String Arrangements in Mainstream Music: How Do 500-Year-Old Instruments Remain Relevant?

String instruments, such as violins, violas, cellos, and double basses, boast a rich history spanning over 500 years. While their roots lie in classical music, where they served as a canvas for the creativity of great composers like Mozart, Beethoven, Brahms, Tchaikovsky, and Debussy, these instruments are frequently utilized in the realm of mainstream music. From the early days of the recording industry to the present, string arrangements have been employed effectively, infusing contemporary songs with a timeless quality. Composer Rui Ribeiro, who has extensive experience in creating string arrangements, shares his insights on how these ancient instruments continue to enhance modern music.

Rui begins by noting that strings have been a consistent presence in mainstream music since the inception of the recording industry: “Whether subtly or prominently, string arrangements can be found in many of the great songs throughout the history of mainstream music, fulfilling distinct roles that enrich the composition,” he explains. “There’s no denying the importance of strings in hits across various genres. For instance, we can't separate 'Bittersweet Symphony' by The Verve from its iconic and persistent string arrangement, nor can we dissociate 'Stand by Me' by Ben E. King from its beautiful string melody. A song like 'Cosmic Girl' by Jamiroquai wouldn't be the same without the rhythm, counter-melodies, and timbre of strings, andEven Britney Spears' Toxic would lose some of its impact without the famous, intoxicating string hook, even though it originally comes from a Bollywood song!” Rui also points out that even in the isolated phenomenon of Portugal winning the Eurovision Song Contest with the timeless 'Amar Pelos Dois', performed by Salvador Sobral and written by his sister Luísa Sobral, “there's an incredible string arrangement right at the beginning of the song, brilliantly composed by Luís Figueiredo, which I would argue is a vital, if not essential, part of it. I greatly admire the boldness of starting the song, on a stage often characterized by explosive performances, with those 20 seconds of isolated string arrangement—it only proves how timeless these instruments truly are.”

Rui shares an intriguing story about the production of Michael Jackson’s 'Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough', which features a prominent string arrangement: “Apparently, Michael Jackson told Quincy Jones, who was producing the song, to remove the strings because he didn't want violins—he considered them old-fashioned instruments that would disrupt the vibe of the track. Quincy Jones didn't listen and insisted that the string motif was an essential part of the song. Later, during the mixing process, Michael Jackson acknowledged Quincy Jones was right and admitted he had been mistaken. The truth is, if we remove that string motif from the song... it loses that special identity and becomes much more ordinary. This isn’t an isolated incident; it exemplifies how these 500-year-old instruments can seamlessly integrate into modern compositions.”

Although this story dates back to 1979, it doesn’t imply that string arrangements were more prevalent then than they are today. Rui continues with a contemporary example: "Billie Eilish's latest album, 'Hit Me Hard and Soft', released in 2024, recently hit number one globally on streaming platforms and features essential and highly significant string arrangements. In fact, the closing notes of the final track, 'Blue', are played, guess what, by the string section, which takes center stage in that section where they are practically isolated."

Rui Ribeiro has always had a close connection with string instruments and explains: “Perhaps due to my classical academic background, I’ve always been intimately acquainted with these instruments, which form a fundamental section of the Western symphony orchestra. As a student, I delved into areas like orchestration and conducting, and naturally, the string section demanded special attention from me. Coincidentally, I've also had the pleasure of dating several violinists and cellists in the past, and while that may seem irrelevant, it helped me understand the human side behind these instruments—their challenges, secrets, and idiosyncrasies. I myself played the viola for a while, not with the intention of becoming a professional musician, but to better grasp the technique of these string instruments, which share a common principle. Whenever I conduct an orchestra, I seek to learn more about how these instruments work together and the challenges they face. I find these instruments incredibly expressive and versatile, transcending physical and cultural boundaries. For example, you might find a violinist performing Bach's Chaconne in Germany, a Celtic jig in Ireland or Scotland, country or blues music in the United States, or gypsy music in Romania or Hungary, among many other examples. In all cases, they serve as an emotional and expressive extension, functioning almost as a second voice for human expression. The expressiveness and versatility of these instruments are what make them special and, as I mentioned, highly adaptable to change and the test of time—perhaps more than any other instrument, with the exception, of course, of the human voice.”

Throughout his work as a composer, arranger, or producer, Rui Ribeiro has incorporated string arrangements into numerous songs by various artists. "I've always wanted to introduce string instruments into the songs I've composed, as well as write string arrangements for tracks by other artists I've collaborated with as an arranger or producer. I've been fortunate enough to do this frequently over the past decades, despite occasional resistance from artists, managers, or labels due to the obvious costs involved. For instance, recording an ensemble of 24 string players is not cheap, but it’s worth every penny!" Rui also notes that sometimes economic factors play a significant role in the decision to create string arrangements for songs: "In Portugal, these arrangements are more likely to be accepted for economic reasons when performed by smaller groups, like a string quartet. When I composed 'Busy (for me)' for Aurea, for example, the song didn't call for a dense string arrangement; I aimed for something more delicate, in line with the lyrics' narrative but still emotionally impactful. Hence, I didn't hesitate to record it with a string quartet, which was well-received in 2009 during the production of Aurea's first album when she was still an unknown artist with a very modest budget. In the end, when we listened to the finished song, everyone involved felt it was the right choice, and that incorporating the string quartet arrangement added an extra layer of expressiveness and color. In Aurea's case, who later became one of Portugal's leading artists, the presence of string arrangements was a constant in her subsequent albums, as in songs like 'Nothing Left to Say', which helped create a more dramatic and expressive atmosphere, or 'Like a Sheet of Coated Paper', which contributed to the smooth and static vibe of 90s trip-hop. A string arrangement can serve as a palette of colors to enhance a song, and a good example of this is the arrangements I wrote for some tracks by The Happy Mess, like 'Sol da Toscânia' and 'Dançar no Escuro', with an approach reminiscent of Impressionism. These arrangements add an extra emotional dimension... they can bring sweetness and delicacy, as in the string arrangement I created for Nena's song 'Boa Noite', emotional depth, like the arrangement for Ana Bacalhau's 'Fósforo', or a touch of tenderness, as in the arrangement for Luísa Sobral's 'Natal Mais Uma Vez'... and it’s always a tremendous pleasure for me to write these arrangements!"

Rui Ribeiro concludes that, despite the constant changes in the music landscape, strings will continue to play a significant role. “I believe that string arrangements in mainstream music are here to stay. From major productions to the more intimate moments of artists from diverse backgrounds, strings provide an emotional depth that is hard to replicate with other instruments.” Rui believes that the longevity of strings in the mainstream stems from their ability to forge an immediate emotional connection with the listener, transporting music into a new dimension. “The fusion of classical and modern is natural, and the evidence of this lies in the many successful albums that continue to explore this sound. I believe mainstream music can evolve in various ways, but string arrangements will always hold a special place, giving songs a timeless quality that endures through the ages.”

Team Rui Ribeiro