Millennial whoop

The millennial whoop is a vocal melodic pattern alternating between the fifth note — the dominant —and the third note — the mediant — in a major scale, typically starting on the fifth, in the rhythm of straight 8th-notes, and often using the "wa" and "oh" syllables.^[1] It was used extensively in 2010s pop music.^[2][3]

Millennial whoop on an F major.

Overview

In the slavishly playlisted, gnat's-attention-span world of daytime radio, the Whoop has become a signalling device, often cropping up bang on cue around the one-minute mark, saying: "Hey wait! Don't run away just yet!"

—Music blogger Gavin Haynes^[2]

The term was coined by the musician Patrick Metzger, who described it in a blog entry on The Patterning in August 2016.^[1] He suggested that, while the millennial whoop gained popularity from the late 2000s to 2010s, it has probably always been around.^[4] An earlier use can be heard in the 1984 song "Jungle Love" by The Time, and, arguably, in Baltimora's 1985 hit "Tarzan Boy".^[5]

The 2017 song "Millennial Whoop" by American rock band the Pilgrims was written as a response to the idea of older generations looking down upon the younger for using such tropes: the song makes use of the interval pattern.^[6]

Lawsuit

In 2013, songwriter Ally Burnett sued Carly Rae Jepsen and Owl City over their 2012 song "Good Time", arguing similarities to her 2010 song "Ah, It's a Love Song" and its use of the millennial whoop.^[2] Jepsen settled out of court.^[2]

Uses

Songs where the millennial whoop appears include:

• "Jungle Love" (1984, Morris Day and the Time)^[5]
• "Tarzan Boy" (1985, Baltimora)^[1] (the B-part of the ABAB-structured chorus)
• "DuckTales" (1987, Mark Mueller)^[7]
• "Real Gone Kid (1988, Deacon Blue), Whoo-ooh parts are sung to the Millennial Whoop melody
• "Aaya Mausam Dosti Ka" (1989, Maine Pyar Kiya) (parts similar to "Tarzan Boy")^[8]
• "In the Shadows" (2003, The Rasmus)^[1][2]
• "Use Somebody" (2008, Kings of Leon)^[5]
• "Tik Tok" (2009, Kesha)^[9]
• "Looking for Paradise" (2009, Alejandro Sanz featuring Alicia Keys)^[5]
• "Bad Romance" (2009, Lady Gaga)^[5]
• "California Gurls" (2010, Katy Perry)^[5]
• "Till the World Ends" (2011, Britney Spears)^[5]
• "Good Time" (2012, Carly Rae Jepsen and Owl City)^[2]
• "The Mother We Share" (2012, Chvrches)^[10]
• "Habits (Stay High)" (2013, Tove Lo)^[1]
• "Really Don't Care" (2013, Demi Lovato featuring Cher Lloyd)^[10]
• "Ivy" (2016, Frank Ocean)^[10]
• "This Is Me" (2017, from The Greatest Showman) ^[11]

See also

• Nyah nyah nyah nyah nyah nyah
• Harmonic series