Millennial whoop explained

The millennial whoop is a vocal melodic pattern alternating between the fifth note — the dominant —and the third note — the mediant — in a major scale, typically starting on the fifth, in the rhythm of straight 8th-notes, and often using the "wa" and "oh" syllables. It was used extensively in 2010s pop music.^{[1] [2]}

Overview

The term was coined by the musician Patrick Metzger, who described it in a blog entry on The Patterning in August 2016. He suggested that, while the millennial whoop gained popularity from the late 2000s to 2010s, it has probably always been around.^[3] An earlier use can be heard in the 1984 song "Jungle Love" by The Time, and, arguably, in Baltimora's 1985 hit "Tarzan Boy".

The 2017 song "Millennial Whoop" by American rock band the Pilgrims was written as a response to the idea of older generations looking down upon the younger for using such tropes: the song makes use of the interval pattern.^[4]

Lawsuit

In 2013 songwriter Ally Burnett sued Carly Rae Jepsen and Owl City over their 2012 song "Good Time", arguing similarities to her 2010 song "Ah, It's a Love Song" and its use of the millennial whoop. Jepsen settled out of court, but Owl City won.

Uses

Songs where the millennial whoop appears include:

• "Jungle Love" (1984, Morris Day and the Time)
• "Tarzan Boy" (1985, Baltimora) (the B-part of the ABAB-structured chorus)
• "DuckTales" (1987, Mark Mueller)
• "Aaya Mausam Dosti Ka" (1989, Maine Pyar Kiya) (parts similar to "Tarzan Boy")^[5]
• "In the Shadows" (2003, The Rasmus)
• "Use Somebody" (2008, Kings of Leon)
• "Tik Tok" (2009, Kesha)
• "Looking for Paradise" (2009, Alejandro Sanz featuring Alicia Keys)
• "Bad Romance" (2009, Lady Gaga)
• "California Gurls" (2010, Katy Perry)
• "Till the World Ends" (2011, Britney Spears)
• "Good Time" (2012, Carly Rae Jepsen and Owl City)
• "The Mother We Share" (2012, Chvrches)
• "Habits (Stay High)" (2013, Tove Lo)
• "Really Don't Care" (2013, Demi Lovato featuring Cher Lloyd)^[6]
• "Ivy" (2016, Frank Ocean)
• "This Is Me" (2017, from The Greatest Showman) ^[7]

See also

• Nyah nyah nyah nyah nyah nyah
• Harmonic series

References

1. Web site: The Millennial Whoop: the melodic hook that's taken over pop music . Haynes . Gavin . August 30, 2016 . The Guardian.
2. Web site: What is the 'millennial whoop' and why is it in every pop song? . Bui . Hoai-Tran . August 29, 2016 . USA Today.
3. News: Bartleet. Larry. What Is The Millennial Whoop? Once You Hear This Virulent Pop Hook You Won't Be Able To Unhear It. 3 September 2016. NME . September 1, 2016. bartleet.
4. News: The Best Vermont Music of 2017 (So Far) – County Tracks. 2017-06-22. County Tracks. 2017-10-23. en-US.
5. Web site: 10 Bollywood Movies With Blockbuster Soundtracks . 2 February 2017 . MensXP.com . 2 May 2013 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150307185527/http://www.mensxp.com/entertainment/bollywood/8830-10-bollywood-movies-with-blockbuster-soundtracks-p6.html . 7 March 2015 . live .
6. Web site: The Theory of the "Millennial Whoop" Might Be The Key To A Hit Pop Song. Paper. Carey. O'Donnell. August 29, 2016. May 18, 2019.
7. Web site: Best Original Song 2018.

^{[8] [9] [10] [11]}

External links

• Original blog entry on thepatterning.com
• Web site: Why do so many pop songs sound the same?. Metzger. Patrick. February 28, 2017. YouTube. 2017-11-14.