Pachelbel's Canon facts for kids
Pachelbel's Canon is a very famous piece of music. It is also known as Canon in D major or just Canon in D. It was written by a German composer named Johann Pachelbel around 1680.
This music was first made for three violins and a basso continuo. A basso continuo is a group of instruments that play the bass line and chords. Today, you can hear it played on many different instruments. The Canon is well-known for its special set of chords, called a chord progression. Many people enjoy Pachelbel's Canon, and it is often played at weddings.
How Pachelbel's Canon Influenced Pop Music
Pachelbel's Canon has inspired many popular songs. It has a special sound that many musicians like to use.
In 2002, a music producer named Pete Waterman said that Canon in D is like "the godfather of pop music." He meant that many pop songs have used its ideas for over 30 years. For example, the famous song "I Should Be So Lucky" by Kylie Minogue was inspired by Pachelbel's Canon. Pete Waterman helped write and produce that song.
Another song, "All Together Now" by The Farm, uses the exact same chord pattern from Pachelbel's Canon.
The Pet Shop Boys' song "Go West" also sounds like Pachelbel's Canon. Coolio's song "C U When U Get There" even uses a part of the Canon directly.
Many other songs have used the Canon's chord progression. These include:
- "Streets of London" by Ralph McTell (1974)
- "Basket Case" by Green Day (1994)
- "Don't Look Back in Anger" by Oasis (1996)
- "Graduation (Friends Forever)" by Vitamin C (2000)
In 2012, a study in the UK looked at music played at funerals. Pachelbel's Canon was the second most popular classical piece. It was only behind "Nimrod" by Edward Elgar.
Some bands have even made Christmas songs from the Canon. The Trans-Siberian Orchestra's song "Christmas Canon" (1998) uses its tune. Also, the band Procol Harum based their 2017 song "Sunday Morning" on the Canon.
See also
In Spanish: Canon en re mayor de Pachelbel para niños
