Category: Henry

Al Jarreau | We’re In This Love Together

The first of three singles released from the 1981 album Breakin’ Away, “We’re In This Love Together” is one of Al Jarreau‘s most successful tunes. It reached the #15 spot on the Billboard Hot 100, and the #6 and #1 spots on the Adult Contemporary charts in the US and Canada respectively. Key change at 2:04.

Stevie Wonder | You Are The Sunshine Of My Life

Hailed by Rolling Stone as one of the 500 greatest songs of all time, Stevie Wonder‘s “You Are The Sunshine Of My Life” was featured on his 1972 album Talking Book. The track was awarded Best Male Pop Vocal Performance at the Grammy’s, and nominated for both Record and Song of the Year; it also was Wonder’s third song to hit the #1 spot on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. Key change at 2:09.

Theme from “Jeopardy!”

Alex Trebek, the beloved host of the game show Jeopardy! for 35 years, announced in 2019 that he had been diagnosed with stage IV pancreatic cancer. He continued to work throughout his treatment, often in excruciating pain. “I’m not afraid of dying,” he said. “I’ve lived a good life, a full life, and I’m nearing the end of that life. If it happens, why should I be afraid of that?”

Trebek taped his final episode on October 29, 2020, and passed away at age 80 on November 8. In honor of the airing of that episode tonight, we are bringing back our 2012 post of the Jeopardy! theme song. Key change about halfway through. 

Rebecca Luker | Can’t Help Singing

Written by Jerome Kern and E.Y. Harburg for the eponymous 1944 film, “Can’t Help Singing” is performed here by Rebecca Luker, who passed away from ALS late last month at age 59. Luker had an illustrious Broadway career that spanned three decades and was known for her luminous soprano voice. “During her audition Rebecca brought such a freshness to the music, as if I had never heard the score before,” said Susan H. Schulman, who directed Luker as Maria in a 1998 production of The Sound of Music. “Little hairs stood up on the back of my neck. You don’t expect songs that you are so familiar with to take you by surprise that way. She has the most glorious voice. The instrument is so pure.”

Luker is survived by her husband and fellow Broadway actor Danny Burstein. This track is included on Luker’s 2013 album I Got Love, featuring the music of Kern. Key change at 1:53.

Try To Remember (from “The Fantasticks”)

“Try to Remember” is the opening song from Tom Jones’ and Harvey Schmidt’s 1960 musical The Fantasticks, which holds the record for the world’s longest running musical with 17,162 performances in its initial run. First performed by original cast member Jerry Orbach, the song at its core is about nostalgia for a simpler time:

Deep in December it’s nice to remember although you know the snow will follow
Deep in December it’s nice to remember without the hurt the heart is hollow
Deep in December it’s nice to remember the fire of September that made us mellow
Deep in December our hearts should remember and follow.

The tune briefly passes through two different keys starting at 1:51 before returning to the tonic F Major.

Christina Aguilera | I Turn To You

Written by songwriter and vocalist Diane Warren, “I Turn To You” didn’t become popular until Christina Aguilera included it on her debut album in 1999. She described the song as being “about that sort of perfect love, which we all dream. This kind of song can make you feel safe and warm anytime of the year.” The track peaked at the #3 on the Billboard Top 100 chart, and has been a popular choice for contestants on reality competition series such as American Idol and The Voice. Key change at 3:17.

Michael McDonald | On Christmas Morning

*We originally featured this song in 2018, and are bringing it back this year.

Michael McDonald’s “On Christmas Morning” was featured on his first Christmas album, In The Spirit, released in 2001. Co-written by David Foster and Kenny Loggins, the track modulates at 2:46.

Meghan Trainor (ft. Earth, Wind & Fire) | Holidays

“Holidays” is included on A Very Trainor Christmas, pop singer Meghan Trainor‘s first holiday album, released earlier this year. All of Trainor’s family members played a part in creating the album, as songwriters, producers, background vocalists and instrumentalists.

“I’m a Christmas baby, it’s always been a dream of mine to release a Christmas Album and to do it with my family makes it that much better,” said Trainor. “Songs featuring my family are like permanent memories that I get to replay all the time. Earth, Wind & Fire and Seth MacFarlane (also featured on the album) are two of my family’s all-time-favorites – we worship the ground they walk on – so to get them to feature on this album still doesn’t feel real. Best Christmas Present Ever!”

The key change is snuck in right at the end at 2:30.

Cyndi Lauper (feat. Alison Krauss) | Hard Candy Christmas

“Hard Candy Christmas” was written by Carol Hall for the 1978 Broadway musical The Best Little Whorehouse In Texas, and made famous by Dolly Parton, who played Miss Mona in the movie adaptation of the show. The track is featured on singer Cyndi Lauper‘s 2016 album Detour, with Alison Krauss providing additional vocals. Key change at 3:03.