Key Change Blog

Con Te Partiro

2012-02-06T20:52:00.000-08:00

Made famous by Andrea Bocelli during PBS's 1997 holiday membership drive, "Con Te Partiro" features a key change just after the midpoint. Here is a wonderful Spanish-translated rendition of the song, "Por Ti Volare."
-Al Bruno

The Youth

2012-02-06T16:40:00.000-08:00

Fantastic key change in this song at 2:36.
-Owen

Always Be My Baby

2012-02-06T16:31:00.001-08:00

I heard this at karaoke.
-Alan Smith

Got To Be Real

2012-01-30T14:54:00.000-08:00

This funky disco classic with a key change at 1:40 after the break
that kicks the intensity up a notch. The bass line on this is funky
ass Mrs. Wilkes collard greens.
-Nick

Yerbatero

2012-01-30T14:51:00.000-08:00

"Yerbatero" by the popular Colombian singer Juanes. The song's in A minor all the way through the second chorus, after which he cranks it up to B minor.
- Mark

Nothing's Going To Stop Us Now

2012-01-23T07:36:00.000-08:00

Every once and a while a person secretly loves a song and ends up featuring it on a music theory blog. Sometimes today is that day.
Half step up on the guitar solo from the Mannequin soundtrack.
-trov

If You Leave

2012-01-16T16:00:00.000-08:00

I think there are 7 key changes in this one.
-trov

What The World Needs Now

2012-01-02T21:02:00.000-08:00

I'm happy this is the first key change of the year.
-tony trov

Silhouettes

2011-12-25T20:49:00.000-08:00

From the 60s on 6.
-Joanna

For Your Precious Love

2011-12-05T07:01:00.001-08:00

Whole step up key change at 1:38. Otis is the absolute king. I love Marvin Gaye, David Ruffin, John and Paul, the Beach Boys, Al Green, Sam Cooke, Freddie Mercury, and Wilson Pickett as much as anyone on Earth but Otis Redding's voice is the greatest thing ever. You can hear him crying.
-Nick

Beating Hearts Baby

2011-12-05T06:59:00.001-08:00

Key change is in the outro hook.
-Frank

Honeycomb

2011-11-21T20:51:00.001-08:00

This key change is sweet as honey.
-Joanna

Love On Top

2011-11-07T05:47:00.000-08:00

Key change on top.
-Dave Kiss

Comme

2011-10-17T06:55:00.000-07:00

I believe it's at 1:11.
-Joanna

Downtown

2011-10-10T05:34:00.000-07:00

Jumps from E to F right before the instrumental part.
-Trov

Go Ahead

2011-10-03T16:34:00.000-07:00

Key change at 1:50.
-Joanna

Worst That Could Happen

2011-09-26T08:52:00.000-07:00

I heard a cover band playing Worst That Could Happen yesterday and forgot how much I love this song. It jumps from C to Eb after the bridge in a really cool transition.
-Trov

Strangers In The Night

2011-09-26T07:37:00.000-07:00

Step up key change at 1:41.
-Joanna

Football Season's Over

2011-09-19T16:12:00.000-07:00

Shelley Fabares of the Donna Reed Show is an eternal teenager. A step up key change probably got everyone in the locker room's attention.
-Trov

Son of a Preacher Man

2011-09-12T06:41:00.000-07:00

It's not Dusty Springfield's fault that "Son of a Preacher Man" is maybe the most overplayed soul tune ever. The song happens to be one of the genre's gems: great lead and backing vocal work, clean horns, a hell of a bassline, an amazing drum kit performance (the ride hits at the end of the song are just friggin' dirty), and a key change. Goes up a fourth from Emaj to Amaj.
-Mike Oxman

Quando Dico Che Ti Amo

2011-09-05T07:15:00.000-07:00

Key change in the big finish.
-Joanna

Beep Beep

2011-09-05T07:07:00.000-07:00

This 3 minute song that is more of a car commercial than a pop song gains tempo and intensity as it climbs a half step every verse to a climactic end where the Cadillac loses hard. This song is reminiscent of the Gilligan's Island theme song which, contrary to the belief of the Smith Brothers, has no key changes at all. Jimmy...it's in my mother's name.
-Nick

