Spiderman and Spidey Sense

I believe it started as a little boy when I first heard the Spiderman song with its augmented intervals, diminished chords, quickly shifting harmony, and complex tonal implications. No, I did not know any of this at the time but I do recall singing the song while playing Spiderman games outside. I enjoyed the cartoon, the comic books, and mostly the idea of a normal person "saving the day" and stopping the bad guys. Sometimes Peter Parker would be doing something rather common when suddenly his "Spidey Sense" would kick in with a tingle and he would quickly don his suit and become Spiderman. It was so cool and still is. He would spin his webs, stop falling objects, save children, and wrap up the bad guys.

The song itself is intriguing in a minor key with significant complexity that allows for tonal shifting to all kinds of keys. Emphasizing the harmonic minor and using borrowed dominants, the song seems to imply a dark but positive energy not unlike the character himself. Spiderman is always getting in trouble and is often portrayed negatively by the press and sometimes by authorities. A champion of the people, he seems to be on a precipice of ambiguity as to his intentions. The 60s style big band sound that accompanies the song is certainly challenging and I can imagine the players having a great time recording it while feeling the pressure of playing difficult passages.

The other side to Spiderman that people often forget is his knowledge of science. Peter Parker was a brilliant scientist aware not only of the contributions of spiders to our ecosystem but also thoroughly skilled in physics, biology, and chemistry. The ideal combination of science (okay, fiction too!) and heroism gives us a superhero who continues to fascinate us, winning the hearts of young men and women and capturing media attention through films and video games. His sardonic personality and tendency to be self-effacing only adds to his charm not mention our societal preference for the "imperfect" yet tenacious hero.

But why have I continued to enjoy Spiderman? Spiders are certainly intriguing with their amazing web design and their work ethic. Converting oxygen into a gel-like substance that then is transmitted into incredibly strong silk in order to capture food is a wonderment for sure. The suggestion that we are never more than 6 feet away from a spider of some kind or another is a little bit disconcerting but also serves as a reminder of how many spiders actually exist in the world. Yes, it is all amazing to me. I also enjoy crime dramas and heroism in many forms with the idea of making a difference in people's lives.

The concept of Spidey Sense is also quite absorbing with a strange intuition or perception of one's surroundings. While I prefer data for decision making, I must admit to using my "Spidey Sense" occasionally to predict possible outcomes of situations.

In the end, however, I believe it is the music that has a grip on my interest. Great melody, fun rhythms, and a Mozartian approach to chromaticism, non-harmonic tones, and motivic potential. So Spiderman, you are still the one for me!