I remember trying to learn the guitar chords for Sunshine. It’s got some unique, jazzy chords as it is so it took a bit. Then I realized I’d have to learn a bunch more for the rest of the song and couldn’t just repeat what I’d already learned lol.
Cheap Trick - "Surrender" because everyone knows the obvious one for the last verse but nobody acknowledges the subtle one that happens between the intro and the first verse.
I am a terrible guitar player but I recently learned Surrender and it’s one of my favorites to play specifically because of those two little “hops.” Just brings the song to life!
Great call! I’ll die on the hill that “Surrender” is one of the greatest rock songs ever recorded and the chord changes are a big reason why. The intro is so epic and then they take it down a half step for the the first verse and then take it down a whole step (I think?) for the final verse and it just turns your ear in the most perfect way. Incredible.
That final chorus is pure oompf.
I find it hilarious that he screams "I DON'T THINK YOU HEARD ME" as though he hadn't been repeating himself ("I think I'll sing it agaaaiiiinn...") for the last three minutes.
This song is so epic. The absolute passion and dedication that went into writing, producing, and recording a song literally just about the value of a particularly erotic style of underwear.
Pure glory of a song.
Whenever he'd say "she had dumps like a truck" though I was always like wait...what?
Like she takes huge dumps and you're super down with that?
This article explains the intricacy of the key change in that song which is pretty uncommon, especially in pop music.
http://www.rebelmusicteacher.com/blog/2017/4/1/direct-modulation-in-sisqos-thong-song?format=amp
I think the incidental micro key "change" in Strawberry Fields due to the melding of both takes in different keys and speeds is fantastic, personally. Gives me chills.
Howard Goodall talks all about it in this awesome analysis of Beatles works from his 20th C great series:
[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZQS91wVdvYc&t=1220s](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZQS91wVdvYc&t=1220s)
Can't recommend Howard's stuff enough - sorry if you already know!
"Here There and Everywhere" might not be (strictly speaking) using a "key change"… but probably has the most creative (out of songs by the Beatles) use of chords and notes "out of key" in interesting ways.
This one and Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds. They had lots of good examples. Lucy has a few really cool changes that are done with such subtlety that they are very effective in changing the mood without the listener getting thrown off.
This is one of my favorite all time songs…such a nostalgia blast from my childhood. Later on years later, as a semi-functioning alcoholic young adult I would be driving home from work and listening and saying “I’m gonna learn this on guitar and sing it tonight” and every night it wouldn’t happen with that song or any song. This went on for years.
I finally quit drinking almost 4 years ago after 10 years of being an active alcoholic, slowly wasting away. This was the first song in those early sobriety days that I learned to play start to finish and sing along with. Now it’s one of several hundred I can strum/sing.
I absolutely love this song…it feels like the bridge back to my real self.
This one is neat because the key actually changes twice in quick succession, but the second change simply changes back down to the original key. But Eric Martin goes up an octave in the 2nd key change that gives the illusion that the key has gone up.
Greatest key change of all time or atleast modern pop is easily The Rainbow Connection and I can't believe no one has said it yet. This guy understood https://youtu.be/uu7ViztLJjs?si=qynYzxGn5pBFGiDM
When my sister got married, she wanted a dance with her big brother. She originally wanted “You’re My Best Friend” by Queen.
But it made her cry.
So I suggested “Rainbow Connection.”
But it made us *both* cry.
So I surprised her with “Big Brother Best Friend” from My Little Pony.
She still cried.
You're not wrong, but it just keeps alternating between two keys, if I'm remembering right. Their earlier tune "Where Your Eyes Don't Go" does a similar thing, but then the coda is this weird major/minor hybrid thing in a wholly different key.
LOVE TMBG forever.
The Dead do this a lot.
"Sugar Magnolia" is a great example.
Sometimes when the cuckoo's crying
When the moon is halfway down
*Sometimes when the night is dying*
*I take me out and I wander round*
*I wander round*
Many songs by Jeff Lynne (ELO) have this great key change that makes it have an eerie sound. I’m not technical when it comes to what it’s called but I love it.
if the criteria is what song was made great by the keychange, or what song pushed key changes forward as an artistic choice, it really is giant steps. i think ppl are just listening songs they like that have dramatic key changes
The most brilliant key change I know is in God Only Knows. The way it seamlessly transitions back into the original key is a thing of beauty. Most people don’t even realize the ride Brian Wilson took them on.
