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Genesis | Turn It On Again

One of the singles from Duke, Genesis‘ 1980 album, “Turn It On Again” features plenty of modulations — as well as mixed meters! This album marked the band’s biggest departure from its “prog” rock origins towards its later pop-friendly material — all the while never losing its infectious harmonies. Phil Collins serves yeoman’s duty on both vocals and drums.

0:48 transitions up a half step, then back to the original key at 1:03; back up at 1:17, then back to the original key at 1:26. We start the cycle again with verse two at 1:34. Plenty of pedal point on this track, with the bass note remaining static while chords change above.

Randy Rainbow | You Can’t Stop His Tweets

As I’ve said before, I try to stay away from politics on this page as much as possible, but Randy Rainbow came out with a new video today, and it’s too good to resist posting. The whole thing is just brilliant, but for our purposes here at MoTD the important moment is at 4:21. Enjoy!

Backstreet Boys | All I Have to Give

Here’s the Backstreet Boys 1998 hit “All I Have To Give.” Modulation at 3:17.

Fishbone | Freddie’s Dead

Soul legend Curtis Mayfield scored a 1972 hit with “Freddie’s Dead,” originally featured in the movie Superfly. Fishbone, a California-based funk/punk/ska/soul hybrid, cranked out a frenetic 1988 cover version that takes the energy up another notch. Modulation at 2:15, then a reversion back to the original key at 2:25.

Sing For Your Supper (from “The Boys From Syracuse”)

Kickin’ it back to the 1930s today, with “Sing For Your Supper” from the Rodgers & Hart show The Boys From Syracuse (1938). Modulations at 1:32 and 2:28.

10cc | The Things We Do For Love

1977 saw a bouncy, harmonically restless pop hit by British band 10cc, “The Things We Do for Love.” The instrumental intro starts in key A; verse 1 modulates at 0:19 into Key B; another key change at the intro to verse 2 reverts back to Key A (1:15); another at the bridge (which could also be heard as an instrumental verse) into key B at 1:38; back to Key A at 2:16; and finally back to key B at 2:34.

Barbra Streisand | Lover, Come Back to Me

We’re kickin’ the week off with some early Babs (1965) — this is not a performance to be missed! Key change is at 1:44, but you are short-changing yourself if you don’t watch this whole video.

Hosanna (from “Jesus Christ Superstar”)

“Hosanna” from Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Jesus Christ Superstar (1970) won a 2017 Olivier Award for Best Musical Revival. The modulation is at 2:20.

Cliff Richard | We Don’t Talk Anymore

A 1979 UK #1 (US #7) hit for British pop star Sir Cliff Richard, “We Don’t Talk Anymore” was released just before Richard won the Order of the British Empire for his service to music. The tune starts very simply, throws in some more complex progressions to get us a bit off-balance at 1:30, modulates at 1:40, then reverts to the original key at 1:49. The cycle repeats in the second verse/chorus (3:02 / 3:11 / 3:19).