ballad – Page 17

Boz Scaggs | Heart of Mine

Boz Scaggs, probably best known for his huge 1970s hits, often features modulations in his tunes. 1988’s “Heart of Mine” first changes key just before the first chorus (0:50), then returns to the original key as it returns to verse 2 (1:30). Then a few more shifts …

Connie Francis | Where the Boys Are

Here’s Connie Francis singing “Where The Boys Are” (1961), with a key change at 1:23. Written by Neil Sedaka and Howard Greenfield, the tune was the title track of a movie of the same name in which Francis had a starring role and reached top 5 in both the US and the UK.

Niya Norwood + Nikko Ielasi | Black Girl Magic

Happy February! In honor of Black History Month, here’s a lushly orchestrated, gospel-infused R&B tune, “Black Girl Magic” (2016), co-written by the lead vocalist, Niya Norwood, and performed by Berklee College of Music musicians, led by Nikko Ielasi.

The bridge starts with a sublime modulation at 3:16 and ends with a reversion to the original key at 3:42.