The word 'harmony' comes from the ancient Greek language: ἁρμονία (harmonia), which means 'fastening or join'. It comes into English via Latin harmonia, which stands for 'conjunction, joining, (musical) melody, agreement among the various parts of the body.' In music, of course, the term represents a combination of different notes that create meaningful sounds, at the very least. This basic yet captivating technique has the power to simulate the social meaning of harmony in an auditory capacity. The question is, how does one achieve it? Over time, we have been given some glorious answers, and one such answer is presented to us by multi award-winning singer-songwriter Jay 'Blue Jay' Jourden in the form of his joyfully uptempo song titled "It's All About We."
Written in the key of D Major, "It's All About We" is arranged in the blues realm, with several pop elements incorporated into the arrangement. Firstly, the choice of key for a song about harmony and joy is a winner. It's very easy for listeners to get involved when the song is in D Major, a key that, for more reasons than one, has always had a natural connection with most people's nervous systems. Secondly and thirdly, let's discuss the lyrics and the arrangement and instrumentation. The lyrics are well-written, down-to-earth, and relatable, without being too preachy about their moral aims. The genre and arrangement play a crucial role in making the song a very enjoyable listen that is easy on the ears. From the moment the reverb-infused wind ensemble strikes the ear, the song manages to command the listener's attention until the very end. And of course, theres is the vocal performances themselves. There is something heartfelt and consonant about the rendition of the last few words of every line in the verse. The piano's improvisatory counterpoint plays a vital part in driving the song's harmonious structure while telling its own tale with scale runs and glissandos. Jourden spearheads the song with a spectacularly expressive and dynamic vocal offering that hits all the highs and lows at the right spots, both lyrically and musically. Skillfully oscillating between the thought-provoking and the anthemic, and aided superbly by the backing choir, Jourden manages to make the song sound akin to a party number, particularly towards the end. This adds a great and creative yet down-to-earth touch to a song that strives to extol harmony. The various elements in the song, including the vocals, wind ensemble, percussion, piano, and guitars, are in perfect congruence with each other while managing to stand out by conveying their own stories as befitting their respective capabilities. Indeed, one might be reminded of Michael Jackson's "Earth" towards its end, where its anthemic highs and choirs engraved themselves into the listener's mind regarding the environmental impact. Jourden's song, while different from "Earth," manages to strike that same impact using elements of pop and rock fused with the blues, which works wonders in this case.
With a duration of four minutes and thirty-one seconds for the Radio Mix, "It's All About We" is a wonderful illustration that conveys the essence of harmony in the social sense through harmony in a musical sense. If I were a student of music, I would take notes on how to be supremely creative while simultaneously being down-to-earth in order to create a song whose aim resonates socially. Jourden's "It's All About We" serves as a worthy reference.
About Jay “Blue Jay” Jourden Jay "Blue Jay" Jourden is a versatile artist who has made significant contributions as a singer, songwriter, performer, activist, producer, writer, actor, and filmmaker. With a passion for creating impactful music and content, Jay has garnered recognition and acclaim in various domains. Currently, Jay is nominated for the Social Impact Song of the Year at the 9th Annual Josie Music Awards, showcasing their commitment to using music as a vehicle for positive change.
Over the years, Jay has received multiple awards and nominations at the Josie Music Awards. Notably, he won Vocalist of the Year in Jazz/Blues in 2019 and Song of the Year in Jazz/Blues in 2020. His exceptional talent and creativity have earned him nominations in categories such as EP of the Year, Song of the Year, Vocalist of the Year, and Vocal Event of the Year in subsequent years, including 2021 and 2022.
In addition to his musical achievements, Jay's music video for the song "We Need To Know (There's Happiness In Our World)" received the esteemed Best Music in a Music Video Award at the 11th Annual Global Non-Violent Film Festival in 2022. His dedication to creating socially impactful content has also been recognized with Honorable Mention and Silver Awards in the Social Impact/Justice category at the W.A.M. Music Awards in 2021 and 2022.
To learn more about Jay "Blue Jay" Jourden and his captivating work, visit Jay's official website at jjourden.com, where you can explore their artistry and delve into his creative endeavors.
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