Science songs
Hi all,
In the future, Marc West and I are planning on doing another crossover podcast – the topic of the next crossover podcast is going to be science songs.
What scientific based songs can you think of?
There are classics such as
“She blinded me with science” by Thomas Dolby
“Weird Science” by Oingo Boingo
“Astronomy Domine” by Pink Floyd…
What else can you add to this list?
OG
September 29th, 2008 at 22:03
Divinyls – Science Fiction popped into my head.
Also in my music collection are Coldplay – The Scientist and The Grates – Science Is Golden. I don’t actually remember those two songs though…
Timbuk 3 – The Future’s So Bright (I Gotta Wear Shades) ?
– ozz
September 29th, 2008 at 23:22
The Animaniacs “Planet Song” came to mind for some reason. I loved that show.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s8eFFnJsCjs
September 30th, 2008 at 03:19
My sentimental favorite is the Dolby song, but I thought I’d come up with something different that you might not be familiar with.
Spontaneous Human Combustion, by The Bobs:
http://bobs.com/Lyrics.cgi?Spontaneous_Human_Combustion
And with immense respect as a Beach Boys/Brian Wilson fan, I have to also put one in for worst science lyrics of all time. Solar System, by the Beach Boys:
http://www.getlyrics.com/song/beach+boys/solar+system
September 30th, 2008 at 09:55
They Might Be Giants have a few, ‘The Sun is a Mass of Incandescent Gas’ and ‘Mammal’ come to mind.
Then there is the Monty Python song ‘Galaxy Song’.
Others can be found here:
http://www.acme.com/jef/singing_science/
http://www.songsforteaching.com/sciencesongs.htm
September 30th, 2008 at 17:29
The first couple that came to mind are “Under the Milky Way” (The Church) and “The Chemistry” (Mondo Rock).
Then I remembered Flanders & Swann’s “First and Second Law” which gives an explanation of the laws of thermodynamics (although I’ve no idea whether it is accurate or not) Lyrics can be found here:
http://www.nyanko.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/fas/anotherhat_first.html
October 1st, 2008 at 21:31
Uranus, by the Scared Weird Little Guys.
October 4th, 2008 at 17:52
Not quite a song, but Professor Frink’s autobiographical ditty surely must rate a mention…
“Professor Frink, Professor Frink, he’ll make you laugh, he’ll make you think”
October 5th, 2008 at 03:34
I’d go for George Hrab, ‘Brains Body Both’… 🙂
October 6th, 2008 at 13:32
There are so many great science songs to choose from – lets start with the classics – Tom Lehrer’s “The Elements” or his “New Math”. Then we have the more contemporary Laibach and their rap “Hymn to the black sun” from the Kapital Album ( lyrics below).
Then there is a companion science communicators of the radio show/podcast “This week in science” (www.twis.org). They encourage science music and get bands donating science songs. They have three great cds out of science music, which have songs about topics such as the great flu pandemic of 1918, the perpetual motion machine, robot domination, robot high school and the dynasque ballad “Climydea” which is a dedication to the fact that they think that “global warming” sounds too nice and that people would be take it all more seriously if climate change had a more dire name – hence climydea”
Laibach’s Hymn to the black sun.
I shine bright and shed light from afar
93 million miles to be explicit
8 light minutes if you’re planning a visit
See I’m the big daddy and this is his system
My turn to burn so keep on listening
I give light when all around is dark
Your choice get sparked or mark my remarks
See ice couldn’t hold me back
I fall through forty feet in one minute flat
Meet a solar controller, ’cause
that what I was meant to be
‘Cause I was a mystery
Decade is null
Decade is null!
(It’s hot, it’s hot, it’s very hot)
October 6th, 2008 at 13:37
almost anything by kraftwerk in the 1970’s/80’s
October 6th, 2008 at 14:57
Recently Moloko singer RóisÃÂn Murphyreleased her own album, one of the songs “Overpowered” is quite sciency and funky. (listen to it on Youtube)
I heard her being interviewed on ABC TripleJ radio and the hosts said something about how unusual it was to have a song with science in it. She retorted that there were heaps of songs about science! (Yay, you go girl!)
October 6th, 2008 at 15:06
Another current song is “Evolution” by the John Steele Singers, talking about Thomas Henry Huxley vs Bishop of Oxford etc but I can’t for the life of me find lyrics for it online nor make out whether they’re taking an anti-science viewpoint. (Also played on TripleJ and Youtube)
October 6th, 2008 at 16:03
Anything my M. C. Hawking
M. C. Frontalot – Secrets From The Future (it’s a song all about cryptography)
October 6th, 2008 at 18:15
Gotta be the Bloodhound Gang and their classic – The Bad Touch.
“You and me baby ain’t nothing but mammals, so let’s do it like they do on the Discovery Channel.” Nothing more scientific than the art of making love, like a donkey.
October 6th, 2008 at 21:47
Probably the best one is :
Dandy Wharhols – I am a scientist
Others:
Edan – The Science of the Two
The Grates – Science is golden
The Avalanches – Frontier Psychiatry
Albums – The sounds of science – Beastie Boys greatest hits
Yay science!
October 7th, 2008 at 04:54
Theorem – Kineto <— THis is also the theme music for Skeptics Guide to the Universe.
Schwartzield Radius <—- Also ( A bit folky bandy but good)
The Scientist <— Aimee Mann
October 7th, 2008 at 05:19
Chemical Calisthenics by Blackalicious.
I am not kidding when I say that because of this song, my 6 year old goes around the house singing about atomic structure and the periodic table of elements. I think he can recite more physics and chemistry litany than his teacher.
October 10th, 2008 at 00:12
Clint Mansell – Pi r^2
check it out on youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Cq_QO_4Cx4
October 10th, 2008 at 07:57
The Avalanches – Frontier Psychiatry
???? “Star Trekking” – you know that FUNNY song from the 80’s – that HAS to be SCIENCY!!! DO it for FUN!!
Name only “Blakc Holed Sun” Soundgarden.
October 29th, 2008 at 09:25
I’ve got a couple….
“Computer Games” – Mi Sex
“Together In Electric Dreams” – Philip Oakey & Giorgio Moroder (from the movie “Electric Dreams”)
and one from way out there….one we’ve all probably sang when we were young!
“Twinkle, twinkle little star”!!!! (children nursery rhyme)
October 29th, 2008 at 09:29
Oohhh and a couple more….
“Starman” – David Bowie
“Space Oddity” – David Bowie
November 27th, 2008 at 08:34
Tom Lehrer’s Element song is a must – see http://www.privatehand.com/flash/elements.html
Another related blog
http://www.newscientist.com/blog/shortsharpscience/2007/06/top-10-science-pop-songs.html
December 9th, 2008 at 10:24
Don’t forget the Periodic Table song! (The Elements, by Tom Lehrer http://www.privatehand.com/flash/elements.html )
Also Savage Garden’s self-titled album had several songs which mention science ideas (‘Violet’ and ‘Universe’, from memory), as does Darren Hayes “How to build a time machine”.
March 7th, 2009 at 10:09
Hi all,
The episode that refers to all these songs has been posted up at:
https://www.brainsmatter.com/?p=218