A distinct, if uninspired bass line, repeating piano chords, and a 20 second long intro are the way one of the most popular songs in the world begins. When the lead singer’s voice begins to cry into the microphone, there is an almost barked quality to the performance, though the voice is nasally, and high pitched. But it is an opening line that cuts across regions, countries, language barriers, and time. Just try it some time. If you drop a dime (realistically, a dollar) into a jukebox (or more likely, swipe your credit card through a digital rock-o-la at some club/lounge), and the din of conversation is too loud for people to pick up on the quiet, brooding intro, as soon as the vocals begin, everyone will be on the same page. The song does not even need to be sung. Speaking the lyrics results in a parroting back of the completion of the line. As soon as it strikes it’s hum through the bar:
“JUST A SMALL TOWN GIRL…”
