Henry – Page 69

James Taylor | Your Smiling Face

Here’s James Taylor’s “Your Smiling Face” (1977) featuring a double modulation (0:48 and 1:25). The track reached #12 on the US pop chart and #6 on the Adult Contemporary chart. Rock critic Timothy White described the tune as a “pop sonnet.”

Britney Spears | Lucky

Today we turn to Britney Spears with the classic “Lucky” (2000). The track earned commercial success worldwide, peaking at #1 in Austria, Germany, Sweden and Switzerland and top 5 in the UK. Textbook modulation around 3:00.

Connie Francis | Where the Boys Are

Here’s Connie Francis singing “Where The Boys Are” (1961), with a key change at 1:23. Written by Neil Sedaka and Howard Greenfield, the tune was the title track of a movie of the same name in which Francis had a starring role and reached top 5 in both the US and the UK.

Stephen Soundheim (feat. Marin Mazzie) | Losing My Mind (from “Follies”)

Here’s the inimitable, much-missed Marin Mazzie singing “Losing My Mind” from Sondheim’s Follies (1970). This performance is just exquisite, and the key change at about 3:00 is a highlight.

Patsy Cline | Crazy

We’re throwing it back with Patsy Cline’s “Crazy” (1961), featuring a subtle but effective modulation at 2:00. Considered a top Country classic, the tune has also been covered by Willie Nelson (its author!), Leann Rimes, Linda Ronstadt, Shirley Bassey, Guy Lombardo, and Chaka Khan.

Jonathan Reid Gealt (feat. Zak Resnick) | September of ’92

Here’s a beautiful contemporary musical theater song by Jonathan Reid Gealt entitled “September of ‘92” (2013) with a stunning vocal by Zak Resnick. Key change at 3:30, but do yourself a favor and listen to the whole song.

Second Hand White Baby Grand (from “Smash”)

From TV show Smash comes “Second Hand White Baby Grand” (2013), performed by Megan Hilty. This is a great demonstration of modulations that are dramatically motivated. The first is around 1:10, and then we return to the original key around 2:32.

So Close (from “Enchanted”)

We close the week with Alan Menken’s “So Close” from the movie Enchanted (2007). I have always been fascinated by the chord progressions and overall form of this song, given that it doesn’t really adhere to the traditional verse/chorus format. There are actually three modulations in this song — the first at 1:54, the second in the instrumental interlude at 2:37 (up a minor third!), and then back down at 2:50 before the vocal returns.

Falling Into You (from “Bridges of Madison County”)

Today we feature Jason Robert Brown for the first time on MotD! “Falling Into You” is from his incredible score for Bridges of Madison County (2014). The whole song is worth listening to — key change around 2:30.

Barbra Streisand (feat. Jamie Foxx) | Climb Ev’ry Mountain

Here’s a duet from Barbra Streisand and Jamie Foxx, “Climb Ev’ry Mountain” (2016). Modulations at 1:10, 1:33, and 2:50. There is also some great re-harmonization at the end.