A holiday season cannot go by without a little Celine, so here is her cover of John Lennon’s “So This is Christmas” (1998). Modulation around 2:20.
NSYNC | I Don’t Wanna Spend One More Christmas Without You
Today we feature Nsync’s “I Don’t Wanna Spend One More Christmas Without You” (2012). Modulation around 2:35.
Backstreet Boys | Christmas Time
Today’s feature is The Backstreet Boys “Christmas Time” (1997). Modulation(around 3:00. Enjoy!!
Vox One | Lullay, Thy Little Tiny Child (The Coventry Carol)
Weekend bonus: Massachusetts-based a capella quintet Vox One delivers a beautiful performance of “Lullay, Thy Little Tiny Child/The Coventry Carol” (2017). Moduation at approximately 1:40, but many other fleeting key-of-the-moment sections, as well as a reversion to the original key.
Barbra Streisand | Jingle Bells
Happy end of the week! Today we feature the incomparable Barbra Streisand singing “Jingle Bells” (1967). This gem is packed with modulations, both rhythmic and harmonic. It’s short so I won’t point out where they all are — you have to listen to the whole thing to get the full effect. Thanks to Bryan Wells for sending this in. Have a great weekend!
Peter Hollens | Little Drummer Boy
Today we go back to Peter Hollens with “Little Drummer Boy,” a beautiful 2016 arrangement with TWO modulations, around 1:25 and 2:30. Enjoy!
Gretchen Wilson | I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas
On this hump day, we give you “I Want A Hippopotamus for Christmas” (2009), sung by Gretchen Wilson with a key change around 2:00. Thanks to correspondent Clara Jung for this find!
The Tenors | Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas
Today we feature The Tenors singing “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” (2017). 3:05 is the sweet spot. Enjoy!
Peter Hollens | Mary, Did You Know
Happy Monday! We kick off this week with Peter Hollens singing “Mary, Did You Know” (2015), with an exquisite key change around 1:37. Enjoy!
Destiny’s Child | Silent Night
It’s Friday! We close our first week with the Destiny’s Child rendition of “Silent Night” (2002), featuring Beyonce and introduced by none other than Oprah! There is a key change around 1:40, but this is really all over the map in terms of harmony, so you should watch the whole thing.