The Original Song and The Remake/Sample III


The connection between D'Angelo's "1000 Deaths" (from his 2014 album Black Messiah) and the iconic Barney Miller television theme song lies in a subtle, pitch-shifted musical reference hidden right at the tail end of the track.
At the 4:55 mark of "1000 Deaths," as the aggressive, distorted funk track begins to dissolve into its outro, legendary bass player Pino Palladino plays a direct nod to the famous Barney Miller bassline.
Here is how the connection breaks down musically:
    • The Reference: The original 1970s Barney Miller theme (originally played by Chuck Berghofer) is one of the most famous, swaggering basslines in television history, known for its distinct chromatic walks and funky, jazz-fusion groove.
    • The D'Angelo Twist: True to the style of D'Angelo and his production partner Russell Elevado, the bassline isn't just cleanly covered. It is buried in a dense, muddy sonic landscape, played slightly behind the beat (in D'Angelo's signature "neo-soul/Dilla" swing style), and blended into the song's chaotic, revolutionary atmosphere. [1, 2, 3]
If you listen closely right at 4:55, the aggressive grit of the main song peels back just enough for Palladino to sneak in that unmistakable, walking bass hook as a brilliant Easter egg for funk and TV trivia fans.

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rRoRjamgfCY


View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t2r5yqjlVrI&list=OLAK5uy_l3GaVWHBHE3Vwqulz66u2-w4grcvpVYqk
 
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