Songs that change to the Parallel Key

The parallel key is the major or minor key based on the same tonic note. Switching between parallel keys introduces a change in tonal brightness and has a distinctive, curious sound to it.

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[huiygzj]

Someone should make a "For example... by the BEATLES" compilation

[eldiablo]

I just watched a doco on The Turtles where this was discussed. Happy Together was written by professional songwriters Garry Bonner and Alan Gordon whereas Elenore was written by Howard Kaylan, The Turtles lead singer. After the success of Happy Together, their record company was pressing them to come up with another mega smash hit. Annoyed by this, Howard Kaylan thought he'd do the easiest thing and write a song that was the exact opposite, melodically, of Happy Together. Where that song's melody would descend, Elenore's would rise up and vice versa, note for note more or less. Kaylan thought he had created the most banal song from the most trivial method possible and specifically wanted to piss off his record company, but when they heard it, they actually loved it, and it became another huge hit for them in 1968.
It's funny how I had just watched that YouTube

[ScrapPalletMan]

My next song I'm going to do from minor to parallel major. Seriously digging this

[rome]

David: "You know what? I think I might do a video without mentioning Radiohead."
David's Lawyer: "Remember that contract you signed agreeing to talk about Radiohead at least once a video."
David: "Damn, I thought that was just the Beatles."
Davi'd Lawyer: "I've got the paperwork right here. If you don't mention Radiohead, Thom Yorke officially retains the rights to everything you create."
David: (Muttering to self) "Why did I sign such a crazy contract?" (Pause. Sigh.) "So, uh, anyway, the Picardy third..."

[Leftytinkatolli]

The "I'm Still Standing" example is very interesting. For the longest time I was trying to work out if that song was major or minor. It's both!

Also, funny how the triumphant "happy" part of the song, the chorus, is actually in the minor key.

[omkeeg]

The Beatles' "Fool on the Hill" is one of the ones I was expecting you to point out. Looks like they did a lot of these parallel key changes!

[grenvthompson]

'Effortlessly' by Madison Beer has a verse in C minor that speaks of depression, but then throws in a split second modulation to C major with the line "here's a little pill" before returning to C minor. Seems to imply the pill will make things better but finding out it actually doesn't. Quite a neat trick.

[SeanMillea]

one day the next huge artist will credit you as one of the reasons theyre great

[AidanMThaggard]

Perfect Day by Lou Reed is a classic and beautifully evocative example of this… A Minor verse to A Major chorus just like While My Guitar Gently Weeps

[alexanderburnett-iw]

“Lovefool” by The Cardigans has its verses in A minor and it’s chorus in A major, though both sound pretty bright despite the mode changes

[samkniffen]

Bill Wurtz throws one of these in almost every song he makes

Edit: His new song (More Than A Dream) changes to the parallel key for the bridge

[acious_D]

"The Power of Love" by Huey Lewis and the News is another example. (verses in C minor, chorus in C major)

[justintroyka]

One of my favorite songs that does this is unsurprisingly by the Beatles - "Things We Said Today". The song is in A minor, with a bridge section in A major. I love it for the way it goes from the A major bridge back to the A minor verse: the chord sequence linking the two sections is B-Bb-Am. I love that downward chromatic motion!

[misanthropicmusings]

Youtubers like David Bennett Piano, Adam Neely and Rick Beato have really opened up my musical world and helped me to appreciate more the music I listen to. Thanks!!!

[skirtonbear]

Wish I had you back when I was in school. You make it not just clear, but memorable. Thank you. At least my kids can learn from you now!
💃🏽

[patepulkkinenvtec]

Another Elton John song that uses parallel minor is Goodbye Yellow Brick Road, which goes from F major to F minor in the pre- and post-chorus sections.

[heraldtim]

Particularly interested by the shift in "My Favorite Things, " and the fact that the melody doesn't change at all. Is the purpose of that shift simply a subtle brightening of the underyling music? I'm not sure I ever even noticed it!

[drewmoorestuff]

My brain awakened to the color of "Norwegian Wood" when you pointed out that the Chorus is Dorian. I don't know why. I've listened to that song for years and never quite viewed it sideways--not until you analyzed it. I love this channel.

[Steveofthejungle]

The Power of Love by Huey Lewis and the News is another song that’s minor in the verse, major in the chorus

[vincelahorra]

Been aware of this concept all these years, having been playing the following songs in gigs. Thanks to this video, now i know the correct musical term!
1. "Chega De Saudade" by Antonio Carlos Jobim (minor to major)
2. "My Favorite Things" by Rodgers & Hammerstein
3. the tango "El Choclo" by Ångel Villodo (minor to major)
4. "I Love Paris" by Cole Porter (minor to major)
5. "Begin the Beguine" by Cole Porter (maj to min, back to maj)
5. "Por Una Cabeza" by Carlos Gardel (major to minor)
6. "Under Paris Skies" by Hubert Giraud (minor to major, back to minor)
6. Theme from "Summer of '42" by Michel Legrand (minor to major, back to minor)