The Music Theory of CBAT (the reddit guy song)

Summary by Krater

This video breaks down the music theory behind the viral song 'Cbat' by Hudson Mohawke, explaining why its rhythm, microtonal melody, and syncopation evoke awkwardness and discussing the psychology of beat entrainment.

From the video

Answers: Why is the song Cbat so awkward for sex and why is its rhythm so strange?

• music theory
• rhythm and beat entrainment
• microtonality
• musical sequences
• vestibular system and balance
• evolutionary psychology of rhythm

What it concludes

• Cbat features a microtonal melody that sits in a frequency spectrum similar to a baby crying, making it ill-suited for background ambiance during sex.
• The song uses an isochronal beat with a distinct 3:2-like syncopated rhythm that anticipates the second beat of the measure.
• Orchestration and musical context matter significantly, as the same musical material can sound radically different when played on different instruments and in different settings.
• Cbat functions effectively as a rhythmic rickroll because of its highly identifiable rhythm and persistent meme status.