1990s – Page 22

Brenda Lee | Go Tell It On the Mountain

Throwing it back with Brenda Lee’s rendition of “Go Tell It On The Mountain” (1991), with a modulation at 1:45.

Shania Twain | From This Moment On

Here’s a double modulation (1:45 and 3:02) from Shania Twain’s “From This Moment On” (1997). The tune was written by Twain and producer Mutt Lange, Twain’s then-husband.

This is Halloween (from “The Nightmare Before Christmas”)

Happy Halloween! There are key changes all over this 1993 release, so we won’t list them here. Thank you to Jeremy Robin Lyons for this suggestion! Enjoy!

Mariah Carey | I Don’t Wanna Cry

One of Mariah Carey’s early hits from her debut album, 1991’s “I Dont Wanna Cry” (co-written by Carey and Narada Michael Walden) made it to #1 on the US Billboard Hot 100 charts. Carey’s first four singles performed identically, making her the first female artist and first solo artist to have all four first four singles reach #1 (The Jackson 5 did it first, as a group). After a big bridge, the modulation is at 3:25, made all the more powerful by compound chords at the transition.

Faith Hill | This Kiss

Faith Hill’s 1998 crossover country/pop hit “This Kiss” went to top-10 status in the US, Canada, and Australia and was later nominated for two Grammy awards. Modulation at 1:45, after quite the killer bridge with its own key change (1:33).

98 Degrees | I Do

Kicking off the week with a 90s boy band throwback, 98 Degrees singing “I Do (Cherish You). Key change at 3:00. Enjoy!

Reba McEntire | Is There Life Out There

This 1991 release, “Is There Life Out There” by Reba McEntire, is accompanied by a full story of a music video, complete with dialogue. The key (and the mindset of our protagonist) officially changes at 3:05, but the vocal doesn’t come in again until later.

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.

Prince | Diamonds and Pearls

Prince released “Diamonds and Pearls” with his band The New Power Generation in 1991. The tune starts in G major, modulates downward to Eb major for the bridge (2:36), and then reverts to the original key. Powerhouse vocalist Rosie Gaines is featured in more of a co-lead role than that of a background singer.