15 votes

Rock songs with repetitive single-note piano line

I have a thing for rock songs that include a piano playing the same note every eighth-note. For example:

Can anyone think of any other songs like this? I know I've heard a bunch, but when I try and come up with any more examples, I can't.

7 comments

  1. [2]
    TheRtRevKaiser
    Link
    I think this is called an "inverted pedal point" or an inverted pedal tone. Imo it's more common in the bass where it's just called a pedal point or pedal tone. Johnny Cash's cover of Hurt is a...

    I think this is called an "inverted pedal point" or an inverted pedal tone. Imo it's more common in the bass where it's just called a pedal point or pedal tone.

    Johnny Cash's cover of Hurt is a really strong example. There's a high pedal tone that slowly comes in throughout the song. I think it's a synth pad or string sample at first, then it comes in on piano around 2:50. It really ratchets up the tension in the song.

    4 votes
    1. TheRtRevKaiser
      Link Parent
      Also, it's not rock and it's not a piano, but Car Alarm by Too Many Zooz basically has a high pedal the whole song.

      Also, it's not rock and it's not a piano, but Car Alarm by Too Many Zooz basically has a high pedal the whole song.

      1 vote
  2. TheJorro
    Link
    Not rock, but the clipping. song Nothing is Safe is built entirely around a repetitive piano note that's meant to evoke horror movie theme songs.

    Not rock, but the clipping. song Nothing is Safe is built entirely around a repetitive piano note that's meant to evoke horror movie theme songs.

    2 votes
  3. terr
    Link
    The House Wins by OK Go starts off with just that at quarter-note speed, and then builds up around it (nearly to the point that you can't hear it anymore, but I think it still qualifies).

    The House Wins by OK Go starts off with just that at quarter-note speed, and then builds up around it (nearly to the point that you can't hear it anymore, but I think it still qualifies).

    1 vote
  4. thereticent
    Link
    It's way down in the mix, but you get this in I Turn My Camera On by Spoon during the "You hit me like a tom" sections.

    It's way down in the mix, but you get this in I Turn My Camera On by Spoon during the "You hit me like a tom" sections.

    1 vote
  5. doors_cannot_stop_me
    Link
    The White of Noon by Starfucker in the intro. Not exactly rock, I don't think, but I immediately thought of it anyway.

    The White of Noon by Starfucker in the intro. Not exactly rock, I don't think, but I immediately thought of it anyway.

    1 vote