the most famous "melody"

True, but then again, for a European nationalist coming to America and trying to incorporate styles, there are worse endings than being popular enough to be used in a spiritual. :)

Another melody is Chopin's funeral march, which I think a lot of people would recognize on hearing but most probably wouldn't have a clue as to where they know it from (in some cases, it's likely just that they're being reminded of Star Wars...).

Fur Elise is pretty dang popular and overplayed

I personally think that classical music, looses hands down from childrens tune...

There are melodies, that simply, make sense, becasue you listened to them when you were 2 or something. The same cannot be said for any other kind of music really...

But great ideas, all of you, and thanks for keeping this thread alive. :)

The reason for asking now.

I'm working on random elements, and would like to incorporate something really really distinguished, really well know. That will jump right of the sky! something that I will have no dout, that whoevere listens, they will know the melody. :D

IT's probably the opening of Beethoven's 5th. Who doesn't know that one?

ending of the 1812 overture. you hear it every july 4th and everyone i know recognizes it when they hear it and have no idea what it's from :|

The opening of Carmina Burana.

"Star Wars Intro."

Everyone has heard this song!!

(except maybe a family in a third world country like Africa. :))

The Toreador Song. :o

i think jump by valen halen, haha everytime i have played that in school i instantly hear many surprised voices "oh" "jump!!" lol

Van Halen is evil! ;)

Van Halen is evil! :happy:

You're evil for saying that.

"Star Wars Intro."

Everyone has heard this song!!

(except maybe a family in a third world country like Africa. ;))

Africa isn't a country ;)

Anyways, I think happy birthday or twinkle twinkle little star is probably the most famous melody, at least in the U.S. It's probably different in places like the middle east or Asia, etc.

Actually twinkle twinkle has a very distinctive melody that I know exists in the UK, France, Germany and Greece (at least) as well.

It's the same melody is A,B,C,D... etc...

The most famous melody in the world is that "bah-buh-hum-bum-bum, I'm lovin' it!" thing...

you mean the opening a Beethoven's Symphony No.5

Not sure if it counts as a melody, or even what it's called, but I think the most recognizably famous musical blurp in the world is the "nah, nah, na-nah, nah" thingy that all school children seem to come pre-programmed with :w00t:

I think that would just be considered harmony.. since those are the notes as they appear in the harmonic series :P ;) (In the words of Leonard Bernstein of course).