Henry – Page 35

Josh Groban | Per Te

Featured on Groban’s 2003 album Closer, “Per Te” was written by Walter Afanasieff and Groban with lyrics by Marco Marinangeli, and was recorded in Italian. The album was the top selling classical record of the 2000s and reached the #1 spot on the Billboard Top 200 chart.

There are modulations scattered throughout the song: The first two verses are set in C minor, alternating with choruses that modulate down to B minor at 1:46 and 2:10. A dramatic common tone modulation to Bb minor occurs at 2:52, followed by shift to C# minor at 3:16, which is maintained until the end.

Bucks Fizz | Rules of the Game

While “Rules of the Game” was the only Bucks Fizz single to not crack the Top 40, it stayed on the Top 100 chart for 10 weeks. Various explanations were offered from the UK band’s members for the 1983 song’s lackluster performance: bad timing on the release, depressing lyrics, poor reviews. Nonetheless, it has continued to be a fan favorite. The tune modulates up a half step from Ab to A at 2:52.

Boyz II Men | The Color of Love

“The Color of Love” was the lead single released from the 2002 Boyz II Men album Full Circle. For the music video, each band member filmed their segment in a different country to capture the color and spirit of different people. “Boyz II Men have always maintained a certain mood with their music,” said Antonio “L.A.” Reid, the president of Arista Records which produced the album. “And that couldn’t be better reflected than with the theme of this clip–unity and brotherhood, a multi-cultural celebration in these difficult times. There is no better group to pull it off than these four guys.”

The track has a traditional half-step modulation from D to Eb at 2:45.

The Carpenters | Rainy Days and Mondays

Written by Roger Nichols and Paul Williams, “Rainy Days and Mondays” was recorded in 1971 by The Carpenters and reached the #2 spot on the Billboard Top 100. The tune modulates up a step from Eb to F at 2:39.

S Club 7 | Sunshine

“Sunshine” is the title track on the English pop group S Club 7’s third studio album, released in 2001. The album, which debuted at #3 on the UK Charts and sold over 600,000 copies, was the last to include band member Paul Cattermole, who left the group in 2002. The track modulates up a half step from E to F at 2:55.

Jennifer Warnes | Right Time of the Night

Written and originally recorded by songwriter Peter McCann, “Right Time of the Night” was made a top ten hit by Jennifer Warnes on her eponymous 1977 album. Warnes wrote new lyrics for the second verse that she believed were more appropriate for a female performer, but McCann rejected her revision and wrote his own, which eventually made it onto the record. The track is Warnes’ most successful solo hit. Starting in Bb, the tune modulates up a whole step to C at 2:11.

The Grass Roots | Temptation Eyes

“Temptation Eyes” is featured on The Grass Roots‘ 1970 compilation album More Golden Grass. The tune spent 18 weeks on the charts, and lead singer Rob Grill dubbed the tune his favorite song the band ever released. The key fluctuates between A minor on the verses and A major on the choruses.

Laura Osnes, Meghann Fahy | My Heart Is Split

“My Heart Is Split” is from the experimental 2007 musical The Freshmen Experiment by Kait Kerrigan and Bree Lowdermilk. Envisioned as a story based on the lives of two young bloggers who are sharing the story of their first year at college, the show was not ultimately produced, but the songs that were written continue to be performed. The song modulates from F to G at 3:18.

Vicki Sue Robinson | Turn the Beat Around

One of the best-known disco classics of all time, “Turn The Beat Around” was written by Gerald and Peter Jackson and featured on Vicki Sue Robinson’s debut album Never Gonna Let You Go, released in 1976. The song, which held the number one spot on the disco chart for a month, was Robinson’s only hit, and won her a Grammy nomination for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance. Gloria Estefan recorded a very similar cover in 1994, and both versions have been used in numerous movies and TV shows.

The track modulates up a half step, from F# minor to G minor, at 2:48.

Mariah Carey (feat. Joe + 98 Degrees) | Thank God I Found You

The final track on Mariah Carey‘s 1999 album Rainbow, “Thank God I Found You” features guest vocals from R&B singer Joe and the American boy band 98 Degrees. The track was Carey’s fifteenth number one hit, and the sole chart topper for 98 Degrees.

“She’s got ‘Thank God I found you’ and that’s about it,” producer Jimmy Jam said, reflecting on writing/recording the song. “She sang the melody. We usually have [producer] Big Jim Wright sit in on those kind of sessions to work out chords. He wasn’t there so I had to work out the chords myself. So I’m playing and there was a part where I said, ‘Man, what chord am I supposed to do here?’ and Mariah has such a good ear, she sang me the chord.'”

The track modulates up a minor third, from Bb to Db, at 3:18.