country – Page 10

Roger Miller | King of the Road

“King of the Road” by Roger Miller (1965) is yet another submission by mod scout JB. The key change at 1:13 is routine, he notes, but “it’s an iconic song from the very end of the epoch when Folk and Pop were still on speaking terms with one another (e.g., Kingston Trio, etc.).”

Tim McGraw | Live Like You Were Dying

Tim McGraw’s “Live Like You Were Dying” was the #1 Country song of 2004, according to Billboard, and the 2005 Grammy winner for Best Male Country Vocal Performance. The title track of McGraw’s 8th studio album, the tune has a dramatic key change at 3:16.

Dolly Parton | Here You Come Again

Dolly Parton‘s biggest crossover pop/country hit of the 70s was likely this 1977 release, “Here You Come Again.” Written by NYC-based megahit composer team Barry Mann & Cynthia Weil, the tune peaked at #1 on the US Billboard Hot Country Singles chart and #3 on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart. Modulations are everywhere, hitting at nearly every verse/chorus intersection.

Willie Nelson + Waylon Jennings | Mamas, Don’t Let Your Babies Grow Up to Be Cowboys

Chalk up another mod for MotD regular Rob Penttinen: Although it was first written and recorded in the 1950s, the signature version of the Country classic “Mama, Don’t Let Your Babies Grow Up to Be Cowboys” was performed by Willie Nelson and Waylon Jennings for their 1978 album “Waylon and Willie.” The tune reached #1 on the US Country charts and crossed over to the US Pop chart as well, peaking at #42. This live version, recorded at Nelson’s own charity event Farm Aid in 1986, modulates up a whole step at 1:10.

Reba McEntire / Hard Candy Christmas

It’s Reba Tuesday, featuring “Hard Candy Christmas” from the musical The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas (2018). Key change at 2:38. Enjoy!

Carrie Underwood | Whenever You Remember

Here’s Carrie Underwood’s track “Whenever You Remember,” released in 2005. Key change at 2:46.

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.

Reba McEntire | I Keep On Lovin’ You

Here’s Reba McEntire singing “I Keep on Lovin’ You” (2009). The key change is at 2:15.

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).

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.