Who sings abc
ABC by The Jackson 5
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The Jackson 5 open the book of love in this Motown classic, where Michael Jackson sings about giving a young lady private lessons. He's confident she'll see it's as simple as ABC, do re mi and 1-2-3... they should be together.
The schoolyard theme was a good fit, as Michael was just 11 years old when it was released.
Motown signed the Jackson 5 in 1968 and moved them to Los Angeles, where the company set up offices. The group was very young but had years of training by this point thanks to their father, Joe, who drilled them constantly. The challenge for Motown was finding the right songwriters and producers to team them with - their stalwart team of Brian Holland, Lamont Dozier and Eddie Holland (Holland-Dozier-Holland) had left the label, and there were no ready successors. A new team - Freddie Perren, Fonce Mizell and Deke Richards - stepped in, writing the first Jackson 5 hit, "I Want You Back," which was released in October 1969 and went to #1 US in January 1970. Berry Gordy, the boss at the label, took and active role in the writing and production of that song, so much so that he included himself in the credits. Gordy dubbed this new team (with him included) "The Corporation," which was how the songwriting credit appeared - individual names were not listed, making them interchangeable.
When Gordy found a winning formula, he stuck with it, so he had the same team work on the next Jackson 5 single, "ABC," with the same Los Angeles session musicians playing on it. Musically, it's very similar to "I Want You Back" - the heavy lifting was the lyrics, as they wanted a completely different storyline. According to Perren, they came up with about 10 different verses before settling on the two that conveyed just the right amount of energy and innocence. Perren was a former school teacher, which influenced the school metaphors in the lyrics.
Released in February 1970, "ABC" went to #1 in on April 25, knocking off "Let It Be" by The Beatles. The next two Jackson 5 singles, "The Love You Save" and "I'll Be There," were also written by The Corporation and rose to to #1.
This song is packed with hooks that put Michael Jackson's talents to good use. It opens with the call-and-response "buh buh buh buh buh buh" and has lots of little vocal interjections throughout ("Get up, girl!"). These vocal bits became one of Michael Jackson's hallmarks, both The Jackson 5 and as a solo artist.
In 1991, the rap group Naughty by Nature sampled "ABC" into "O.P.P.," giving them a huge hit. What's striking about it is how the sample forms the basis for the entire track - it's essentially a loop with the raps built on top of it. Over the next few years, more rappers started lifting huge chunks of hits to craft their tracks - Puff Daddy was especially brazen.
This song closes out the 2006 movie Clerks II in a scene where Rosario Dawson dances to it, then the who cast gets their groove on to the song. Other movies to use it include:
Kindergarten Cop 2 (2016)
Quest for Zhu (2011)
College Road Trip (2008)
The Italian Job (2003)
Daddy Daycare (2003)
Dick (1999)
Billy Madison (1995)
Crooklyn (1994)TV series to use it include:
Glee ("Hold on to Sixteen" - 2011)
Gilmore Girls ("Bon Voyage" - 2007)
Chicago Hope ("Songs from the Cuckoo Birds" - 1995)
The Wonder Years ("Math Class" - 1989)
- More songs from The Jackson 5
- More songs that were sampled into hits
- More songs used in movies
- More songs covered by the Glee cast
- More songs from 1970
- Lyrics to ABC
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Who is Gayle? All the Facts You Need to Know About the “ABCDEFU” Singer
Table of Contents
There’s a good chance that you recently opened TikTok and wondered: “who sings “ABCDEFU,” that insanely catchy, alphabet-themed breakup song everyone is dancing to?”
Well, you’ve come to the right place, my friend. Here’s everything you need to know about 17-year-old viral star Gayle and her infectious breakout hit “ABCDEFU.”
Who is Gayle and where is she from?Rising pop sensation Gayle (her real name is Taylor Gayle Rutherford) was born in Dallas, Texas on July 8, 2004.
