“It’s a wonderful surprise / To see your shoes and your spirits rise”
This song always makes my spirit rise – Love, Love, Love this song. The arrangement in the original was screaming to be orchestrated. I heard trumpets, violins, flutes, xylophone, timpani, chimes, triangle, and more. This was my #1 song I’ve wanted to do since the first week of ‘For Orchestra’ – and well, here it is.
The Cure is a band from England who emerged on the scene in the 1980′s (I’m told they’re big in Russia, too. True?). ‘Friday I’m in Love’ was released in 1992 as the single on their album Wish. When a song is fun, well written, and meaningful, then it shines in my orchestrations. When I heard this is my crazy head I imagined wanting it to sound like “Under the Sea” from The Little Mermaid. I’ve been told that my previous orchestrations were too complex, and that I should simplify them a bit. I agree – there’s power in simplicity, and it shows in this piece.
I love how you can actually ‘pick out’ the instruments part by part. I had the xylophone play a strong role in this piece. Rather than simply playing chords in the background, I have the performer play a verse, sustain notes, create tension through tremolos, arpeggiate entire sections, and more. The flutes and horns play a more dominant role in this piece too – which I thought turned out perfectly. The ‘upbeat’ and ‘rejoice’ vibe was a perfect fit for a bright trumpet section. Brass sections, when written correctly, have the most powerful uplifting feel of any section.
The lyrics “to see your shoes and your spirits rise” mean a lot to me. I think this is what we are all here for. We’re here for each other, to laugh, to help, to make a change in those around us. It’s something we forget about – even when it’s about changing ourselves and making ourselves happy. I was once told to “leave people better than you found them”. As an artist, I am amazed music can make people enjoy and feel, without a single word being spoken. And I hope, that this arrangement leaves you happy. I hope it makes you smile. I hope it makes you dance. What a wonderful surprise that would be for me.
Stay human and surprise someone. Make someone’s spirit rise today. It’s Friday.
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