Nickel Creek, an acoustic trio known for its polished Americana sound and a Grammy winner in the Contemporary Folk category, released “Doubting Thomas” in 2005. Chris Thile, now the host of the weekly radio program Live from Here, is featured on lead vocals and mandolin.
The bridge (1:59 – 2:25) modulates before the tune returns to its original key.
Kicking off the week with a 90s boy band throwback, 98 Degrees singing “I Do (Cherish You). Key change at 3:00. Enjoy!
This 1991 release, “Is There Life Out There” by Reba McEntire, is accompanied by a full story of a music video, complete with dialogue. The key (and the mindset of our protagonist) officially changes at 3:05, but the vocal doesn’t come in again until later.
Released only six weeks before Freddy Mercury‘s passing at the end of a brief battle with HIV/AIDS, “The Show Must Go On” (1991) reminded Queen fans worldwide of this global supergroup’s originality and vision. Mercury’s vocal timbre was changed by the disease, but he still pulled off a beautiful performance. Modulations at 1:32, 2:13 and 2:55.
A classic Broadway modulation: Andrew Lloyd Webber’s “Memory” from his musical Cats (1981). Key changes at 2:19 and 3:03.
Rolling Stone magazine called it “the ultimate 70s teen anthem” and ranked it #471 of its “500 Best Songs of All Time.” One of the most well-known bands on the 1970s global rock circuit, Cheap Trick released “Surrender” in 1978 and then re-released it on their live album Live at Budokan. The intro’s key is raised a half-step at the start of the first verse (0:14), then another half-step upward modulation at 2:16.
Here’s “Jenny’s Blues” from the Broadway musical It Shoulda Been You (2015) featuring the incredible Lisa Howard. The show’s music is by Barbara Anselmi and the book/lyrics by Brian Hargrove. The key change is at 1:34.
Key change at 1:34.
From MOTD member Paul Steckler:
“This is French pop megastar Mylène Farmer singing “Les Mots” (2001), which she originally recorded with Seal. This is a live version with Abe Laboriel, Jr. (Paul McCartney’s longtime drummer).” Starting in Db minor, the tune alternates between Db major and Db minor (1:02, 1:37, 2:39, 3:13, 3:33), then modulates to Eb major at 4:08.
Marin Mazzie, an incredible actress who starred in Ragtime and Passion (and more recently Bullets Over Broadway and The King and I) on Broadway, performed Kander & Ebb’s “And the World Goes Round” in 1991. Mazzie passed away at age 57 after battling ovarian cancer for three years. Key change at 2:53.
Joe Jackson, the UK singer/songwriter/bandleader perhaps best known for his early 80s hit “Steppin’ Out,” released the album Rain in 2008. The ballad “Wasted Time,” featuring the same trio he led in the late 70s, modulates during the bridge (3:13 – 4:01), then returns back to the original key.
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