Say Say Say vs. Uptown Funk
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Is it just me or is there some Say Say Say undertones going on in Uptown Funk by Mark Ronson and Bruno Mars? To me it sounds like an updated Say Say Say. Thoughts?
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I hear jungle love by Morris Day or Walk the Dinosaur by Was not WAs. Don't hear any say, say, say in there
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prudence1964:
I hear jungle love by Morris Day or Walk the Dinosaur by Was not WAs. Don't hear any say, say, say in there
I agree.
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There's a lot going on with "Uptown Funk"... it echoes a lot of dynamics of early-'80s r&b. I don't hear any specific references to "Say Say Say," other than -- maybe -- a vibe similar to its intro-vamp. And maybe how the the horns parts are played. Uptown's bass-line is 100% derived from Roger/Zapp (listen to "Doo Wah Ditty") -- but it's an original melody*. I've heard a few people say that it sounds like The Time's "Jungle Love," but that's debatable. Ronson's guitar lick is straight-up Roger/Zapp, too (listen to "More Bounce To The Ounce"). Pharrell should take a lesson from Mark Ronson: THAT'S how you pay homage to a bygone era/artist without stealing a specific piece of music.
*[size=7]=Are ya' listening, Pharrell? -
prudence1964:
I hear ... Walk the Dinosaur by Was not WAs.
Good call.
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audi:
There's a lot going on with "Uptown Funk"... it echoes a lot of dynamics of early-'80s r&b. I don't hear any specific references to "Say Say Say," other than -- maybe -- a vibe similar to its intro-vamp. And maybe how the the horns parts are played. Uptown's bass-line is 100% derived from Roger/Zapp (listen to "Doo Wah Ditty") -- but it's an original melody*. I've heard a few people say that it sounds like The Time's "Jungle Love," but that's debatable. Ronson's guitar lick is straight-up Roger/Zapp, too (listen to "More Bounce To The Ounce"). Pharrell should take a lesson from Mark Ronson: THAT'S how you pay homage to a bygone era/artist without stealing a specific piece of music.
*[size=7]=Are ya' listening, Pharrell?Wasn't "Jungle Love" by the Steve Miller Band???
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There was also a song called "Jungle Love" by Morris Day and the Time. It was from Prince's movie "Purple Rain."
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The Time had some cool songs, even my favorite track on Prince's "Graffiti Bridge" soundtrack with "Release It". It's such a groove. I found a video from the movie here: http://www.guavaleaf.com/video/8228/The-Time--Release-It#sthash.1nbO7Rcf.dpbs
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If you want to hear where the original idea for Uptown Funk's bass-line came from, listen to this:
...and if you want to hear where Mark Ronson got the idea for Uptown Funk's guitar-lick, listen to this:
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Yes, good research. "Uptown Funk" is catchy but also a typical song recalling other songs but not quite what.
Made by a music producer with a big record collection who knows music history and how to mix things up to make it "New". 
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