1970s – Page 38

Abba | Money, Money, Money

1976’s “Money, Money, Money” was Abba’s followup to its smash hit “Dancing Queen.” The original title for the tune was ‘Been and Gone and Done It,” which might have affected its huge popularity! The key change hits around 2:25.

Eric Carmen | Brand New Year

Weekend Bonus #2, celebrating New Year’s Eve (release date 2014). By Eric Carmen, better known for 1975’s “All By Myself.” Interesting progressions throughout, but the key change is around 2:50. Many thanks to MotD fan Larry Graykin for the suggestion! Happy 2018 to all!

Five Stairsteps | O-o-h Child

Q: What do Lisa Loeb, The Spinners, Trey Anastasio, and Milton Nascimento have in common?

A: They’ve all covered the classic R&B tune by the Five Stairsteps, “O-o-h Child.”

Not content to wait for a bridge or a last verse, this 1970 release features modulations starting almost right out of the gate (0:38, between the first verse and the first chorus). The track hit top 10 status in both the US and Canada.

Doobie Brothers | What a Fool Believes

Harmonically, this 1979 tune is such a feast that after several decades of casually listening to it, I never caught on that it actually modulates too. In fact, multiple times: on the way out of the pre-chorus and into the chorus (first heard at 1:17) and then back to the original key (first heard at 1:50), then a second time.

Co-written by Michael McDonald and Kenny Loggins, the track hit #1 in the US — one of only a handful of non-disco releases to do so in the first half of 1979.