Charlie Harding
Appearances
Today, Explained
Almost Heaven
It follows the essential songwriting rules established by Irving Berlin, the great 20th century songwriter, wrote 1,500 songs in his life, including songs like Puttin' on the Ritz, God Bless America, White Christmas. He had nine rules. We're not gonna go through all of them, but it hits on some of the most important ones. For example, the song has to have an average range that anybody can sing.
Today, Explained
Almost Heaven
Anybody can sing Country Roads. Okay, the high note, sometimes not. Second, the title has to be planted in the song so you can't forget it. Berlin says that songs should have heart longing, and this song is fundamentally about heart longing. And finally, it just has to be a simple song, and Country Roads couldn't be more simple.
Today, Explained
Almost Heaven
Which leads me to the second point, which is that Country Roads contains the most fundamental, most memorable melody ever. Mi, re, do. That is the whole structure of the chorus melody. Mi, re, do. Three blind mice. It is ingrained in our memory. In fact, the music theorist Heinrich Schenker called this the Ursatz melody, the fundamental melody which is underlying all Western music.
Today, Explained
Almost Heaven
And so when we sing, country roads, me, take me home, re, to the place, do. Dough. Road, home, place, me, Ray, Doe, each of those words falling right on a downbeat on the most fundamental melody. It follows the simplest, easiest to sing melody that anybody can follow along with. It has this one high note who all the celebratory singers can go together. I belong.
Today, Explained
Almost Heaven
You don't even have to hit the high note. And when you sing I belong, you are claiming your space in this song. This song is meant to be sung together in community all around the world.