JUKEBOX: “Harvey” and Other Killer Harmonies
There’s nothing like outstanding vocal harmony to turn a good song into a mindblowing work of art. And no musical era redefined the use of harmony more than the mid-’60s to mid-’70s.
Experimentation with new sounds took off in the early ’60s, as the custom of performing generic songs written by anonymous composers faded and bands started writing their own music (thanks, Beatles!). As singers also became songwriters, new styles exploded on the music scene, and since many of the acts were groups instead of solo performers, harmony became an essential element of their sound.
The Mamas and the Papas often said the band actually contained five members: John Phillips, Michelle Phillips, Cass Elliot, Denny Doherty…and Harvey. Harvey was their “fifth voice,” the name they used when group’s four individual voices melded together to create the astounding harmonic synergy they’re particularly known for.
Folk music also started changing character as songwriters began adding layered harmonies, giving simple folk melodies a complexity that transformed the genre. The soft and understated harmonies in Simon and Garfunkel’s “The Sound of Silence” add so much to the mood it gives me chills.
The British Invasion was largely responsible for this harmonic revolution, and created a style all its own. The Who’s “Miles and Miles” is a prime example of the style as it evolved in the mid-’60s as heavy guitar and tight vocal harmonies worked together to create a stunning piece of music.
Of course, the Beatles were always going one step further. As their music increased in complexity, so did their harmonies. The double-tracked vocals in “Because” turns the three voices of John, Paul, and George into a giant wall of sound. The complete song is a work of art, but you can hear just how complex the vocals are on the isolated harmony version from the Cirque du Soleil Love album (2006).
Last, but certainly not least, I’ll leave you with the operatic masterpiece that is Queen’s “Bohemian Rhapsody.” The harmony smacks you in the face and there’s just nothing like it.
From Motown to the British Invasion, from the California sound to prog rock, the number of groups who created their unique Harvey is nearly endless. Check out the Spotify playlist below for more of these incredible sounds!