My personal favorite key change is in Next Best Thing by Clarence Clarity. It’s a typical raising half step, but it’s placed at the perfect, unexpected time to make an already well crafted song even more exciting. I could listen to that song on repeat all day.
Man, it's Madonna's *Like a Prayer* by a mile. The key change *is* that song. It defines it. It makes it great. It's perfect. And it's a unique key change! The modulation into the minor key changed no actual notes—just established a new root.
Eric Clapton's "Layla" has to be in the running. The key change from the intro to first verse is an amazing turn. It works even better in the unplugged version, in my opinion.
I Have Nothing is the first one that came to my mind, because it is both an incredible display of her talent and also feels really thematically significant to the song. I'm not even a huge Whitney Houston fan, but when she starts climbing out of her home key on that last "don't ... make ... me ... close" one more door I get chills.
Ahh, yes, the “Karaoke killer” key change. You don’t realize how *big* that key change is until you’re singing it.
You’ve sung the song a hundred times in your car and during timeouts at sporting events. But after three margaritas you forget about the key change and halfway through the song in front of your new coworkers on a business trip you wish you would’ve picked Sweet Caroline.
Shit, so what's it called when you just shift everything up 1/2 step?
Let me find out a key change is more than that.
This is one of the many reasons why I dislike being self taught: so many gaps in my knowledge.
Yep! Goes up a minor 3rd into a whole new part of his voice. Another song that changes up a minor 3rd is If I Could Turn Back Time by Cher- and it happens mid-chorus. Always loved that one.
Yes it is and here’s why: it pivots from Em to Gm, through Dmaj, which works as a leading chord for both. And just to drive the point home, it drops a beat.
It’s not really epic but I always though the key changes in Surrender by Cheap Trick were pretty cool. The intro riff is repeated throughout the song which immediately leads to a key change.
The song is mostly in B before it changes to C at the end. But what I find interesting is they start off the song in the key of Bb and then they change keys to B about 15 secs into the song.
Unbreak My Heart by Toni Braxton has some fascinating music theory behind the key changing: [https://www.reddit.com/r/musictheory/comments/7q9c5m/why\_toni\_braxtons\_unbreak\_my\_heart\_was\_not\_just/](https://www.reddit.com/r/musictheory/comments/7q9c5m/why_toni_braxtons_unbreak_my_heart_was_not_just/)
The Me First and the Gimme Gimmes version is pretty great. So are the original English version by the Kingston Trio and the true original French version by Jacques Brel. Fuck Terry Jacks for turning it into schlock.
This is an incredible 30min breakdown on why Celine's version of "all by myself" is the most elegant of all key changes in pop music. [https://youtu.be/epqYft12nV4?si=EmsmUK8uptSg64up](https://youtu.be/epqYft12nV4?si=EmsmUK8uptSg64up)
And it really is worth the watch, as it dives into all the elements that make this key change anything but some lazy showing off. It's designed for that emotional resonance that you feel listening to it - whether a Celine fan or not, this is quite something as a cover version
[Diana Ross - Chain Reaction](https://youtu.be/PcMD2Gs9fwU?si=YG8W0757jr39TCQS)
I swear the Bee Gees set themselves the challenge of writing a song that's one continuous key change when making that track...
Ghost Love Score by Nightwish doesn't seem to know what key it wants to be played in, so it tries them all. Or at least a half dozen or so. Beautiful song, even if you aren't a metal fan. If you haven't heard it and are interested, check out the live recording from Wacken 2013.
Two that I can think of that do something SO few songs do - change keys DOWN:
Yes - "I've Seen All Good People" - the outro keeps dropping down a key after every repetition (to the point where Jon Anderson's voice almost sounds normal!)
Spoons - "Talk Back" - Canadian New Wave band made a song where, about two thirds of the way through, they drop it about three keys and it hits SO hard.
Side note: the key change in Toni Braxton's "Unbreak My Heart" from Bm to Dm really sounds spectacular; I can't think of any other example quite like it.
Huh? Key changes are still all over the place in pop music...
Anyway one of my all time favorites is Beatles "And I Love Her", modulates up a half step at the guitar solo and stays there the rest of the song.
Paul Simon "Still Crazy After All These Years" does something similar at the end of the sax solo I think? It's tasty.
> Key changes are still all over the place in pop music...
