this post was submitted on 02 Jan 2026
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Today I Learned

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[–] wolframhydroxide@sh.itjust.works 2 points 1 hour ago* (last edited 1 hour ago)

Yes, Tin uses different texts in different languages, using the syntax and phonology of different languages as instruments in their own right. He has many which utilise the unique phonology and musical traditions to great effect, such as incorporating a haka into "Kia Hora The Marino" (based on a traditional Māori farewell haka), using a traditional Bulgarian choral tradition in "Temen Oblak", or Mongolian throat singing in "Tsas Narand Uyarna".

After being a huge fan of his for over a decade, though, I've realised that, while he has a unique talent for turning phonemes into musical instruments, he almost completely ignores the natural rhythm of the native languages. I realised this when I listened to his third album, in which the final song adapts Kennedy's "We choose to go to the Moon" speech. In that song, the rhythm of the lyrics sound painfully syncopated with the natural flow of the language, in some cases holding really weird syllables. I have to wonder if, to native speakers of all of the other languages he's adapted, his songs also sound like they're ripping the flow of the language limb-from-limb.

[–] shadshack@feddit.online 9 points 5 hours ago (1 children)

I've been using this song as my phone alarm for the past 20 years because of its stepped increase in intensity at the beginning. Usually I wake up before the shakers come on. I know I was in a deep sleep if the first "Baba Yetu" hits.

[–] drosophila@lemmy.blahaj.zone 2 points 49 minutes ago

I've heard that doing this can condition you to be anxious when you hear a song.

[–] poopkins@lemmy.world 6 points 6 hours ago

If you like this music, Christopher Tin has some amazing classical crossover albums. My favorite is The Drop That Contained the Sea.

[–] murvel@feddit.nu 11 points 8 hours ago

'Did you know that the 1971 hit 'Stairway to Heaven' by Led Zeppelin contains religious connotations.'

Pfft, yeah never listening to that Christian propaganda again

Some Lemmy probably

[–] itkovian@lemmy.world 19 points 10 hours ago (1 children)

Even if I am an atheist, I actually love the song, not for what it means, but how it is expressed.

[–] sp3ctr4l@lemmy.dbzer0.com 17 points 10 hours ago* (last edited 10 hours ago)

Same here, also an atheist, but you've got to be kidding yourself if you don't think that that song is an incredibly impressive piece of music, vocal performance, etc.

ding!

"If music be the food of love, play on."

-- Spock

[–] yermaw@sh.itjust.works 2 points 6 hours ago

I never paid it any thought, I assumed they'd got some village somewhere in Africa to sing something traditional.

What little ive just learned makes it work on so many levels

[–] michael@piefed.chrisco.me 27 points 17 hours ago

Incredibly powerful music.