"WHAT'S THE FREQUENCY KENNETH" - R.E.M. - average standard tempo=95.2 beat per minute. Meanspeed-Carlton Analysis with graphs and calibrations.

REM: What's the Frequency, Kenneth?REM: What's the Frequency, Kenneth? ... anchorman Dan Rather, who jumped the newsman from behind on a Manhattan street and repeatedly hit him in the head, ...
www.ifilm.com/ifilmdetail/2478584 - 49k - Jul 30, 2006 - Cached - Similar pages


What's The Frequency, Kenneth by REM reminds many of the infamous "Dan Rather incident of the late 20the century" whereby Dan was walking down a residential upper east side street, alone, and a stranger [aggressively approached him] and rather than ask Rather for money or threaten bodily harm, the aggressive stranger continued to shout at Rather---"WHAT'S THE FREQUENCY KENNETH?!" in repetition--how many times, I do not know. Maybe that's what cause that swift-boat thing confusion, who knows, ya know?



By tempo as compared to emotional expression, my theory can only predict that REM in this song, notwithstanding what anyone--even the band dudes-- thinks the song "means," are in full exploration of the meanemotion range, 90-97, of enthusiasm. I have heard the song 300 times and I still cannot make out a word. Well, a few here and there--but I get no "message" from the song--so said, it does sound full of confident enthusiasm in its expression--to me anyway. You be the judge.

Also, you might note on the graph how the song was recorded live, allowing for the linear trendline and natural speed movement. I have no idea if this is so, but it sounds as if the band members were all together, live, in the studio for the main part of this track.

Meanspeed-Carlton Summary
song title=What's The Frequency, Kenneth?
performer=R.E.M.
mean speed/average standard tempo=95.2 beats per minute
mean emotion=enthusiasm
average beat=0.630 seconds
mean phase=1.586 cycles per second
mean pitch=406.19 Hertz, 61 cents above G4=391.995 and 39 cents below G#4/Ab4=415.305 Hertz.

Ian Andrew Schneider August 11, 2008