Black Friday sale is LIVE! cornellmusicacademy.com/blackfriday

This song is the perfect example of how major keys don't always mean happy. The root chord is G major, and yet, especially in the context of the movie, this song sounds really sad. It just goes to show how much well written harmony does for a song.

me: *uncontrollably sobbing* charles: Yeah so anyway this is a really lovely chord, ooo listen to that, its so nice

Toby Fox, Rebecca Sugar, and Aivi and Surashu's ability to not only make timeless music you want to repeat over and over again, but to foreshadow points of the story within it, will never not floor me

The music from this show is absolutely unreal.

Please keep doing SU analysis, they are just phenomenal

Aivi and Surasshu are literal geniuses. Their work is so unique and SU would not be what it is without them.

Yes!! This song came at a real difficult period in my life, it was the 5th anniversary of my mom's death and when the lyric went "she doesn't exist now, survived by her son," I completely lost it, such a beautiful song

The feelings of neglect, abandonment and selfblame in such complex and harmonies are staggering. You are right this is just horribly sad!

Charles, you should check out some of Aivi and Surasshu's less popular works on the show, mostly instrumental and no lyrics. They have this lovely electronic chiptune + piano jazzy sound, and their work is often overshadowed by the more popular SU songs. - rose's fountain / the hill - alone together - dance of swords - I'm still here - the waterfall - amalgam - pearl's theme - opal theme some of their amazing work.

Rebecca Sugar only had very little time to compose the film's music. And yet, every song in this film is memorable and impactful.

Rebecca Sugar is a genious, both by Writing Steven Universe and creating the soundtrack! Recommend for everyone

This song, and this performance, make me cry every. damn. time.

Rebecca Sugar is a brilliant composer. So many memorable songs from Steven Universe and Adventure Time.

the music of this whole series and movie is completely unreal, I think that’s what played a big part in the love for this show from fans, the dedication Sugar and everyone behind the scenes put into the characters and story💗

I love how each person in SU has their own instrument/sound associated with them.

The story of Rebecca Sugar and Aimee Mann (also the voice of Opal) working on this song, swapping back and forth to make it sadder makes it even better.

The composers for Steven Universe, Aivi and Surasshu, are absolutely unreal. You should check out some of their other work that they do for the show, all of the music is layered with thematic motif and it ties the entire franchise together in ways you would never expect.

Theory analysis of SU is so much more fun when you have the lore and storyline as well! Rebecca Sugar has particular motifs, pitches, keys, sound effects ect for even when particular characters are speaking, entering a room, making an impact. It’s incredibly genius aurally 😭

Remember You from Adventure Time is a must listen. Another beautifully sad song and the instrument she plays is pretty unique. It was also written by Rebecca Sugar.

As with VGM, much of 'cartoon' music is overlooked but when you think about it Charlie Brown/Vince Guaraldi is absolutely iconic and bands like The Consouls (their keys guy contributed to music for the Steven Universe movie) and 8-Bit Big Band creatively tap into tunes which are collectively nostalgic. Phineas & Ferb music is also worth a look - both for the music and the lyrics.

I'd love it if you covered the "come live with us in the palace" song, which is also from the SU movie. There's two separate parts to the song with the refrain at the end of the film. It's a really lovely three part vocal harmony and I'd really enjoy hearing your take on it! Steven Universe is one of my favorite things in the world so I always get so excited when I see you explain the way the music works!

Steven Universe has plenty of songs to cut your heart out but "it's Over, isn't it?" is up there with the sharpest knives with which to do so.

I would love for you to analyze That Distant Shore and Here Comes a Thought, both from Steven Universe.

Its so hilarious you describing this sonically and as someone who has seen this episode I can say that it pretty much describes Spinel’s situation. She was pinks “best friend” but she got left abandoned (suspended) by herself in isolation and it made her depressed and traumatized while pink moved on and kept progressing. And the walk down would be her slowly realizing over time that pink isn’t coming back.

My top picks from Steven Universe would be Happily Ever After, Being Human, Escapism, and Change Your Mind. There's something about the first one that always makes me smile, with one of my favourite key changes in any song at the end. The others are more serene and solemn, but have something that I always just want to keep listening to. And Change Your Mind might be short, but there's a simplicity that is just beautiful.

*me sobbing uncontrollably while getting my Steven Universe tattoo while listening to this song* Charles: “It’s a really nice sound to us-“

Rebecca Sugar's impressive ability to capture the feeling of so many genres of music is astounding to me. While she can write these amazing jazz ballads amazingly, she also writes pop well, r&b well, even captures the feeling of the indie music scene well. Hahaha, and even what I consider "Dad rock". Music is such a major part of Steven Universe, and it's ALL music, not just one subsection of it!

Less of a theory thing, more about production, but I love how, no matter how big and unwieldy the plot gets, most of the songs are produced in such a way that they feel “small.” Part of it is due to the fairly minimalist production, and some is also due to Sugar’s lyrics and willingness to have short lines that punctuate the music rather than the opposite. No matter how fancy and wild the progressions get, the songs always feel personal and intimate.

