Tuesday, May 6, 2008

2:42 - Bang Bang



Nancy Sinatra: Bang Bang

[purchase]

This is such a heartbreaking song, about childhood sweethearts who grow up in love, yet she marries someone else when he leaves inexplicably. As each verse goes by, the chorus becomes more and more cruel—at first "Bang bang, you shot me down / Bang bang, I hit the ground" refers to toddlers playing Cowboys & Indians; then a nostalgic conversation between two lovers; and finally the lament of a woman left behind.

And let's talk about that guitar! It's the only instrument in the song, though the track hardly has the feel of a folk tune. The ringing tremelo carries as much of the emotional burden as Sinatra's vocal delivery. The words "bang bang" wouldn't have the same impact without those two low notes from the guitar. Speaking of how to write a great rock song, this track is a lesson of its own—how to write a perfect song with as few elements as possible.

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

Great songs this week.

Mario B said...

Is this really from 1966 ? Far superior than the Cher hit single version! What a surprise ! Thank you.
By the way, I just create something about music. No MP3 files for the moment, but it may please you. Just click on my name or picture.

Kevin said...

Scott, Thanks for this, was smitten with the tune when I was a wee lad, strolling down memory lane...

Scott said...

Kevin, glad I could be of service!