Crazy Little Thing Called Love (arr. Deke Sharon): TTBB Choral Octavo

Deke Sharon's arrangement captures the infectious swagger of the original while giving it real harmonic substance. The flexible voicing options (TB/TTB/TBB/TTBB) mean this works for groups still building ensemble strength, yet the arrangement never sacrifices musical interest to accommodate that flexibility. Your singers will recognize the song immediately, but they'll discover new melodic layers on every run-through.

Pure rock charisma in choral form. The track pulses with energy and swagger, yet underneath runs a harmonic sophistication that surprises. There's a playfulness here too, an invitation to commit fully to the style without irony. Singers feel the joy of nailing a song people love.

Groups comfortable with contemporary a cappella repertoire and ready for something that demands both rhythmic security and musical maturity. This arrangement works equally well for high school show choirs, college ensembles, and community groups who want to program music that audiences recognize without resorting to thin or simplistic scoring.

• Nail the rhythmic precision of the iconic opening figure before adding any stylistic flourishes. Once the ensemble locks that groove, the character emerges naturally.
• Emphasize the call-and-response sections between voice parts. This isn't a texture meant to blend into uniformity; each line should have clear articulation and presence.
• Explore dynamic contrast across the form. The verses can live in a more intimate space, letting the harmonic complexity breathe, while the chorus erupts with full ensemble commitment.
• Work the recorded accompaniment intentionally rather than passively. Use it to establish tempo and reference sonority, but have your singers internalize the groove so they can own it.

Reserve this for a concert where you're mixing styles or celebrating popular music's depth. It pairs well in a set with other contemporary a cappella work, or as a standalone moment that breaks the formality of a traditional concert. The 12-page length and straightforward notation make it manageable for groups building their a cappella repertoire mid-season.

• Maintaining rhythmic precision in syncopated figures
• Reading flexible voicing systems without losing part independence
• Balancing ensemble blend with individual line projection
• Shaping phrase contours across harmonic changes
• Interpreting style in contemporary a cappella idiom