Songs that change key in the middle, and back again
Posted: 15 Nov 2019 23:51
I came across this video by David Bennett showing how some songs change key in the middle of them .. and usually back again. These key changes are what makes a song interesting, and the implication is that this is something that was done quite often in the past .. but not in recent 'pop' music.
Songs with a Downwards Key Change
And another one by him:
4 Inventive Key Changes in Pop Music
Songs with a Downwards Key Change
The vast majority of key changes in pop songs move up, not down! So I've analysed the few songs that do modulate downwards, including Penny Lane, Layla, Wouldn't It Be Nice, Bohemian Rhapsody and You Are The Sunshine Of My Life, to get a better idea of what the downwards key change has to offer.
*CORRECTION*: I transcribed “You Are The Sunshine of My Life” all one semitone up from the original key! So it should be in B major modulating down to Ab major, not C major modulating down to A major. My analysis and all of that is still 100% accurate and relevant! Thanks to those who pointed that out. Sorry!
And another one by him:
4 Inventive Key Changes in Pop Music
I pick apart the key changes in 'Uptown Girl', 'Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds', 'We've Only Just Begun' and 'God Only Knows' and analyse what makes them work so well.