Gilliver's Travels
Peripatetic
A few words of explanation for the different version of SBTS played out yesterday. The original that is normally played is perfectly fine to sing along to, IF all you’re going to sing is the “chorus” (technically, the refrain) “Good Old Sussex By The Sea…” etc.
But here’s what happens when people try to sing the song right from the very start. It’s the first game at the Amex and everyone’s pumped up. But they simply can’t manage the high notes and only come back in for the chorus. The original version is being played, and it’s pitched in B flat. (Start 30” in)
And that's what's been happening ever since, before every game at the Amex.
When singing the song spontaneously in a group, people always start off far too high, and have to change key in mid-song to one that comfortably suits their own vocal range. Countless YouTube and other recordings confirm that they almost always end up singing in E flat. Here’s the (painful) evidence.
So, re-pitching the Amex playout version down a mere 4 semitones from B flat to F sharp has the effect of making people start off a little lower-pitched than expected, but finding themselves now able to complete the song comfortably, without having to screech or change key.
Unfortunately, Saturday’s playout pre-match had problems with sound quality, making it difficult to hear the actual key. The half-time playout was much louder and clearer, but hardly anyone sings at that point anyway.
It’s a pity that, currently, most fans just clap along and only join in when the chorus begins. The new, re-pitched version will make it easier for everyone to be able sing the Albion’s anthem all the way through – creating far more atmospheric impact at the Amex than ever before possible. And that's certainly something worth having.
But here’s what happens when people try to sing the song right from the very start. It’s the first game at the Amex and everyone’s pumped up. But they simply can’t manage the high notes and only come back in for the chorus. The original version is being played, and it’s pitched in B flat. (Start 30” in)
And that's what's been happening ever since, before every game at the Amex.
When singing the song spontaneously in a group, people always start off far too high, and have to change key in mid-song to one that comfortably suits their own vocal range. Countless YouTube and other recordings confirm that they almost always end up singing in E flat. Here’s the (painful) evidence.
So, re-pitching the Amex playout version down a mere 4 semitones from B flat to F sharp has the effect of making people start off a little lower-pitched than expected, but finding themselves now able to complete the song comfortably, without having to screech or change key.
Unfortunately, Saturday’s playout pre-match had problems with sound quality, making it difficult to hear the actual key. The half-time playout was much louder and clearer, but hardly anyone sings at that point anyway.
It’s a pity that, currently, most fans just clap along and only join in when the chorus begins. The new, re-pitched version will make it easier for everyone to be able sing the Albion’s anthem all the way through – creating far more atmospheric impact at the Amex than ever before possible. And that's certainly something worth having.
