By Loud Atlas
One of life's simplest pleasures is waving at a stranger on a passing steam train. If they're game they'll wave back, and most of the time they do. It's an 'I see you, you see me' gesture which engages us in a split second of harmless frivolity that's almost impossible to replicate.
Gesturing is a way of forming connections for bad or for worse. Come hither (he types, with a beckoning finger) as we explore the results of a week spent exploring musical gesticulation.
Salute
AC/DC start us off with a salute of respect to their fellow rockers in For Those Who Are About to Rock (We Salute You). The title was inspired by a quote from Roman prisoners facing execution in the Colosseum: 'Ave, Caesar, morituri te salutant' ('Hail Caesar, those who are about to die salute you').
Thumbs Out
To Hitch Hike is to extend that stumpy thumb digit next to a road and hope that a free ride comes along. Interestingly there's no mention of the thumb here, but hitch-hiking and the thumb are inextricably linked. Marvin Gaye is the love-struck traveller aiming to track the object of his affections. She might be in Chicago, St. Louis or even L.A., but he's prepared to go worldwide if he has to.
Point
Let's get metaphorical. Stemming from a Nigerian phrase related to fish (point at the fish you want to eat at the market, and it's yours), Point and Kill means to be determined to get something no matter what. Little Simz and Obongjayar provide the pointed groove.
Where Is The Gesture?
Brenton Wood is yearning for a gesture and has been left frustrated by a lover who can't give him any clarity on their relationship. Gimme Little Sign is a song of desperation. Give him a nod, a wink, anything! Wood co-wrote this tune using his real name Alfred Smith, fact fans.
Gestures Galore
Hand In My Pocket is a song featuring more than one main gesture. Alanis Morissette manages several gestures with just one hand: a high-five, a peace sign and hailing a taxi cab. Her spare hand is tucked away out of sight and disengaged. Written in 15 minutes, so the legend goes.
Inward Palm V-Sign
A middle finger sprung from his neighbours is probably more offensive than the Two Fingers in the British fashion. Still, it gets the point across. Here Jake Bugg uses the fingers to forget his troubles and move onto brighter days.
Genuflecting
As opposed to kneeling that involves both knees on the ground, a Genuflecting Ghost would be one that knelt on one knee out of respect or worship. Sufjan Stevens' complex song on love and devotion is one best heard rather than explained.
Waving...Or Is It?
In 1957 Stevie Smith published the poem Not Waving, But Drowning. Loyle Carner uses a snippet of an old interview with her about the poem to astonishing effect. The song ends as the poem is about to begin. The full version of the short interview and poem can be found here.
Waving (definitely)
Waving should be a positive experience. Sadly, for The Bevis Frond they associate the gesture with awkward encounters (including mockery from Q.P.R. fans). Their song features my favourite lines of the week:
And there down among the debris / Is a face that you once knew / And you hope she doesn't notice / That she's waving at you.
Through Gritted Teeth Handshake
The phrase 'Put It There Pal' should combine with the gesture of a hearty handshake to create a wholesome experience. Not in Richard Thompson's hands. In the song, Thompson begrudgingly engages in the handshake ritual with a rival. The bitterness is overwhelming!
Hand Claps
The Hand Clapping Song is a celebration of that well-used rhythmic staccato noise. Whether to applaud, to dust-off or to startle, hands can do wonderful thing when slapped together. The Meters bring their usual groovy production.
Hula
Body and hands can combine to make something mesmeric. Alfred Apaka is transfixed by the Lovely Hula Hands shimmying his way. This song contains perhaps the most expressive gesture of the week.
Thumb of Disapproval
As well as hitch hiking, thumbs are also used to signal approval or disapproval. The modern online world is dominated by them (while I'm here don't forget to like and share, he types with a wink). The Chiffons turn their Thumbs Down to a lover.
Chugga-Chugga
There were several dance-movement songs nominated, but only one featured a distinctive chugga-chugga gesture. We don't get many of those these days, sadly. Co-written by Carole King, The Loco-Motion is Little Eva's best-known song.
