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Tears for Fears | Sowing the Seeds of Love

UK-based Tears for Fears’ third studio album was The Seeds of Love (1989). “Kicked off with the release of the titular single, Tears For Fears presented a new sound that drew strongly from the influence of The Beatles with a track that was at once deliberately nostalgic and fully present,” (Albumism). “An epic ode to the musical influence and production brilliance of the fab four (five if you include George Martin, and you should) “Sowing the Seeds of Love” plays to the strengths of Tears For Fears’ songwriting, weaving a tapestry of captivating melodies and sing-along lyrics that carry a serious undertone.

With a jubilant energy, it flourishes with kaleidoscopic production that transcends being a grab-all of Beatles production and becomes a joyful exuberance that is all its own. But anyone expecting a TFF meets Sgt. Pepper’s album was pleasantly surprised as The Seeds of Love unfurls. Pushing beyond the Beatles-esque psychedelia, the album embraces tones of soul, jazz, pop, world music and orchestral flourishes.”

Starting in G minor for the verse, the tune transitions to C major for chorus (heard for the first time at 0:40). At 0:57, verse 2 returns to G minor. At 1:48, a sprawling multi-section bridge unfolds: an instrumental interlude shifts into F major, shifting into a bridge with vocals at 2:22. At 3:12, a primarily instrumental chorus turns on the hot-and-cold running “Penny Lane”-era Beatles taps in full, complete with a sprightly trumpet feature in C major. 3:29 brings yet another bridge section to the table, this time in A minor. 3:59 provides a new section, returning to G minor; the harmonic material suggests another verse, but the melody and lyric structure are different from the initial verses, providing what might as well be a central tenet of the band’s trademark focus on self awareness: time to eat all your words / swallow your pride / open your eyes. At 4:49, the C major chorus makes its triumphant return. This track is arguably the most vivid section of The Seeds of Love, perhaps Tears for Fears’ most multi-layered canvas.

Trijntje Ooterhuis | Joy To The World

Thanks to Steck for submitting this mod. His write-up is below:

Vocalist Trijntje Oosterhuis is a Dutch pop star. Her first fame came with the pop group Total Touch, which included her brother Tjeerd. She was a founding member of the Dutch supergroup Ladies of Soul, originally formed for a memorial concert for Whitney Houston, and which continues to put on an annual concert. In her solo career, she’s recorded several albums of Burt Bacharach compositions, with Bacharach playing on some tracks.

In case you were wondering how to pronounce her name, you can find that here.

“Joy to the World” is an English Christmas carol dating from 1719. (Editor’s note: Jeremiah the bullfrog is not part of this tune.) This recording is taken from her 2010 release of holiday songs “This Is The Season”.

Starting in B♭, there’s a modulation to B at 1:14. After a finger-picking guitar section by guitarist Leonardo Amuedo, there’s another half-step modulation at 1:58, and the choir takes us out.

The Piano Guys | Carol of the Bells

Thanks to JB for finding this stunning 12-cello arrangement of Carol of the Bells. His words below:

“I love the way the arrangement uses a key change in the “inner” quotation of God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen (key change at 2:10; quotation starts at 1:44) to then change the key in the “outer” tune of Carol of the Bells.

It’s also uncanny how this specific combination — (a) pizzicato cellos (b) making a whole-tone upwards mod — so strongly evokes a particular cinematic trope: viz., Jason Bourne, or some other Cold-War-era spy, being chased across a plaza in some European city as the net closes in.”

Pentatonix (feat. Kelly Clarkson) | Grown-Up Christmas List

Written by MotD favorite David Foster with Linda Thompson-Jenner, “Grown-Up Christmas List” is the fourth track on the 2016 holiday album Christmas Is Here! by Pentatonix. The arrangement, which also features Kelly Clarkson on vocals, is based on Amy Grant’s cover.

Starting in Eb, there is a shift to C at 0:51 for the first chorus. It returns to Bb for the second verse and C for the second chorus. There is a modulation up a third to E for a brief interlude at 3:05, and a final key change down to Db at 3:20.

Oli Howe & Tori Kelly| Sleigh Ride

Thanks to MotD contributor Joya for finding this reharm-filled arrangement of Sleigh Ride by multi-instrumentalist Oli Howe, featuring vocals by Tori Kelly. Modulation at 1:41.

Mary J. Blige & Jessie J | Do You Hear What I Hear?

R&B singer Mary J. Blige featured English vocalist Jessie J on her cover of “Do You Hear What I Hear,” the ninth track on her first holiday album, A Mary Christmas, released in 2013. The track starts in Ab and subtly shifts up to A at 1:56

Johnny Mathis | Do You Hear What I Hear?

Johnny Mathis recorded “Do You Hear What I Hear” for his third holiday record, Give Me Your Love for Christmas, released in 1969. The track starts in C and bumps up a half step at 1:28.

Straight No Chaser | Do You Hear What I Hear?

The men’s a cappella group Straight No Chaser have released numerous holiday albums since their debut in 2008. “Do You Hear What I Hear” is the fourth track on their 2016 record I’ll Have Another…Christmas Album. It begins in D and modulates to Eb at 2:25.

Andrea Bocelli & Pentatonix | Do You Hear What I Hear?

MotD holiday favorite Pentatonix and Andrea Bocelli collaborated on a cover of “Do You Hear What I Hear” for the deluxe edition of Bocelli’s 2022 album A Family Christmas, which also features his two children Matteo and Virginia. The track begins C and shifts up a half step to Db at 2:00.

Bing Crosby | Do You Hear What I Hear?

Few voices are more associated with Christmas in the American psyche than Bing Crosby’s. He recorded “Do You Hear What I Hear?” in 1963. The tune starts in B and modulates up to C at 1:52.