From MotD fan JB comes this contribution: 1986 saw the release of August, Eric Clapton‘s best-selling album. One of the album’s singles was “It’s In the Way That You Use It,” a tune co-written by The Band’s guitarist Robbie Robertson and featured in the hit film The Color of Money. A whole-step direct modulation hits at 2:35.
Helen Forrest + Harry James Orchestra | Skylark
An exquisite performance of Mercer & Carmichael’s “Skylark” by Helen Forrest and the Harry James Orchestra (1942).Key changes at 1:08, 2:38, and 3:00.
Diana Ross | It’s My Turn
“It’s My Turn” (1980), the theme song for the film of the same name, was written by Carole Bayer Sager (lyrics) and Michael Masser (music). The late 70s and early 80s saw Diana Ross‘ continued professional ascent, despite the 1977 breakup of The Supremes, the group which brought her to prominence. A major single for Ross, the tune peaked at #9 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, #14 on the Soul chart, and #9 on the Adult Contemporary chart. There are multiple modulations, with the first at 0:26.
To quote a friend who is definitely a Diana fan: “When has it EVER not been her turn?” 🙂
Hall + Oates | Romeo is Bleeding
Hall & Oates‘ 1997 album Marigold Sky featured the bouncy pop track “Romeo is Bleeding.” The intro and verse, in F# minor, modulate to D major for the chorus for the first time at 1:10. The next verse reverts to F# at 1:44, etc.
Sam Cooke | This Little Light of Mine
Here’s Sam Cooke’s rendition of the spiritual “This Little Light of Mine” (1964), which played a prominent role throughout the Civil Rights movement. Key changes at 1:09 and 1:43.
The Who | My Generation
#11 on Rolling Stone magazine’s “500 Greatest Songs of All Time” list is “My Generation” by The Who. A short section of AllMusic‘s review of the 1965 release: “An explosive debut, and the hardest mod pop recorded by anyone. Pete Townshend‘s exhilarating chord crunches and guitar distortions threaten to leap off the grooves…” This classic features modulations at 1:19, 1:49 and 2:26.
My Bathroom (from “Bathtubs Over Broadway”)
The documentary Bathtubs Over Broadway included this tune, “My Bathroom,” from a 1969 industrial musical entitled The Bathrooms are Coming. There’s a key change at 1:26. For more on what an industrial musical is, check out https://www.industrialmusicals.com.
Cher | The Sun Ain’t Gonna Shine Anymore
Many thanks to MotD fan Paul Steckler for this contribution!
Bob Crewe and Bob Gaudio, writers of many of the Four Seasons’ hits, wrote “The Sun Ain’t Gonna Shine (Anymore)”, originally sung by Frankie Valli, and a big international hit for the Walker Brothers in 1966. Thirty years later (1995), Cher covered it. Her version starts in F# and then alternates to G# at 1:50; then back, etc.
The Fifth Dimension | Up, Up and Away
MotD fan Ryan Sigurdson has contributed the monster worldwide hit “Up, Up and Away,” written by Jimmy Webb and released by The Fifth Dimension in 1967. The track won six major Grammy Awards and was listed #43 on Broadcast Music, Inc. (BMI)‘s “100 Songs of the Century.” The modulations are too numerous to list.
Bob Crewe Generation | Music to Watch Girls By
This 1966 tune, “Music to Watch Girls By” by Bob Crewe Generation, went to #15 (Pop) #2 (Easy Listening) positions on the charts. The key change is at 1:10.
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