Reaching Out
We finish with a pair of songs around the yearning and comfort of hands. Sweet Caroline has gained a resurgence in popularity in recent years (fans of the England Women's football team know). Neil Diamond is the one reaching out in this sing-a-long anthem. A strong example of how to use an effective pre-chorus.
Hands Speak Louder Than Words
A pair of lovers sit opposite each other, their Hands Across The Table. The simplicity of the gesture is a thing of beauty. Dan Donovan provides the vocals to this 1935 song, accompanied by Henry Hall and The BBC Concert Orchestra. They don't make them like this anymore, he types with a sigh and a shrug.
Expressive Actions A-List Playlist:
AC/DC - For Those Who Are About to Rock (We Salute You) (AltraEgo)
Marvin Gaye - Hitch Hike (Marconius7)
Little Simz, ft. Obongjayar - Point and Kill (barbryn)
Brenton Wood - Gimme Little Sign (George Boyland)
Alanis Morissette - Hand In My Pocket (pejepeine)
Jake Bugg - Two Fingers (ParaMhor)
Sufjan Stevens - Genuflecting Ghost (ParaMhor)
Loyle Carner, ft. Stevie Smith - Not Waving, But Drowning (Shoegazer)
The Bevis Frond - Waving (ShivSidecar)
Richard Thompson - Put It There Pal (Suzi)
The Meters - Hand Clapping Song (MussoliniHeadkick)
Alfred Apaka - Lovely Hula Hands (TarquinSpodd)
The Chiffons - Thumbs Down (Uncleben)
Little Eva - The Loco-Motion (Marconius7)
Neil Diamond - Sweet Caroline (bluepeter)
Henry Hall and The BBC Concert Orchestra, ft. Dan Donovan - Hands Across The Table (severin)
Body Signalling B-List Playlist:
The B-list continues with more gestures: nods, flags, and waving as a last resort, among others. A note on the final track of the Bs, for context: Hajj (played by Alfred Drake) is a poet who has been found guilty of thievery and sentenced to be parted from his right hand. He sings about his hand's importance in his life – how else would he tell his stories? He keeps it.
Soft Cell - Say Hello, Wave Goodbye (bluepeter)
The Lowest Pair - Smile and Nod (tincanman2010)
Was (Not Was) - Shake Your Head (Let's Go To Bed) (BanazirGalbasi)
Herbie Hancock - One Finger Snap (Nilpferd)
The Fairfield Four - Every Knee Has Got To Bow (tincanman2010)
Mama Cass Elliot - Blow Me A Kiss (Fred Erickson)
Vanity Fare - Hitchin' A Ride (TarquinSpodd)
The Guess Who - Clap for the Wolfman (tincanman2010)
Slobberbone - Little Drunk Fists (Maki)
Beck - Clap Hands (Shoegazer)
Don McLean - Waving Man (Fred Erickson)
Wreckless Eric - Semaphore Signals (Uncleben)
The Ramones - Suzy Is A Headbanger (Traktor Albatrost)
United Bottles - United Bottles (EnglishOutlaw)
Tom Lehrer - The Vatican Rag (Suzi)
Kismet Original Broadway Cast, ft. Alfred Drake - Gesticulate (Nicko)
Guru's Gestural Wildcard Picks:
Dropkick Murphys - Middle Finger
They try their best, but they just can't keep it down. Energetic and very Celtic.
The Black Crowes - Cross Your Fingers
Fingers are crossed, but not for good, it seems! A new track from their new album.
Ludovico Bource - George Valentin
The Oscar-winning theme from The Artist (2011), a film about a silent movie star's difficulties dealing with the introduction of talking pictures and what that could mean for his livelihood. His exaggerated gesturing days might be behind him.
Ben Platt - Waving Through A Window
From the terrific musical Dear Evan Hansen. This is a live rendition which includes a short scene in the middle of the song for context. Evan is a student with social anxiety who finds himself stuck in a world not suited for him. Society has created a window which he can't escape from, unless someone spots him waving.
A different soul train: The Railway Children
These playlists were inspired by readers' song nominations in response to last week's topic: Sign-wave: songs about physical gestures. The next topic will launch on Thursday after 1pm UK time.
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