235. Falling Slowly: Inside the Song

Falling Slowly sounds simple. But underneath Glen Hansard and Markéta Irglová’s Oscar-winning song are some beautiful musical choices.

In this episode of The Ireland Podcast, musician and host Fender Jackson goes inside the song - listening to the original recording and using guitar and piano to explore why it works.

We look at the opening chords, the suspended harmony, the melody and its relationship to the words, Glen and Markéta’s vocal harmonies, the unusual notes that create tension, and the way strings, bass and arrangement gradually transform the song.

Along the way, Fender reflects on Glen Hansard’s life and music, Once, The Frames, Markéta Irglová and the extraordinary journey that took “Falling Slowly” from an intimate song to the Academy Awards.

Falling Slowly - Inside the Song

The Ireland Podcast — Episode 235

Recorded in Galway, Ireland.

🎧 The Ireland Podcast - Recording the island.

Chapters

— Glen Hansard's story

— Once and Markéta Irglová

— The opening chords

— Why the suspended chord matters

— The melody is remarkably simple

— Glen and Markéta's vocal harmony

— The strange note that shouldn't work

— Strings and arrangement

— How the song changes live

— The Oscar

— Remembering Glen

Glen Hansard photograph: Conor Masterson

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