Stacy's Mom

2011-08-29T05:45:00.000-07:00

The chorus jumps from A to C via the solo at the end.
-Joanna

Kyle's Mom Is a Bitch

2011-08-29T05:32:00.000-07:00

Like all cartoon anthems, Kyle's Mom is a Bitch rocks a constantly changing key, with a half step rise after every verse. Comedic and musical genius.
-Nick

Heaven

2011-08-22T06:28:00.000-07:00

Track One from the Monster Ballads collection, featuring Jani Lane (RIP) on vocals. The last chorus modulates to Bb from its normal Ab.
-Kevin Jones

This Will Be Our Year

2011-08-22T06:25:00.001-07:00

I heard this yesterday for the first time and declared it my new favorite song. I was happy to find a great key change at the end.
What a great tune...
-Tony Trov

C'è La Luna

2011-08-22T06:20:00.000-07:00

Half step up with every verse, best song ever.
Sicily>Everywhere.

-Nick

When I See You Smile

2011-08-08T05:48:00.000-07:00

Your key change blog should just be a bunch of rock ballads.
Whole step up key change at the end.
-Nicole

Rock With You

2011-08-08T05:37:00.000-07:00

"Rock With You" is one of my favorite MJ tunes. The key change at about 2:40-ish will rock you into the sunlight.

I apologize in advance if Celine Dion is singing for the first ten second of this video.

-Mike Oxman

Keep An Eye On Summer

2011-06-27T20:16:00.000-07:00

"Keep An Eye On Summer" by The Beach Boys manages, amazingly, to cram four key changes into a 2:25 song: Gb to Bb to Db, (moving up the Gb major triad) BACK to Gb, and finally finishing in G. If this wasn't enough to prove the work superior to lesser songs with standard I-vi-ii-V chord progressions, couple this insane structure with the rich, incredibly complex vocal harmony arrangement and it's easy to understand what made Brian Wilson such an effing genius.
-Oxman

Out in the Fields

2011-06-20T07:44:00.000-07:00

Nifty modulation propelled by the synth part.
One of the Rambo movies totally should have used this tune. I'm a huge Thin Lizzy/Phil Lynott fan, and loved Gary Moore's work with them. This is good for what it is. Was really sad about Moore's recent passing. One of the best

-Kevin Jones

Tuesday Afternoon

2011-06-13T06:26:00.000-07:00

The Moody Blues change keys when they get funky.
-Kristen

On Broadway

2011-06-06T08:22:00.001-07:00

The Drifters are such an underrated group.
Half step between each verse.
-Tony

What Becomes of the Broken Hearted

2011-05-30T18:13:00.001-07:00

A key change can be heard in this famous Jimmy Ruffins tune, modulating from A in the verse to B in the chorus.
-Al Bruno

Nothing But Flowers

2011-05-23T07:17:00.000-07:00

I know someone told me this song had a key change in it but I can't remember who referred it. It just popped up on my iTunes and refreshed my memory. Whole step key change at the end.
I first heard this in my least favorite Kevin Smith film Clerks Two.
-Trov

Back To The 101

2011-05-16T05:19:00.000-07:00

When Albert Hammond Jr. wrote his solo album, it made the world realize that the reason they actually like the Strokes is because of Albert Hammond Jr. Awesome key change here at 2:37. It goes down a half step (always cool when the key change goes down) and the lyrics change from "Back to the 101" to "I count the 101." Killer album, fried and frizzy hair, silly strats, and kickin key change.
-Nick

All My Love

2011-05-09T14:48:00.000-07:00

My favorite Led Zepplin song jumps a whole step.
-Tony

Contact High

2011-05-02T08:18:00.000-07:00

The last chorus makes a huge jump from F# to A.
-Frank

A Lover's Concerto

2011-04-25T06:41:00.000-07:00

This song always makes me think of Mr. Holland's Opus. It's based on the the piece "Minuet in G major". The main difference is the song is changed from 3/4 to 4/4 timing,
A Lover's Concerto has two half step key changes. Starting G then up to G# and ending in A.
-Tony

