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Thursday Coffee Break: Key Change!

Posted at 8:49 AM on November 12, 2009 by Steve Seel (35 Comments)
Filed under: 9:30 Coffee Break

What ever happened to the mid-song key change? You just don't seem to hear them like you used to. Is it because rock musicians these days don't quite know their music theory like musicians of previous generations did, and only learn their parts to songs chord by chord? Whatever the reason, it's just rare to hear anymore. So help us put together a solid set featuring key changes today for the 9:30 Coffee Break.

Comments (35)

"Stand" by REM. I can't remember exatcly, but I feel like there are multiple key changes at the end. Plus, it's a great song to get you going in the morning.

Posted by Chris P | November 12, 2009 8:56 AM

Paranoid Android - Radiohead

Posted by L. F. M | November 12, 2009 8:59 AM

"I Will Always Love You" by Whitney Houston has a pretty good one. As well as "To Be With You" by Mr. Big.

Posted by Emily | November 12, 2009 9:01 AM

I used to roller skate to Funeral for a Friend. They played it between skate sessions so it was exhilarating to switch styles of skating. Well, at the time. Haven't listen to the song in a long while. Funny you bring the key change thing up. I had been thinking the same thing.

Posted by Jocelyn Sweet van Toor | November 12, 2009 9:03 AM

Total Eclipse of the Heart - Bonnie Tyler huge wait-for-it key changes

Posted by Joy | November 12, 2009 9:03 AM

Michael Jackson's 'Man in the Mirror.' It's the best key change ever.

Posted by Jess | November 12, 2009 9:04 AM

"Road To Nowhere" - Talking Heads

"I Wanna Be Sedated" - Ramones

Posted by Kevin | November 12, 2009 9:04 AM

The White Stripes cover of "Conquest" apparently has a key change. . . The wife and I were riding in the car listening to the always fine 89.3 and outta no where the wife says, "key change". Now, every time we listen to the Current together, I always throw out, "Oh, key change" on about every song just in case there is one. I also do it to to annoy her.

Posted by Sabin | November 12, 2009 9:06 AM

The Supremes: Where did our love go. --Key changes ad infinitum.

Patsy Cline (Willie Nelson): Crazy --last stanza

Posted by Jeremy | November 12, 2009 9:07 AM

I Walk the Line - Johnny Cash
Penny Lane - The Beatles

Posted by Suki | November 12, 2009 9:07 AM

Some modern suggestions:

A Perfect Circle: "3 Libras" or "Rose"

"Rose" has a lot of key changes.

Posted by Breanne | November 12, 2009 9:08 AM

The Supremes: Where did our love go. --Key changes ad infinitum.

Patsy Cline (Willie Nelson): Crazy --last stanza

Posted by Jeremy | November 12, 2009 9:09 AM

"I Wanna Be Sedated" - Ramones

Posted by Kim | November 12, 2009 9:10 AM

Also, I second "Road to Nowhere." That was a really good suggestion.

Posted by Breanne | November 12, 2009 9:12 AM

"Never forget you," The Noisettes
"Do you realize?" The Flaming Lips
"I wanna be sedated," The Ramones

This one was hard!

Posted by Kim E | November 12, 2009 9:12 AM

"Dizzy" by Tommy Roe has at least half a dozen key changes!!!

Posted by Elizabeth | November 12, 2009 9:15 AM

"Summerteeth" by Wilco

"Oliver's Army" by Elvis Costello (if a little politically incorrect with its Irish pejorative)

Posted by Jack | November 12, 2009 9:16 AM

"Dizzy" by Tommy Roe has at least half a dozen key changes!!!

Posted by Elizabeth | November 12, 2009 9:17 AM

"Dizzy" by Tommy Roe has at least half a dozen key changes!!!

Posted by Elizabeth | November 12, 2009 9:18 AM

The song "Thank God It's Monday" by NOFX from their Pump Up The Valuum album. This is a modern key change song where the band literally explains what they are doing musically. They shout out "Modulation!" and "Gimme another key!" right before a great key change toward the end of the song.

Posted by Courtney | November 12, 2009 9:18 AM

On second thought, strike "Oliver's Army." The more I think about it, the N word just mars that song for me. Sorry to redact.

Posted by Jack | November 12, 2009 9:20 AM

"Another Saturday Night"- Cat Stevens is a groovy sing-a-long song

The Killer's "Joy Ride" i'm pretty sure there is a key change at around 2:10.

Posted by anna | November 12, 2009 9:22 AM

Hall and Oates - She's Gone

My friends and I always love the key change in this song!

Posted by Alexa | November 12, 2009 9:23 AM

"Get Out of My Dreams" by Billy Ocean:
If I remember correctly, there is a key change in the last or next-to-last chorus...

Posted by Steven Paulson | November 12, 2009 9:27 AM

"Livin' on a Prayer" has a classic key change. Who hasn't consumed a few too many cocktails and then yelled "Wait for it!" as they waited for the key change so they could sing along a the top of their lungs? Or maybe that's just me.

Posted by Stephanie | November 12, 2009 9:27 AM

Spade - run run away

Posted by Jay | November 12, 2009 9:29 AM

Slade - run run away

Posted by Jay | November 12, 2009 9:30 AM

It's old, but "King of the Road" by Roger Miller has the most I can think of - my dad used to play it well beyond the actual song length by continuing to change the key!

Posted by Wendy | November 12, 2009 9:32 AM

Fastball - the way - they technically modulate from major to minor and back (even though Em and Bb are the same key signature - the tonal center of the song changes)

Posted by Mike | November 12, 2009 9:33 AM

"Saturday Night is Alright for Fighting" - Sir Elton

Posted by Justin | November 12, 2009 9:36 AM

Alright so it's Bm to Emaj - Bb isn't the same key :p

Posted by mike | November 12, 2009 9:55 AM

Jack - In light of later incidents in EC's career, I have a feeling if he had it to do over again, he wouldn't have included the N-word in "Oliver's Army".

If you're going to play the best key changes, Steve & Jill missed the best one ever. I guess I'll have to be the one to play "Total Eclipse of the Heart" this weekend.

Posted by Mac Wilson | November 12, 2009 10:35 AM

Hello

Can I use your article on my website? I will link back to your site!

Thanks

Posted by LineFan | November 12, 2009 11:08 AM

"Live and Let Die" Paul McCartney

Posted by Janis Frid | November 12, 2009 6:14 PM

"Mack the Knife" by Bobby Darin (after every verse except the first, so...5!)

Posted by mark | November 12, 2009 7:34 PM

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