10 Songs Almost No One Knows
Posted: November 15th, 2011 | Author: Online Pianist | Filed under: Uncategorized | No Comments »
In our last blog post, we told you that in order to play the piano in a way that makes you look cool, you need to learn popular piano songs that everyone knows. Well, following extensive market research and controlled laboratory testing*, our team has discovered that the true formula for musical coolness is not running with the grain, but running against it. There’s only one thing cooler than playing songs that everyone knows: Playing songs that no one knows!
I mean, sure, everyone and their mother is familiar with Disney classics… But how many people can play Slavko Avsenik’s world famous polka hits? Or Matumba Setwhale’s “Tunga Na Ba”? Now that’s cultured and unique!
Want to wow the crowds with your eclectic repertoire? Want to master some wildly obscure songs that give testament to your worldly tastes? Want to stand out among the sea lemmings doling out the same over-played pieces time and time again?
Well then sit back, open a Google search bar (you’re gonna need it…) and get ready to experience: our Top 10 Songs Almost No One Knows.
(*Not really.)
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10. Lionel Bart - "Who Will Buy"
… this song on iTunes?
'Who's Lionel Bart', you might ask? Good question—I don't know! Apparently he's a British composer, known most famously for his works in the musical Oliver!. And that is where this practically unknown song from this practically unknown artist comes from!
9. Super Mario - "Piranha Plant's Lullaby"
I think I'll try on the next piranha plant I see…
Well, this song is partially redeemed by the fact that it's from a well-known video game franchise. However, it is doubly DIS-redeemed by the fact that not a single Super Mario fan will know where this is from! While other chumps will try to get some cheap thrills from playing the Super Mario theme song (snooore…) you'll be blasting out of left field with this obscure bit of soundtrack! Super Mario FTW!
8. Gwyneth Paltrow - "Country Strong"
I know what you're thinking… Gwyneth Paltrow's still alive?
Now this one's a piece of work. Gwyneth Paltrow… singing… country music? It's as if these three items were randomly picked out of a bingo spinner. It's the eponymous song from the movie "Country Strong", about a rising country music songwriter working with a fallen star for her shot at fame. Yeah, like anyone's going to see that.
Play this little boot stompin' ditty and you'll be yeehawin' all the way to the boondocks of obscurity!
7. Jaron & the Long Road to Love - "Pray for You"
If prayers like these count as piety, I've got a set place in Heaven.
Speaking of country… Here's Jaron Lowenstein! (What, you've never heard of him? GREAT.) This guy used to be part of a pop due with his twin brother back in the 90s and early 00s, but then branched off on a solo career kicked off by this surprisingly entertaining country(-ish) song. It's got a twist to it, so any unprepared audiences will be sure to appreciate this little-known choice!
6. Ten Sharp - "You"
Who?
According to this song's description on our site: "You" was the first single from the Dutch band's debut album "Under the Water-Line". It became highly popular in Europe where it peaked #1 in the charts of Sweden, Norway & France. Until today, "You" is the 90's best selling single in Germany.
…
Well that's good to know. So unless you're from Sweden, Norway, France, or Germany… good luck trying to recognize this song(although the song's piano chords are quite fun to play….:))!
5. Ritsuki Nakano (RIKKI) - "Suteki da ne (Simplified)"
I could've sworn "Suteki" was a Pokémon…
Alright! Back to the gamers—and this time, to an even smaller pool! This theme song for the final installment of the Final Fantasy series is a delightful, whimsical little piece that is sure to sooth, touch, and completely befuddle your listeners as to its origin. I mean, really… what are the odds of someone hearing those first few notes and saying "Oh! That's Suteki da ne. Duh."
Yeah. We didn't think so.
4. Shinee - "JoJo"
Return of the Boy Bands!
Ok, so these guys are pretty popular in South Korea—but hey, that's cool! You can be totally up to date with the trending pop scene in Seoul! Did you know that since their 2008 debut Shinee have won several awards, starred in their own reality show, and even started a nation-wide fashion trend? Interesting stuff that I'm sure your audience would love to hear! —In lieu of lyrics.
Because they're *ahem* in Korean…
3. K-On! - "My Love is a Stapler"
Domo arigato!
Ok, we're on an Asian roll. This awesomely-titled song is from a Japanese anime show based on a manga comic strip. What's the Japanese word for "random"? Knowing how to play this song will set you far apart on the cultural fringe of society, where you can bask in the glory of wide-eyed, thin-waisted, plaid skirt wearing anime schoolgirls.
All we can say is: ^_^#
2. Unknown - "The Scissors Grinder"
Even the profession has gone out of date…
This song is so obscure, we have no idea who wrote it. Not. Even. Kidding.
1. rần Thiện Thanh - "Mùa đông của anh (Winter)"
Yeah… what he said,…
If you're having trouble reading the title of this song, then we've done our job well. This Vietnamese war song about separated lovers is a central piece of Vietnamese cultural, and the number one spot on our list—because unless you're an old Vietnamese lady, you'll have NO idea what this song is! There are more layers of obscurity in this song than on an onion! It's more far-fetched than a frisbee on Jupiter! It's more outlandish than a…. a…
… well, you get the idea.
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And that's this week's Top 10 List. We've painstakingly dug up the most unknown songs we could find to compile for you an eclectic list of songs that are sure to set you apart! So when those former pop-spouting philistines heap their adulation upon you, remember your friends at OnlinePianist.com who helped you learn music and set you off on this great path toward the farthest reaches of human musical imagination.
We'll most likely be jamming out to Bruno Mars or something.
- The OnlinePianist Team
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