Although she was born in Dallas, she relocated to Nashville at a young age. Gayle lives in Nashville currently, although she travels to places like Los Angeles and New York to collaborate with other songwriters and further her fast-rising singing and songwriting careers.
Gayle’s Early Life, Influences, and DiscoveryImpressively, Gayle began singing when she was only seven years old.
Gayle’s influences include soul legend and Rock n’ Roll Hall of Fame member Aretha Franklin, jazz icon Ella Fitzgerald, Maggie Rogers, Olivia Rodrigo, and Lorde. Her first concert was Aretha Franklin, who she describes as “my top…literally the reason why I do music.”
Who discovered Gayle? Well, the answer might surprise you. Kara DioGuardi, American Idol judge and CEO of Arthouse Music Publishing, discovered Gayle at a songwriting pop-up event in Nashville. “She has this presence and poise that I’ve never seen from a 14-year-old,” she says. “I was struck by everything…she imprinted on me.”
Gayle was recently signed to Atlantic Records.
What does Gayle’s music sound like?
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Gayle’s songs combine pop, rock, indie, R & B, and more. If you love any of those genres, you’ll definitely love her.
This is how Gayle describes her music: “My goal in the pop writing rooms is to be the alternative leaning person, but in the alternative rooms being the pop leaning person that can still hang…I love a lot of pop music… but there’s different things that inspire it at the time…soulful influences in music, other times more of an indie rock inspiration comes from it.”
As she simply states, “I’m trying to do a good combo of all of it into this pop thing.”
What songs did Gayle release before “ABCDEFU”?Gayle is certainly not an overnight sensation. Even before her breakout hit “ABCDEFU” she had over five million streams on popular music platforms like Spotify and Apple Music as an independent artist.
Here’s a rundown of Gayle’s songs.
“Dumbass”
The version of Gayle’s “Dumbass” streaming on Spotify and Apple Music begins with her producer asking “are you ready?” and her chuckling as she answers simply, “no. ”
It perfectly sets the tone for “Dumbass,” Gayle’s song that explores self-doubt in a real way. Melodically, the chorus is reminiscent of Adele, but lyrically it is much more universally relatable, something Gayle is especially gifted at.
Who, after all, hasn’t at one point thought “God forbid I have my own opinion”?
“Z”
The song Gayle released before “ABCDEFU” that shows her talent the most is “Z,” a clever takedown of the vapid qualities of Gen Z. Snapchat, cell phones, and relationship issues are all on the table.
It’s a big, catchy pop song, but the lyrics are what stands out: “We glorify our problems/but we never solve ’em/we’re too busy actin’ like we know too much.”
“Happy for You”
Gayle’s simplest, most straightforward song is “Happy for You.” Adorned mostly just with an acoustic guitar and layers of vocals, the breakup song is tinged with sadness and regret.
Once again, how relatable Gayle’s lyrics are shines through: “I’m happy for you/but I’m sad for us. ”
“Orange Peel”
When you think of Gayle, the first thing that comes to your mind may not be esoteric analogies, but “Orange Peel” will force you to think differently.
The dreamy song, which features a cool, spacey electric piano, is partially about wishing you could relate to the world better, but is also a love song.
Check out the wild first verse:
I’m slick and sweet, I’m a treat
Vitamin C you dose to me, straight dopamine
Hypotheses, you’ll part the sea to be with me
Sellin’ me like I’m a summer breeze
It’s almost like rap, amiright?
The chorus features even more literate wordplay, and combines self-reflection and romantic feelings in a clever way:
Wish that I could take this off
Like an orange peel of all my thoughts
Hide away, hide away
Take my feelings and just take a break, take a break
Wish that I was orange juice
Take a sip of me and you
Bittersweet, bittersweet
On cavities, cavities
My favorite part of the video for “Orange Peel” is that, at approximately 1:09, she is reading the same bulky version of Songwriters on Songwriting that I’ve spent years poring over.