They're not, they're coming back as of the last 6-12 months perhaps, but statistically had almost vanished from big selling songs over the last decade or so.
St Andrews Fall -blind melon
Mouth full of cavities-blind melon
Edit - Being a fan of key changes and having quite a list of them from deep cuts from obscure bands but that would turn out to be great songs, this sub, has so far made me sad
"Next To You" - Dirty Loops has some downright nastay modulations - both as melodic direction as well as used in some pretty killer hits/riffs. It's a gospel masterclass.
"I will always love you" Whitney Houston's arrangement. The keychange has no lead up and is all on her to lead it.
"Reach out, I'll be there" by The Four Tops. The intro (and instrumentals are not in the same key as the verse at all, and it's not noticeable unless you play an instrument!)
If you like key changes, check out J.S. Bach's fuges, inventions, and sinfonias. *The Well Tempered Clavier* was specifically assembled to demonstrate key changes made possible by well-temperament (not to be confused with modern equal temperament), a new type of tuning that enabled one keyboard to support several key signatures. (Modern equal temperament supports all key signatures.) Prior to well-temperament, instruments were tuned to individual key signatures (I think that is called Pythagorean temperament or natural temperament) and any alternative keys just sounded off or out of tune.
Most people don't realize that sharps and flats between notes on a scale aren't mathematically identical in the ideal tuning. Well temperament was a carefully selected set of compromises that let individual tunings support multiple key signatures.
You could name like half of all Stevie Wonder songs for this
Golden Lady outro, nonstop
Summer Soft outro, also nonstop modulations
As
You got that right. Sunshine of my life, my Cherie amor, you name it... Awesome key change in so many
I remember trying to learn the guitar chords for Sunshine. It’s got some unique, jazzy chords as it is so it took a bit. Then I realized I’d have to learn a bunch more for the rest of the song and couldn’t just repeat what I’d already learned lol.
Please Don’t Go
Summer Soft. That walkdown to the 4 minor ("it's October, and she's gone") is cool enough, but the walkdown plus the half step up --!
Cheap Trick - "Surrender" because everyone knows the obvious one for the last verse but nobody acknowledges the subtle one that happens between the intro and the first verse.
I am a terrible guitar player but I recently learned Surrender and it’s one of my favorites to play specifically because of those two little “hops.” Just brings the song to life!
Bb - B - C That song is so much fun to play live
Yep. I was surprised to find it’s one of my cover band most popular songs.
Great call! I’ll die on the hill that “Surrender” is one of the greatest rock songs ever recorded and the chord changes are a big reason why. The intro is so epic and then they take it down a half step for the the first verse and then take it down a whole step (I think?) for the final verse and it just turns your ear in the most perfect way. Incredible.
Isn't it up a half step each time like u/playblu said?
Kid Charlemagne by Steely Dan has two key changes during Larry Carlton's masterful guitar solo
Such a good song.
https://i.imgur.com/JJMCec6.png
Is 'My Sweet Lord' G Harrison one? I can never tell
Yep, modulates from Emaj to F#maj
I Wanna Dance With Somebody by Whitney Houston has a great whole-step key change for the last chorus.
So does “I Will Always Love You”!
HAND EYE
That’s some beautiful coordination
How Will I Know modulates down at the bridge. That’s very rare in pop music.
[The ol’ reliable](https://web.archive.org/web/20140411005838/http://www.gearchange.org/FAQ.html)
I was like shiiit she's gonna go even higher
"I Want It That Way" Backstreet Boys: "Don't wanna hear you..." "Say!!"
also weird al.. "I'm highest bidder.. YAAAAY!!"
Damn, this might win. even people who dont like the song chime in at this part.
Sowing the Seeds of Love by Tears for Fears has a couple of brilliant bridges with key changes.
Also Shout.
"Y'all motherfuckers want to hear a key change?"
*Dumb motherfuckers
Thematically meandering \[Edit\] the song is Country Song (pandering), by Bo Burnham.
Fuck yer' ears I'm panderrinnngg
It’s that fucking scarecrow again!
THEMAAAATICALLY MEANDERIN
https://youtu.be/y7im5LT09a0?si=lUKL-llEngTOoA7h
God damnit, I came here to say that!