I Am Glad, Cause I'm Finally Returning Back Home

2011-04-25T06:35:00.000-07:00

A total of three key changes are heard in this popular internet gem, with an ultimate return to the song's initial key in the last 30 seconds. Given that this number appears to have been recorded in the 1960's, I always assumed Trololo Guy, Mr. Eduard Khil, was actually singing about returning from West Germany or the front.
-Al Bruno

Kisses Sweeter Than Wine

2011-04-18T06:07:00.000-07:00

This song has some pretty awesome lyrics. I really enjoy the stop in the hook, and I am in love with the key change between each verse. Boo-ya-kasha.
-Nick

I Have Nothing

2011-04-18T05:59:00.000-07:00

This is such an unbelievably dorky project, and I love every bit of it. The key change hit its peak with ’90s divas and this blog sheds light on some of these anthems, however Whitney Houston’s key change in “I Have Nothing” (the greatest key change of all time) is surprisingly missing from the list. Somewhere, underneath a pile of white dust, a legend cries.
-Hugo

C'mon Marianne

2011-04-11T06:18:00.000-07:00

Inspired the Doors song Touch Me and has a great key change.
-Mike Vivas

Dream Lover

2011-04-04T07:38:00.000-07:00

Nothing says hot fun in the summertime like Bobby Darin music (except Hot Fun in the Summertime by Sly and the Family Stone). Key change at 1:50 surrounded by glorious ah's, amazing arpeggios, and crooning do dat do dat da do's.
-Nick

Believe It or Not

2011-03-28T07:11:00.000-07:00

The theme from Greatest American Hero Jumps a whole step from D to E.
It also appears the audience claps when they hear the key change.
-Al Smith

I Love LA

2011-03-28T07:06:00.000-07:00

A jump from A to C after the tango synth solo.
-Kevin James

I Want It That Way

2011-03-21T07:56:00.000-07:00

Way back from when creepy facial hair, oversize dusters, and undercuts
were all the rage comes I Want It That Way, performed by none other
than The Backstreet Boys. The song jumps from D to E in the third
chorus. Thanks go to Erin for singing the tune the other day.
-Al Bruno

Candy Girl

2011-03-21T07:52:00.000-07:00

Last verse up a key. Fact.
-Frank

Rock 'N' Roll Is Here To Stay

2011-03-14T06:57:00.000-07:00

Philadelphia's own Danny and the Juniors rip off their own intro from At the Hop in this classic song. Key change at 1:40 as the Juniors sit in the crowd and sing. Then, as if the key hadn't changed enough, you get another on at 1:56. Best part of this video: all the girls with the giant pins that say Dick.
-Nick

John T Williams Vigil Seattle S'Klallams

2011-03-14T06:01:00.000-07:00

On 8/30/10 in Seattle, WA officer Ian Birk killed John T. Williams, a woodcarver, for walking down the street carrying a knife & piece of wood. Here's the url of the dash board cam catching this very upsetting crime.

On 9/2/10 there was a vigil held in Seattle honoring John T. Williams. At 2 minutes into the video, there is a whole step key change in the chant.
-Vivas

The Rainbow Connection

2011-03-07T06:23:00.000-08:00

In one of the most beautiful songs ever written, Kermit the Frog nails this key change in "The Rainbow Connection" at about 2:18-ish or so. Lovely.
-Mike Oxman

Sunny

2011-03-02T10:58:00.000-08:00

This song has three key changes in it, as it gets higher and higher.
In memory of Big Frank. We'll miss you.

Because You Loved Me

2011-02-28T04:33:00.001-08:00

Intensity throttling key change of a whole step comes in at 3:41. Oh Celine...you crazy Canuck.
-Nick

*editors note- This means that Nick listens to Celine Dion.

