The Pi Song

(Copyright 2001)

3.14159/Circle

Words by Kevin Ferland and Bill Calhoun and performed by `The Derivatives', which also includes Erik Wynters.

Based on the song 867-5309/Jenny by Tommy Tutone. It's a great song for Pi Day.

The Pi Song Video gives the best presentation of the song, so far.

Here are three versions of the Pi Song with me singing.  Each has its strengths and weaknesses.

• Pi Song Live A live performance by `The Derivatives' at a coffee house in December 2003.  This is perhaps my favorite recording of the song, since you can hear the crowd enjoying and responding to the song.  However, since it was live, there is a mistake or two in it.
• Pi Song 'Studio' A studio (basement) recording by `The Derivatives' in April 2004.  This is the most mistake-free recording.  However, in hindsight, we would have mixed it differently;  there is something a little flat about it, besides my voice.
• Karaoke Pi Song The Pi Song lyrics sung by me on top of Tommy Tutone's real music and background in January 2005.  Obviously, this contains the best musical performance.  It is a shame that we could not erase the canned background vocals.  However, that is mostly just noticeable in the chorus, where the band answers back 867-5309.  I guess they didn't learn pi well in school.

In case you now have the itch to hear the real song 867-5309/Jenny by Tommy Tutone, I got it for you, or you can also visit the official Tommy Tutone website.

Note that at position 9,202,591 in pi, you will find Jenny's telephone number 867-5309.

Here is a powerpoint presentation I gave on Celebrating Pi Day. Use our song as a Pi Day song. It's the pefrect solution to your search for a song for Pi Day.

Here is another link to a Pi Day Page..

Send me email at  kferland@bloomu.edu.