The Longest-Enduring Melody: Delving Into the Ancient Origins of Modern Music
Jammin' it back to the ancient times, we've got the lowdown on some of the oldest tunes still rockin' today!
Finding the OG of all songs is a tricky task thanks to the mega history of musical masterpieces and the ever-evolving oral traditions. But, one contender that keeps popping up is the "Hurrian Hymn No. 6," also known as the "Hurrian Hymn to Nikkal." It's an ancient number that's whack from around 1400 BCE and discovered in Ugarit, which is a fancy name for an old city located in modern-day Syria. These mystic melodies were engraved on clay tablets, making it one of the first-ever written songs with music notation.
Nowadays, modern scholars and musicians have done their thang, reconstructing the "Hurrian Hymn No. 6" and playing it like it's hot! This makes it one of the oldest known musical compositions still gettin' played and appreciated today.
Wanna know more about the oldest jams that still go hard? Here are ten more throwbacks that never get old:
1. Seikilos Epitaph
This melody's ancient as dirt, dating back to around the 1st century CE! Discovered in Turkey, this Greek song was etched onto a tombstone, making it one of the oldest complete songs with both lyrics and melody. It's a sorrowful and sweet ode to life and love, which still moved people's hearts in modern times.
2. Ancient Greek Fragments
Greek ol' days were filled with some lit music! Fragments of ancient Greek songs dating back to the 4th century BCE have survived in various forms, including written texts and archaeological artifacts. These bad boys provide some cool insights into ancient Greek music culture and inspire loads of modern interpretations.
3. Gregorian Chants
Gregorian chants have been going strong since the 9th century CE and are all about solemn and meditative melodies. They've got roots in early Christian liturgical music and are still sung in religious ceremonies and performances today.
4. Medieval Troubadour Jams
Troubadour songs from the Middle Ages were some of the first secular tunes to make it big. Bored folks in France and other parts of Europe in the 11th to 13th centuries used to compose and perform these ditties that covered everything from love, chivalry, and social commentary.
5. Medieval Carols
Medieval carols emerged during the Middle Ages and were traditionally sung during festive events, particularly Christmas. The tunes had simple melodies and focused on themes related to religion. They've been around since the 12th century and beyond!
6. Madrigals
Madrigals were a big thing during the Renaissance era, particularly in Italy. These polyphonic tunes were all about expressive harmonies and were sung in small vocal ensembles. They date back to the late 14th century!
7. Bach's Chorales
Johann Sebastian Bach was bumpin' some killer chorales during the Baroque era. These sermon-like songs were popular hymns sung in Lutheran church services. Many of Bach's chorales date back to the 17th and 18th centuries and are still a significant part of choral repertoire and religious music today.
8. Scottish Folk Tunes
Scotland's got a rich tradition of folk songs that go back centuries. These tunes were often passed down from generation to generation, featuring iconic ballads like "Auld Lang Syne" dating back to the 18th century and traditional songs like "The Skye Boat Song" and "Loch Lomond."
9. Irish Traditional Music
Ireland's traditional music scene boasts a wide range of songs, tunes, and dances with roots dating back to ancient Celtic traditions. These melodies are still performed and celebrated in Ireland today, as well as around the world!
10. Japanese Gagaku Music
Gagaku is a traditional Japanese court music that's been around for over a thousand years. Developed in imperial courts during the Heian period, gagaku features distinct melodies, instruments, and performance styles that have survived till today.
Want to learn more about the first ever jam played on the radio or the most popular Christmas song of all time? Check out these additional fun facts!
[1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seikilos_Epitaph[3] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shakuhachi
FAQ:
1. What Was The First Song Ever Played On The Radio?[Answer: It's a bit tricky to pin down the very first song ever played on the radio, but one contender is "Your Cat is Dead" by novelty singer Arthur Collins, which was played on KDKA in Pittsburgh on August 31, 1920.]
2. What Is The Most Popular Christmas Song Of All Time?[Answer: According to the Guinness World Records, the most popular Christmas song of all time is "White Christmas" by Bing Crosby, with over 500 million recorded sales worldwide.]
The ancient "Seikilos Epitaph" still resonates with modern audiences, its melody having been discovered in Turkey from around the 1st century CE. This Greek song, etched onto a tombstone, remains one of the oldest known complete songs with both lyrics and music.
Moreover, "Gregorian Chants," rooted in early Christian liturgical music and dating back to the 9th century CE, continue to be sung in religious ceremonies and performances today.