Cold... jeeeeeaaaans (strike that last one)
Y’all wanna key change, say fuck that. Fuck that fuck that”
Sisqo - Thong Song
That final chorus is pure oompf. I find it hilarious that he screams "I DON'T THINK YOU HEARD ME" as though he hadn't been repeating himself ("I think I'll sing it agaaaiiiinn...") for the last three minutes.
Yet another hilariously awesome detail of this song. I never get tired of it. I love the way he adlibs “THAT THONG!” like he’s just overcome.
OHHHHHHH
I SAID I LIKE THE WAY!!!
SHE MOVE THAT THANG
I SEE YOUR BODY GLISTENING
I unironically love this song and think it’s genius. The key change is magical.
It’s a completely silly song in concept but the execution was masterful.
This is the correct answer
This song is so epic. The absolute passion and dedication that went into writing, producing, and recording a song literally just about the value of a particularly erotic style of underwear.
Pure glory of a song. Whenever he'd say "she had dumps like a truck" though I was always like wait...what? Like she takes huge dumps and you're super down with that?
This article explains the intricacy of the key change in that song which is pretty uncommon, especially in pop music. http://www.rebelmusicteacher.com/blog/2017/4/1/direct-modulation-in-sisqos-thong-song?format=amp
Penny Lane by The Beatles. Super key modulations!
I think the incidental micro key "change" in Strawberry Fields due to the melding of both takes in different keys and speeds is fantastic, personally. Gives me chills.
Absolutely! The Beatles. what more needs to be said?
Howard Goodall talks all about it in this awesome analysis of Beatles works from his 20th C great series: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZQS91wVdvYc&t=1220s](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZQS91wVdvYc&t=1220s) Can't recommend Howard's stuff enough - sorry if you already know!
"Here There and Everywhere" might not be (strictly speaking) using a "key change"… but probably has the most creative (out of songs by the Beatles) use of chords and notes "out of key" in interesting ways.
Yes, my vote always, mainly because it's so subtle.
It's not subtle when you are trying ro learn the parts by ear. =)
This one and Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds. They had lots of good examples. Lucy has a few really cool changes that are done with such subtlety that they are very effective in changing the mood without the listener getting thrown off.
Mr. Big – To Be with You
This is one of my favorite all time songs…such a nostalgia blast from my childhood. Later on years later, as a semi-functioning alcoholic young adult I would be driving home from work and listening and saying “I’m gonna learn this on guitar and sing it tonight” and every night it wouldn’t happen with that song or any song. This went on for years. I finally quit drinking almost 4 years ago after 10 years of being an active alcoholic, slowly wasting away. This was the first song in those early sobriety days that I learned to play start to finish and sing along with. Now it’s one of several hundred I can strum/sing. I absolutely love this song…it feels like the bridge back to my real self.
Wow, great post and well done
This one is neat because the key actually changes twice in quick succession, but the second change simply changes back down to the original key. But Eric Martin goes up an octave in the 2nd key change that gives the illusion that the key has gone up.
Man in the Mirror by Michael Jackson has a pretty epic one.
Came here to say this, and it's so perfect that the key change happens just as he belts out the word "CHANGE!"
I mean, frankly if they hadn't taken that opportunity to make a key change it would've been shamefully negligent songwriting.
Fun fact: Man in the Mirror was cowritten by Glen Ballard, who also cowrote most of the songs on Alanis Morissertte’s Jagged Little Pill album.
No way! What a talented lad.
Greatest key change of all time or atleast modern pop is easily The Rainbow Connection and I can't believe no one has said it yet. This guy understood https://youtu.be/uu7ViztLJjs?si=qynYzxGn5pBFGiDM
When my sister got married, she wanted a dance with her big brother. She originally wanted “You’re My Best Friend” by Queen. But it made her cry. So I suggested “Rainbow Connection.” But it made us *both* cry. So I surprised her with “Big Brother Best Friend” from My Little Pony. She still cried.
I'm sorry, but AWWWWWWWW. Sounds like you two are close. :)
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I figured it was some family vacation
Thank you for sharing that! Just what I needed this week!
Birdhouse In Your Soul by They Might Be Giants. It has 18 key changes.
You're not wrong, but it just keeps alternating between two keys, if I'm remembering right. Their earlier tune "Where Your Eyes Don't Go" does a similar thing, but then the coda is this weird major/minor hybrid thing in a wholly different key. LOVE TMBG forever.
How about the Simpsons' Theme Song? It has quite a few of them, too...
