When does a speech turn into a song?

Daniel Jacobson, a musician in Ireland, was inspired by this post to give the following speech:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BfSrJnn1z9E

Here’s a transcription:

When does a speech turn into a song?
When does a speech turn into a song?
When does a speech turn into a song?
Kindly listen up, ’cause you’re about to find out.

First we need to understand the definition of a song.
First we need to understand the definition of a song.
First we need to understand the definition of a song.
So let’s explore together the definition of a song.

Some might say that a song must be sung.
Some might believe that a song must be sung.
Some people insist that a song must be sung!
But I don’t care, I’m not singing, and this is a song.

Is a song an artistic form of expression based on sound?
Is a song an artistic form of expression based on sound?
Is a song an artistic form of expression based on sound?
Yes it is, according to Wikipedia.

The wiki page goes on to say “pitch, pattern, and form.”
The wiki page goes on to say “pitch, pattern, and form.”
The wiki page goes on to say “pitch, pattern, and form.”
Well then, this speech fits the definition of a song, according to the Wikipedia.

We all know that a good speaker uses pitch.
Yes, we all know that a good speaker changes pitch.
We all know a good speaker changes pitch!
But normally, we don’t use so much repetition.

Repetition, repetition, repe-tepe-tition
Repetition, repetition, repe-tepe-tition
Repetition, repe-tepe-tition, repe-tepe-tition
Repe-tepe, repe-tepe-tepe-tition

Some of you might be thinking about the difference between a poem and a song.
Some of you might be thinking about the difference between a poem and a song.
Some of you might be thinking about the difference between a poem and a song.
The beat is the difference between a poem and a song.

Poems don’t have a definite beat.
Poems don’t have a definite beat.
Poems don’t have a definite beat.
Poems don’t repeat, don’t repeat, don’t repeat.

(Some of them do. But they don’t repeat as much as songs.)

Have you ever clapped along to the beat in a poem?
Have you ever clapped along to the beat in a poem?
Have you ever clapped along to the beat in a poem?
No you haven’t, ’cause there would’ve been a song, not a poem!

Repetition creates rhythm with a definite beat.
Repetition creates rhythm with a definite beat.
Repetition creates rhythm with a definite beat.And that is unquestionably one of the fundamental building blocks of songs, and music in general.

Now, I’m not saying that this makes a hit song.
I’m not saying that this makes a great song.
I’m not even saying that this makes a good song.
All I’m simply saying is just that this makes a song.

A very simple song, but a song nonetheless
A very simple song, but a song nonetheless
A very simple song, but a song nonetheless
Not so simple now, because I went into 7/8 time!

Repetition, repetition, repe-tepe-tition
Repetition, repetition, repe-tepe-tition
Repetition, repe-tepe-tition, repe-tepe-tition
Repita-tepita, repita-tepita, repita-tepita-tition

And you can use any random words
Yes, you can use any random words
You can use any random words
Any random words and turn them into a song.

Moo moo la la, antidisestablishment!
Moo moo la la, antidisestablishment!
Moo moo la la, antidisestablishment!
Any random words can be turned into a song.

Go on, try it when you get home.
Go on, try it when you get home.
Go on, try it when you get home.I know you can’t wait to get home and try it out yourself in the privacy of your own home.

The rhythm of the words, creating expectation
The rhythm of the words, creating expectation
The rhythm of the words, creating expectation
And then you can fulfill the expectation, or throw a curveball and just boot, and you don’t know what’s going to happen.

Kind of reminds me of the best limerick of all time:

There once was a young man from Japan
whose limericks never would scan
When asked why this was, he said it’s because
I always try to fit as many words into the last line as I possibly can.

Repetition, repetition, repe-tepe-tition
Repetition, repetition, repe-tepe-tition
Repetition, repe-tepe-tition, repe-tepe-tition
Repita-tepita, repita-tepita, repita-tepita-tition

What’s the point of all this repetition?
What’s the use of all this repetition?Is there any point at all to all this repetition?
Yes! It helps you to remember.

All of the saints and sages of the past
All of the saints and sages of the past
All of the saints and sages of the past
Went around speaking in verse and repeating things a lot of times, ’cause they wanted people to remember what they said, ’cause they were smart, and it worked.

Even the very latest neuroscientific studies from Finland show
Even the very latest neuroscientific studies from Finland show
Even the very latest neuroscientific studies from Finland showincreased activity in the hippocampus area of the brain in subjects listening to music–that’s the part of the brain associated with formation of long-term memories.

Now, I’ll conclude and will leave no doubt
Now, I’ll conclude and will leave no doubt
Now, I’ll conclude and will leave no doubt
That this is when a speech turned into a song.