“You Raise Me Up,” written by Rolf Løvland and Brendan Graham, was initially recorded by the Irish-Norwegian band Secret Garden with vocalist Brian Kennedy. Josh Groban’s 2004 cover brought much wider recognition to the song, and the following year the Irish pop group Westlife released it as the lead single for their album Face to Face; it has since become the eighth most-streamed song of all time in Ireland.
Beginning in Eb, there is a modulation up to F at 1:19 and another to Gb at 2:30.
“Whiskey Girl,” written by country singer/songwriters Toby Keith and Scotty Emerick, is featured on Keith’s 2003 album Shock’n Y’all. The album hit #1 on the Billboard Country chart, and sold over four million copies. “She’s just the epitome of a redneck girl who ain’t into wine and beer or tequila,” Emerick said, discussing his inspiration for the tune. “It’s not strong enough for her. She didn’t do anything but sip on whiskey … We wanted to make her sound like a really good-looking gal who’s also kind of rough — but not some slobbering binge drinker!”
Toby Keith passed away last week at age 62.
The intro to the track is in E minor, and it shifts up to F for the verse at 0:26. A modulation to G sets up the chorus at 0:57. There is a brief return to F for the second verse at 1:48, and a final arrival in G at 2:20.
Scottish singer Susan Boyle rose to fame as a contestant on the third season of the reality singing competition Britain’s Got Talent singing “I Dreamed a Dream” from the blockbuster musical Les Miserables. Her debut album of the same name, released in 2009, quickly became the UK’s best-selling album of all time, and with over 10 million copies sold is now one of the best-selling records of the 21st century. Boyle has gone on to release seven additional albums.
The tune begins in Eb and dramatically modulates up a whole step to F at 1:44.
“I Say Yeah” is featured on the eponymous 2000 debut album by the American boyband Dream Street. The group, which originally formed in 1999 and broke up in 2002, reunited last year and released a single this past June. It is unclear if or when they will release another full album.
This track begins in D and modulates up to E at 2:14.
This song is from Act 1 of the 2005 Broadway musical The Color Purple, announcing the arrival of Shug Avery, a jazz singer to the rural Georgia community where the show is based. The Tony-nominated score by Brenda Russell, Allee Willis and Stephen Bray synthesizes blues, gospel and musical theater influences. A revival was mounted in 2015, and a movie adaptation of the musical was released last month on Christmas.
The song begins in Bb, shifts to G at 0:34, and finally modulates to C at 2:00.
“Bless This House,” originally published in 1927 and written by Helen Taylor and May Brahe, is the final track on American singer Brian McKnight’s 2008 album I’ll Be Home For Christmas, his second holiday record. The track also features the a cappella group Take 6, known for their synthesis of jazz and spiritual themes.
The tune begins in Bb and shifts up to B at 1:48. A subtle transition to C major occurs around 3:29.
Written for the end credits/soundtrack of the 2000 film How The Grinch Stole Christmas, “Where Are You Christmas” is a pop adaptation of the song “Christmas, Why Can’t I Find You” that is featured in the movie.
Mariah Carey, who wrote both songs, originally recorded the former, but due to a legal dispute with her husband it could not be released, leading to Faith Hill recording it instead.
The power ballad starts in Bb, modulates briefly to C at 2:59, and ultimately lands in D at 3:16.
“Ring The Bells” is the title song on Christian singer and worship leader Travis Cottrell’s 2008 holiday album. The track also features Grammy-nominated singer Natalie Grant.
Beginning in F, the song shifts up to Gb at 3:26.
“Never Gone” is the final track on the Backstreet Boys’ eponymous 2005 album. The record marked a transition for the group from a teen pop style into a more pop/rock, contemporary sound, and is the first album of theirs to exclusively use live instruments. It debuted at #3 on the Billboard 200 chart, and has sold over 3 million copies worldwide.
The intro of the track is in D minor but quickly transitions to F, the relative major, when the vocals enter. There is a modulation up a whole step to G following the brief bridge at 2:43.
Written by Milton Delugg and Willie Stein in 1950, “Orange Colored Sky” has been covered by Nat King Cole, Natalie Cole, Lady Gaga, Doris Day and others. Michael Bible included the song as a bonus track on his 2007 album Call Me Irresponsible.
The track begins in Bb with a slow intro before moving into double time. There is a subtle key change up to C at 2:42.
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