Pippi Longstocking (Is Coming into Your Town)

2011-02-21T07:41:00.000-08:00

Key change on the outro. If you're a Pippi fan, also check out "Scrubbing Day". I hear it's a holiday.
-Frank

Always Look On The Bride Side of Life

2011-02-14T04:09:00.000-08:00

This humdinger has a whole step key change that makes me all warm and fuzzy inside.
-Nick

Danke Schoen

2011-02-07T07:10:00.000-08:00

When I first heard this in Ferris Bueller I totally thought it was a girl .....same with Rush.
Key changes in every verse up a whole step.
-The Rahzzah

Earth Song

2011-01-31T07:14:00.000-08:00

Off of the HIStory: Past, Present and Future, Book I album. A lot of people have probably never heard this song. It's a good song and a great video, especially for the conservationist in us all. Key change at 3:46.
-Lauren

That's Life

2011-01-23T17:30:00.000-08:00

Half step key change on the last verse.
-Dave Kiss

It's Growing

2011-01-17T09:03:00.001-08:00

A very underrated song written by Smokey and delivered by David Ruffin and the boys. This was the follow-up single to My Girl,m which was the first to feature David Ruffin as lead singer. Motown wanted to release something that was similar to My Girl but with a bigger orchestra. Classic key change at 1:35, amazingly awesome dance moves, glasses, harmonies, and suits through out.
-Nick

I Just Had Sex

2011-01-10T09:15:00.000-08:00

Half step jump. Seriously.
-Tony

Joy To The World

2011-01-03T08:11:00.000-08:00

The Forrest Gump sound track introduced me to the best classic rock songs. The second song from that album with a great key change.
-Nick

Bad Reputation

2011-01-03T08:09:00.000-08:00

The best member of the Runaways jumps a whole step.
-Trov

Already Gone

2010-12-27T08:49:00.000-08:00

The song is in the key of G until 3:19 when the Eagles fly all the way to C. Joe Walsh is the bomb.com.
-Nick

Touch Me

2010-12-27T08:40:00.000-08:00

This song starts on a min and resolves to G maj when the verse begins. The verse follows a I, iii, IV pattern repeating in different keys. The first transition is an Eb IV of Bb maj. It repeats the same IV transition going to Gb to Db major. The B section stays in Db, then goes back to a minor buildup.
-Joe Smith

Jump Jive An' Wail

2010-12-27T08:33:00.000-08:00

I haven't seen this video in years but I'm so excited to post it. Great song. Great key change. Take away Brian.
-Tony Trov

Freddie's Dead

2010-12-13T07:32:00.000-08:00

"Freddie's Dead" from the soundtrack to Superfly is a great minor key funk groove. Curtis and the boys start in C#min, move it up a half-step to Dmin completely unexpectedly somewhere in the middle, and then bring it BACK DOWN to C#min again. It catches you off guard every time, and it's a testament to Mr. Mayfield's vocal control that he can adjust so quickly, in addition to have the slickest voice ever.

And for what it's worth, I'll bet that this song is what gave Flea his inspiration for the bass line to "If You Have To Ask." Bass players, listen for the triplet-sixteenths in the breakdown.

-Mike

It's Alright

2010-12-13T07:28:00.000-08:00

Just when you think things couldn't get more alright, J.J. jumps from A to Bb around 1:48 and makes it even better.
-Nick

Working My Way Back To You Babe

2010-12-06T05:45:00.001-08:00

I saw Jersey Boys a few weeks ago and heard so many key changes. Here's one that happens in the last chorus.
-Tony Trov

In The Year 2525 And In the Year 252525

2010-12-06T05:37:00.000-08:00

I was first introduced to this song by the parody of it on Futurama and then I heard the original on satellite radio and noticed that the year 6565 it jumps up a half step. And then it does it again in the year 9595. It seems as though the level of helium in the atmosphere increases every few thousand years. If you haven't seen the episode of Futurama, you have to catch it. I couldn't find a video but I included the audio link.
-Nicholas

Zager & Evans:

Futurama:

Our House

2010-11-29T07:43:00.000-08:00

A quote from the band:
"I remember putting in two key changes instead of one at the end of the song, so as the outro went on you never knew where the beginning was; you'd probably lost sense of the key that the song was in. It was really exciting working on that, and if I say so myself, I was quite proud of it because the whole thing was quite clever and it worked. I've actually used that trick a fair bit. I normally go a tone and a half down — lots of people who've worked with me have heard me say 'What's this chorus sound like a tone and a half down?' — because it's a bit cabaret when you just go a tone up. It was during rehearsals that I suggested doing the 'Our House' outro a tone and a half down, and when it came back it sounded a little bit boring, so I suggested then going to another key, Mike got very excited about that and we basically worked together on it."

