Since Pop Idol and The X Factor entered our lives, key changes have become an easy way to generate interest in songs about two minutes into them. They are considered cliche, an easy way for songwriters to keep songs interesting when their imagination runs dry.
The origin
Pop music often follows a predictable formula from song to song. One way to break that predictable cycle is by modulating the key of each composition – also known as changing keys – which alters its tonal home and can dramatically change how it sounds.
Key changes are most frequently employed to add tension or build towards an emotional crescendo in a song, though there may also be other reasons for using key changes. Below we explore these other methods of using key changes effectively.
Michael Bolton’s iconic stadium-ready power ballad “Earth Song” offers one of the finest examples of key changes ever recorded in pop music: midway through its chorus peak and vocal peak points, mid-key is lifted up by one minor third – this dramatic leap makes an impactful statement about pop music history!
Beyonce’s 2011 hit “Love on Top,” for instance, features four consecutive half step key changes – less dramatic but equally effective at creating tension – all moving up by half step. Another example is The Beach Boys classic “Wouldn’t It Be Nice”, in which its key shifts downward from A major to F major with full tone change in between each key change.
Some listeners may mourn the decline of pop music key changes, but it is essential to keep in mind that musical tools and techniques are constantly morphing and adapting. According to Dan Charnas’ writing about pop music for Tedium’s website Tedium, hip-hop musicians began gradually shifting away from key changes during 2010s as they relied more heavily on other instruments and compositional tricks like rhythmic variations for compositions than key changes.
Modern pop songs rarely modulate and typically follow a standard chord progression consisting of I-V-vi-IV. When modulation does occur, it usually comes in the form of key changes – however this feature has been less frequently employed since many newer songs don’t contain key changes at all.
The rules
Key changes can often serve as a crutch in pop songwriters’ songs – they stick with one key throughout and, just when listeners start becoming bored with it, suddenly change it (usually up a half step or full step). Although this technique can sound surprising at times, most often it falls flat.
Others go the extra mile to break with convention, using key changes to make something completely fresh sounding. While this approach might work, key changes can quickly become corny or overdone if done improperly.
Key changes are an effective musical technique to add drama and tension to a song, but it’s essential that you understand its rules before using one. First of all, any key change must be harmonically related – meaning both keys must possess equal numbers of sharps and flats for it not to sound abrupt and unpleasant for listeners.
Next, key changes must be strategically implemented into a song. An ideal place for this is at the climax, when they will have maximum dramatic impact – this explains why most key changes occur at the end of popular songs – giving an increased sense of climax for listeners as well as emotionally connecting them to this momentous event.
Finalize key changes by clearly signalling their arrival with a musical cue, such as a drum roll, guitar solo or vocal swell. This will help listeners identify the shift while creating tension as music shifts into its new key.
Key changes are an incredible musical tool that can propel a song to new heights, but should be used with caution to ensure maximum impact. A misplaced key change could derail an otherwise amazing tune; by following all rules and using it strategically, you could craft something truly unforgettable that people will talk about for years.
The climax
Pop songs frequently utilize key changes as a way of creating tension and building up to an emotional climax, either by shifting chords up and down or shifting the tonic key. Moving upward can add brightness and energy while dropping lower can add melancholy.
Bon Jovi’s hit “Livin’ on a Prayer” begins in C major before shifting a minor third higher into B minor for an emotional and dramatic effect, matching its lyrics perfectly.
Step-up modulation is one of the most frequent forms of modulation found in pop songs, as well as one of the most effective means of building up tension and anticipation for what may come next.
“Wouldn’t It Be Nice?” by the Beach Boys is unique on this list due to its unusual key change which occurs very early in the track (7 seconds in total!). Yet this technique works because they use it to add meaning and significance to their song.
Pop songs frequently utilize modulation techniques such as step-down modulation to add emotion or tension to their songs, such as Britney Spears’ “Sometimes.” By shifting down rather than up, this style adds melancholy and sadness that fits the lyrics perfectly.
composers sometimes combine both step-up and step-down modulations in one song for an intriguing effect, known as modulation by chord. This allows composers to easily shift from one key to another without making their transition too jarring; an example being U2’s song “One,” where verses are in A minor while chorus is C major and modulation by chord is achieved by adding a bridge chord between these keys – something known as pivot chord in music composition.
The crutch
Listening to music requires many components working in harmony to produce its overall ambience, including key (or tonal home). Major keys tend to sound warm and lively while minor keys have darker, melancholy tones. Composers have used changes in key for centuries as a way of adding drama, tension and excitement in their works – this process known as modulation can even be seen today with pop songs! Over the years we’ve witnessed incredible modulations techniques from some of our favorite artists that has transformed some iconic hits.
Key changes can be an invaluable production trick or cheap crutch to propel a song to its climax, yet many modern hits appear to have forgone this important part of their song’s composition altogether. According to experts, this trend likely stems from two factors:
Hip-hop scholar Dan Charnas informs Tedium that from 1960 through 1990, approximately one quarter of top ten hits featured key changes, while only a single number one hit did from 2010-20.
One of the primary motivations for making key changes in music is to add energy and excitement to a chorus, although even minor shifts will have an impactful result on listeners; taking an up by one tone up creates tension while moving down by a tone creates melancholy.
Bon Jovi’s 1997 song “Born to Be a King” provides an outstanding example. The massive stadium-ready chorus is given added depth by an unexpected key change up a minor third that forces singer Jon Bon Jovi into singing in one of the highest keys any man will attempt in their career – something he does amazingly, making for infectiously melodic tune.
Queen Bey is a master at incorporating key changes into her music, such as in her 2011 track, “Love on Top”, which features four key transitions that perfectly guide its building towards an exquisite crescendo.