Robert Miles - Children
"Children" is an iconic instrumental composition that has become the hallmark of Italian DJ and producer Robert Miles (Roberto Concina).
The song was first released in Italy in January 1995 as part of the mini-album "Soundtracks", and then gained worldwide recognition in 1996, being included in his debut album "Dreamland".
The history of creation and the meaning of the song:
Genre: "Children" is one of the defining tracks in the genre of dream house, a subgenre of electronic dance music characterized by melodic, atmospheric synthesizer parts, often using piano, and soft rhythms.
Inspiration: According to Robert Miles himself, the song was written under the impression of the photographs he saw of children who became victims of the war in the former Yugoslavia, which his father brought back from a humanitarian mission.
Robert wanted to create a composition that would be an "antidote" to the gloomy and aggressive atmosphere that prevailed in the rave scenes of that time.
He wanted his music to calm listeners and help them relax after late-night parties, rather than spur them on to even more aggression. Hence the name "Children", symbolizing innocence and hope.
Composition: The basis of the song is a simple but catchy piano riff that creates a feeling of light melancholy and tranquility, superimposed on a slow, pulsating rhythm. Most of the track was recorded on Kurzweil K2000 and Korg 01/W synthesizers using an Akai S3200 sampler in his small home studio.
Success and influence:
Worldwide Breakthrough: After its re-release in 1996, "Children" instantly became a worldwide hit. It reached number one on the charts of more than 12 countries, including Austria, Italy, Canada (on the dance chart), and became the most successful European single of 1996. The song reached number 8 in the UK and number 2 in Germany.
Cult significance: "Children" had a tremendous impact on electronic music of the 90s, popularizing the dream house genre and opening the way for many other ambient and melodic dance tracks. Her recognizable melody has become a symbol of an entire era in dance culture.
Video clip: The black-and-white music video for the song, directed by Matt Amos, visually enhanced the atmosphere of the track, showing landscapes reminiscent of childhood travel memories.
Robert Miles (real name Roberto Koncina) passed away in 2017, but "Children" remains one of the greatest and most recognizable works in the history of electronic music, continuing to evoke warm emotions among millions of listeners around the world...
