Classical music might seem like a relic of the past to some, but a bunch of today's biggest pop, hip-hop, and rock artists are actually drawing heavy inspiration from those old-school compositions. By blending iconic classical melodies with modern beats and sounds, they're creating hits that feel fresh yet deeply familiar at the same time.
It's a cool trend that's been picking up steam across genres. Take Maroon 5's massive 2019 song "Memories" - that super catchy, nostalgic melody is straight out of Pachelbel's iconic "Canon in D" from way back in the 1600s. Who would've thought one of the most popular pop songs of the last few years was reviving a centuries-old classical tune?
Kanye West has been fusing classical elements into his hip-hop for years now too. On his introspective 2010 track "Runaway," he samples the famous piano melody from Tchaikovsky's ballet "Swan Lake" to create this beautifully eerie, cinematic vibe combined with his signature hip-hop beats and raw lyrics.
It's not just the pop and rap guys getting in on this though. Adele's theme song for the James Bond flick "Skyfall" has these lush, sweeping orchestral parts that make it feel like a classic 007 anthem from decades ago despite being a modern hit. Taylor Swift went for a romantic, nostalgic classical sound on "Wildest Dreams" too.
Some artists are even putting a whole new spin on classical staples. The cellist rock duo 2Cellos gained a massive cult following for their amazing cover of AC/DC's "Thunderstruck" played on...you guessed it, cellos. It's simultaneously metal AF and classy as hell.
Then you've got cases where modern stars collaborate directly with classical musicians, like Ed Sheeran's "Perfect Symphony" version featuring opera tenor Andrea Bocelli's insane vocals layered over the original pop track. It's a beautiful fusion of their styles.
Sometimes it's more subtle, like rapper Ludacris sampling Bach's famous "Toccata and Fugue in D Minor" organ riff to add drama to his 2001 banger "Rollout (My Business)." Or Clean Bandit blending classical strings into their electronic beats on "Rather Be."
The point is, while classical music might seem antiquated to some, its melodies and musicality are still hugely influencing new hits across genres today. Whether it's direct sampling, instrumentations or just capturing that timeless emotional sweep, musicians are finding modern ways to make centuries-old compositions feel fresh and relevant again. It creates this awesome blend of the classic and cutting-edge.
