Pop Based on Classical Music

Pop songs based on classical music melodies and chord progressions

Due to lack of copyright protection, classical music melodies are often used and adapted in pop music. This page looks at examples of this.

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Johann Pachelbel, Canon in D Major

Original: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JvNQLJ1_HQ0
Examples of multiple songs that use at least part of Pachelbel Canon in D Major: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cWc13qmeUbU
Contemporary version (2004: The Farm – All Together Now): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iRgtzZ-mOQo
Contemporary version (2010: NDubbs and BodyRox – We Dance On): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5GxwM6wnWpg

Johann Sebastian Bach, Air on the G String

Original: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pzlw6fUux4o
Contemporary version (1998: Sweetbox – Everything’s Gonna Be Alright): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SXJEAThAZeI

Johann Sebastian Bach, Prelude No.1 in C Major from The Well–Tempered Clavier

Original: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PXMVkQ70I88
Contemporary version (2016: Zayn – Blue): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ahQ3q9G8Oqk

Jean-Paul-Égide Martini, Plaisir d’Amour

Original: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HW0EvzsKtEU
Contemporary version (1961: Elvis Presley – I Can’t Help Falling in Love with You): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ICTtCMx8i4E
Contemporary version (1993: UB40 – I Can’t Help Falling in Love with You): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GSaxhqJG1Mw

Muzio Clementi, Sonatina in G Major

Original: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dg1VWR5LV9U
Contemporary version: https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=phil+collins+groovy+kind+of+love+live

Ludwig van Beethoven, Bagatelle No.25 in A minor ‘Für Elise’

Original: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rPZobjqc6fo
Contemporary version (2000: Whitney Houston & Deborah Cox, Same Script Different Cast): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KVh0_DQtwyU
Contemporary version (2003: Nas – I Can): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2fcX2dWmR6g

Brahms’ Hungarian Dance No. 5 in F-sharp Minor

Original: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L4Qzke7Y9OM
Contemporary version (2006: Professor Green feat. C.O.R.E and Chynaman – Upper Clapton Dance): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IIuQM_q0IUU

Giuseppe Verdi, ‘Tuba mirum’ from the Requiem Mass

Original: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FcFrImouGg8
Contemporary version (1995: Take That – Never Forget): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rwjRgAI7NOA

Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina, Benedictus from Missa Papae Marcelli

Original: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3qevcHGxxVg
Contemporary version 2015: Muse – Drones): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l1jDr_nMPbs

Gabriel Fauré, Pavane in F-sharp Minor

Original: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-33yJuFVHk4
Contemporary version (2000: S Club 7 – Natural): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A4Kba6v5fdg
Contemporary version (2013: Little Mix – Little Me): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g0TJAiHBSuk

Erik Satie, Gnossienne No.1

Original: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KODOCrHb71w
Contemporary version (2017: G-EAZY, Carnage and Thirty Rack, Guala): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=68D78xiZyrM

Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy from The Nutcracker

Original: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3d9-_IpssOw
Contemporary version (2011: Dizzee Rascal – Nutcrackerz featuring Giggs): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tpY-DPB2NYk

Antonín Dvorák, Symphony No.9 in E minor ‘From the New World’ – 1st movement

Original: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hWrFVjKKo-U
Contemporary version (2002: The Streets, Same Old Thing): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3igLhpzw9IY

Sergei Rachmaninov, Piano Concerto No.2 in C minor – 2nd movement

Original: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JRDH5csoWi8
Contemporary version (1996: Celine Dion – All by Myself): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tT2gVblzFvY

Vittorio Monti, Csárdás

Original: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HVach8BsJSM
Contemporary version (2009: Lady Gaga – Alejandro): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JjM1bxjjPBQ

George Gershwin, Prelude No.2 in C-sharp minor

Original: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3_pfI1k_DjQ
Contemporary version (1992: Madonna – In This Life): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cA4auaoTkJQ

Carl Orff, ‘O Fortuna’ from Carmina Burana

Original: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EJC-_j3SnXk
Contemporary version (1999: Puff Daddy – Hate Me Now): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=clfWPs_XdT4

Samuel Barber, Agnus Dei

Original: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YVowLNuV4Zk
Contemporary version (1997: Puff Daddy – I’ll be Missing You): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ckTB-nHfdfg

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