Cato's Grammar Grumble

[Cato]

In a review of Jarvi's recording of Suppe's overtures Rob Barnett writes:

He had a knack for a good tune and was no slouch with catchy melodies either

Now, my question is: what is the difference between a good tune and a catchy melody?

Well, a good tune not necessarily is catchy, and a catchy melody is not necessarily good. My two cents worth, YMMV, and all that...

Good evening to you, Andrei.

An example might be the "Baby Shark" jingle, which tortured most of the planet a few years ago.

An example of a great melody, but given its contrapuntal/harmonic aspects, one would probably not consider it "catchy," is the opening of Grieg's Ballade for Piano:

But could one still call it a tune?   

Well, one might as well argue that a catchy tune is not necessarily good and a good melody is not necessarily catchy. 

Actually, it all boils down to what is the difference between a tune and a melody? AFAIK, they are synonymous.

That could be: there are all kinds of debates on the Internet about this.  Some say that they are synonyms...except "melody" can refer to more complex things e.g. the opening to Bruckner's Symphony #7.

Or not! 

[DavidW]

"Yeah, you need to enter your soash!"     

I hate how, instead of elaborating with "social security number", she assumes she is dealing with an idiot and starts talking down to her. If you ever wonder why so many of these administrative assistants provide a rote speech of "I will need a copy of your insurance, form of identification, including social security..." no matter what, this story is why!

[Mandryka]

Here's a catchy melody which is not a good tune

 

[Florestan]

Here's a catchy melody which is not a good tune

Great! Now give us a catchy tune which is not a good melody. 

[Mandryka]

Great! Now give us a catchy tune which is not a good melody. 

Well here's a good melody which is not  catchy tune

 

[Karl Henning]

Grumbling at ads circulating on the internet/one's phone is like shooting sunnies in a barrel. Especially as the source may be non-native anglophones (or downstream AI.) Still, I barely suppressed laughter at "No Ad."