I listen to this entire OST while playing video games and it honestly doesn’t get old. Some of the other songs I’ve listened to have gotten old after like a week but I’ve been listening to this OST for months now. The music is so beautifully written and even though I can’t appreciate it as much since I don’t know too much about music theory or just music in general I still think almost each and every song is so incredible. People may not like the show cuz of the ending but you cannot deny the brilliance of the music

This sing still gets to me. It is so heartbreaking and emotional.

LOVE that you're doing this, I'm a huge Steven Universe fan and the music is a very very big part of that

This song always makes me tear up, good writing and a minor iv are an unstoppable combo

This is one of the MANY fantastic songs in this show along with an amazing soundtrack written by Rebecca Sugar and Aivi and Surrassu that are just absolutely amazing. I’m so glad to see you breaking down the show’s music again

You may want to check out My Little Reason Why (or what’s the use of feeling blue) from Steven Universe, the first of which has a just stunning 3 parallel M9 chord opening and closing, and lots of classic harmony in between. Note that the CN official clip doesn’t have the opening in it, but when the chords come back at the end, hoo boy.

The first music I heard from Steven Universe was Pearls Theme; it’s been years and I still plays often in my head. The SU soundtrack is something special.

Please, PLEASE do a video on the music of Over the Garden Wall- Genuinely some of the most beautiful music I’ve ever heard in a TV series or otherwise

I was so hoping you’d get to “Let Us Adore You” it’s my favorite from SU and so haunting

You could do every Steven universe song twice and I would still ask for more! Excellent work

yesssss i was hoping you'd do more steven universe music!! one of my favorite shows and the music is wonderful

You should check out the music from Star Vs the FOrces of Evil, particularily Queen Moon's Theme, Eclipsa's Theme, really all of it is SO good, and the way it's all connected is insane!

So happy to see you cover Steven Universe again, Charles, and with one of the saddest songs from the franchise, no less!

Great video, as always! I would love to hear you talk about Over the Garden Wall. It's very autumn-focused so maybe my request is a bit late, but it's such a lovely show with a great folk/jazz/country soundtrack! Many of the singers also have really unique voices, especially Ms Langtree and the singers in episode 4.

That show helped me everyday when I was a little kid and now. When I’m stressed I can listen to it and be settled.

another song in Steven Universe with some immaculate chromatic bass motion is Let Us Adore you, and to top it all off, the harmonies are heavenly

Just finished watching all of SU with the wife, so this is perfect timing. I’ve just been listening to the whole OST, and I absolutely love this song.

I think this video explains why it's not always major=happy and minor=sad. There's a verity of emotions that can come out of those chords depending on their connection to the chords before them

I remember coming across this show and while it really wasn't for me, the music rather blew me away. I couldn't believe some random little kid's show had something like that going on. Much respect to the show's creator.

Can you just make a video like this about every Steven Universe Song? :D I'd pay for that haha

Steven universe is a lot about trauma and how that effects people, it's a major theme throughout the show and this song highlights spinels trauma, its a piece that makes you feel like shit for the villain who up until now Steven saw as just a bad mean person. For other songs that confront other characters trauma you could check out "what's the use of feeling blue" and "do it for her"

Sarah Stiles' voice is ridiculously good, and she should have won all the Tonys she's been nominated for. Also it's absurd that H. Jon Benjamin beat her at the Annies for best voice acting. ]

I'VE BEEN WAITING FOR THIS ONE!!! TURN IT UPPPPPPPP

I just recently saw this movie, and it blew me away with how WELL DONE it was, just such a great film

Rebecca Sugar’s also written another song in the same key - All Gummed Up Inside. It’s my favorite Adventure Time song

Hoping to see you reacting to more of SU! it's songs are indeed a bless

When I was going through some shit with my ex. Couldn't listen to this song because it mirrored the situation enough and made me so emotional. Took me forever to be able to listen to it xD; Really love the song though and RS and crew did such a lovely job with this one. Can't believe how good it turned out.

I love this show so much and the music is incredible, thanks for making this :)

Rebecca Sugar is sooo good!!! This song reminds me of "You'll be back" from Hamilton, probs cuz they both start on G major and have a chromatic motion. Amazing content as always and I hope you'll cover more Steven Universe in the future I love the way the soundtrack uses chords from the parallel minor key. Thank you Charles!

Aivi and Surasshu have my whole heart!

My guy, there is SO much more to analyze in this series. I recommend "It's Over, Isn't It" next, or even "Change" from the Steven Universe Movie soundtrack.

glad you covered this! the music from SU made a huge impact on me. 90% of everything i’ve learned about harmony, i learned from those songs

It's fascinating to see so many major chords, which are usually so associated with positive and happy tonality, used in a way to convey melancholy, especially given the context of the character singing (whose purpose is to be FUN! but experiences so much pain at the behest of a "game" she was playing).

I'd watch videos of you analysing Steven Universe for forever. Please do more! You've only just scratched the surface! Some of the scores (like the themes of the characters and the meaning behind the choices of those pieces) are really interesting!

