If I Dare (from “Battle of the Sexes”) | Sara Bareilles

The theme song from Battle of the Sexes, the 2017 biopic of 1970s tennis phenom Billie Jean King. Performed by Sara Bareilles, its appearance during the film’s closing credits — after the emotional rollercoaster of the movie itself — is an overwhelming moment. Starting in C major, the chorus shifts to C minor (for the first time at 1:08), then back to C major. The bridge, starting at 2:15, brings a shift to a quieter texture, then a jump to F minor at 2:33 — leading up to a triumphant modulation to G major at 3:18.

Stevie Wonder | I Never Dreamed You’d Leave in Summer

A lesser-known beauty from 1971 — a slice of “Little Stevie” Wonder’s nearly bottomless catalog of musical miracles. Co-written by Syreeta Wright, the tune only made it to #78 on the Billboard Hot 100, but it remains one of the most enduring of Stevie’s many ballads. Modulation at 1:41.

Chris Thile, Edgar Meyer, Stuart Duncan + Yo-Yo Ma | Attaboy

Classical musicians don’t always experiment with other genres, but famed cellist Yo-Yo Ma makes a regular habit out of it. Ma has collaborated regularly on jazz projects — but here, he and his band of noted Bluegrass/Americana players present a smooth, lyrical sample of a style often called Newgrass from 2011. Mod at 2:43, then back to the original key at 4:14.

Jonny May | Despacito

Guest post from MOTD member Alex Mosher:

A cover of Luis Fonsi’s “Despacito” (2017) with a modulation around 2:40. The original might have six billion views, but this cover adds something very new.

From Jonny May’s website: “Teaching piano is one of my greatest joys, and over the past 15 years, I’ve helped over ten thousand students take their piano playing to the next level.” He performed as a Main Street Disneyland pianist for over nine years and has over 30 million hits people with his Youtube videos.