The recent single “Bad Decisions” by The Strokes raised eyebrows in the music world, not just for its catchy tune but for an unexpected songwriting credit: Billy Idol. This nod to the punk rock icon instantly sparked curiosity and comparisons to Idol’s iconic anthem, “Dancing With Myself.” Let’s delve into the musical DNA of these two tracks to understand the connection and explore why the echo of Idol’s hit resonates within The Strokes’ latest offering.
First, take a listen to “Bad Decisions” by The Strokes and then refresh your memory with Billy Idol’s “Dancing With Myself.”
[Image of musical notes comparing Bad Decisions and Dancing With Myself melodies]
Melodic similarities between "Bad Decisions" and "Dancing With Myself" pre-chorus vocals
The similarity is undeniable, but what exactly makes these songs sound related? The answer lies in shared musical ideas, or what musicians call motives. A motive is a short, recurring musical fragment – a rhythmic or melodic seed that can define a song’s character. Think of the famous “Dun Dun Dun DUN” from Beethoven’s Fifth Symphony – a quintessential motive.
In “Bad Decisions,” the initial guitar intro introduces a prominent motive. Interestingly, this guitar riff bears a rhythmic resemblance to the intro of “Dancing With Myself.” Both riffs utilize syncopation, a rhythmic technique that emphasizes off-beats, creating a slightly off-kilter and energetic feel. Syncopation is visually represented in musical notation where notes are connected with curved lines, indicating a shift in rhythmic emphasis.
While the written musical notation might reveal differences in the specific notes, the perceived similarity is heightened by several factors beyond just rhythm and melody. Instrumentation plays a crucial role. Both songs feature electric guitars in similar prominent roles within the arrangement. Furthermore, the texture of the tracks contributes to their sonic kinship. Both bands employ a relatively “sparse” production style, favoring a raw, unpolished sound compared to more heavily produced pop tracks. This shared sonic environment, characterized by drums, bass, and electric guitars with a less-is-more production approach, amplifies the perceived similarities between the two songs.
However, the connection goes deeper than just the intro. As Julian Casablancas enters the pre-chorus of “Bad Decisions,” singing “I’m making bad decisions,” the melodic link to “Dancing With Myself” becomes strikingly apparent. For at least six consecutive notes, the vocal melody mirrors Idol’s iconic tune. Looking at the musical transcription, the parallel is clear. Idol sings: “(On the) floors of Tokyo; A-down in London town’s a go go.” The melodic contour and notes are remarkably similar to Casablancas’ line in “Bad Decisions.”
Adding another layer to the sonic resemblance, Casablancas incorporates Billy Idol-esque “oh oh oh oh’s” as vocal fills. This vocal styling further strengthens the association with “Dancing With Myself,” to the point where musical similarities become undeniable, even to a casual listener.
Interestingly, while the melodic and rhythmic motives share common ground, the harmony differs significantly. “Dancing With Myself” follows a chord progression of I – IV – V – IV, a classic and dynamic sequence. In contrast, “Bad Decisions” utilizes a simpler progression of I – IV – I – IV, cycling between the I and IV chords repeatedly throughout the song. Despite this harmonic difference, the similar instrumentation and melodic motifs create a strong sense of connection between the two tracks, showcasing how melody and arrangement can sometimes outweigh harmonic variations in creating a song’s overall feel.
So, is there anything inherently wrong with creating a song that draws inspiration from, or even intentionally echoes, tracks like “Dancing With Myself” and, as some have also noted, possibly The Romantics’ “What I Like About You”? Not necessarily. The execution and intent are crucial. However, when the similarities become this pronounced, as a songwriter, it might be prudent to consider preemptively sharing songwriting credit, as The Strokes ultimately did with Billy Idol. This acknowledgment not only avoids potential copyright issues but also transparently recognizes the musical lineage and inspiration behind the new creation. In the case of “Bad Decisions”, it seems to have been a knowing and perhaps even playful homage, rather than an attempt to obscure the source of inspiration.
