The less there is going on in the song

[GoldfishLord]

The less there is going on in the song, the better it fares. Only Child is barely there instrumentally – the merest dab of acoustic guitar, and piano for colour – and it is gorgeous. Mumford’s facility with a tune is apparent from the fact that even though his voice has to do all the melodic heavy lifting, it’s instantly memorable.

Source: The Guardian

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1.What's the meaning of "going on"?
2. Is "the merest dab of acoustic guitar, and piano for colour" a short form of "the merest dab of acoustic guitar for colour and the merest dab of piano for colour"?

 

[jutfrank]

1. Instruments being played.
2. No.

 

[GoldfishLord]

1. I wonder how "going on" means "being played". Does the phrase "go on" have the meaning of "be played"?
2.What's the meaning of "the merest dab of acoustic guitar, and piano for colour"?

 

[emsr2d2]

"Going on" here merely means "happening". It can mean just about anything. It just so happens that it refers to the pared back style of the particular song (Only Child).

What's going on in Picasso's last painting?
You've got too many instruments going on in this piece.
There's too much going on in your essay. Make it simpler.

 

[jutfrank]

1. Yes. I've already told you it does. The verb 'going on' is like 'happening' and 'happening' is like 'being present' and in this case, 'being present' is like 'being played'.

2. A very little bit of guitar and a bit of piano to give the piece some colour.

 

[GoldfishLord]

The less there is going on in the song, the better it fares. Only Child is barely there instrumentally – the merest dab of acoustic guitar, and piano for colour – and it is gorgeous. Mumford’s facility with a tune is apparent from the fact that even though his voice has to do all the melodic heavy lifting, it’s instantly memorable.

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What does "there" refer to?

 

[SoothingDave]

In the recording. Of the song. When you listen to it, you hear instruments there.

 

[GoldfishLord]

I don't understand "Only Child is barely there instrumentally". What's the meaning of it?

 

[SoothingDave]

Have you tried listening to the music? It describes it pretty well. "the merest dab of acoustic guitar, and piano for colour"

It is his voice which is the dominant element in the recording. The instruments do not overwhelm. You can almost forget they exist. They are there, but barely.