The final chorus of Heaven Is A Place On Earth by Belinda Carlisle!
It borrows everything from "Living on a Prayer."
Including the key change
The Dead do this a lot. "Sugar Magnolia" is a great example. Sometimes when the cuckoo's crying When the moon is halfway down *Sometimes when the night is dying* *I take me out and I wander round* *I wander round*
Brokedown palace...
The dead love did it about ten times a show. Especially during an epic night of “>’s”.
I was thinking The Wheel
“Theeeeeese little town bluuuuuues…”
Many songs by Jeff Lynne (ELO) have this great key change that makes it have an eerie sound. I’m not technical when it comes to what it’s called but I love it.
First thing I thought of is the full outro to Mr. Blue Sky.
Wow 130 comments and no Giant steps from John Coltrane? That's the coolest key CHANGES ever
if the criteria is what song was made great by the keychange, or what song pushed key changes forward as an artistic choice, it really is giant steps. i think ppl are just listening songs they like that have dramatic key changes
This 💯is the correct answer🎯.
The most brilliant key change I know is in God Only Knows. The way it seamlessly transitions back into the original key is a thing of beauty. Most people don’t even realize the ride Brian Wilson took them on. My personal favorite key change is in Next Best Thing by Clarence Clarity. It’s a typical raising half step, but it’s placed at the perfect, unexpected time to make an already well crafted song even more exciting. I could listen to that song on repeat all day.
Man, it's Madonna's *Like a Prayer* by a mile. The key change *is* that song. It defines it. It makes it great. It's perfect. And it's a unique key change! The modulation into the minor key changed no actual notes—just established a new root.
Eric Clapton's "Layla" has to be in the running. The key change from the intro to first verse is an amazing turn. It works even better in the unplugged version, in my opinion.
I can't hear that song without mentally seeing the scene from Goodfellas when everyone gets whacked.
Yes! I’ve always loved this one. It’s so subtle - yet so surprising. And it really emphasizes the contrast between verse and chorus.
I Will Always Love You by Whitney Houston
Whitney got some powerful key changes. My first thought was The Greatest Love of All, and I Have Nothing also has a good one
When you have Whitney’s pipes it’s a disservice to not have a key change in every song.
I Wanna Dance With Somebody too
I Have Nothing is the first one that came to my mind, because it is both an incredible display of her talent and also feels really thematically significant to the song. I'm not even a huge Whitney Houston fan, but when she starts climbing out of her home key on that last "don't ... make ... me ... close" one more door I get chills.
This is the one. That key change, which isn't present in Dolly's original, is arguably what made it more known to be Whitney's song. Just so powerful!
Power and from the first moment and with no wind up. Just set that shit directly to maximum.
"Get Out of My Dreams, Get into My Car" by Billy Ocean
I'll Make a Man Out of You from Mulan.
any love for “stacy’s mom”?? that key change heading into the guitar solo is sooo nice
Such a good one
Yes, a very clever one that just pops out of nowhere.
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Yes, it modulates like 5 times. It's nuts. I was going to post this but I'm glad someone else posted it!
Funny this came to my mind actually. It actually "feels right" too and I don't even care for the song much
Come on guys we all know it’s Livin On A Prayer
Ahh, yes, the “Karaoke killer” key change. You don’t realize how *big* that key change is until you’re singing it. You’ve sung the song a hundred times in your car and during timeouts at sporting events. But after three margaritas you forget about the key change and halfway through the song in front of your new coworkers on a business trip you wish you would’ve picked Sweet Caroline.
I'll Be There For You has a pretty epic one too.
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Shit, so what's it called when you just shift everything up 1/2 step? Let me find out a key change is more than that. This is one of the many reasons why I dislike being self taught: so many gaps in my knowledge.
Modulation
It’s Em to Gm. It’s a minor 3rd change.
Made even more fun by the video. The whole video is in black & white until the key change. And then, on that beat, BOOM - full color.
I can’t believe I had to scroll this far down to find this one.
Yep! Goes up a minor 3rd into a whole new part of his voice. Another song that changes up a minor 3rd is If I Could Turn Back Time by Cher- and it happens mid-chorus. Always loved that one.
Yes it is and here’s why: it pivots from Em to Gm, through Dmaj, which works as a leading chord for both. And just to drive the point home, it drops a beat.
