Here’s James Taylor’s “Your Smiling Face” (1977) featuring a double modulation (0:48 and 1:25). The track reached #12 on the US pop chart and #6 on the Adult Contemporary chart. Rock critic Timothy White described the tune as a “pop sonnet.”
Tag: pop
Paul Simon | Still Crazy After All These Years
One of Paul Simon‘s many solo hits, 1975’s “Still Crazy After All These Years” pushed the album of the same name to #1. The form is quite unpredictable: the first modulation happens at 1:25 (at the start of a bridge, including an odd-metered measure thrown into the mix). Then another pivot at 1:38 into a darkly intriguing instrumental interlude, followed by a key change into a sunnier instrumental section at 2:12, finally settling into another verse and another harmonic shift at 2:50.
Connect-the-dots songwriting, this ain’t!
Dirty Loops | Wake Me Up
Swedish pop virtuosi Dirty Loops covered Avicii‘s smash hit “Wake Me Up” in 2014, completely re-making the song in the process. They modulate while translating verse two into a bridge (starting at 1:39) and throw in another key change at the start of the outtro (2:56).
The Mamas + The Papas | Dream a Little Dream
This 1968 hit from The Mamas and Papas is probably the most well-known of the many versions of “Dream a Little Dream,” which was originally recorded in 1931 by Ozzie Nelson. Modulation at 0:58, then reverting back to the original key at 1:18 (etc.!)
Britney Spears | Lucky
Today we turn to Britney Spears with the classic “Lucky” (2000). The track earned commercial success worldwide, peaking at #1 in Austria, Germany, Sweden and Switzerland and top 5 in the UK. Textbook modulation around 3:00.
The Toys | A Lover’s Concerto
A contribution from MoTD member Paul Steckler:
“Multi-modulation madness! The Toys sing ‘A Lover’s Concerto’ (1965), based on a melody usually attributed to J.S. Bach, with modulations at 0:50, 1:21, 2:09, and 2:25. Who can keep up?”
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.
Diana Ross | Soulful Strut (Am I the Same Girl)
An extra for the weekend … a guest post from member Paul Steckler. Prime US television variety show fare! The music starts around 1:30.
“Here’s some modulation action for you! Diana Ross dancing to ‘Soulful Strut,’ also known as ‘Am I the Same Girl’ (1969).” After some stage banter, the music starts at 1:31. “A modulation of dubious taste at 2:50, then a series of modulations at 3:54.”
Beatles | Penny Lane
This 1967 Beatles release (a “double A side” 45 with “Strawberry Fields”) reached the top 5 across Europe, the US, and Australia. Written about Paul McCartney‘s childhood neighborhood, the tune alternates between its verses and choruses and then nearly reaches its end before final modulation at 2:34.
modulationoftheday.home.blog 