Psyche Rock

[on:]

What exactly is the relationship between Psyche Rock and the Futurama theme song?  I have often heard Psyche Rock described as the "prototype" for Fututrama's music, but I'm not at all clear on how that happened.  Can anyone fill me in?  For example, how do we even know that's true?  I haven't actually seen it written in the credits or anything but maybe I just missed it. 

[Reply #1 on:]

"Psyche Rock" is a braod definition.  What exactly do you mean?  I can place bands like Porcupine Tree, Andy West and Rama 1, even 60's bands like the Coven all in that catagory.  That has no relation to the Futurama theme song whatsoever.  Please clarify.

Edited for syntax.

[Reply #2 on:]

I meant the song that goes by that title, composed by Pierre Henry and Michel Colombier, recorded in 1964.  When I listen to it, I can definitely tell that it's a primitive version of the Futurama theme song, I'm just not sure how the one became the other, but that's what a lot of people tell me, so I'm inclined to believe it's true.  Here's a link:
 http://www.discogs.com/release/60712

[Reply #3 on:]

I've seen this attribution so many times I can't remember what justifications have been given.  But to my knowledge, no one has ever asked Christopher Tyng whether the Futurama theme was intended as a remix of Psyche Rock, which has been mixed many, many times by electronic music artists.  But I have heard that Psyche Rock itself was intended as a reimagining of "Louie, Louie." 

[Reply #4 on:]

C Zombie, The Futurama theme song uses a very common chord progression underneath it's melody line.  The relationship you hear between the theme song and that 60's song just may be that it uses the same chordal progression (and possibly the same key) as the Futurama theme.  Basically, you may just be hearing chord pattern relations.

[Reply #5 on:]

Amusingly enough, the other day one of my friends called me up.

"Hey, does this sound familiar to you?" she axed, and put the phone up to the stereo so I could hear the song.

"Yeah, it sounds like Futurama," I replied.

"I know, its Fatboy Slim. Weird, huh?"

Funny that she should call me up like that, and I agree - the resemblance is uncanny!

[Reply #6 on:]

Which Fatboy Slim song was it?

Interesting enough, there was also a Coca-cola commercial with a man mowing his lawn, and some people here thought the background music sounded like Futurama.

[Reply #7 on:]

 

Which Fatboy Slim song was it?

Its just called Psyche Rock.

[Reply #8 on:]

William Orbit remixed it too.

[Reply #9 on:]

You have to listen to all the Psyché Rock remixes*, then the Futurama theme song sounds like just another remix. Seriously do it; it kind of ruins it for you. It really is uncanny. I think Christopher Tyng actually talks about the bell-sounding instrument in one of the DVD commentaries, I don't remember which one. Anybody know?


*Fatboy Slim, William Orbit & Mat Ducasse, Coldcut (twice), and Ken Abyss.

[Reply #10 on:]

 

Originally posted by Gozar:
I think Christopher Tyng actually talks about the bell-sounding instrument in one of the DVD commentaries, I don't remember which one. Anybody know?

Season 2 "The Problem With Popplers"