-Rachel Eichelberger

Duck Tales

2010-11-29T07:35:00.000-08:00

Kinda copying off of Vogel a little but we were out this weekend and some bar was playing theme songs to old shows and cartoons. The classic Duck Tales theme came on and noticed a very nice key change in there. Check it out.
-Matt Leuzzi‎

Let There Be Drums

2010-11-29T07:33:00.000-08:00

This guy climbs chromatically from the key of E all the way to B, revisiting it's opening riff briefly in A. I heard this little gem on the satellite radio. You have to love a rental car.
-Nick

A Taste of Honey

2010-11-22T07:45:00.000-08:00

Around 2:10, Herb and the Tijuana Brass take it to another level with a classic half-step key change. Classic.
-Nick

Sugar Daddy

2010-11-22T07:43:00.000-08:00

Gotta love the Jackson 5. "Sugar Daddy" is a fun, bouncy tune in F that modulates up a half-step at nearly the two-minute mark, at which point Michael's voice begins to soar.
-Mike Oxman

Ka Huila Wai

2010-11-15T06:30:00.000-08:00

Traditional Hawaiian song with an awesome key change by Israel Kamakawiwo'ole . I really love this song.
-Tony Trov

I Try

2010-11-08T16:51:00.000-08:00

Yeah I know this song is kind of lame. Whatever, I always liked it. Half step key change after the bridge.
-Tony Trov

Uptown Girl

2010-11-01T08:31:00.001-07:00

I'm so glad this song has a key change so I could post this video.
-Tony Trov

The Snorks Theme Song

2010-11-01T08:28:00.000-07:00

Teaching kids key changes at a young age is very important.
-Mike Vogel

Toucha Toucha Touch Me

2010-10-26T17:56:00.000-07:00

Spooky key change from the Rocky Horror Picture Show. Half step up at the end. Take it away Janet.
-Tony

Rebel Rouser

2010-10-25T13:44:00.000-07:00

Half step modulation throughout the song. Note the instruments that come in and out with every key change.
-Tony Trov

I Got You Babe

2010-10-25T13:41:00.001-07:00

Half step key change after the bridge. Nice job Sonny.
-Vivas

Keep Yourself Alive

2010-10-25T13:33:00.000-07:00

The chorus of this song rocks it in D major, jumps to F major at the end of the song, goes back to D and then visits B major on the last time around. Oh Mercles, you rule my world. Queen is the best at what they do. Best part of the video is Brian May singing.
-Nick

Sweet Thing

2010-10-18T06:51:00.000-07:00

It's not surprising that Rufus & Chaka Khan's "Sweet Thing" is one of the most soulful songs ever written, as it features the Queen of Soul Herself on vocals. The sunny, uptempo-but-relaxed groove is in A until about two minutes in, at which point it modulates up a half-step to Bb. Complete flames.
-Mike

Fire

2010-10-18T06:50:00.001-07:00

Cleverly stealing his chorus from Cool Jerk, his Greatness takes the second solo a whole step above the key of the rest of the song at 2:15 in the outro. Move over Rover...
-Nick

Little Green Bag

2010-10-18T06:42:00.000-07:00

Here's a fun one from the George Baker Selection. The key goes from G up half a step to G# just before the last chorus. And here's a weird video of George Baker and said selection drinking wine in what looks like a pizza kitchen.
-Al Bruno

Kenny Rogers & The First Edition

2010-10-11T20:07:00.001-07:00

Kenny Rogers group from the 1960s gives a mean half step key change at the beginning of each verse.
-Frankie

The Sign

2010-10-04T08:02:00.001-07:00

I saw the key change and it opened up my eyes.
The intro segment starts in G Minor and switches to it's parallel major of G Major when the lyrics come in.
-Kristen

