From TV show Smash comes “Second Hand White Baby Grand” (2013), performed by Megan Hilty. This is a great demonstration of modulations that are dramatically motivated. The first is around 1:10, and then we return to the original key around 2:32.
Tag: 2010s
Falling Into You (from “Bridges of Madison County”)
Today we feature Jason Robert Brown for the first time on MotD! “Falling Into You” is from his incredible score for Bridges of Madison County (2014). The whole song is worth listening to — key change around 2:30.
If I Dare (from “Battle of the Sexes”) | Sara Bareilles
The theme song from Battle of the Sexes, the 2017 biopic of 1970s tennis phenom Billie Jean King. Performed by Sara Bareilles, its appearance during the film’s closing credits — after the emotional rollercoaster of the movie itself — is an overwhelming moment. Starting in C major, the chorus shifts to C minor (for the first time at 1:08), then back to C major. The bridge, starting at 2:15, brings a shift to a quieter texture, then a jump to F minor at 2:33 — leading up to a triumphant modulation to G major at 3:18.
Barbra Streisand (feat. Jamie Foxx) | Climb Ev’ry Mountain
Here’s a duet from Barbra Streisand and Jamie Foxx, “Climb Ev’ry Mountain” (2016). Modulations at 1:10, 1:33, and 2:50. There is also some great re-harmonization at the end.
Love Will Stand When All Else Fails (from “Memphis”)
We’re featuring a song from the Tony-winning musical Memphis today entitled “Love Will Stand When All Else Falls” (2011), written by David Bryan and Joe DiPietro. A very important message in this song. Key change around 2:10.
Chris Thile, Edgar Meyer, Stuart Duncan + Yo-Yo Ma | Attaboy
Classical musicians don’t always experiment with other genres, but famed cellist Yo-Yo Ma makes a regular habit out of it. Ma has collaborated regularly on jazz projects — but here, he and his band of noted Bluegrass/Americana players present a smooth, lyrical sample of a style often called Newgrass from 2011. Mod at 2:43, then back to the original key at 4:14.
Jonny May | Despacito
Guest post from MOTD member Alex Mosher:
A cover of Luis Fonsi’s “Despacito” (2017) with a modulation around 2:40. The original might have six billion views, but this cover adds something very new.
From Jonny May’s website: “Teaching piano is one of my greatest joys, and over the past 15 years, I’ve helped over ten thousand students take their piano playing to the next level.” He performed as a Main Street Disneyland pianist for over nine years and has over 30 million hits people with his Youtube videos.
Reign of Kindo | The Hero, The Saint, The Tyrant + The Terrorist
The Reign of Kindo, a NYC-based quintet which frequently adds lots of extra instrumentation, has been releasing music somewhere between funk, jazz fusion, and progressive rock for over a decade. Featuring a 5/4 time signature, this 2013 tune modulates four times: during an instrumental break (3:13 and 3:20) and again at 3:28 and 3:42.
They Just Keep Moving the Line (from “Smash”)
Today, we feature Megan Hilty singing “They Just Keep Moving the Line” from the TV show Smash (2012). While the show itself turned into a bit of a soap opera, some really incredible songs came out of it, and this is one of the best. Modulation at 2:06, but the whole performance is fantastic. Enjoy!
Mark Shilansky + Fugue Mill | Ordinary World
After becoming Exhibit A for chart-topping synth-pop blockbusters in the early 80s, Duran Duran scored an uncharacteristically understated hit in 1993 with the ballad “Ordinary World.”
Boston-based pianist/bandleader/educator Mark Shilansky and his band Fugue Mill have thoroughly re-harmonized and restructured the tune with their 2014 cover, stacking verse after verse.
Finally, the single extended chorus arrives (at 3:33) with cascading modulations nowhere to be heard in the original.
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