MUSIC ANALYSIS #2

 

For my second musical analysis, I chose “Dial Drunk” performed by Noah Kahan and Post Malone. “Dial Drunk” was written by Noah Kahan, Austin Post, and Noah Levine. Released June 9th, 2023, this song means a lot to me in a few ways. While a newer song, it was my niece and I’s anthems this summer while I visited her in Texas for a month. This was the first time seeing her in person since 2016. When I finally saw her, she showed me this song and I fell in love with it. She and I had many karaoke sessions to this song. While I did not know this song existed until this summer. I am very thrilled I found it when I did. It has helped me through this rough patch at this point in my life.

 

While classified as an “alternative rock’ song, the overall feeling of the song feels different. Between the banjo playing, the talk of heartbreak, alcohol, and getting arrested by police. I would have placed this as a country music track. It peak the charts of the Billboards Hot 100’s in 23rd  place, while topping the Billboards Adult Alternative Airplay. He takes the best of Mumford and Sons playing style and The Lumineers storytelling ability, to combine them into a track for the ages.

. Tempo- The Tempo for this song is 112 beats per minute. The tempo is not as fast as the song truly feels. This makes sense however seeing this song is more a desperate plea for help from an ex and dealing with the anxiety of being unsure where to turn when in trouble. Tempo fits that of someone having in a young person in a stressful situation having an anxiety attack. "When someone is anxious, their heart rate is above 100 beats per minute, often between 120 and 150 beats,”. With any slower of a tempo, I do not think this song would be as popular as it is. I do not think it could not convey the despite and anxious tone that makes this song special.

Lyrics- Noah Kahan when writing this song took real-life hardships and situations of someone close to him for the lyrics. On X, Noah Kahan said, “I do just want to emphasize that not every song I make is directly about my life experience-- drunk dial lyrics are not meant to glorify the behavior as much as tell a story”. While not directly based on his life personally, we follow a journey with the singer in a first-person account after getting arrested for drunk driving. Now, not knowing where to turn for help and desperate, he breaks down and calls his ex.  

I'm rememberin' I promised to forget you now
But it's rainin' and I'm callin' drunk
And my medicine is drownin' your perspective out
So I ain't takin' any fault
Am I honest still? Am I half the man I used to be?
I doubt it, forget about it, whatever
It's all the same anyways.

I ain’t proud of all the punches that I’ve thrown
In the name of someone I no longer know
For the shame of being young, drunk, and alone
Traffic lights and a transmitter radio
I don’t like that when they threw me in the car
I gave your name as my emergency phone call
Honey, it rang and rang; even the cops thought you were wrong for hangin’ up
I dial drunk. I’ll die a drunk. I’ll die for you.

 

This seems to me by the tone of the lyrics this break up was not only tragic but very recent. While we do not know this for sure. You can tell his heartbreak is still felt and he needs his “medicine” drown out her point of view why they split up. Which leads him down a path of guilt, self-sabotage, grief, anxiety, and aloneness. This is very relatable on many aspects for a lot of people to include myself. While I did not drink and self-sabotage myself after my ten-year relationship ended. I know others who have and almost ruined their lives over it. However, all the emotions conveyed in these lyrics; I did feel during that time.  

Dynamics- In my opinion, this song does not get too loud in the dynamics on for the song. With all the times I have listened to this song, there was never a point where I thought I should turn it down. Overall, the sound is mellow without any real loud points to the song.

Trimbre- The trimbre in this song has a very wavery and sad undertone. This comes out when Noah Kahan starts to sing. His voice is very shaky with a hint of panic as he sings chores. The emotions that come to the surface when he sings is shocking. This coupled with an upbeat banjo, guitar, cello, and drums, makes feel I am listening to someone trapped in a deep pit of despair. The banjo that plays quick twangy notes makes us feel like time is running out.

Rhythm- The standout in Dial Drunk” rhythm in this song is the twinkling banjo in the very beginning. This is the biggest and my noticeable aspect of the song. As the song progresses the drums finally start after about 15 seconds into the song. This serves as the constant steady rhythm that everything else plays off of. While the guitar is noticeable, especially in the solo. This does provide some much need relief to the banjo.  The most unrated and yet less notable is the extremely soft, yet bassy, cello playing in key parts of the song. This brings the grim tone and feel to the song. The cello really drives home the fact this is a terrible situation.  

 

           

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Work Cite

 

Kahan, Noah “X.Com.” X (Formerly Twitter), 17 May 2023, https://x.com/NoahKahan/status/1658811967325257730?lang=en Accessed 2 Oct. 2024.

Kahan, Noah. “Noah Kahan, Post Malone - Dial Drunk (Official Lyric Video).” YouTube, YouTube, 17 July 2023, https://youtu.be/tGVRsIDNuKU?si=sFCDdR6GZWDJyfO-

“AZLyrics - Request for Access.” AZLyrics.Com,   https://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/noahkahan/dialdrunkduetversion.html Accessed 2 Oct. 2024.

Taylor, Marygrace. “Anxiety and Heart Rate: What’s the Connection? | Livestrong.” LIVESTRONG.COM, Leaf Group, https://www.livestrong.com/article/155585-anxiety-pulse/  Accessed 2 Oct. 2024.

Rutherford, Kevin. “Noah Kahan Scores His First Airplay Chart No. 1 with ‘Dial Drunk.’” Billboard, Billboard, 1 Sept. 2023,.https://www.billboard.com/music/chart-beat/noah-kahan-first-airplay-chart-number-one-dial-drunk-1235405165/ Accessed 2 Oct. 2024.