Armageddon Music Techniques

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During the late 90s, Aerosmith was asked to produce a touching piece for the soundtrack of the movie Armageddon, which starred singer Steven Tyler’s daughter (The Rob). With the help of schmaltz “queen” Dianne Warren (author of other sappy songs like “How Do I Live” and “Because You Loved Me”), the band was able to perform a piece that was full of gusto and romance, wrapped up by their music video in a melodramatic bow (Farber). “I Don’t Want to Miss a Thing” is a song that Carl Wilson would most certainly find chockfull of “saturated, demonstrative sentiment” (Wilson 54-55). Its high levels of emotional intensity and excessive passion ooze out of the song’s every detail, making even the band’s physical actions reek of schmaltz.
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Although this part does not last long, it is important, as it is clear that they are preparing for a big moment later in the song. A strong feeling of expectation is left with the listener as the big sound of the group fades softly into the background, allowing a piano and the vocals to dominate the sing’s first section. In this part, Steven Tyler sings his first verse, exclaiming his enchantment with a woman that he has romantically lost himself in the moment with. It is this style of sweet, underwhelming simplicity that contrasts with and brings out the schmaltz of the chorus. On Tyler’s cue with his line “every moment spent with you is a moment I treasure”, the orchestra, percussion, and guitars come in in one grand culmination of sound, highlighted with the cliché clash of a cymbal. The crescendo does not disappoint or leave the listener wanting more. The chorus contains the sappiest lines of the song, alluding to love more likely to be found in a fairy tale than in real life. As over-the-top as the lyrics might be, the accompanying instrumentation demands that they

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