Gayle can be seen reading this book at 1:09 of her video for “Orange Peel.” Pictured above is article author Erik Ritland’s copy at his home studio, Brentwood Station, in Nashville, Tennessee. Photo by Erik RitlandEverything you need to know about Gayle’s viral Tik Tok sensation “ABCDEFU”Now for the moment you’ve all been waiting for: all the cool facts about Gayle’s major label debut on Atlantic Records, top charting Billboard Hot 100 viral sensation “ABCDEFU.”
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Who wrote “ABCDEFU”?
Not surprisingly, Gayle wrote “ABCDEFU,” along with collaborators Sara Davies and David Pittenger. It was produced by Peter Nappi, who has also worked with Ke$ha, Madison Beer, Anne Marie, and others.
When did “ABCDEFU” come out?Gayle’s “ABCDEFU” was released on August 13, 2021.
What genre is “ABCDEFU”?“ABCDEFU” is a pop song, though it has elements of indie rock and pop punk.
What is “ABCDEFU” about?On its most basic level, “ABCDEFU” is a breakup song, perhaps one of the best breakup songs in a long time, which is why it’s gone so viral on Tik Tok.
It’s funny, it’s authentic, and it gets to the heart of the angry feelings and resentment that can result as the fallout of a breakup.
What is the story behind “ABCDEFU”? As Gayle explained in a recent interview, “I was going through a breakup and I was writing really self-deprecating songs…then I heard through a mutual friends that he [her ex] was talking shit about me and all my suppressed emotions came RUSHING in.”
“ABCDEFU” lyrics, meaning and more
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One thing that sets Gayle apart from other rising pop stars is how clever, funny, and authentic her lyrics are. The “ABCDEFU” lyrics don’t disappoint.
The money shot of the “ABCDEFU” lyrics are its infectious chorus. It is a great singalong song, and is obviously also easy to set a Tik Tok dance to. Who can’t relate to feeling this way about a break up?
The expletive-led chorus, which is both serious and funny, finds Gayle listing the things that, shall we say, she won’t miss about her ex: his family, job, friends, car, and even his “Craigslist couch.”
The only thing of her ex’s that gets a pass? His dog, of course.
My favorite line is when she makes fun of her ex for creating “that shit you call art.” It’s hilarious, and as a musician, I’ve known many girls who bite their tongue and pretend to like the terrible art that their partner shows them.
Full disclosure: I’ve most certainly been that boyfriend, too. I can imagine a couple of my ex-girlfriends relating to Gayle’s sentiment.
“ABCDEFU” versionsAtlantic Records has released multiple versions of Gayle’s “ABCDEFU”: a “nicer” version that replaces the “f-word” with “forget you,” a version that’s somehow angrier, an acoustic version, the original single, and a remix featuring American singer songwriter Royal and the Serpent.
Check out all the different versions on YouTube
“ABCDEFU” videoPart of the “ABCDEFU” phenomenon is its fun, playful video, in which Gayle and some friends trash a replica of her ex-boyfriend’s apartment.
Spoiler alert: the cake fighting scene is the best part.
“ABCDEFU” TikTokGayle’s “ABCDEFU” skyrocketed into the public consciousness when it became a viral Tik Tok sensation.
Most videos on the trend-setting site using #ABCDEFU are similar, with users spelling out the letters and doing typical Tik Tok dances.
One particularly overused move is pretending like you’re holding a steering wheel during the line “and your broke ass car.” Mix it up a bit, folks.
These videos get kind of repetitive, but it seems like good therapy for someone going through a breakup or any other particular sort of hard time.
A trend of people breaking things during their dances – usually plates – to emphasize their emotions led to #ABCDEFU being accompanied by a warning that you shouldn’t endanger yourself when creating videos. Oi vey.