Would love an analysis of some of the soundtrack from Ori and the Will of the Wisps or Ori and the Blind Forest. The music is really well written and matches the tone of the story perfectly, especially with the callback to the beginning of the first game in the closing piece of the second. Brings tears to my eyes every time.

the song "love like you" from steven universe is one of my favorites. it's not too complex but there's some beautiful harmonic twists here and there that id love to see you check out :)

The music in this show is just amazing. Please do more!!!

I just adore this song. and watching you experience it and break it down was really lovely.

This is the one Steven Universe song that moves me to tears just with the chord progressions.

Glad you decided to revisit the show, I hope this means you might also take another look at things like Undertale, Hollow Knight, and Spirited Away! Minecraft got a new composer with Lena Raine, maybe look at the new music?

Can I just say this is why the song “dear prudence” feels so amazing. Great video again! Making me sit in front of my keys again!!

I really love the steven universe videos! your knowledge really shines through with the analysis of such complex harmony. Please keep making more!!

Honestly, at this point you should do a musical breakdown of all more complex Steven Universe songs. I’d pay for a series of thatZ

Literally the saddest song of all time the writers must have had serious abandonment issue

The song that comes right after this scene is even more complex and incredibly written, it's called "Found" and it uses a lot of diminished chords, I hope you check it out as well.

I love SU and I love your dissections of its music SO SO SO SO MUCH, thank you :’) two of my favorite things in one video

I had a student come with a song from this movie too, unbelievably good

I love your enthusiasm! You’re so talented

would love to see your breakdown and analysis on Let Us Adore you. the harmonies and chords in that song give me literal goosebumps!

PLEASE do more Steven Universe videos. I’ve seen others suggest it already, but many of the instrumentals and themes for the characters are equally if not more beautiful. I’d love to hear your take on them.

Charlie, Steven Universe music, is this a dream?!

Please check out more songs from Steven Universe The Movie! Particularly "True Kinda Love" (super jazzy), "Independent Together", "Other Friends", and "Change"

I love seeing music breakdowns of my favorite shows and movies. It always makes me fal back in love with the memories they brought me along with new perspectives of them. Thanks for the breakdown!

omg guys, he said sus. :3 EDIT: Seriously though, Drift Away is my favorite SU song by far. The way it's written and composed really makes you feel the emotions we know Spinel had to have been feeling in those moments that she was singing it, the loss, the sadness... And yet for all those years, she kept hoping that one day Pink would come back. And then the feeling of anger when she sees that Pink no longer exists, and Steven replaced her... It's all so beautiful, yet so sad, and you can't help but to cry along with her.

Steven universe and Phineas and Ferb never disappoint on music in episodes. Just constant bangers

Bruh I love your analysis of these songs, it’s really well put together and helps me learn so much more! I’ve been watching you since I picked up the keyboard in September and it’s really helped my understanding grow so much in just a few months!

The soundtracks in the last of us (1&2) are something incredible, the sound of Gustavo Santaolalla is so intense... You could analyze it in the next video

thankk youuuu for doing music from the movie i love this soundtrack so much and your analysis is so good

I was waiting for this one from the moment I subscribed

Thank you for inspiring me to keep working at music production even though I don't know what I'm doing yet, in the hopes that one day my music will be explained in a video like this ❤️

Was literally thinking about you reviewing this yesterday

Rebecca Sugar's big claim of fame is taking chord progressions from one genre and putting it in another. Drift Away is Jazz, only ballady. There's even intentional call and response put in despite this not being a duet. The music is playing Pink Diamond, with Spinel riffing off the tune, as though improvising off it.

I'm following along in this video with my guitar and I'm learning a lot about rootless chords, like how Pianists have it easy when playing them lol

Please do more Steven Universe songs! I love your analysis :)

I have hardly a clue what this guy is saying, but he sounds so knowledgable and passionate about it that I can't help but listen. Also Steven Universe.

It’s not just great music, a lot of it is based on real cognitive behavioural therapy. Especially Here Comes a Thought.

oh god here come the tears again

this song always gives me such chills

I have to say I have been hoping that you'd take a look at The Big O anime's soundtrack. There's some gorgeous pieces in there I think you'd get a kick out of, lots of beautiful mixes of jazz, to blues, to bombastic orchestral scores.

I will never forgive the movie for shoehorning Spinel's supposed newfound love/attachments but this song maintaining a major key but somehow keeping integrity tones of depressing sentiments was an absolute banger. If you're interested, I actually am curious to hear your hot take on track(s) from the rhythm video game No Straight Roads-- especially "VS Yinu" theme. It samples Pachelbel's Canon in D major, but holy fuck it goes 0 to 100 so fast to shift the gentle piano sample turning into forte tones of urgency, accompanied with strings. Figured I'd recommend "VS Yinu" as it's more piano focused than other tracks from the game.

i understand nothing you are saying, i'm just enjoying the piano sounds by enjoying i mean nearly crying, but in a strangely comforting way