Tag: 1990s

Queen | The Show Must Go On

Released only six weeks before Freddy Mercury‘s passing at the end of a brief battle with HIV/AIDS, “The Show Must Go On” (1991) reminded Queen fans worldwide of this global supergroup’s originality and vision. Mercury’s vocal timbre was changed by the disease, but he still pulled off a beautiful performance. Modulations at 1:32, 2:13 and 2:55.

Marin Mazzie | And the World Goes Round

Marin Mazzie, an incredible actress who starred in Ragtime and Passion (and more recently Bullets Over Broadway and The King and I) on Broadway, performed Kander & Ebb’s “And the World Goes Round” in 1991. Mazzie passed away at age 57 after battling ovarian cancer for three years. Key change at 2:53.

Stone Temple Pilots | Sour Girl

Stone Temple Pilots, fronted by the late Scott Weiland, released “Sour Girl” in 1999. The intro (through 0:19) emphasizes G major as a key area, although it also features a flat 7th. The verse (0:19 – 0:56) flips quickly back and forth from D major to D minor (an F# is featured on the melody line on the word “sour ” — coupled with the restless bassline, often suggesting D minor as it shifts as often as every eighth note — adds to the ambiguity).

A far more detailed and scholarly analysis of the tune can be found on the Aaron Krerowicz site.

Howard Jones | One Last Try

“One Last Try” was a 1992 release by UK New Wave/pop artist Howard Jones, perhaps best known for his 1984 hit “Things Can Only Get Better.” The tune shifts keys quite a few times, including E minor during the first verse, a clear shift to G major during the chorus at 0:38, and some E major during the instrumental bridge at 2:17, which features some lovely arranging for clarinet choir(!) and French horn.

Lara Fabian | Adagio

Another new artist for MotD today — Lara Fabian. Two key changes in this 1999 tune — from G minor to Ab minor at 2:18, and then to C minor at 3:10, with a high quality music video to entertain you along the way. Enjoy!

The tune is based on a composition originally thought to be by Venetian composer Tomaso Albinoni, Adagio in G minor for violin, strings, and organ continuo. The neo-Baroque composition was actually written in the 1950s by 20th century musicologist and Albinoni biographer Remo Giazotto, purportedly based on the discovery of a manuscript fragment by Albinoni.

Fly, Fly Away (from “Catch Me If You Can”)

Here’s Kerry Butler singing “Fly, Fly Away” from Catch Me If You Can The Musical (1998). Modulation comes at 3:12. It sounds like there’s another one at 3:26, but it is actually just coming to settle firmly in G Major after wandering to some distant tonal areas in the prior 24 seconds.