Every Monday throughout 2023 I will be highlighting a different piece of music that I have either written or been closely involved with. And this week, prepare to brainstorm some ideas because it’s…


What’s it called?
The Planning Song.

What’s it from?
My 2019 ragtime musical ‘It’s Not Really the Apocalypse’, which tells the story of four old friends who wake up one morning to discover they are the only people remaining on planet Earth.

What’s it all about?
Our four protagonists are now the only people left on the planet (that they know of), and having more or less come to terms with it they now need to think practically about how to continue. They therefore do what they (as former employees of some-company-or-other) do best: hold a meeting.

Listen out for…
There are quite a lot of niche musical jokes hidden in this one which may make you chuckle in a ‘Radio 3’ sort of way if you pick up on them. Here are a few that spring to mind:
 

• The key of the music matches whichever plan is being discussed – Plan A is in A minor, then there’s a key change to B minor for Plan B. Plan C is in C minor, then Plan D Flat is in… Well, it’s in C# minor. But only because Db minor isn’t really a sensible key!
• Whenever somebody comes up with a new plan idea, there’s a ‘ding’ in the piano as though a lightbulb has come on over the character’s head (e.g. 1:05). This ‘ding’ is always an octave, except for Lizzie’s Plan C when the ‘ding’ is a dissonant major 7th (to reflect the fact her plan isn’t fully formed) (4:06). The high-pitched piano tremolo that follows is also a little unstable for this particular plan (4:09).
• The backing vocals that crop up at various points sound a bit like generic scat lyrics, however listen closely and you’ll hear the characters are actually singing “Ba- Bad idea” (e.g. 1:38-1:59).
• I’m quite pleased with how the characters spend ages proposing loads of different ideas, only to eventually settle on the very first one they came up with. We’ve all been there, I’m sure!
• When they do finally agree on a plan, you can tell how un-enthused Gary is by the dissonant notes he adds to each chord (6:09-6:19).

Find out more at…
www.michaelgrantmusician.com/inrta