INTRODUCTION
[Footloose - Kenny Loggins]
Footloose is a rock and pop song with many elements of the 1980s hard rock and dance rock. This song is very energetic and is very rhythm driven, making this song a perfect for the 1984 movie Footloose which is very much centred around a lot of dancing and rebellion.
The structure for this song goes as followed:
Intro - This is where the iconic guitar riffs starts and builds ups with the drums at the start of the song.
Verse 1 - This is where we establish this theme of frustration and wanting to break free.
The pre chorus - This section is just a nice build of tension with a nice rising chord progression.
Chorus
The instrumentation for this song is very nice. The song consists of electric guitar, bass guitar, piano, synths, drums and vocals.
Electric Guitars – The crunchy, distorted rhythm guitars in this song create a lovely driving groove and lead guitar fills and riffs add melody.
Bass Guitar - The nice, syncopated, bouncy bassline in this song grounds the groove and is used to adds to the danceability of the song.
Drums - This song contains a nice big, driving rock drum beat with lots of snare hits and hi-hat accents, creating the song's energetic feel.
Synthesizers – Employed for bright, shimmering textures that add to the 1980s production vibe.
Piano — Adds percussive chord stabs through the verses, providing the lyrics with additional rhythmic punch.
Vocals — The high-energy, raspy vocal delivery of Kenny Loggin sounds made to order for the rebellious, upbeat quality of the song.
In this song, there are three different chord progression.
The verse, which follows a standard I-IV-V-I progression, goes as followed:
F | Bb | C | F
The Pre Chorus progression, which is a nice little chromatic movement used to build some anticipation before returning to the main progression. This pre chorus goes as followed:
Db | Eb | F
The chord progression for the chorus goes as followed:
F | Bb | C | F
There is a good use of Syncopated rhythms in the guitar and the piano which builds the funk and danceable groove for the song.
The song contains modulation and some suspended chords. The pre chorus uses new harmonies (Db and Eb) that is used to create tension before coming back into the home key.
The lyrics in Footloose are made to celebrate freedom of breaking free from restrictions with the use of dancing. This song was written for the globally famous movie known as 'Footloose' and is made to tell the story of a town where dancing is banned and a young man fights for the right for self expression.
The line 'been working so hard, I'm punching my card. Eight hours for what' really demonstrates the frustration of routine and the want to escape whatever daily struggles are present.
The line 'Everybody cut footloose' is a phrase that acts as a direct action, encouraging people to let go and just enjoy life instead of living behind these restrictions.
The message that Kenny Loggins delivered was about embracing fun and breaking free from societal constraints and just dancing. It really captures the spirit or rebellion and youthful energy, making it an anthem for self expression.
[Don't Stop Believing - Journey]
Don't Stop Believing is a mid tempo rock anthem. At the every start of the 80s, being made in 1981. Journey was becoming one of the most successful and iconic rock acts of the era. The band added Cain on the keyboards before entering the studio to record Escape.
The chord progression for this song stays the same throughout the entire song. This being as followed:
G | D | Em | C
This following the I-V-vi-IV pattern.
The structure for this is song slightly different, and the chorus does not come in until near the of the song. This being the following:
The intro - The song starts off with the just the piano and bass.
Verse 1 - Singer introduces the small-town girl and her journey
Pre-chorus/break - In these little break. It acts a kind of tease, building the tension whilst we patiently wait for the chorus.
Verse 2 - Introduces the city boy, mirroring her experience
Pre-chorus/break - In these little break. It acts a kind of tease, building the tension whilst we patiently wait for the chorus.
Guitar Solo
Chorus - The only chorus throughout the song, making it very cinematic and powerful
Outro - This is where the every instrument including the vocals slowly fade out until it gets silent
This song consists of Electric guitar, Piano, bass guitar, drums and vocals.
Electric Guitars – The electric guitar in this song is one of the most important instruments, providing the riffs and the solos that add to the energy within the song.
Piano - The piano plays one of the more critical roles, especially in the intro and throughout all of the verses, providing the melodic foundation of the song to help bring everything together.
Bass Guitar - The bass guitar adds depth and rhythm to the song, complementing the rums and piano, which really helps to drive the song
Drums - The drums in this song are quite simple and act as the backbone for the song. It is a steady beat that builds steadily, especially when we reach the chorus.
Vocals - In this song, the are an essential piece, delivering the powerful lyrics and the melody that really define the song.
The words to Don't Stop Believin' tell a universal tale of hope, dreams, and persistence in the lives of two people—a small-town girl and a city boy—both searching for something more from life. The backdrop of the song is full of imagery of a city night, which is a city of limitless possibility and the search for self-discovery.
Key lines:
"Only a small town girl, livin' in a lonely world.".
She took the midnight train goin' anywhere.
Symbolizes a person who leaves their comfortable, small-town life to aim for greater things. The midnight train symbolizes taking a leap into the unknown.
"Just a city boy, born and raised in South Detroit. He took the midnight train going anywhere." The guy friend is also mirroring the girl's quest—both are looking for the same thing, attempting to find meaning, excitement, and a new beginning. "Strangers waiting, up and down the boulevard, their shadows searching in the night." The line gives this image of endless people wandering around the boulevard, looking for a companion, success, or direction. It's that need and desire that resides in all of us. "Don't stop believin', hold on to that feelin'."
This is the song's message in a nutshell: never lose faith and never lose hope in your dreams. The song is telling other people to simply keep on believing in themselves and in their journey, even if no one knows what the future has in store. Journey's message in Don't Stop Believin' is hope, persistence, and following one's dreams. The song is for anyone who has ever lost their way, confused, or searching for something more. It's a plea not to give up on yourself and the future, and so it's one of the all-time greatest hope and perseverance anthems.