Forget everything you thought you knew about the great divide between 'high' and 'low' art. In her captivating new book, Everything We Do Is Music, broadcaster and author Elizabeth Alker masterfully dismantles the barriers between the concert hall and the charts, revealing a thrilling and unbreakable musical lineage.
Alker's central thesis is as compelling as it is revolutionary: the entire architecture of modern popular music, from the soaring melodies of The Beatles to the intricate production of Taylor Swift, is built upon a foundation meticulously laid by classical composers.
The Baroque Backbeat of The Beatles
Alker doesn't just suggest a vague influence; she provides a forensic analysis. She traces the haunting harmonic progression in The Beatles' 'Because' directly back to Beethoven's 'Moonlight Sonata', revealing a direct quotation that is more homage than accident. This is not merely a musicological curiosity; it's a key to understanding the band's sophisticated sound.
The book brilliantly charts how the band's sonic ambitions expanded after 1966, actively weaving the textures and complexities of classical music into their psychedelic tapestry.
A Sonic Genealogy from Bach to Beyoncé
The scope of Alker's research is breathtaking. She constructs a vibrant family tree of sound, demonstrating how:
- J.S. Bach's intricate counterpoint provides the mathematical blueprint for the complex arrangements of progressive rock and art pop.
- The dramatic dynamics of Romantic composers like Wagner fuel the explosive emotional climaxes found in everything from power ballads to stadium anthems.
- Minimalism of the 20th century, pioneered by Steve Reich and Philip Glass, directly informs the repetitive, hypnotic loops that underpin modern electronic and dance music.
This is not a dry academic text. Alker writes with the infectious enthusiasm of a fan, making complex musical concepts accessible and exciting for the layperson. She argues that this cross-pollination is music's greatest strength, a continuous conversation across centuries that enriches all who listen.
Why This Musical Revelation Matters Now
More than just a history lesson, Everything We Do Is Music is a timely manifesto against cultural snobbery. In an era of rigid genre playlists and algorithmic sorting, Alker passionately advocates for musical curiosity. Her book is a powerful reminder that great music is simply great music, regardless of its origin or label.
By illuminating the classical DNA woven into the very fabric of pop, Alker doesn't diminish modern artists; she elevates them, placing their work within a grand, ongoing historical narrative. It's a profoundly democratic and uplifting view of musical creativity.
Meticulously researched and beautifully written, this book is an essential read for anyone who has ever turned on the radio, put on a record, or fallen in love with a song. It will forever change the way you hear the world.