Kooks

2010-09-27T05:15:00.000-07:00

The last chorus jumps up a step and repeats. Simple. Classic.
Oh and I love the piano on the verse. Nice job David.
-Tony

I Hear A Symphony

2010-09-20T06:21:00.000-07:00

Half step key changes between the verses that are flawless for old school recording.
-Matt

She's Gone

2010-09-13T04:55:00.001-07:00

The instrumental bridge in this song climbs chromatically from A all the way up to C. Watch as Oates pretends to wail on his guitar on probably the worst music video ever created.
-Tony

All The World Is Green

2010-09-06T11:56:00.000-07:00

"All the World is Green" from Blood Money is one of my favorite Tom Waits songs. It's a somber circle of fourths in B minor that trudges along for three-ish minutes until the progression modulates up a half-step to C minor, giving new life to a song that has no change in feel or melody other than the verse/chorus/verse etc. structure.
-Mike Oxman

To Be With You

2010-08-30T07:57:00.000-07:00

A frat house after midnight classic, Mr. Big's To Be With You seems an unlikely place for a key change but it's there. The final chorus takes the plunge and jumps from E to G, totally making a fool of peer songs such as Pour Some Sugar on Me and Crazy Game of Poker.
-Nick

These Eyes

2010-08-30T07:48:00.000-07:00

Get ready to have this song stuck in your head for the rest of the day. Nice key change in the outro as it modulates a whole step up. I never realized this was the Guess Who.
-Tony

13 Horses

2010-08-23T07:46:00.000-07:00

13 Horses, by Alexander Rybak and is one of the sadder songs that exists out there. 13 horses are abandoned to drown in the ocean after a ship sinks, and the key and intensity shifts up every time a horse dies/loses its battle against the ocean. And the curiously placed major resolution to the song could either be one of the most peaceful or haunting key changes out there.
-Johannes

Remember

2010-08-23T07:42:00.000-07:00

This little known yet awesome Hendrix song, Remember only appeared on the UK version of Are You Experienced. It didn't makw it to the US until the 1993 Alan Douglas American re-release. The song sits in a groove reminiscent of early Curtis Mayfield and is surely a product of Jimi's days on the Chitlin Circuit as a backup guitarist. It grooves in A through the solo, which comes back out to a verse. After the verse proceeding the chorus, at 2:03, Jimi pumps the song into B and rides it all the way out. Best - Guitarist - Ever.
-Nick

Put Your Head On My Shoulder

2010-08-16T05:50:00.000-07:00

Here's a classic from Paul Anka that features a key change going into the last chorus. I'm not sure of the key, but I'm pretty sure it's a full step up.
-Al Bruno

C is for Cookie

2010-08-16T05:47:00.000-07:00

Like any American with a soul, I love the Cookie Monster. "C is for Cookie," in addition to being a true statement, moves up a half-step at about 1:01. Awesome
-Mike Oxman

I Just Called To Say I Love You

2010-08-10T19:05:00.000-07:00

Even the worst Stevie Wonder songs have key changes.
-Vivas

The Way You Do The Things You Do

2010-08-01T18:52:00.000-07:00

The song that pushed the Temps from a small time Detroit group to full out super-stardom, The Way You Do the Things You Do is a classic Smokey Robinson composition. The song sits in the key of D until the classic Motown key change comes in for the sax solo and carries you away in the key of E. At the time the Temps were experimenting with different lead singers and this was the Eddie Kendricks era. Although Eddie continued to get lead parts on many of the groups most successful singles, he was not their only front man. Temptation Paul Allen tried his hand at lead on A Love I Can See (the single before The Things You Do) but the song was only a minor hit. Temptation David Ruffin stepped out of the shadows to become the voice most people associate with the Temps today on classics such as My Girl, Ain't Too Proud to Beg, Since I Lost My Baby, and I Wish It Would Rain.
-Nick

Strawberry Fields Forever

2010-08-01T18:28:00.000-07:00

The weird intro to Strawberry Fields Forever starts in F and jumps to Bb when John comes in with "Let me take you down..."
-Frank

I buried Paul.