"Rydeen" on piano: a tribute to Yellow Magic Orchestra

Posted on: September 2, 2007

I believe one of the greatest musical compositions in all of human civilization is Yellow Magic Orchestra's "Rydeen". I previously blogged about my obsession with "Rydeen", and that happy pervasiveness, or shall we say — gladdiction! — continues today.

Not only does "Rydeen" have a superior, very easily hummable melody which has an uber-earworm factor, the technical production is brilliantly spot-on. Sliced synth stabs are melded with loops of horse-trotting as an insanely catchy rhythm track pounds throughout: to drive the point home, you really must watch the music video for its sheer 3D-swirling-keyboards-and-live-footage audacity, which is synced incredibly well for something nearing 3 decades old.

Tedious 4-on-the-floor intro? Scroo that! "Rydeen" is as meaty as a butcher's shop in a world without vegans, yet maintains a lean, healthy poise. It's both gracefully feline and hard-hittingly ferocious, the mild-mannered faces of the 3 Japanese who performed it offset by their BADASS LIVE PERFORMANCES.

There's even Rydeen: The Documentary. Wish it had English subtitles — it is for reasons like this and many more, that if you were previously unfamiliar, "Rydeen" may very well be the most important song you've never heard of… until now!

Going further, we can never, ever forget the tremendous influence "Rydeen", and other music by YMO has had on video game music of the present. Earlier points in the timeline like Martin Galway's cover in Stryker's Run set the stage for many catchy bleeps 'n' bloops to come, along with their richer-orchestrated ilk (keeping in mind how influential YMO have been on Japanese culture that got exported en masse to the West), and this year even saw the effective reunion of YMO under the name Human Audio Sponge, doing an IDMey xylophones-and-polyrhythms version of "Rydeen" used to sell beer and showcase YMO's longevity. More "Rydeen" interpretations have sprouted up, like Señor Coconut's Latino marimba madness. What's more, fans at home can't resist playing along either, and that's precisely why…

I'VE DONE MY OWN COVER VERSION OF RYDEEN ON PIANO!

Yes, that is a nod to Masi Oka at the end, and I have finally been redeemed.

I hope "Rydeen" is as magical for you as it has been for me. Music is healing.

9 Responses to “"Rydeen" on piano: a tribute to Yellow Magic Orchestra”

  1. NakedBiff Says:
    September 3rd, 2007 at 9:11 AM PDT

    Hey Torley,

    I love that song. It really is a masterpiece. I don't know what the world would sound like now if it weren't for that one piece.

    Very beautifully played on the piano too.

    Thank you

    ~biff~

  2. Jamie Says:
    September 4th, 2007 at 3:23 PM PDT

    TORLEY!!!! I've been so busy I haven't had time to ask you, but since you recorded many "Torley on Piano" videos - Does that means your ears have been healed or become more tolerant in any way at all?

  3. Tuli Says:
    September 9th, 2007 at 3:50 AM PDT

    You've stolen my heart with this =)
    Can I take you home?

  4. Torley Says:
    September 9th, 2007 at 10:22 AM PDT

    @NakedBiff, Jamie, and Tuli, thanks a lot for enjoying! Hehe… I just had so much energy pressing forth on this. =^..^=

    My hearing hasn't improved, but I do feel more resistant/resilient to loud noise. My disability is still noticeably painful, tho, so I still wear earplugs from time to time.

    I belong with Ravenelle, my beloved bride who inspires me to do so many things like this *kisskissmuah I more than love you baby*. :D

  5. sean bongiovanni Says:
    September 10th, 2007 at 8:52 PM PDT

    does anyone know where i can maybe get sheet music for this….i've been searching and i just cant seem to find it so can you or anyone on this site help me on this because i would really love to learn this song

    P.S. you played this song wonderfully torley.

  6. Torley Says:
    September 15th, 2007 at 7:07 AM PDT

    @Sean: I don't know of any sheet music for "Rydeen"; I learned it by ear! I played it in D minor and the first three chords are B flat major, C major, and D minor if that helps any. :)

  7. sean bongiovanni Says:
    September 19th, 2007 at 8:41 PM PDT

    ok that actually helps a lot thank you

  8. roy Says:
    October 25th, 2008 at 3:01 PM PDT

    hey, can you give me a more comprehensive breakdown on the chords. You play that amazing song amazingly.

  9. Torley Says:
    November 1st, 2008 at 11:27 AM PDT

    I'm sorry roy, I don't have more of a transcription. Maybe in the future, I should do closeups of my fingers so it's easy to see which notes I'm playing. But this guy does it so well: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bMf7VQF0ZK8

Make a Reply