Author: Mod of the Day

Kali Uchis (feat. Bootsy Collins) | After the Storm

Colombian-American R&B/Neo-Soul songstress Kali Uchis released “After the Storm” in 2018. This whimsical track features collaborators Tyler the Creator and funk bassist / vocalist / icon William “Bootsy” Collins.

“The saying ‘if it ain’t broke don’t fix it’ is a perfect way to describe this new track,” (ListenMag). “A silky smooth bass groove (provided by none other than Bootsy himself) which plays along the bouncing synths, transports you to an era of love, soul, and funk.”

Modulations hit at 1:43, 2:07, as the bridge starts at 2:31, and 3:07.

Scritti Politti | First Boy In This Town (Lovesick)

From prolific MotD scout JB comes this submission from New Wave UK band Scritti Politti, fronted by Welsh vocalist/songwriter Green Gartside. The band’s name, Italian for “political graffiti,” definitely fit with its early politics-heavy releases. But by the mid-80s, the band’s sound had shifted to highly polished, synth-driven pop, with a consistently broad harmonic vocabulary — perhaps best demonstrated by the 1985 single “Perfect Way,” a hit on both sides of the Atlantic.

“First Boy in This Town (Lovesick)” (1988) starts in Ab major, modulates to Bb major at the first chorus (1:00), then reverts to Ab for verse 2 at 1:27. That pattern holds throughout, except for the instrumental bridge (2:22 – 2:48), which centers around Eb major.

Aretha Franklin | Til You Come Back to Me

Co-written and recorded by Stevie Wonder but never released until a subsequent retrospective album, “Til You Come Back to Me” (1973) was a huge hit for Aretha Franklin, reaching #1 on the R&B chart and #3 on the Hot 100 chart in 1974. The tune was later covered by over a dozen other prominent artists, ranging from Johnny Mathis to Cyndi Lauper. The short bridge (1:30 – 1:51) departs from the primary key of D Major.

Kenny Loggins + Stevie Nicks | Whenever I Call You Friend

“Whenever I Call You Friend” by Kenny Loggins and Stevie Nicks (1978) was released among a slew of late-disco tunes. The track stood out for its kinetic pop sound despite its string-heavy arrangement. There are plenty of modulations, particularly from the instrumental bridge (2:30) onward. The tune, written by Loggins and Melissa Manchester, went top ten in the US and Canada.

Eric Clapton | It’s In the Way That You Use It

From MotD fan JB comes this contribution: 1986 saw the release of August, Eric Clapton‘s best-selling album. One of the album’s singles was “It’s In the Way That You Use It,” a tune co-written by The Band’s guitarist Robbie Robertson and featured in the hit film The Color of Money. A whole-step direct modulation hits at 2:35.

Diana Ross | It’s My Turn

“It’s My Turn” (1980), the theme song for the film of the same name, was written by Carole Bayer Sager (lyrics) and Michael Masser (music). The late 70s and early 80s saw Diana Ross‘ continued professional ascent, despite the 1977 breakup of The Supremes, the group which brought her to prominence. A major single for Ross, the tune peaked at #9 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, #14 on the Soul chart, and #9 on the Adult Contemporary chart. There are multiple modulations, with the first at 0:26.

To quote a friend who is definitely a Diana fan: “When has it EVER not been her turn?” 🙂