The Strokes’ recent track, “Bad Decisions,” raised eyebrows and piqued ears right from the get-go, and not just because it’s a catchy tune. Billy Idol is credited as a songwriter on it. Yes, that Billy Idol of “Dancing With Myself” fame. This immediately sparks the question: how did that collaboration – or sonic inspiration – come about? While we eagerly await the full story from The Strokes themselves, let’s dive into the musical similarities that have everyone talking and explore why “Bad Decisions” might just make you want to dance by yourself, even if you’re hearing echoes of another iconic solo dance anthem.
First, if you haven’t yet, take a listen to “Bad Decisions” by The Strokes:
[Insert The Strokes – Bad Decisions audio/video link if available]
Now, for a refresher or introduction, here’s Billy Idol’s timeless “Dancing With Myself”:
[Insert Billy Idol – Dancing With Myself audio/video link if available]
The resemblance is undeniable. But what exactly makes these two songs sound so alike, and how significant is it? Let’s break down the musical DNA they share.
Deconstructing the Motives: Rhythm and Melody
At the heart of their similarity lie shared motives. In music, a motive is a short, recurring musical idea – a rhythmic or melodic fragment, or a combination of both. Think of the iconic “Dun Dun Dun DUN” from Beethoven’s Fifth Symphony; that’s a motive that everyone recognizes.
The initial motive in “Bad Decisions” is introduced by the guitar riff. Rhythmically, it bears a striking resemblance to the intro of “Dancing With Myself.” Both riffs are built upon syncopation. Syncopation occurs when emphasis is placed on off-beats, creating a rhythmic surprise and a slightly off-kilter feel. In the musical notation below, the curved lines connecting notes indicate syncopation.
Both riffs utilize syncopation to create a similar rhythmic bounce. While note-for-note they aren’t identical, the rhythmic feel and the overall contour are remarkably close. If your ears immediately recognized the similarity even if you couldn’t pinpoint exactly why, you’re not alone. Instrumentation and production style play a significant role in our perception of musical similarity.
Musical notation comparing rhythmic motives of "Bad Decisions" and "Dancing With Myself" guitar intros
Alt text: Musical notation comparison showing rhythmic similarity between guitar intros of The Strokes’ “Bad Decisions” and Billy Idol’s “Dancing With Myself”, highlighting syncopated rhythms.
Both songs feature electric guitars in prominent roles within a similar sonic landscape. Imagine if one of these songs was arranged for a brass ensemble; the similarity might be far less apparent. However, both are rock songs driven by drums, bass, and electric guitars, sharing a relatively “sparse” production aesthetic, lacking excessive studio polish, especially when compared to more heavily produced pop music. This shared sonic environment further enhances the perceived similarity.
Melodic Echoes in the Pre-Chorus
The melodic connection becomes even more pronounced in the pre-chorus of “Bad Decisions.” When Julian Casablancas sings the line, “I’m making bad decisions,” a melodic phrase emerges that is strikingly similar to a key melodic phrase in “Dancing With Myself.” For at least six consecutive notes, the vocal lines align almost perfectly.
Looking at the musical notation below, the parallel is clear. Billy Idol sings, “(On the) floors of Tokyo; A-down in London town’s a go go.” While the transcription begins on “floors” and “Mak-ing” respectively, omitting the pickup notes, the core melodic contour is undeniable.
Musical notation comparing rhythmic motives of "Bad Decisions" and "Dancing With Myself" guitar intros
Alt text: Melodic comparison of vocal lines in “Bad Decisions” pre-chorus (“Making bad decisions”) and “Dancing With Myself” verse (“Floors of Tokyo”), illustrating near identical melodic contour.
About halfway through this melodic phrase, in measure five of the example, “Bad Decisions” repeats the melodic figure a third time, while Idol’s melody moves to a new phrase with the iconic lyrics: “A-with the record selection, And the mirror’s reflection, I’m a dancin’ with myself.”
Adding another layer to the similarity, Casablancas incorporates Billy Idol-esque “oh oh oh oh’s” to fill in the spaces, further cementing the sonic connection to “Dancing With Myself.” This vocal styling choice amplifies the feeling of deliberate homage or influence.
Harmonic Divergence: Chord Progressions
What about the underlying harmony? Are the chord progressions also the same? Here, we find a key difference. “Dancing With Myself” follows a chord progression of I – IV – V – IV (in Roman numeral analysis, representing chord relationships within a key). “Bad Decisions,” however, employs a simpler progression of I – IV – I – IV. It essentially loops between the I chord and the IV chord repeatedly throughout much of the song.
While harmonically simpler, this I-IV progression is also common in rock and pop music and doesn’t diminish the overall feeling of similarity created by the rhythmic and melodic motives, particularly when the guitar in “Bad Decisions” emphasizes a motif that echoes the rhythmic feel of “Dancing With Myself” throughout the verses.
Alt text: Diagram illustrating a basic I-IV chord progression, a common harmonic structure in popular music, showing chord relationships in the key of C major.
Inspiration or Echo? Dancing With Musical History
Is there anything inherently wrong with creating a song that draws inspiration from – or even intentionally combines elements of – “Dancing With Myself” and perhaps other songs like “I Melt With You” (as some have noted)? Not necessarily. It largely depends on the execution and intent.
However, the similarities in “Bad Decisions” are prominent enough to warrant the songwriting credit. Perhaps it’s a knowing nod, a postmodern wink, or simply a subconscious channeling of musical influences. Regardless, it provides a fascinating case study in musical intertextuality and how songs converse with each other across time and genres.
Ultimately, “Bad Decisions” stands on its own as a catchy and enjoyable track. But the echoes of “Dancing With Myself” are undeniably present, prompting listeners to consider the nature of musical influence, inspiration, and the delightful feeling of dancing by yourself to a song that subtly reminds you of another solo dance classic. Perhaps put on “Bad Decisions,” and then “Dancing With Myself” right after, and see where the music takes you – you might just find yourself dancing by yourself, with a smile and a sense of musical history in your steps.
