Some songwriters and producers believe they can improve the level of interest in a song that's grown tired in the recording process by employing this dreaded musical device. "Modulation" is a sudden key change, usually augmented by a half step, applied near the end of the song in the refrain or trailing choruses. If there is fear the hook or chorus in a song may have become boring or tired, the upward tonal change is expected to intensify and uplift the overall emotional appeal. It all adds up to poor form.

It seems others feel this way as well. There is a great resource on the web listing offending songs and artists who have used this device. It is referred to as "The Truck Driver's Gear Change - Hall of Shame." This web site was also recently referenced by Alan Cross' weekly syndicated radio program, "The Ongoing History of New Music." Listen for Alan's comments in the episode "How to Talk Like a Rock Snob 6: Segment 2".

Some examples include R.E.M.'s "Stand," KISS' "Crazy, Crazy Nights," and Bon Jovi's "Livin' on a Prayer."

Here's the best example I know of:

Song Title: I Will Always Love You
Artist: Whitney Houston
Album: The Bodyguard (Soundtrack from the Motion Picture)
Year: Arista, 1992
Writer: Dolly Parton, 1974
Time of Transgression: 3:08
Sample (50 seconds only)


This is the quintessential example of the most painful use I am aware of in
modern pop/rock history. A heartfelt and beloved American classic, "I Will
Always Love You" exercises the Truck Driver's Gear Change with gear-grinding
tenacity. This ferocious transgression is preceeded by a dramatic pause before
the final chorus, allowing the listener time to fall deepy into deceptive
reassurance, knowing that truly, and forever, Whitney will always love them.

Beware! If you are trying to squeeze every last drop of life out of a hook or chorus because you're just not feeling it, follow this suggestion: Stop what you are doing and take a long break. Try listening back a day later, or a week later. If the song still slumps when you listen to it, REWRITE IT. Changing keys will strip every last ounce of integrity off you as a songwriter/producer/arranger.


NOTE: More information on "I Will Always Love You" can be found here.

David Foster produced Whitney Houston's cover of the song, while Bob Ferguson produced Dolly's original. The question does remain: was the gear change in the original recording, and was that Dolly Parton's intention when she wrote it?