Hands On a Hardbody is a little-known but cleverly crafted musical set in 1990s small-town Texas, where the local Nissan dealership decides to sponsor a contest: the contestant who keeps their hand on a showroom-new truck the longest gets to keep it! Described by The Hollywood Reporter as “a low-concept Hunger Games,” the 2013 theatrical adaptation of the 1997 film is a heartwarming comedy featuring complex musical compositions. “I’m Gone” is a duet between characters Kelli and Greg, who share a romance throughout their time in the competition as they dream about making it out of their weary Texas hometown.
Although relatively unpopular in its time, Hands on a Hardbody debuted and had a short run on Broadway, featuring an array of performers who would go on to do great things. The original Broadway cast included Keala Settle, who later performed in Rent and The Greatest Showman, as well as Dale Soules, who went on to act in Orange is the New Black. The New York Times reports that co-composer Trey Anastasio, best known as songwriter and leader of the funk/jazz/bluegrass jam band Phish, compared the experience to “parallel parking a cruise ship.”
The song features a variety of modulations, including a classic whole-step key change at the song’s climax. However, clever composers Anastasio and Amanda Green use their knowledge of vocal range wisely, modulating the tune down a few steps during a short interlude before Greg takes over the lead from Kelli. The song’s chordal structure is dreamy, featuring a classy use of modal interchange as a V7 chord sets up the progression, only to be replaced by its major chord as the song moves to its more hopeful sections.
Perhaps most importantly, the song modulates as it transitions into the hook (1:00, 2:02). The composers take listeners up a major fourth with a classy V/IV progression that brings sparkle into the tune, creating an uplifting transition into the song’s hook. Bringing a sleek pivot chord into play makes listeners feel a hopeful shift while still saving the “big key change” for the number’s finale (4:30).
All of these factors make “I’m Gone” a fabulous showcase for acting and vocal technique — and a song worth listening to.
Maya Wagner is a singer/songwriter and music producer currently studying at Berklee College of Music. Maya is passionate about sharing her experiences with mental illness and her LGBTQ identity through her music. She blogs about all things music production on her website and has established a broad web presence as an artist, performer, and producer.
Maya, MotD’s first intern, is shifting over to our our regular contributor team in April 2021, so look for more of her posts! Welcome, Maya!
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