“ABCDEFU” On the ChartsTo call this song a sensation is kind of selling it short. “ABCDEFU” was released on August 13, 2021, and debuted at #51 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. It also topped the Emerging Artists chart not long after its release.
In mid-January 2022, “ABCDEFU” reached #1 on the US iTunes Top Songs chart, the UK Billboard Hot 100, the Billboard Global 200, and the Billboard Global Excl U.S. charts.
It even knocked Adele’s obnoxious “Easy on Me” out of the #1 spot on both the UK Billboard chart and the US iTunes Top Songs chart. #Winning.
Jimmy Fallon and “ABCDEFU”Gayle made her television debut on Jimmy Fallon’s late-night TV show on January 5, 2022.
The popular comedian had some glowing words: “I remember hearing it for the first time on the radio. I go, ‘This is a massive song.'”
“ABCDEFU” controversy?The original Tik Tok video of Gayle first performing “ABCDEFU” has garnered some controversy.
In the video, it appears as though she created the song after a fan requested her to write “a breakup song using the alphabet.” It was eventually revealed that the “fan” works for Gayle’s label, Atlantic Records.
As far as I’m concerned, it was so obvious in the first place that this was a marketing ploy – with its oddly specific request and ridiculously forced emojis – that if it fooled you, that’s a you problem.
@danielswallReply to @.daltonisdaddy Did You Know That You Were Lied to About This Song? #singer #songwriter #singersongwriter #abcdefu #learnsomethingnew #marketing #musicmarketing #music #recordlabel #artistsoftiktok #visionboard #musicproducer #entrepreneur #tiktokers #viral #trending
♬ abcdefu – GAYLE
E3340 Playskool Sesame Street Singing the Elmo Alphabet Instructions
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Published implies: E3340, Playskul, Playskool Street Sessam Singing ABCO -SLECTION OF CTAMICAL SINGER V. KORETIKA V. KHORETICK speaking to yourself in psalms and songs and spiritual songs, singing and singing in your hearts to the Lord.” (Eph.5:18-19).The most natural, the most ancient, and at the same time the most noble way of expressing prayerful feelings is, without a doubt, the human word. The word was given to man first of all so that he would glorify God. We come to the church, which is called by the Savior Himself "a house of prayer" (Luke 19:46). Here, in the house of prayer, concentration, self-deepening and the elevation of the spirit to God are required from a person. What, then, most of all disposes the worshiper to this?
“Indeed,” says St. John Chrysostom, “nothing, nothing elevates and inspires the soul so much, does not liberate it from the earth, does not free it from the bonds of the body, does not dispose to be philosophic and despise everything worldly, like consonant singing and harmonious composed divine song” (from the Conversation on Psalm 41).
From a religious point of view, the ability to sing is a distinctive property of only rational beings - angels and people. Singing, like speech, serves for both of them to express high feelings of reverence for God. Even in the Old Testament times, it was believed that angels and people sing the same songs. People knew about the similarity of their choirs with the heavenly choirs of angels. Especially outstanding singing from ancient times was defined as "angelic". In Holy Scripture, in appearances to holy and righteous people, angels appear as a host, divided into faces or choirs, singing praises to the Triune God. The prophet Isaiah saw the Seraphim surrounding the Throne of God and calling to each other: “Holy, Holy, Holy is the Lord of hosts” (Is.6:3). The singing of angels was heard by the prophet Ezekiel. The New Testament mystic John in various places of his Apocalypse repeatedly mentions the singing of the blessed celestials. And the first Christian chant was brought to earth by angels on Christmas night.
Belief in the musical unity of the earthly and the heavenly has also determined the view of singing in the earthly church: it is an echo of angelic singing, the language of a person's ecstatic state, a fertile means of arousing and expressing prayerful feelings.
The first two centuries of Christian songwriting are fanned by the spirit of improvisation. Its fruit was inspired liturgical poetry of hymns and psalms, songs of praise and thanksgiving.
