D flat major Archives - Page 2 of 3

15 Nov 2015 2015, Music 1990s, D flat major, November, REM 0

Everybody Hurts

Mark

I wasn’t quite sure what to play today – I had recorded something the other day but it didn’t quite seem appropriate. Following the events in Paris yesterday and the huge support on social media for everyone affected by the attacks, there were also many comments about the fact that there have been other tragic events elsewhere this week and, sadly, every week in life. One of the many quotes I saw was a poem by Somali-born poet Warsan Shire:

later that night
i held an atlas in my lap
ran my fingers across the whole world
and whispered
where does it hurt?

it answered
everywhere
everywhere
everywhere.

And that’s what made me decide to play R.E.M.’s Everybody Hurts today. If it’s your first time on the site, find out why I’m playing a tune a day here or see all of my November songs.

25 Oct 2015 2015, Music children of eden, D flat major, E major, modulation, musicals, October, songs from shows 0

Children of Eden

Mark

Today’s song is from a fairly rare (and unfortunately not very successful) musical by Stephen Schwartz and John Caird. It was first produced in 1991 in the Prince Edward Theatre in London.

If it’s your first time on the site, find out more about the 365 Songs project or see all of my October songs here.

18 Oct 2015 2015, Music D flat major, E major, Martin Guerre, modulation, October 0

All That I Know

Mark

Again I’m playing a song from the under-valued Boublil/Schönberg musical Martin Guerre. This song is called All That I Know.

There’s more Martin Guerre here and if it’s your first time on the site, find out why I’m playing one song a day for the whole of 2015 or listen to my October songs here.

18 Sep 2015 2015, Music 1980s, D flat major, D major, double modulation, E flat major, film songs, September, Stevie Wonder 0

I Just Called To Say I Love You

Mark

This week I watched the brilliant Carpool Karaoke segment from The Late Late Show in which James Corden is joined by Stevie Wonder. Stevie sings I Just Called To Say I Love You – or more correctly “I just called to say he loves you” – to Corden’s wife over the phone. I thought I’d play this 1984 classic today and I hope you enjoy it!

Here’s the full sketch if you’ve not yet seen it.

There’s more Stevie Wonder here, and if it’s your first time on the site, find out more about the 365 Songs project or see all of my September songs here.

5 Sep 2015 2015, Music 1950s, 1980s, C major, D flat major, Freddie Mercury, modulation, Queen, September, The Platters 0

The Great Pretender

Mark

Today’s song was originally recorded by The Platters in 1957. Desperate to come up with a follow-up to the very successful Only You, Buck Ram, the band’s producer, says he wrote The Great Pretender in 20 minutes in the toilet of the Flamingo Hotel in Las Vegas. The reason I chose this song today is that it was later recorded famously by Freddie Mercury in 1987. Freddie Mercury would be celebrating his 69th birthday today.

If it’s your first time on the site, find out more about the 365 Songs project or see all of my September songs here.

29 Aug 2015 2015, Music 1980s, August, C major, celebrations, D flat major, modulation, Stevie Wonder 0

Happy Birthday

Mark

Today I’m playing Stevie Wonder’s Happy Birthday for my son who turns 14 today. I had no idea about the origins of this song until I did my usual research before posting the song. Stevie Wonder was one of the main figures to campaign for the birthday of Martin Luther King Jr. to become a national holiday in the US and he wrote and released this song in 1981 to help promote the cause. Ronald Reagan approved the national holiday in 1983 and the first Martin Luther King, Jr. Day was held on 20 January 1986. The day was marked with a concert where Stevie Wonder performed the song in celebration. There’s more information in this video and to see the amazing, all-star performance from the concert, watch this video from 5:02.

To hear more August songs, click here. If it’s your first time on the site, find out more about why I’m trying to record a piano tune every day here.

26 Aug 2015 2015, Music Andrew Lloyd Webber, August, B flat major, D flat major, modulation, Phantom, Phantom of the Opera, songs from the shows 0

Angel of Music

Mark

Today’s song is Angel of Music, a lovely piece from the musical The Phantom of the Opera and this was a special request from one of our young stars of the forthcoming High Five Spanish series with whom I’m working this week. ¡Espero que te guste, ‘Marina’!

If it’s your first time on the site, find out more about the 365 Songs project or see all of my August songs here. If you’re looking for more songs from Phantom of the Opera and other musicals, have a listen to my Curtain Up album or listen to the main song from the musical which I played back in May.

10 Jul 2015 2015, Music 1980s, C major, D flat major, film themes, July, modulation, songs from films 0

Glory Of Love

Mark

Today’s song is an 80s classic which featured in the Karate Kid Part II in 1986. It was recorded by Peter Cetera shortly after he left the band Chicago to pursue a solo career. Cetera originally wrote the song for the end titles of Rocky IV but it was not selected for this and instead found its way into the second film in the Karate Kid series.

This song is dedicated to my wife Catriona who celebrates her birthday today who always sings along when she hears this song!

To hear more July songs, click here. If it’s your first time on the site, find out more about why I’m trying to record a piano tune every day here.

27 Jun 2015 2015, Music D flat major, D major, double modulation, E major, film songs, film themes, James Horner, June, songs from films 0

All Love Can Be (from A Beautiful Mind)

Mark

Continuing my tribute to James Horner, here’s All Love Can Be from the film A Beautiful Mind. This haunting song was recorded by Charlotte Church for the film and she described it as one of the most haunting and beautiful songs she had ever performed.

To convey the beauty of mathematics, Horner focused on the idea of a kaleidoscope which constantly changes patterns, some patterns moving quickly and other patterns moving more slowly underneath. He conveyed this in the music with the chord progression and the build up of the counter melodies and harmonies. I hope you enjoy this lovely song.

For more film music, click here. To hear all of my June songs, click here. If it’s your first time on the site, find out more about why I’m trying to record a piano tune every day here.

14 Jun 2015 2015, Music 1980s, 1987, ballad, cheese, D flat major, D major, George Benson, Glenn Medeiros, June, modulation, pop 0

Nothing’s Gonna Change My Love For You

Mark

We had friends over last night and were enjoying an 80s playlist in the garden. This particular song had everyone singing along – something I never thought I’d see! Nothing’s Gonna Change My Love For You was written by song-writing giants Michael Masser and Gerry Goffin and was originally recorded by George Benson in 1985. However, it became particularly famous after Hawaiian singer Glen Medeiros released it in 1987. No surprise then that we decided that 1987 was the best musical year of the 80s last night!

To hear all of my June songs, click here. If it’s your first time on the site, find out more about why I’m trying to record a piano tune every day here.