“Hey There,” from the 1954 musical The Pajama Game, was subsequently recorded by several prominent artists after John Raitt performed it in the original theatrical production. Rosemary Clooney‘s version reached #1 on the Billboard chart in 1954. Written by Richard Adler and Jerry Ross, the ballad modulates at 0:42 and then reverts to the original key at 1:04.
Author: Mod of the Day
Tim McGraw | Live Like You Were Dying
Tim McGraw’s “Live Like You Were Dying” was the #1 Country song of 2004, according to Billboard, and the 2005 Grammy winner for Best Male Country Vocal Performance. The title track of McGraw’s 8th studio album, the tune has a dramatic key change at 3:16.
Commodores | This Is Your Life
Busy mod scout JB contributes “This Is Your Life,” a single from The Commodores‘ second studio album, Caught in the Act (1975). Reaching #13 on the R&B chart, the track was written by the band’s most well-known member, Lionel Richie, who later went on to huge solo fame as a performer and songwriter.
After a lush chorus (starting at 2:38) which brings the entire band’s backup vocals into the equation, the modulation is at 3:24. The tempo of this soul ballad is so leisurely that it actually sounds completely plausible when played back at 1.25 speed!
Kevon Carter | The Greatest Love of All
Another unintentionally pitchy performance — redeemed to hilarious effect by the top-drawer musicianship and humor of Kevon Carter. Somehow, he keeps up with many, many modulations per minute, supporting each one with an awesome re-harmonization in the accompaniment.
This time, it’s “The Greatest Love of All,” originally made popular by Whitney Houston and George Benson.
Ray Charles | Stompin’ Room Only
MotD member Mark Mahoney contributes today’s mod: the 1961 album Genius + Soul = Jazz by the legendary Ray Charles featured this simple blues-based tune, dressed up by a no-hold-barred big band arrangement by Quincy Jones and Ralph Burns. The band was comprised of members of The Legendary Count Basie Orchestra and a group of NYC session players. In 2011, the album was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame.
The tune features several modulations; the first is at 2:27. Happy weekend to all!
Keith | 98.6
An American performer named Keith (yes, just Keith) released the single “98.6” in 1967. The song reached #7 on the Billboard chart and #24 on the UK Singles Chart in 1967. The Tokens, the Brooklyn-based doo-wop group better known for “The Lion Sleeps Tonight,” provided back-up vocals.
The tune features a few instrumental breaks featuring key-of-the-moment glimpses. But the actual modulation is at 2:47 as the instrumental outro begins.
Betty Hutton | Murder, He Says
They don’t make them like this anymore. Betty Hutton makes her MotD debut with “Murder, He Says” from the film Happy Go Lucky (1943). The tune was written by Frank Loesser and Jimmy McHugh. Key change at 2:14, but you have to experience this whole performance.
Peek Freans cookie ad
Weekend Bonus Mod: This 1970s ad for Peek Freans cookies features a lyric which most companies would likely avoid today (“much too good to waste on children”), but also provides a modulation at 0:14 to go along with its reverse psychology.
Debarge | Rhythm of the Night
MotD regular Rob Penttinen submits this feel-good 1985 tune by the family group DeBarge, “Rhythm of the Night.” Written by Diane Warren and featuring lead vocals by El DeBarge, the song went into the top 5 in the US, UK, Canada, and Australia. The modulation is at 2:38.
John Mayer | Bigger Than My Body
The first single from John Mayer‘s second album, Heavier Things (2003), was the mid-tempo tune “Bigger Than My Body.” Billboard reported that the tune “delivers a contagious melody, an exhilarating arrangement and lyrics that are thoughtful and touching without stooping to sentimentality or bombast.”
Primarily built around E major, the tune’s bridge centers around F major from 2:39 – 3:06, then reverts to E major.
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