Tag: soundtrack

Mariah Carey | The Star

“The Star” was the first single released from the eponymous 2017 holiday film, inspired by the Nativity story. Performed by Mariah Carey, the song was nominated for Best Original Song at the Golden Globe Awards. In her review at Pop Sugar, critic Victoria Messina claimed “this brand-new jam just might give “All I Want For Christmas Is You” a run for its money.” Beginning in B major, the track modulates to Db at at 2:51 and then to Eb at 3:11.

Another Day of Sun (from “La La Land”)

“Another Day of Sun” is the thrilling opening number from the Academy Award Best Picture-winning 2016 film La La Land. Featuring a 95-piece orchestra and 40 voice choir and filmed on location in Los Angeles, the song depicts drivers stuck in traffic jam on a highway ramp, singing and dancing about their aspirations to succeed in Hollywood.

“It’s an optimistic song,” said composer Justin Hurwitz, “but it’s also about unfulfilled dreams.” Co-lyricist Justin Paul added, “You pursue that dream, and you go to bed and get up the next day, and it’s a gorgeous day. It encourages you in one breath, and in another breath doesn’t acknowledge that you just failed miserably. You wake up and it doesn’t match your mood. It’s a bright and shiny day.”

Key change at 3:21.

Stevie Wonder + Dionne Warwick | Weakness

After releasing a string of albums which rank among not only his best but the best of the 1970s as well (Music of My Mind, Talking Book, Innervisions, Songs in the Key of Life, etc.), Stevie Wonder took on some film scoring work for the 1984 movie Woman in Red. The style Stevie chose for this project wasn’t focused on evocative instrumental music. Rather, he most provided some pop/R&B hits which could stand entirely on their own, propelling the film to larger success in the bargain.

AllMusic reports: ” … still not having completed the official follow-up to Hotter Than July, he recorded the soundtrack to the Gene Wilder comedy The Woman in Red, which wasn’t quite a full-fledged Stevie Wonder album but did feature a number of new songs, including ‘I Just Called to Say I Love You.’ Adored by the public (it was his biggest-selling single ever) and loathed by critics (who derided it as sappy and simple-minded), ‘Just Called to Say I Love You’ was an across-the-board number one smash, and won an Oscar for Best Song.”

“Weakness” is another contribution from our frequent guest mod scout JB. It was only an album track for Stevie and Dionne, but might have made the cut as a single for lesser artists. The track kept a much lower profile than “I Just Called … ” or even the follow-up hit “Love Light in Flight.” But it’s certainly a showcase for Stevie’s unmistakable songwriting, embossed with the high sheen of 1980s arranging and production. Starting in Db major, the tune floats forward on a relaxed, gospel-inflected 6/8 feel and Wonder and Warwick’s world-class vocal blend. At 2:36, a short but mighty multi-key bridge lands us in F major at 2:51.

Waving Through a Window (from “Dear Evan Hansen”)

Broadway music director and pianist Greg Anthony Rassen (Bandstand, Bullets Over Broadway, An American in Paris) has written a stunning piano quartet arrangement of “Waving Through a Window,” from the hit 2015 musical Dear Evan Hansen, as a tribute to all of the Broadway musicians and other music staff who have been out of work since their shows went dark in March. “I did this arrangement with all of you in my heart,” Greg said in a Facebook post sharing the video. “Never stop making music.” Key changes at 2:10 and 3:01.

Strangers Like Me (from “Tarzan”)

“Strangers Like Me,” by English drummer and songwriter Phil Collins (best known for his work with the rock band Genesis), was originally featured in the 1999 Disney animated film Tarzan, and later included in a Broadway musical adaptation. Also popular as a pop song, the track reached the #10 spot on the US Billboard Hot Adult Contemporary Tracks chart. Straight-forward half-step modulation at 3:06.

Voctave | Someday

The a cappella group (and MotD favorite) Voctave released a new album, The Corner of Broadway & Main St Vol. 2 earlier this month, featuring an assortment of Disney and Broadway hits. “Somewhere,” from Alan Menken’s The Hunchback of Notre Dame, closes the album. Beginning in C major, the arrangement modulates to E at 2:11 before retreating back briefly to D at the 3:00 mark. A final shift to F occurs at 3:33.

The Cheetah Girls | Strut

“Strut” was originally featured in the 2006 film The Cheetah Girls 2, a sequel to the 2003 Disney Channel original movie The Cheetah Girls. The story traces a talented teen quartet who take a whirlwind tour of Spain to pursue their dreams of pop superstardom; it is the eighth highest-rated Disney original movie ever. Key change at 2:30.

Waiting in the Wings (from “Rapunzel’s Tangled Adventure”)

Thanks to new MotD contributor Taylor Hutchinson for this song. “Waiting in the Wings,” from the Disney animated series Rapunzel’s Tangled Adventure, was awarded a Daytime Emmy this past June, completing Alan Menken’s EGOT set (Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony awards). Performed here by Eden Espinosa, who voices Cassandra in the series who sings this number. Key change is at 1:58.

Always Starting Over (from “If/Then”)

If/Then, a 2014 original Broadway musical with a libretto by Brian Yorkey and music by Tom Kitt, tells the story of woman named Elizabeth who moves back to New York City at age 38 looking for a fresh start. The show, which ran for 401 performances and starred Idina Menzel, received Tony nominations for Best Score and Best Lead Actress in a Musical. “Always Starting Over” is Elizabeth’s climactic Act 2 number and features a number of key changes throughout, with the most prominent one occurring at 3:42.