“Respect,” originally released by Otis Redding in 1965, was later a huge 1967 hit for Lady Soul, Aretha Franklin. Franklin’s cover became a feminist battle cry as well as one of the best-known American R&B tunes, winning Recording Academy / GRAMMYs, entry into the Grammy Hall, honor by The Library of Congress, a #5 perch on Rolling Stone magazine’s list of “The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time”, and a place on the “Songs of the Century” list by the The Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) and the National Endowment for the Arts.
The tune modulates on the brief instrumental bridge at 1:17 and is back to its original key at 1:34.
Tag: soul
Commodores | This Is Your Life
Busy mod scout JB contributes “This Is Your Life,” a single from The Commodores‘ second studio album, Caught in the Act (1975). Reaching #13 on the R&B chart, the track was written by the band’s most well-known member, Lionel Richie, who later went on to huge solo fame as a performer and songwriter.
After a lush chorus (starting at 2:38) which brings the entire band’s backup vocals into the equation, the modulation is at 3:24. The tempo of this soul ballad is so leisurely that it actually sounds completely plausible when played back at 1.25 speed!
Aretha Franklin | Til You Come Back to Me
Co-written and recorded by Stevie Wonder but never released until a subsequent retrospective album, “Til You Come Back to Me” (1973) was a huge hit for Aretha Franklin, reaching #1 on the R&B chart and #3 on the Hot 100 chart in 1974. The tune was later covered by over a dozen other prominent artists, ranging from Johnny Mathis to Cyndi Lauper. The short bridge (1:30 – 1:51) departs from the primary key of D Major.
Sam Cooke | This Little Light of Mine
Here’s Sam Cooke’s rendition of the spiritual “This Little Light of Mine” (1964), which played a prominent role throughout the Civil Rights movement. Key changes at 1:09 and 1:43.
Tower of Power | So Very Hard to Go
Tower of Power‘s biggest US hit wasn’t one of the powerhouse uptempo funk tracks for which the band is famous. Instead, it was a ballad, “So Very Hard to Go,” which reached #17 on the pop charts in 1973. The verse and pre-chorus are in Bb major, but a modulation to G major hits at the chorus, reverting back to Bb major for the second verse, and so on.
Otis Redding | Merry Christmas, Baby
Happy Monday! Starting off the week with Otis Redding’s “Merry Christmas Baby” (1968). Key change at 1:35. Thanks to MotD fan Paul Steckler for this contribution!
Aretha Franklin | United Together
Aretha Franklin was a legendary soul/gospel/R&B/pop vocalist — but also a civil rights icon and humanitarian.
Though it wasn’t one of the mega-hits among her huge catalog, this track clearly shows Aretha’s warm, dignified persona and the uncontainable range of her artistry. “United Together” (1980) modulates at 3:50.
Stevie Wonder | Where Where You When I Needed You
Another gem from Stevie Wonder‘s deep catalog of classics: “Where Were You When I Needed You.” Released as a B-side in 1972, it was one half of a two-part medley (along with “Superwoman”). The sound was truly ahead of its time, featuring multi-layered synths and state-of-the-art production. Key change at 2:06.
The Commodores | Easy
Before his solo fame, Lionel Richie scored several big hits with The Commodores, including “Easy” (1977). The tune nears its end with a classic direct modulation at 3:44.
The Stylistics | Stop, Look, Listen
Another harmonically lush track by the Philly Soul gurus The Stylistics. “Stop, Look, Listen” (1971) packs so much into a hit song of less than three minutes’ length — including a few time signature shifts, plenty of orchestral instrumentation, and an uncharacteristically simple direct modulation at 2:21.
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