Tag: dance

Cheryl Lynn | Got to Be Real

One of the all-time legends of the disco genre, 1978’s “Got To Be Real” was Cheryl Lynn‘s debut single. Although it’s had huge staying power, the track somehow only reached #11 on the disco charts. A writing collaboration among Lynn, Toto‘s keyboardist David Paich, and master songwriter/arranger David Foster, the tune was inducted into the Dance Music Hall Of Fame in 2005.

The whole-step key change hits early, at the 1:38 mark. But Lynn’s supple soprano continues to carry her through with ease, stretching all the way up to a lofty C6 (two octaves above middle C) at 2:58.

Many thanks to MotD regular Rob Penttinen for the submission!

Dirty Loops | Lost In You

Dirty Loops‘ “Lost In You” was released on their 2014 album Loopified. The whole song is a total bop, but the key change at 3:04 is definitely a highlight.

From AllMusic’s review of the album, executive produced by David Foster: “…one part jazz fusion trio, one part electronic dance outfit, and one part contemporary pop act. Dirty Loops certainly have chops to spare and layer each track with enough jazz-informed chord progressions, arpeggiated six-string basslines, frenetic drum fills, and melismatic vocal breakdowns to fill any number of Stevie Wonder albums (to name-drop an obvious influence). Thankfully, they also don’t forget to bring the pop melody…”

Lady Gaga | Perfect Illusion

“Perfect Illusion,” a 2016 dance release by Lady Gaga, reached #15 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and #1 in France, Finland, and Greece. It also achieved a top 10 ranking in the Czech Republic, Hungary, Italy, Scotland, and Slovakia. The Verge​ likened the song to “Bad Romance” but with the “extra adrenaline shot of a big stadium rock song and some twinkly, vaguely creepy ’80s synthesizers.” The whole-step modulation is at 1:50.

Mitski | Nobody

Category-transcending artist Mitski spent her childhood living in Turkey, China, Malaysia, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and many other countries due to her father’s US State Department job; the family eventually settled in New York City. The Japanese-born American singer/songwriter’s upcoming album 2019 album “Be the Cowboy” features the lead single “Nobody,” apparently reflecting on (lack of) love amongst the ruins.

The tune builds from more introspective verses into disco/funk-driven choruses. The vocal line ascends throughout two modulations at 2:20 and 2:37 before the tempo and energy deflate into the final bars.

Van McCoy | The Hustle

“The Hustle” (1975) by Van McCoy was one of the biggest early disco hits. The tune was a global smash, going top 10 in the US, the UK, South Africa, New Zealand, Canada, and most of Europe, then later appearing on the soundtracks of well over a dozen movies and TV shows.

The tune alternates between F major and Ab major (at 1:11 and 1:32, then again at 2:52 and 3:13.) After an intro featuring backup-style vocals but no lead vocal, most of the remainder of the tune is instrumental, featuring some of the most well-known flute and piccolo work in pop music. Happy weekend to all!

Cathy Dennis | Too Many Walls

British pop singer and songwriter Cathy Dennis released “Too Many Walls” in 1991. The tune was co-written by Anne Dudley, best known for her work with Art Of Noise. The track reached chart positions of US Adult Contemporary #1, US Hot 100 #8, and top 20 in the UK, Ireland, and Canada.

After establishing her own performance career, Dennis went on to write songs for Clay Aiken, Kylie Minogue, and Kelly Clarkson, as well as the chart-toppers “Toxic” by Britney Spears and Katy Perry’s “I Kissed a Girl.”

After an instrumental bridge (2:54 – 3:14), the tune modulates up a whole step.

Roxy Music | Dance Away

One of our most prolific contributors, mod scout JB, has submitted 1979’s “Dance Away” by Roxy Music. Originally written for a solo album by UK band Roxy Music‘s lead singer, Bryan Ferry, the tune reached #2 in the UK and was Roxy Music’s best-performing single. From AllMusic‘s review: “…the group strips away its art rock influences, edits out the instrumental interludes in favor of concise pop songs, and adds layers of stylish disco rhythms.” The cover design for the album, Manifesto, featuring only mannequins, was also created by Ferry, known as a distinctive frontman second perhaps only to Bowie as the era’s music/visual art/style synthesist.

Starting with a verse built around Eb major, the chorus transitions to F major at 0:50, then back to Eb at 1:10. The bridge begins at 2:00 and transitions to F# major at 2:10, but then an extended percussion break provides cover for an unexpected modulation back to the original Eb major as the verse returns at 2:24.

Donna Summer | MacArthur Park

Donna Summer’s 1977 dance epic ”MacArthur Park” likely represented Peak Disco. Summer’s unmistakeable vocal style is accompanied by full orchestra, harp, and plenty of synths (all part of producer Giorgio Moroder’s signature sound). There are several key changes, the first appearing at 0:26 as a Baroque-inspired string intro transitions into pop ballad, preceding a shift to straight-ahead disco. If you need more, there’s also a 17-minute “suite” version. 😉