Gus

Celine Dion | That’s The Way It Is

“That’s The Way It Is” is one of Dion’s biggest hits, and was heralded by Billboard as one of the greatest songs of 1999. “‘That’s The Way It Is’ doesn’t sound like it’s trying to be Britney Spears,” said the website Can’t Stop The Pop. “It sounds like the authentic evolution of a superstar – this is a Celine Dion song through and through – and it’s hard to imagine it being performed by anyone else.”

Dion has performed the song on the Rosie O’Donnell show, twice on the Today Show, as well as on multiple tours. Beginning in E major, the track dramatically modulates up a third to Ab coming out of the bridge at 2:50.

Thanks to MotD contributor Gus Connelly for this submission!

Into the Unknown (from “Frozen II”)

Thanks to longtime MotD fan and contributor Gus Connelly for finding this one — a rare downward modulation (by a minor third!) at 2:36, with the melody resolving to the major 7th scale degree of the new key. Featuring Idina Menzel, returning to her role as Elsa in Frozen 2 (2019).

Mormon Tabernacle Choir | Deck the Halls

Today we feature the Mormon Tabernacle Choir! Thanks to Gus Connelly for contributing this 2013 video. It really is a modulation fest, starting around 0:45. Enjoy!

Josh Groban | Little Drummer Boy

We finish the weekend with a Josh Groban number from 2007, provided by Gus Connelly. The modulation is around 1:50, and it is something to behold. Enjoy!!

Michael Buble | Feeling Good

Today we feature Michael Buble’s cover of “Feeling Good” (2005), originally from 1965’s The Roar of the Greasepaint, The Smell of the Crowd and later made more famous by Nina Simone’s essential version. Since then, the tune has been covered by many prominent artists. The two modulations occur around 2:17 and 2:42. Many thanks to Gus Connelly for this track!