Tag: 1990s

Metallica (arranged + dubbed by Andy Rehfeldt) | Enter Sandman

This labor of love is a hilarious re-make of Metallica‘s iconic 1991 track, “Enter Sandman.” Andy Rehfeldt retained only the lead vocal from the original release while re-recording all of the other tracks. The tune has been pushed from its original key of E minor upwards into its relative major key of G major; the original dark metal sound shifts to lightweight, sunny “smooth” jazz. In addition to the full re-harmonization underneath the lead vocal (which stays in its original range), a section of the instrumental bridge (2:42 – 3:00) modulates up a full step before returning to G major.

Toni Braxton | Unbreak My Heart

“Unbreak My Heart,” released in 1996 by Toni Braxton, is a Grammy-winning track (Best Female Pop Vocal Performance) written by Diane Warren and produced by David Foster. The tune stayed at #1 on the Pop chart for 11 weeks straight. When Billboard celebrated its 40th anniversary, the track was declared as the most successful song by a solo artist in the Billboard Hot 100 history. The verses are in the key of B minor, with modulations to D minor for the choruses and G# minor for the bridge.

An excerpt from SPIN journalist Charles Aaron’s review: “This exquisitely crafted, heart-pumping l-u-v song has been droning in the produce department of my grocery store for about a year now, but I’d just like to go on record as saying that if it ever stops, I’ll really be heartbroken.”

Sting | Shape of My Heart

In 1993, Sting released “Shape of My Heart,” a track from the album Ten Summoner’s Tales. Sting said of his guest soloist: “One of the greatest harmonica players this century, Larry Adler … he’s played with George Gershwin, he’s had symphonies written for him, he’s a classical player. He was blacklisted by the McCarthy people in the late ’40s, left the US to live in London, and he’s been there ever since.” Adler passed away in 2001 at the age of 87.

The track modulates for the instrumental bridge (2:24 – 2:53), then reverts back to its original key.

Cher | The Sun Ain’t Gonna Shine Anymore

Many thanks to MotD fan Paul Steckler for this contribution!

Bob Crewe and Bob Gaudio, writers of many of the Four Seasons’ hits, wrote “The Sun Ain’t Gonna Shine (Anymore)”, originally sung by Frankie Valli, and a big international hit for the Walker Brothers in 1966. Thirty years later (1995), Cher covered it. Her version starts in F# and then alternates to G# at 1:50; then back, etc.

Make Them Hear You (from “Ragtime”)

Today we feature “Make Them Hear You” from Ragtime (1996), with music by Stephen Flaherty, lyrics by Lynn Ahrens, and book by Terrence McNally. The musical is based on the novel of the same name by E.L. Doctorow. The performance is by Brian Stokes Mitchell; the key change is at 1:27.