Category: Henry

Just A Coupl’a Sisters (from “Nunsense”)

*This is the third installment of a week-long series featuring songs from the 1985 Off-Broadway musical Nunsense*

This duet comes halfway through Act 2, and pays homage to Jerry Herman with its old-fashioned “boom-chick” accompaniment and kick-line at the end. George Gershwin’s 1919 song “Swanee” is also quoted. The track is sprinkled with key changes throughout. Beginning in F, we transition to Bb for the first verse at 0:27, up a half step to B for the second verse at 0:53, and up again to C for the third verse at 1:46. Finally, the “Swanee” quote leads to a modulation down to A at 2:40 for the final verse.

The Drive-In (from “Nunsense”)

*This is the second installment of a week-long series featuring songs from the 1985 Off-Broadway musical Nunsense*

“The Drive-In” comes towards the end of Act 2 in Dan Goggin’s Off-Broadway musical Nunsense. The number has an Andrews Sisters vibe with a swinging groove and tight, 3-part harmony. It starts in C minor and opens up into C major at 0:50.

I Just Want To Be a Star (from “Nunsense”)

*This is the first installment of a week-long series featuring songs from the 1985 Off-Broadway musical Nunsense*

Dan Goggin’s 1985 musical Nunsense is the second-longest-running Off-Broadway show ever, and led to six sequels and three spinoffs. “I Just Want To Be a Star” comes near the end of the second act, and is a big, brassy showtune number that recalls the style of Jerry Herman. Beginning in F, the song briefly detours into Gb at 1:24, then returns to F at 1:41 before a final modulation up to Ab at 2:16.

BYU Noteworthy | Proud Mary

“Proud Mary,” written by John Fogerty and originally recorded by the American rock band Creedence Clearwater Revival, was covered by Ike and Tina Turner in 1971 for their album Workin’ Together. Tina also later recorded a solo version, and frequently performed the song live. Turner died today at age 83.

BYU Noteworthy is a female a cappella group affiliated with Brigham Young University. They have released 7 albums and regularly perform across the country. Their arrangement begins in Eb and modulates up half step to E at 2:15.

Brenna Whitaker | Black and Gold

Brenna Whitaker, an L.A.-based vocalist, released her eponymous debut album in 2015, which features “Black and Gold” as the lead track. Whitaker counts Peggy Lee and Etta James among her influences, and her voice caught the attention of David Foster, who helped her develop her sound and produced her record.

Black and Gold, originally written and recorded in 2008 by Sam Sparro and Jesse Rogg, was a top-20 hit across Europe and was nominated for Best Dance Recording at the Grammy Awards. Whitaker’s cover begins in C minor and shifts up a half step to C# at 3:33.

Take It Up a Step (from “Some Like It Hot”)

Some Like It Hot, running in New York now and nominated for 13 Tony Awards including Best Score, is the latest Broadway musical by the MotD-favorite composing team of Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman.

The show is based on a 1959 movie, directed by Billy Wilder and starring Marilyn Monroe, that is widely considered to be one of the best films ever made.

As the title of the song implies, there are key changes scattered throughout.

Haley Reinhart | The Letter

“The Letter,” originally written and recorded (and a #1 hit) in 1967 by the American rock band The Box Tops, is featured on Hailey Reinhard’s 2017 album What’s That Sound?

Reinhart, whose career jumpstarted with her third-place finish in the 10th season of American Idol in 2010, said in an interview with Variety that the song “is such a cool, timeless tune. One of my earliest memories is crowding around my grandma’s piano listening to my Aunt Janice and Uncle Tom sing and play it. My uncle can sound just like Alex Chilton and the Box Tops with his guttural, sandpaper-like tone, while my aunt would harmonize with her soulful pipes. I thought it would be really neat to bring it up a couple of keys and give a woman’s take on the tune. It’s such a unique, upbeat song with gritty vocals, horns and sweeping strings. It’s become a pop standard to many and I’m so happy I got to put my own spin on it.”

Reinhart has performed and toured with Scott Bradlee’s Postmodern Jukebox, and is preparing to tour on her own later this year.

The track is in D minor and briefly shifts up to Gb major at 1:41 for the outro.

Safer (from “First Date”)

“Safer” is from the 2013 Broadway musical by Austin Winsberg (book), Alan Zachary and Michael Weiner (music and lyrics). The song comes about halfway through the show, as Casey is wondering if she is getting in her own way in looking for a relationship. The track, performed here by original cast member Krysta Rodriguez, begins in Ab and modulates up a half step to A at 2:25.

Sleeping At Last | Rainbow Connection

Sleeping At Last formed in 1999, originally including Ryan O’Neal (vocals, guitar), his brother Chad (drums) and Dan Perdue (bass). The Illinois-based group released four albums before Chad and Dan left and Ryan continued on his own.

O’Neal has released three compilations of covers, and “Rainbow Connection” appears on Volume 2, released in 2016. The song, written originally in 1979 by Paul Williams and Kenneth Ascher for The Muppets Movie, has been named one of the greatest movie songs of all time by the American Film Institute.

The track begins in D and modulates up to Eb at 2:01.