pop – Page 99

Sting | If I Ever Lose My Faith in You

Sting‘s 1993 single “If I Ever Lose My Faith In You” features plenty of pipe organ in addition to traditional rock instrumentation. It modulates at the bridge (2:20), then reverts to the original key. A striking downward modulation (3:19) runs until the last key change (3:38).

Celine Dion | The Power of the Dream

Here’s Celine Dion performing live at the 1996 Olympic Games with “The Power of the Dream.” Her performance was heard by 100,000 people in the arena as well as 3.5 billion others worldwide. The modulation is at 3:18.

NYT: David Foster, the Godfather of Schmaltz

From today’s New York Times: David Foster is responsible for composing and/or producing many of the songs that have been featured on MotD over the years (and on today’s Celine post you can find him at the piano!)

Hall + Oates | Method of Modern Love

By the mid-80s, Hall and Oates had scored a huge number of hits — more than any other duo in history. While 1984’s “Method of Modern Love” isn’t among the band’s top layer of major hits, it features a fun, goofy video concept, a shimmery modulation at 3:50, and a document of what might have arguably been pop music’s “peak mullet” moment.

David Archuleta | Something ‘Bout Love

Here’s David Archuleta with “Something ‘Bout Love” (2010). Key change at 3:03.

Genesis | Turn It On Again

One of the singles from Duke, Genesis‘ 1980 album, “Turn It On Again” features plenty of modulations — as well as mixed meters! This album marked the band’s biggest departure from its “prog” rock origins towards its later pop-friendly material — all the while never losing its infectious harmonies. Phil Collins serves yeoman’s duty on both vocals and drums.

0:48 transitions up a half step, then back to the original key at 1:03; back up at 1:17, then back to the original key at 1:26. We start the cycle again with verse two at 1:34. Plenty of pedal point on this track, with the bass note remaining static while chords change above.

Backstreet Boys | All I Have to Give

Here’s the Backstreet Boys 1998 hit “All I Have To Give.” Modulation at 3:17.

10cc | The Things We Do For Love

1977 saw a bouncy, harmonically restless pop hit by British band 10cc, “The Things We Do for Love.” The instrumental intro starts in key A; verse 1 modulates at 0:19 into Key B; another key change at the intro to verse 2 reverts back to Key A (1:15); another at the bridge (which could also be heard as an instrumental verse) into key B at 1:38; back to Key A at 2:16; and finally back to key B at 2:34.

Cliff Richard | We Don’t Talk Anymore

A 1979 UK #1 (US #7) hit for British pop star Sir Cliff Richard, “We Don’t Talk Anymore” was released just before Richard won the Order of the British Empire for his service to music. The tune starts very simply, throws in some more complex progressions to get us a bit off-balance at 1:30, modulates at 1:40, then reverts to the original key at 1:49. The cycle repeats in the second verse/chorus (3:02 / 3:11 / 3:19).

Bon Jovi | Livin’ on a Prayer

A classic key change: Bon Jovi’s “Livin’ On a Prayer” (1986) features a modulation that sneaks in at 3:23. VH1’s viewers voted the track #1 on its “100 Greatest Songs of the 80s” list. The tune is in 4/4 overall but skips a beat at the key change — as our ears do a double-take.