Heathcliff theme song
This song is a legit banger
This kid has been terrorizing my neighborhood with it
I’m glad someone mentioned this
It’s not really epic but I always though the key changes in Surrender by Cheap Trick were pretty cool. The intro riff is repeated throughout the song which immediately leads to a key change. The song is mostly in B before it changes to C at the end. But what I find interesting is they start off the song in the key of Bb and then they change keys to B about 15 secs into the song.
Do You Realise? by the Flaming Lips... when it reverses the first key change!
Unbreak My Heart by Toni Braxton has some fascinating music theory behind the key changing: [https://www.reddit.com/r/musictheory/comments/7q9c5m/why\_toni\_braxtons\_unbreak\_my\_heart\_was\_not\_just/](https://www.reddit.com/r/musictheory/comments/7q9c5m/why_toni_braxtons_unbreak_my_heart_was_not_just/)
Rick Beato had an episode about all the changes in Sergio Mendez's "Never Gonna Give You Up"
It's "Never Gonna Let You Go," and I came here to mention it, but I'm sure Rick Astley appreciates the nod ;)
Total Eclipse of the Heart by Bonnie Tyler has some nice key changes.
I'm not sure of the best, but the worst has to be "Seasons in the Sun".
I mean, that song just can't seem to decide what key it wants to be in.
The Me First and the Gimme Gimmes version is pretty great. So are the original English version by the Kingston Trio and the true original French version by Jacques Brel. Fuck Terry Jacks for turning it into schlock.
When I think key changes, the first song that comes to mind is What’s Love Got to do with It.
J. S. Bach's [Endlessly Rising Canon](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Musical_Offering#Canon_per_tonos_(endlessly_rising_canon)).
Bo Burnhams country song “Pandering” “Y’all dumb mother fuckers ready for a key change?” Then the song changes key. Musical comedy gold.
[Harry Nilsson - Without You](https://youtu.be/8dnUv3DUP4E)
Upvoted for linking.
Most of the better David Bowie songs, tbh. Like... Life On Mars?
She’s Gone - Hall & Oats
Nightwish - Everdream [Everdream by Nightwish](https://youtu.be/YwGSAFarHRg)
Lover you should've come over - Jeff Buckley Scenes from an Italian restaurant - Mr Joel Probably my two favorites Nothing lazy about these two songs.
Roxette's "Listen To Your Heart" has a perfectly written key change following the guitar solo.
Elton John - Goodbye Yellow Brick Road. Parallel minor key changes for the pre-chorus.
This is an incredible 30min breakdown on why Celine's version of "all by myself" is the most elegant of all key changes in pop music. [https://youtu.be/epqYft12nV4?si=EmsmUK8uptSg64up](https://youtu.be/epqYft12nV4?si=EmsmUK8uptSg64up) And it really is worth the watch, as it dives into all the elements that make this key change anything but some lazy showing off. It's designed for that emotional resonance that you feel listening to it - whether a Celine fan or not, this is quite something as a cover version
Me and Bobby McGee has a cool change from G to A
Belinda Says by Alvvays https://youtu.be/YVJ0ZKYu-GI
I love when Weird Al and Kate Winslet sing "change key!" in "I Need A Nap"
Every single Barry Manilow song, without fail, had a key change. Maybe not the greatest, but the most persistent.
Son of a Preacher Man has a nice change from E to A that is simple, but really well executed.
Come Sail Away - Styx
[Diana Ross - Chain Reaction](https://youtu.be/PcMD2Gs9fwU?si=YG8W0757jr39TCQS) I swear the Bee Gees set themselves the challenge of writing a song that's one continuous key change when making that track...
I love the key change / transition in "Your Smiling Face" by James Taylor - I love how he builds to it rather than a simple obvious change : )
Our House - Madness
Warrant — Sometimes She Cries
Living on a prayer - Bon Jovi
ABBA - Money Money Money. The pathos brought by that key change!!
“Do You Realize?” - Flaming Lips “Rainbow Connection” - Kermit the Frog
Delta Dawn - as covered by Me First and the Gimme Ginmes while they Ruin Jonny’s Bar Mitzvah.
send him back by the pointer sisters. no contest.
"Joy to the World" by Three Dog Night has a great key change in it. The syncopation changes, too.