In the Ancient Church there was no music during divine services – there was singing. The Savior Himself with His disciples finished the Last Supper with singing - ". .. and having sung, he went out into the Mount of Olives" (Matthew 26:30). The apostles of Christ, expressing their prayerful feelings, "I will give God" (Acts 16:25). Even outside of worship, when expressing the usual worldly joy, the Apostle James advises: "Whoever has a good heart, let him sing." (James 5:13). Spreading the teachings of Christ and organizing the Church, the apostles were very concerned about liturgical singing. “Whenever you meet, everyone should have a psalm in you,” instructs the ap. Paul (1 Corinthians 14:26). In the Apostolic decrees, the obligation and even the method of liturgical singing is already legalized: "... after two readings ... let the psalms of David sing, and let the people repeat the ends of the verses in a voice" (Book II, ch. 57).
At prayer meetings and divine services, the first Christians sang, in addition to the psalms of David, Old Testament hymns—two songs of Moses, “Let us sing to the Lord” and “Be attentive to heaven”; the song of the prophetess Anna "Be strong my heart in the Lord"; songs of the prophets Habakkuk, Isaiah, Jonah. New Testament early Christian hymns were also sung - the angelic doxology "Glory to God in the highest", the song of the Virgin "My soul magnifies the Lord", the song of Simeon the God-receiver "Now you let go." Already in apostolic times, the following were compiled and preserved to this day: the great doxology “Glory to God in the highest”, “Quiet Light”, “Let all flesh be silent” (from the Liturgy of St. James), “Glory to Thee, Lord, glory to Thee” (sung, as now before and after the Gospel), the entrance hymn “Come, let us worship”, etc. And, finally, there were improvisational chants that were sung at prayer meetings - agapa: “After washing hands and lighting lamps, everyone is called into the middle to hymn the Lord who, as best he can, from Holy Scripture or from his own mind” (Tertullian, Apologetics 39,16–18). The possibility of such improvisations was then even natural with the uplift of spirit and ardor of faith that the first Christians had, who directly communicated with the Lord's witnesses - His apostles.
What order of singing was accepted in the Ancient Church? There is the following information about this:
1. The singing was nationwide - everyone who had gathered for prayer sang. St. John Chrysostom says:
“Wives and husbands, elders and youths are different in sex and age, but not different in relation to singing, because the Holy Spirit, uniting the voices of each, arranges one melody from all.”
The Apostolic Constitutions state even more specifically:
“During public worship, at the pronouncement of the deacon, the people… exclaim: Lord, have mercy!”.
In the ancient liturgies (St. James), the people are told to answer the exclamations of the clergyman with “amen”, “and your spirit”. And the victorious song "Holy, Holy, Holy" believers are invited to sing especially loudly.
2. Single singing - only one singer sang, and all the others listened silently. For this purpose, a special degree of "singers" was established in the clergy. Such singing was widespread among the Egyptian hermits.
In the 4th century, the Council of Laodicea (365) established that instead of the entire assembly, only selected, capable singers should sing (canon 15th). This was probably due to the fact that the singing of the entire congregation sounded discordant and discordant. After all, by this time the number of sacred songs had increased significantly, and people, meanwhile, were no longer as diligent in attending the temple as it was with the first Christians. Many knew the sacred chants poorly, thereby hindering those who knew how to sing properly.
Another method of singing, widespread by the 4th century, was introduced into church use by Hieromartyr Ignatius the God-bearer, Bishop of Antioch (+107), following the pattern of the singing of angels he heard. This is antiphonal singing, when two choirs sang alternately. This method is still used then and until now on highly solemn occasions - at festive services in large cathedrals and monasteries.
