“Believe It or Not,” performed here by Joey Scarbury, was the theme song for the 1980s TV show The Greatest American Hero, and was also a Billboard Top 40 hit. Direct whole step modulation at 2:24.
Tag: TV
“Queer Eye” themes (2003 and 2018)
Not a modulation per se, but an interesting reharmonization of the theme of a “make-better” TV franchise which has enjoyed two successful runs in different decades. Queer Eye For The Straight Guy, which ran in the early 2000s, featured a theme by Widelife in a major key.
The updated Queer Eye, which just finished its third season, features a theme by Betty Who which maintains some of the elements of the original — but overall takes a more minimalist approach in a minor key.
Peek Freans cookie ad
Weekend Bonus Mod: This 1970s ad for Peek Freans cookies features a lyric which most companies would likely avoid today (“much too good to waste on children”), but also provides a modulation at 0:14 to go along with its reverse psychology.
The Monkees | Theme from “The Monkees” TV Show
A boy band before the term was even coined, The Monkees were assembled by TV professionals to cast a music-centric sitcom (1966-1968) “about an imaginary band… that wanted to be the Beatles,” according Monkee Mickey Dolenz. Eventually, the actors learned to play their instruments for real, continuing as a band until 1971 and producing several huge hits. The brief theme song from the TV show manages to pack in two direct modulations at 0:26 and 0:36.
Let Me Be Your Star (from “Smash”)
“Let Me Be Your Star” from the TV series Smash (2013), performed by Katharine McPhee, is today’s feature. The composer for the series were Marc Shaiman, Scott Wittman, and Chris Bacon. Key change at 2:11.
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.”
Second Hand White Baby Grand (from “Smash”)
From TV show Smash comes “Second Hand White Baby Grand” (2013), performed by Megan Hilty. This is a great demonstration of modulations that are dramatically motivated. The first is around 1:10, and then we return to the original key around 2:32.
They Just Keep Moving the Line (from “Smash”)
Today, we feature Megan Hilty singing “They Just Keep Moving the Line” from the TV show Smash (2012). While the show itself turned into a bit of a soap opera, some really incredible songs came out of it, and this is one of the best. Modulation at 2:06, but the whole performance is fantastic. Enjoy!
Let It Snow (from “Glee”)
Today we feature “Let it Snow” (2011) from Glee, which sneaks in a key change right at the end (around 2:00). But the whole video is great. Enjoy!
Yeo Valley advertisement
Modulation of the Day would like to present the 2011 commercial for Yeo Valley, a large farming operation in the UK. There is a modulation, around 1:20, that you don’t want to miss. But don’t miss the huge number of boy band cliches which are served up throughout!
modulationoftheday.home.blog 