The Temptations had plenty of hits, but 1965’s “My Girl” went straight to #1 and probably remains the group’s best known release. Co-written by Smokey Robinson, the tune featured a trademark early Motown sound. The modulation is at 1:43.
Cincinnati Pops | Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy
Something a little different today — featuring the Cincinnati Pops playing Bugle Boy, originally released in 1944 by The Andrews Sisters (modulation around 2:55). The tune ranks #6 on RIAA’s list of Songs of the 20th Century.
Ben Folds Five | Don’t Change Your Plans
Ben Folds, probably best known for his 1997 single “Brick” with his band Ben Folds Five, features several modulations in 1999’s “Don’t Change Your Plans.” Centered around Folds’ trademark confessional storytelling, this song’s first modulation is in the middle of the multi-section bridge (2:20); the last, a rare downward modulation, is in the closing seconds of the tune (4:46). There are several other modulations in between as the lyrics shuttle between future and past, hopefulness and melancholy.
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.”
Paul Simon | Still Crazy After All These Years
One of Paul Simon‘s many solo hits, 1975’s “Still Crazy After All These Years” pushed the album of the same name to #1. The form is quite unpredictable: the first modulation happens at 1:25 (at the start of a bridge, including an odd-metered measure thrown into the mix). Then another pivot at 1:38 into a darkly intriguing instrumental interlude, followed by a key change into a sunnier instrumental section at 2:12, finally settling into another verse and another harmonic shift at 2:50.
Connect-the-dots songwriting, this ain’t!
Dirty Loops | Wake Me Up
Swedish pop virtuosi Dirty Loops covered Avicii‘s smash hit “Wake Me Up” in 2014, completely re-making the song in the process. They modulate while translating verse two into a bridge (starting at 1:39) and throw in another key change at the start of the outtro (2:56).
The Mamas + The Papas | Dream a Little Dream
This 1968 hit from The Mamas and Papas is probably the most well-known of the many versions of “Dream a Little Dream,” which was originally recorded in 1931 by Ozzie Nelson. Modulation at 0:58, then reverting back to the original key at 1:18 (etc.!)
Tower of Power | Just Another Day
The legendary horns of Tower of Power had hits with uptempo tunes and ballads alike — including plenty of modulations. Their 1973 release “Just Another Day” has key changes starting at 0:34, then returning to the original key at 0:57…continuing on from there.
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.
Skunk Bear | A Neuroscience Love Song
From Alex Mosher, MoTD member, submits this track from Skunk Bear, a duo which provides (sometimes musical) science-centric explainer segments on NPR. According to its YouTube channel, the duo “(explores) the secrets of the universe, the wonders of nature, and answer(s) your science questions.”
Alex: “Happy Valentine’s Day! Modulation way toward the end, around 2:54.”
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