Backstory

Whopping Arithmetic was born out of the unlikely friendship of two math-loving musicians, Charlie “Chord” Chapman and Mikey “Melody” Malone, who met while teaching algebra at a small community college in Oregon. They began experimenting with music to make learning fun for their students. Their songs about equations and theorems were a hit, with the students humming along to their catchy tunes. While grading papers during late-night sessions, they started to integrate music with more complex mathematical concepts. They discovered a strange mesh of alt-rock and mathematical equations that created a unique rhythm and melody, thus Whopping Arithmetic was formed.

In 2012, they decided to take their act from the classroom to the stage. Their music struck a chord with an audience beyond just math enthusiasts, and they quickly gained popularity in the local music scene. Their stage performances, complete with math-themed props and visuals, became the talk of the town. Their fame spread through word-of-mouth, which led to their first record deal in 2014.

Music Genre

Alternative Rock with elements of Math Rock

Song Title

“Prime Number Blues”

Song Lyrics with Chord Progression

(Verse 1)
[G] I’m a prime number, in a [D] world full of composites
[Em] No factors but one and [C] myself, I admit
[G] Lonely in a crowd, on a [D] number line so vast
[Em] Like a solitary star, in an [C] infinite contrast

(Chorus)
[G] I got the prime number [D] blues, the solitary [Em] woes
[C] Divisible by one and me, [G] that’s how it [D] goes
[G] I got the prime number [D] blues, and it’s [Em] quite a sight
[C] Trapped in my own world, [G] alone in the [D] night

(Verse 2)
[G] I see the other numbers, [D] with their partners in tow
[Em] But I’m a prime number, [C] with nowhere to go
[G] I’m in a space of my own, [D] unique in every way
[Em] Can’t be split or divided, [C] that’s how I’ll stay

(Chorus)
[G] I got the prime number [D] blues, feeling so [Em] unique
[C] In a world of multiples, [G] it’s solitude I [D] seek
[G] I got the prime number [D] blues, and it’s [Em] my fate
[C] To be one-of-a-kind, [G] in a world that can’t [D] relate

Favorite Fan

The band’s favorite fan is Amy Johnson, a high school math teacher from Portland. “Whopping Arithmetic’s music made me fall in love with math all over again. Their lyrics are clever, their melodies are catchy, and their energy is infectious. I’ve used their music in my classroom, and it’s amazing to see my students humming along to algebraic formulas and geometric theorems. They have made math fun and accessible for a new generation, and for that, they will always be my favorite band.”