After the cessation of persecution, Christian worship, now performed openly, becomes more complex, solemn and solemn. Naturally, church singing also reflects these changes. What was previously subject to nationwide performance is transferred to specially trained singers. Separate choirs or faces of the right and left choirs began to form. Books were needed for singing - the number of chants was constantly increasing, it became impossible to know and sing everything by heart. And the singing itself has deviated from its former simplicity, has become more skillful and refined. Moderate enough at the beginning, this sophistication eventually acquired a touch of worldly freedom and even theatricality. Little by little, such melodies began to penetrate into church worship that could be heard in theaters and at spectacles. Secularization and corruption of style took place, the chaste purity and austerity of apostolic times were lost. The Church Fathers severely reproached church singers for this. St. Clement of Alexandria wrote:
“Music must be resorted to for adornment and education of morals… Music that breaks the soul, excessive…, irresistible and passionate… We must choose melodies imbued with dispassion and chastity…”
St. Isidore Pelusiot:
“They (singers ) do not feel tenderness from divine songs, but use the sweetness of singing to arouse passions.
A St. John Chrysostom from the pulpit denounces the indiscreet singer:
"Poor poor man! You should repeat angelic singing with trepidation and reverence ... But your mind is clouded by theatrical scenes, and what happens there, you bring to the Church.
In the course of time, the judgments of the Fathers of the Church on liturgical singing received canonical fixation for eternity, canon 75 of the VI Ecumenical Council (680–681) reads:
from themselves an unnatural cry and did not introduce anything incongruous and unusual for the Church ... ".
By the same time, the attitude towards musical instruments, which in some places participated in divine services, was finally determined. In the book mch. Justina († 166) "The Singer" states that "... singing to God on soulless instruments ... is not allowed." From that time on, in the Eastern Orthodox Churches, as well as in the Western ones until the 8th century, liturgical singing was strictly vocal everywhere and everywhere.
People to sing, says the church hymn, are led by grace. Accordingly, the ability to sing is recognized as a special gift of God. The compilers of church hymns were people who shone with wisdom, piety and holiness of life:
Hieromartyr Ignatius the God-bearer , bp. Antioch, the organizer of antiphonal singing, already mentioned by us.
Saint Clement of Alexandria - compiler of many hymns and songs of his time, which determined the church character of singing.
Martyr Justin the Philosopher - author of the book "The Singer", which contains Christian hymns and gives the order of their performance.
Saint Athanasius the Great , archbishop Alexandrian - established chanting reading during worship. Singing in the Alexandrian Church under him made a stunning impression on his contemporaries with its ceremonial, harmonious, and at the same time soulfulness and simplicity. Blessed Augustine, listening to this singing, wept: “The touching sounds struck my ears, and the truth contained in them penetrated into my heart and aroused incense.”
Ex. Ephraim Sirin - the compiler of many chants and tunes, the founder of the Greek hook notation.
Saint John Chrysostom , archbishop Constantinople - worked hard in word and deed for the improvement of church singing. For the first time, he organized a real singing choir under the direction of a court musician, who took part in liturgies and vigils.
Ex. Roman the Melodist , deacon - creator of kontakia, of which he wrote up to a thousand (among them - "The Virgin Today", "In Prayers Not Sleeping", "My Soul" St. John of Damascus - whose role in the history of church singing deserves a separate story. He is the compiler of many church hymns and the establisher in our Church of Osmosis, the basic law of daily liturgical singing.
In the Western Churches much concern was given to the organization of singing:
St. Ambrose of Milan – the book “Antiphonary” remained a monument to his labors, in which the hymns composed by him were set to notes (among them “We praise God to you”).
St. Gregory the Dialogist - set up a singing school in Rome, which existed for about 300 years, in which the original of his Church Rule and the scourge for punishing singers were reverently preserved.
There are many examples that church singing is a charitable work and that people who use it properly enjoy special patronage of God, mainly through the Mother of God. Yes, prp. Roman the Melodist received the gift of singing through a scroll given to him by the Mother of God. She also healed the severed hand of John of Damascus. A similar phenomenon and healing was awarded to the Athos singer of the 14th century.