The song is used alot in different contexts, but the easiest way to describe it is a gradual building subject culminating into a grand medley of a crescendo. I tried, at least. The subjects vary from selling sex to telling someone's life story. And yes, it was featured in
2001 (I beleieve it was the Monolith's rays scene, but I could be mistaken)
I could add a little more about the (little) known universe:
20 Things You Didn't Know About... Nothing | DISCOVER Magazine