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Top 40 songs tend to be a mixed bag of a few decently-written tunes, and a whole lot of mind-numbingly ridiculous drivel. Astoria, New York-based writer and musician Erik Didriksen decided to raise the bar, and since 2014, he has turned 161 popular hits into Shakespearean sonnets. In case you're wondering, yes, it's exactly as amazing as it sounds.
Pop Sonnets started with an Elizabethan take on Carly Rae Jepsen's "Call Me Maybe" posted to Tumblr back in April 2014, and quickly grew into a weekly publication with over 50 thousand followers. In 2015, Didriksen even managed to have 100 of his most compelling sonnets published in hardcover by Quirk Books. Whatever your favourite song is, we're pretty sure it sounds a hundred times better in iambic pentameter.
Though the series has unfortunately been on hiatus since March 2016, plenty of current and throwback jams can be found among his impressive portfolio. Scroll down to see some of our favorites - just try not to get the original song stuck in your head while reading!
More info: Pop Sonnets
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Elaine Van Zon 7 years ago
These fabulous and so clever . Spent sometime trying to guess the song without looking first! The first time I saw anything like this was the Shakespearean Hokey Cokey It still makes me laugh The Hokey Pokey" Shakespearean Style "O proud left foot, that ventures quick within Then soon upon a backward journey lithe. Anon, once more the gesture, then begin: Command sinistral pedestal to writhe. Commence though then the fervid Hokey-Poke. A mad gyration, hips in wanton swirl. To spin! A wilde release from heaven's yoke. Blessed dervisih! Surely canst go, girl. The Hoke, the poke – banish now thy doubt Verily, I say, 'tis what it's all about."
Daria B 7 years ago
These are nice! Got me some musical wishes here: Should I Stay or Should I Go by The Clash; If You Tolerate This by the Manic Street Preachers; Starman by David Bowie; Walking on Sunshine by Katrina and the Waves; Tell Me Where It Hurts by Garbage; Promises by Cranberries; Don't Speak by No Doubt... Uhm, too many wishes. Me so modest. ♥
Gary Bage 7 years ago
Begineth now empowerment of array, And lo, with zest, we espouse the day, Contrivances thus christened we. With mind mislaid, toil doth continue, Of cursory descript, caracole ensue, Contrivances thus christened we. The sole embodiment of our constitution, Permiteth thee desires without limitation, Contrivances thus christened we. Any guesses?
SykesDaMan 7 years ago
This reminds me of Joseph Ducreux / Archaic Rap Memes. Look them up if you don't know what this is! :)
Elaine Van Zon 7 years ago
These fabulous and so clever . Spent sometime trying to guess the song without looking first! The first time I saw anything like this was the Shakespearean Hokey Cokey It still makes me laugh The Hokey Pokey" Shakespearean Style "O proud left foot, that ventures quick within Then soon upon a backward journey lithe. Anon, once more the gesture, then begin: Command sinistral pedestal to writhe. Commence though then the fervid Hokey-Poke. A mad gyration, hips in wanton swirl. To spin! A wilde release from heaven's yoke. Blessed dervisih! Surely canst go, girl. The Hoke, the poke – banish now thy doubt Verily, I say, 'tis what it's all about."
Daria B 7 years ago
These are nice! Got me some musical wishes here: Should I Stay or Should I Go by The Clash; If You Tolerate This by the Manic Street Preachers; Starman by David Bowie; Walking on Sunshine by Katrina and the Waves; Tell Me Where It Hurts by Garbage; Promises by Cranberries; Don't Speak by No Doubt... Uhm, too many wishes. Me so modest. ♥
Gary Bage 7 years ago
Begineth now empowerment of array, And lo, with zest, we espouse the day, Contrivances thus christened we. With mind mislaid, toil doth continue, Of cursory descript, caracole ensue, Contrivances thus christened we. The sole embodiment of our constitution, Permiteth thee desires without limitation, Contrivances thus christened we. Any guesses?
SykesDaMan 7 years ago
This reminds me of Joseph Ducreux / Archaic Rap Memes. Look them up if you don't know what this is! :)
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