Category: Henry

I See Stars (from “Mean Girls”)

The 2004 teen comedy film Mean Girls was adapted into a musical in 2018, featuring a score by Jeff Richmond and Nell Benjamin and a book by Tina Fey (who also wrote the original screenplay.) “I See Stars” is the finale of the show. A film adaptation of the musical will be released tomorrow.

The song begins in A and modulates up to Bb at 2:55.

Kate Yeager | Keep My Distance

American singer/songwriter Kate Yeager has performed at Radio City and Lincoln Center, and will be out on tour next month. “Furthering the lineage of artists like Carol King, Tracey Chapman, and Janis Joplin,” Yeager’s YouTube bio reads, “25-year old Kate Yeager’s lyrics and soul-infused vocals transcend stats, trends and ages.”

Her single “Keep My Distance” was released in 2019. It begins in F, modulates up half step to Gb at 2:28, and then another half step up to G at 3:00.

The Piano Guys | Can’t Help Falling In Love With You

“Jon fell in love with this song when he heard the reggae cover by UB40, one of his favorite bands,” The Piano Guys write on their website. “His arranging style often reflects the influence of the classical music and training with which he was raised. These two elements collide in this arrangement. (Think Beethoven meets UB40 with a little tounge-in-cheek thrown in for fun).

Their cover of this song, originally popularized by Elvis, is the penultimate track on their 2013 album The Piano Guys 2. It begins in C and modulates to D at 2:05.

Shug Avery Comin’ To Town (from “The Color Purple”)

This song is from Act 1 of the 2005 Broadway musical The Color Purple, announcing the arrival of Shug Avery, a jazz singer to the rural Georgia community where the show is based. The Tony-nominated score by Brenda Russell, Allee Willis and Stephen Bray synthesizes blues, gospel and musical theater influences. A revival was mounted in 2015, and a movie adaptation of the musical was released last month on Christmas.

The song begins in Bb, shifts to G at 0:34, and finally modulates to C at 2:00.

Michael W. Smith (feat. Jennifer Nettles) | Christmas Day

We conclude this year’s holiday season at MotD with Michael W. Smith’s “Christmas Day,” featuring American singer Jennifer Nettles and the Nashville Children’s Choir. The track was first recorded for Smith’s 2007 album It’s A Wonderful Christmas; this new arrangement appears on the 2014 record The Spirit of Christmas.

Beginning in F, there is a downward modulation to D at 0:42, and another to B at 1:17. We return to D at 1:30, and land in Gb at 1:44.

Brian McKnight (feat. Take 6) | Bless This House

“Bless This House,” originally published in 1927 and written by Helen Taylor and May Brahe, is the final track on American singer Brian McKnight’s 2008 album I’ll Be Home For Christmas, his second holiday record. The track also features the a cappella group Take 6, known for their synthesis of jazz and spiritual themes.

The tune begins in Bb and shifts up to B at 1:48. A subtle transition to C major occurs around 3:29.

John Stoddart (feat. Lalah Hathaway) | Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas

**This is the third installment in a three-part series featuring covers of “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas”**

American R&B/gospel singer John Stoddart featured five-time Grammy winner Lalah Hathaway (and daughter of Donny Hathaway) for this tune on his 2013 album Only On Christmas Day.

There are too many modulations to count in this cover, and throughout the album.

Chris Mann (feat. Martina McBride) | Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas

**This is the second installment in a three-part series featuring covers of “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas”**

American singer/songwriter Chris Mann featured country singer Martina McBride on his cover, the second track on his 2013 record Home for Christmas. Beginning in A, the tune modulates deceptively to D at 1:33 and then up a fourth to G at 2:31.

Ariana Grande | Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas

**This is the first installment in a three-part series featuring covers of “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas”**

American singer Ariana Grande’s cover of the Hugh Martin and Ralph Blane’s “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” begins in Ab and modulates up a half step to A at 1:46