Tag: 1970s

Todd Rundgren | Hello, It’s Me

First released by Todd Rundgren during his stint with the band Nazz 50 years ago (October 1968), Rundgren’s subsequent solo version (1972) reached #5 on the US pop charts. The tune features a horn section including Randy Brecker and Michael Brecker, among other top-drawer players. Something/Anything, the album which featured the single, was later voted #173 on Rolling Stone‘s “500 Best Albums of All Time.”

The half-step modulation at 2:45.

Atlanta Rhythm Section | Spooky

Today’s featured tune is “Spooky,” a 1979 release by the Atlanta Rhythm Section – Band, a southern rock band which enjoyed a string of hits. A cover of a 1967 original by The Classics IV, ARS’s version adds a direct modulation early on (1:29) and continues from there. The two versions went to #17 and #3, respectively.

Janis Ian | At Seventeen

1975’s “At Seventeen,” the most successful single from singer/songwriter Janis Ian, went to #1 in the US and Canada. A biting commentary on Western beauty standards and their effects on young women, the tune was also used in multiple movies and television shows. The tonality switches from C major on the verses and C minor on the choruses (the first transition is at 0:47).

Cheap Trick | Surrender

Rolling Stone magazine called it “the ultimate 70s teen anthem” and ranked it #471 of its “500 Best Songs of All Time.” One of the most well-known bands on the 1970s global rock circuit, Cheap Trick released “Surrender” in 1978 and then re-released it on their live album Live at Budokan. The intro’s key is raised a half-step at the start of the first verse (0:14), then another half-step upward modulation at 2:16.

The Cars | Bye Bye Love

“Bye Bye Love,” a 1978 Rock-meets-New Wave hit from The Cars‘ eponymous debut album, features a section built around E major at the start, transitioning to a D major pattern during the gentler pre-chorus (0:48), and then back to E Major (0:59) for the chorus; the cycle then repeats.

Bassist Benjamin Orr on lead vocals and the unmistakably distinctive style of Greg Hawkes on keyboards, covering many of the band’s famously catchy hooks.

Supertramp | Dreamer

The UK band Supertramp created material that’s a bit tough to categorize; their tune “Dreamer” is no exception, landing somewhere between pop tune, nursery song, and schoolyard taunt. “Dreamer,” a pop hit in two different decades (the studio version went to UK #13 in 1975; in 1980, a live version hit US #15 and Canada #1).

The tune starts in D major, dips into a gentler section in C major at 1:25, and finally returns boisterously to D major at 3:05. There are several other passing extra-key oddities here and there, as well.

Stevie Wonder | Where Where You When I Needed You

Another gem from Stevie Wonder‘s deep catalog of classics: “Where Were You When I Needed You.” Released as a B-side in 1972, it was one half of a two-part medley (along with “Superwoman”). The sound was truly ahead of its time, featuring multi-layered synths and state-of-the-art production. Key change at 2:06.