explains romanticism. These songs are characterized by the evident use of collective musical structures e.g. series, cycle, and Rhapsody. They stress significantly on melody to sustain the music awareness, the structure should be based on tone and basic harmony and rhythm as well as the use of a wide range of dynamics (Niecks 498).

Some Examples of Western Romantic Songs

Among the many western songs (Stolba 2): Someone like you sang by Adele Atkins who is a British musician and songwriter. The song was composed by her and Dan Wilson. This song fits well in the romantic genre since it brings out the deep emotions of a heartbreak experience and how the performer is wishing the best to her ex in the progress. It’s a slow ballad song which follows the A major key and a slow tempo of 68 minutes per ballad. Fantasy by Mariah Carey is an up-tempo song, with rhythm and blues blend of funk music incorporated. It uses heavy Bass and percussion, a tempo of 102 beats per minute and a G major key.

Toni Braxton’s “Un-break My Heart”

The African American Toni Braxton performed and sang Un-break my heart which earned her much fame. This romantic song is a power ballad with a key of B minor which is moderated to become a D Minor and a G sharp minor for the upcoming Bridge. It had a reasonably slow tempo of 55 beats per minute depending on the performer’s vocals. As much as there would be so many romantic songs in this century its best to say that as long as songs follow the basic characteristics they will fit any genre possible depending on the message they want to express.

Work cited

Anna M Everskemper. “Love songs and their meanings throughout history”

Niecks, F. A concise dictionary of musical terms. The musical times and singing class circular, 25(498). 1884

Stolba, k. Marie. The development of western music. A history (brief second edition). Madison: Brown & Benchmark publishers’ p. 2(1995).