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.
“I Surrender,” written by Louis Biancaniello and Sam Watters, is included on Canadian singer Celine Dion’s 2002 album A New Day Has Come. The album has sold over 12 million copies worldwide and debuted at #1 in 13 countries. The track begins in G minor and dramatically modulates up a half step to G# minor at 3:21.
“Paid My Dues” is featured on American singer Anastacia’s 2001 album Freak of Nature. Reviewing the album for Slant magazine, critic Sal Cinquemani wrote “her tenacious attitude on songs like “Paid My Dues” and the funky title track carve a unique niche for the singer.”
The track reached the #1 spot on the charts in Denmark, Hungary, Italy, Norway, and Switzerland. It begins in C# minor and modulates up to D minor for the last two times through the chorus at 2:38.
“Never Again” is the final track on Justified, Justin Timberlake’s 2002 debut solo studio album. The track, co-written and produced by Brian McKnight, expresses regret about a relationship that didn’t work out. It begins in Db and modulates up a half step to E for the bridge at 2:45 before returning to Db at 3:10 for a brief instrumental interlude leading into the chorus.
“Caruso,” written by Italian singer/songwriter Lucio Dalla, is featured on the 2006 album Siempre by the classical crossover group Il Divo. “Their phrasing on…Caruso is excellent, drawn out to pull as much emotion as possible,” AllMusic said in their review of the record. The album sold over a million copies in the United States, and was the #2 classical crossover album on the Billboard charts for the year.
The track begins in C minor, modulates up a half step to C# minor for the second verse at 1:26, and then dramatically rises up another half step to D minor for the final chorus at 2:44.
“Oceano” is the lead track on Josh Groban’s 2003 album Closer, the top-selling album of the 2000s in the US.
Produced by David Foster, the song begins by fluidly passing between F major and F minor. In the instrumental interlude between verses, the harmony turns very chromatic, passing through Eb major and E minor before winding back to the tonal center of F at 2:06. There is a definitive modulation to Db at 3:05, which then segues into a subdued outro in D minor.
“Beautiful,” written by pianist Jim Brickman, is included on his fourteenth studio album, The Disney Songbook, released in 2005. The track features vocalist Wayne Brady; it begins in Bb and modulates up to C at 2:34.
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