BBC Future.Science inspires music

Science inspires music
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Science inspires music more often than you might think. Philip Ball compiled a playlist of the good, the bad and the far-out. n February 1930, a young astronomer called Clyde Tombaugh confirmed what some researchers had suspected for some time: the solar system was home to a ninth planet, orbiting far beyond Neptune. The discovery was met with an enthusiastic reception, as people the world over began offering up names for the new rock. Eventually, Pluto – the suggestion of an 11-year-old girl from the UK – won out.

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But one man might have been forgiven for not welcoming the discovery. Between 1914 and 1916, Gustav Holst wrote his famous Planets suite. He lived until 1934 – but evidently he lacked the energy to bring his composition up to date in his final years. In fact, it wasn’t until 2000 that The Planets gained an additional piece.
British composer Colin Matthews was asked by the Halle Orchestra to write an addendum for the planet Pluto. The new piece was well received – but barely six years after it was premiered, the International Astronomical Union elected to demote Pluto from its planetary status, making Matthews’ work redundant.
The tale of Holst and Matthews might be seen as a warning for any artist or musician tempted to explore science through their work. Discoveries are continually shifting our knowledge of the world. Plenty of musicians have sought to capture scientific ideas and themes in their works, from Kate Bush to glam rockers. So, how successful have they been?

The Solar System Song

It's a song about the Sun and the planets for children of all ages.
This song was written and performed by A.J. Jenkins. Video by KidsTV123
Copyright 2011 A.J. Jenkins/KidsTV123: All rights reserved.
For free MP3s, worksheets and much more:
http://www.kidstv123.com

Kids songs song for children

Chords - Capo 2nd Fret
C Em F C G F
(Final Chorus - Em F)

I am the Sun. I'm a burning ball of fire. I'm very big indeed.
Life on earth depends on me. I am the Sun.

I am Mercury. I'm the closest planet to the Sun.
I'm a ball of iron -- I have no moons. I am Mercury.

I am Venus. I'm the same size as the Earth but I spin the other way and much more slowly.
I have no water -- I am Venus.

I am the Earth. The place where we all live. There is land and lots of sea so I look blue.
I have a moon. I am the Earth.

I am Mars. I'm a rocky, red planet. My mountains are the highest in our solar system.
I have 2 moons. I am Mars.

I am Jupiter. I'm a gas giant. I'm the biggest and I spin the fastest. I have the biggest moon. I am Jupiter.

I am Saturn. I'm a gas giant. My rings are made of ice. Titan is my biggest moon. I am Saturn.

I am Uranus. I'm an icy gas giant. I'm the coldest planet in our solar system. And I have rings made of dust. I am Uranus.

I am Neptune. I'm an icy gas giant. I'm the farthest planet from the sun. I have many storms. I am Neptune.

We are The Solar System.