The criteria that the 27 songs must qualify and go through is tone (is the song peaceful and celebratory or is it hard and vengeful), emotion (when they are listening to the songs, they should not feel fear or anger) and cultural diversity (how closely do the songs represent the actual culture). As the golden record is to provide other life forms, beyond our own, about the cultures and life that earth has, is it important to send a message that comes out as peaceful but also joyful. Also, by culturally providing diversity they are able to listen to other languages and analyze the diversity we have.
!. Mozart, The Magic Flute, Queen of the Night aria, no. 14. Edda Moser, soprano. Bavarian State
By looking at the criteria, Mozart’s Queen of the Night Aria does not seem qualify to any of the qualifications, however Mozart’s queen of the night does provide the right tone and represents a culture that many don’t know. Reflecting on tone, the song prevails peace. The high pitches and intense singing provides a wonderful process.
2 Fairie Round-cond David Munroe
The Fairie Round is a Shakespearean era music. This song has been played during Shakespearean plays and dramas. As it portrays an era which Shakespeare lived, the music has a strong medieval and renaissance influence. Having a song that combines the two important eras together, gives the other life forms a perception about our culture and the evolution of music. THE transitions between medieval and renaissance refers to medieval/renaissance times and how joyous it must have been. Besides the cultural influence, the song also gives a very happy and celebratory mood. The Fairie Rounds has a soft but a melodic line of notes that all smoothly transition on each other. The softness and smoothness gives the perception that earth should not be feared and that we are calm gentle people.
- “Johnny B. Goode,” written and performed by Chuck Berry.
Viewing past all the smooth but slow songs, Chuck berry’s Johnny B. Goode provides an exhilarating change that switches from classical to funk/disco. The change shows an incredible example of how earth is very evolved and that we are constantly changing and refining our past. Cultural wise, Johnny B. Goode closely resonates towards an era of great rejuvenation from a restricted viewpoint (what slow songs portray) to a freer and more open viewpoint. Not only does Johnny B. Goode provides an imagine of freedom but also an imagine of joy that does not present the setting of a tea party (typically, classical music and Fairie Round emits an aura that hose music are best kept for a more formal environment). Similar to Fairie round, Johnny B. Goode is exceptional when it comes to providing a sense of celebration and peace. Celebration, for how exhibiting it is and neutral, as it does not provide a sense of closure.
- Azerbaijan S.S.R., bagpipes, recorded by Radio Moscow
Music without lyrics enables an individual to feel the music and experience it without any interruption to their inner reflection. When hearing the Azerbaijan bagpipes, a feeling of calmness and self-reflection is extremely noticeable. Since the songs have no lyrics, the smoothness of the bagpipes keeps the induvial relaxed and calmed. Relaxation and calmness are what is needed when interacting with extraterrestrials and other life forms. Since the main purpose of the record is to not only show the culture but to convey peaceful intentions and neutrality, the Azerbaijani bagpipes does a good job at portraying the peaceful and quite side of earth’s life forms. The bagpipes also show a clear example of how other cultures use music and instruments native to their home. A critical connection is needed when interacting with other life forms.
5 Mexico, “El Cascabel,” performed by Lorenzo Barcelata and the Mariachi México.
El cascabel would create an environment that the other life forms would tolerate. The song presents comical lyrics and also provides sense of harmlessness and comedy. Through the song it also provides an excellent form of beauty and resonates a message of purity and joy.