HRWiki:STUFF/Archive/no loafing

[edit] Might not be back in the USSR

From: no loafing
Posted on: 04:51, 2 December 2006 (UTC)

Arguments for:

• It's very similar. Recognizable.
• The fact does not assert any intended reference, simply that the SB sings to the tune of the song. Even if it is a coincidence, it is still the case.

Arguments against:

• It's unclear whether or not the tune's a reference or just a coincidence
• Re arg 1: it's not "dead on" - in fact it's similar but not exact.
• We try to avoid noting sheer coincidences. If this was intentional, Strong Bad would probably have tried to match the words to the song in some way (throwing in the word "email"), which he did not do.
• Strong Bad sings "Cool, cool, car", which consists of three syllables, while USSR consists of four syllables. Therefore, the tune is different.
  • To be fair - the first lines of the verse are what are being examined, not the chorus. The syllable count is correct, the rhythm is pretty much the same, but not terribly similar melodically.
• The intro is NOT sung anywhere near the tune of "Back In The USSR." This fact is patently false and should not have even been STUFF'd. It should have been deleted outright.

Additional comments:

• The wording "sung similar to the tune of" would be more clear.
• For those who don't know the song, here it is (crappy video alert).
• If this were sheer coincidence, it is still notable that SB happened to sing the exact same tune as the Beatles. Such a random coincidence is surely noteworthy. We aren't talking about a maybe obscure reference here... he is singing the exact same tune.
  • Only it's questionable that it is the exact same tune.
• Most of the vocals for Back In the USSR have a vaguely similar melody as the intro. I double checked it, and it's too different.

[ Back to STUFF index ]

[edit] Like, who cares?

From: no loafing
Posted on: 18:03, 21 Jun 2005 (UTC)

Arguments for:

Arguments against:

• Strong Bad does this kind of thing all the time.
• Perhaps this should be noted in the transcript (or perhaps not); either way, it is certainly not a goof.

Additional comments:

• Yes, this belongs in the transcript. But definitely not a fun fact.

[ Back to STUFF index ]