All By Myself - Celine Dion Breakdown: [https://youtu.be/epqYft12nV4?si=SDWYACvHKYpJHkGs](https://youtu.be/epqYft12nV4?si=SDWYACvHKYpJHkGs)
Nightwish does it fairly frequently! My favorite is the Wacken 2013 version of Ever Dream. Floor just belts the shit out of that key change.
Black Sabbath - Fairies Wear Boots Song is in G, but they walk up to C# for the first guitar solo, then back to G. Love it.
Beethoven’s 5th - 4th mvt from C minor to C major
Ghost Love Score by Nightwish doesn't seem to know what key it wants to be played in, so it tries them all. Or at least a half dozen or so. Beautiful song, even if you aren't a metal fan. If you haven't heard it and are interested, check out the live recording from Wacken 2013.
Two that I can think of that do something SO few songs do - change keys DOWN: Yes - "I've Seen All Good People" - the outro keeps dropping down a key after every repetition (to the point where Jon Anderson's voice almost sounds normal!) Spoons - "Talk Back" - Canadian New Wave band made a song where, about two thirds of the way through, they drop it about three keys and it hits SO hard. Side note: the key change in Toni Braxton's "Unbreak My Heart" from Bm to Dm really sounds spectacular; I can't think of any other example quite like it.
Would? By Alice in Chains key change is so smooth and subtle most people don't notice it.
Huh? Key changes are still all over the place in pop music... Anyway one of my all time favorites is Beatles "And I Love Her", modulates up a half step at the guitar solo and stays there the rest of the song. Paul Simon "Still Crazy After All These Years" does something similar at the end of the sax solo I think? It's tasty.
> Key changes are still all over the place in pop music... They're not, they're coming back as of the last 6-12 months perhaps, but statistically had almost vanished from big selling songs over the last decade or so.
i saw a graph of the top 40 hits including modulation, and it absolutely flatlines 10-15 years ago so this tracks
"Nearly extinct" may have been pushing it, but it clearly isn't anywhere near as common as it used to be.
St Andrews Fall -blind melon Mouth full of cavities-blind melon Edit - Being a fan of key changes and having quite a list of them from deep cuts from obscure bands but that would turn out to be great songs, this sub, has so far made me sad
The series of modulations at the end of “The Ministry of Lost Souls” by Dream Theater gets me every time.
"Next To You" - Dirty Loops has some downright nastay modulations - both as melodic direction as well as used in some pretty killer hits/riffs. It's a gospel masterclass.
Jeff Buckley - Last Goodbye
In The Year 2525 - there's like a dozen key changes.
HIM - Your sweet six six six
Sweet Child O Mine by Guns N Roses
2Pac had keys coming from overseas. That's a pretty large distance. I don't remember what it cost though.
200 g’s?
Joke’s on you. That was Big Syke.
The Handshake by MGMT
Alien Days by MGMT Its Working by MGMT
Lorde - “Green Light”
Flame Trees by Cold Chisel lifts the song so much.
"I Need A Nap" by Weird Al Yankovic and Kate Winslet. Recorded for a Sandra Boynton book and cd project https://youtu.be/qLJsWPIKbFo
"96 Tears." Right at the bridge, it shifts to a minor key, then back on the close. The chord change gives me a little rush every time.
How is love on top not on top?
You should listen to the late Romantic composers.
“Up The Junction” by Squeeze modulates down a whole step one between the bridge the last, and you don’t even notice unless you’re playing along.
"I will always love you" Whitney Houston's arrangement. The keychange has no lead up and is all on her to lead it. "Reach out, I'll be there" by The Four Tops. The intro (and instrumentals are not in the same key as the verse at all, and it's not noticeable unless you play an instrument!)
If you like key changes, check out J.S. Bach's fuges, inventions, and sinfonias. *The Well Tempered Clavier* was specifically assembled to demonstrate key changes made possible by well-temperament (not to be confused with modern equal temperament), a new type of tuning that enabled one keyboard to support several key signatures. (Modern equal temperament supports all key signatures.) Prior to well-temperament, instruments were tuned to individual key signatures (I think that is called Pythagorean temperament or natural temperament) and any alternative keys just sounded off or out of tune. Most people don't realize that sharps and flats between notes on a scale aren't mathematically identical in the ideal tuning. Well temperament was a carefully selected set of compromises that let individual tunings support multiple key signatures.
There's a lot that are good, but God Only Knows by the Beach Boys is one of my favorites.
Love On Top by Beyoncé comes to mind