In This Discussion Post, Contribute One Song (with A Link) ✓ Solved

In this discussion post, contribute one song (with a link) t

In this discussion post, contribute one song (with a link) to a positive, prosodic playlist. The criteria: prosody—rhythm, speed, pitch, and melody—and, if the song has lyrics, they should be positive and uplifting. Provide the song name and link; explain how the song is prosodic and positive; and describe your connection to the song by addressing two of the following: life stage/age when you discovered it, cultural identity, personal meaning, or immediate responses (cognitive, emotional, physical).

Paper For Above Instructions

Selected Song: Title and Link

Song: "Here Comes the Sun" — The Beatles

Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KQetemT1sWc

Introduction

This submission selects "Here Comes the Sun" by The Beatles for a positive, prosodic playlist. The purpose is to (1) name the song and provide a link, (2) explain how the song embodies prosody and positivity, and (3) describe my connection to the song by addressing two chosen dimensions: the life stage when I discovered it and my immediate cognitive, emotional, and physical responses. The analysis draws on music psychology and neuroscience literature to show how prosodic elements shape emotional experience and why this track is appropriate for a prosodic, uplifting collection (Juslin & Västfjäll, 2008; Patel, 2008).

How the Song Fits Prosodic and Positive Criteria

Prosody in music refers to the temporal and expressive features—rhythm, tempo (speed), pitch patterns, and melodic contour—that convey affective meaning (Huron, 2006; Patel, 2008). "Here Comes the Sun" exhibits clear prosodic characteristics that create a warm, optimistic affective tone:

  • Rhythm and tempo: The track uses a lilting 4/4 meter with syncopated accents and a moderate, buoyant tempo that produces forward momentum and an approachable groove. Moderately quick tempos and predictable rhythmic patterns are associated with positive arousal and approach-related affect (Scherer, 2004; Juslin & Västfjäll, 2008).
  • Pitch and melody: The melody traces ascending phrases and resolves on consonant intervals, creating a sense of uplift and resolution. Rising melodic contours often signal positive expectancy and brightness in musical emotion research (Huron, 2006; Gabrielsson, 2001).
  • Timbre and arrangement: Acoustic guitar arpeggios, light harmonies, and clear vocal timbre give the song an intimate, hopeful character—elements that contribute to perceived warmth and safety (Koelsch, 2014).
  • Lyrics and semantic positivity: The lyrics explicitly reference relief and renewal (“Here comes the sun, and I say, it’s all right”), reinforcing the song’s uplifting semantic content. Positive lyrical content coupled with prosodic cues amplifies emotional consonance between sound and meaning (Levitin, 2006).

Together these prosodic features elicit positive affective states through expectation, reward, and cognitive appraisal mechanisms identified in music emotion literature (Juslin & Västfjäll, 2008; Koelsch, 2014).

Personal Connection

I address two of the requested connection dimensions: the life stage/age when I discovered the song and my immediate responses (cognitive, emotional, physical).

Life Stage / Age of Discovery

I first encountered "Here Comes the Sun" in late adolescence, approximately age 17, while exploring classic rock playlists curated by family members. The song’s timeless prosody made it accessible across generations; at that age it functioned as an entry point to understand how musical form can influence mood and memory. This aligns with findings that songs learned during formative years often gain autobiographical significance and durable emotional associations (Janata, 2009; Gabrielsson, 2001).

Immediate Cognitive, Emotional, and Physical Responses

On immediate listening, my cognitive response is a recognition of structural clarity: the repeating arpeggios and predictable chorus create low processing load and enhance pleasurable expectation (Huron, 2006). Emotionally, the song evokes calm optimism and mild joy—affect aligned with approach motivation and positive appraisal (Scherer, 2004; Panksepp, 1995). Physically, the prosodic groove prompts gentle sway and relaxed breathing; such somatic responses reflect embodied engagement mediated by tempo and rhythm (Levitin, 2006; Koelsch, 2014).

These responses are consistent with models that link prosodic musical features to specific emotional pathways: rhythmic entrainment affects physiological arousal, melodic contour influences valence perception, and harmonic resolution supports feelings of closure and safety (Juslin & Västfjäll, 2008; Thompson, Schellenberg, & Husain, 2001).

Why This Song Works in a Prosodic, Positive Playlist

"Here Comes the Sun" is effective for a prosodic, positive playlist because it combines predictable rhythmic structure, uplifting melodic arcs, and affirmative lyrics that together produce consistent positive affect across listeners. The convergence of prosodic cues and positive semantics enhances emotional clarity and reduces ambiguous affective interpretations—especially useful in playlists intended to elevate mood or create a calming, hopeful atmosphere (Juslin & Västfjäll, 2008; Scherer, 2004).

For curators aiming to design playlists with emotional intent, selecting tracks with strong prosodic coherence and affirmative lyrical content increases the likelihood of achieving the desired affective outcome (Patel, 2008; Koelsch, 2014).

Conclusion

In summary, "Here Comes the Sun" fulfills the assignment: the song and link are supplied, the prosodic elements (rhythm, speed, pitch, melody) and positive lyrics are described, and my connection is articulated through life-stage discovery and immediate cognitive, emotional, and physical responses. The song’s prosody reliably supports uplifting affective states—making it a strong addition to a positive, prosodic playlist.

References

  • Gabrielsson, A. (2001). Emotions in strong experiences with music. In P. N. Juslin & J. A. Sloboda (Eds.), Music and emotion: Theory and research. Oxford University Press.
  • Huron, D. (2006). Sweet Anticipation: Music and the Psychology of Expectation. MIT Press.
  • Juslin, P. N., & Västfjäll, D. (2008). Emotional responses to music: The need to consider underlying mechanisms. Behavioral and Brain Sciences, 31(5), 559–575.
  • Koelsch, S. (2014). Brain correlates of music-evoked emotions. Nature Reviews Neuroscience, 15(3), 170–180.
  • Levitin, D. J. (2006). This Is Your Brain on Music: The Science of a Human Obsession. Dutton.
  • Patel, A. D. (2008). Music, Language, and the Brain. Oxford University Press.
  • Panksepp, J. (1995). The emotional sources of musical experience. Behavioral and Brain Sciences, 18(4), 695–698.
  • Scherer, K. R. (2004). Which emotions can be induced by music? What are the underlying mechanisms? And how can we measure them? Journal of New Music Research, 33(3), 239–251.
  • Thompson, W. F., Schellenberg, E. G., & Husain, G. (2001). Arousal, mood, and the Mozart effect. Psychological Science, 12(3), 248–251.
  • Särkämö, T., & Soto, D. (2012). Music listening after stroke: Beneficial effects and potential neural mechanisms. Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences, 1252(1), 266–281.

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