# Oldies songs in a minor key: **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [August 14, 2012, 5:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oldies-songs-in-a-minor-key/631441 "2012-08-14T05:26:41Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![antonio107](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/7ea924/32.png) [@antonio107](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/antonio107)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2012, 5:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oldies-songs-in-a-minor-key/631441/1 "2012-08-14T05:26:41Z")
I bought a mamas and the papas greatest hits album at Walmart for five bucks. Turns out I only like “California Dreaming” and “Monday Monday.” California dreaming got me thinking of a mix CD of my favorites from the AM station that’s since switched formats to talk radio. :mad: I also like “Reach out” by the Four Tops, and “Mr. Monday” by The Original Caste. (sorry for no YouTube links; PC is off and I suck at Tapatalk). Something about songs of this era in a minor key that sounds really fresh to my twenty something ears! I studied classical music, and I find these surprisingly upbeat compared to the normal, dreary treatment minor key melodies got in western European classical music. TL;DR version: know any other old pop/rock/motown/soul songs, which are primarily in a minor key? I smell a new play list! 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![picker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/picker/32/13969_2.png) [@picker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/picker)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2012, 6:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oldies-songs-in-a-minor-key/631441/2 "2012-08-14T06:18:37Z")
This Wheel’s On Fire - The Band Sunny Afternoon - The Kinks Losing My Religion - REM Sultans of Swing - Dire Straits Wayfaring Stranger - Traditional, but thinking of the Emmylou Harris version lots of Neil Young ---
**Author:** ![Jaledin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f9ae1b/32.png) [@Jaledin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jaledin)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2012, 6:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oldies-songs-in-a-minor-key/631441/3 "2012-08-14T06:40:57Z")
Sunny by x and arranged by y prformed by z. drifting’ Blues by Charles Brown Surprisingly hard to come up with titles out if nothing. ---
**Author:** ![Spoons](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spoons/32/3141_2.png) [@Spoons](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spoons)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2012, 6:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oldies-songs-in-a-minor-key/631441/4 "2012-08-14T06:52:01Z")
> [@antonio107](#): > > I bought a mamas and the papas greatest hits album at Walmart for five bucks. Turns out I only like “California Dreaming”… I play the flute. In most cases, I have little difficulty in piecing together the flute parts for pop songs, and writing them down. But “California Dreaming” always eluded me, and I wanted to figure it out. Until I realized that the flautist was playing an alto flute. (All of mine are concert flutes, keyed in C.) So, I won’t be playing “California Dreaming” anytime soon with my instruments. How about Van Morrison’s “Moondance,” which is in A minor? I can play that one on my concert flutes. Oh, can I play that one! 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Ximenean](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/x/aca169/32.png) [@Ximenean](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ximenean)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2012, 11:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oldies-songs-in-a-minor-key/631441/5 "2012-08-14T11:55:17Z")
There must be loads of examples. Just off the top of my head Billie Jean Thriller Karma Police Staying Alive Another Brick in the Wall (very similar to Staying Alive, actually) ---
**Author:** ![EmilyG](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/emilyg/32/364_2.png) [@EmilyG](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EmilyG)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2012, 12:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oldies-songs-in-a-minor-key/631441/6 "2012-08-14T12:13:18Z")
“Girl” by The Beatles, if I remember correctly. ---
**Author:** ![Spoke](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a88e57/32.png) [@Spoke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spoke)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2012, 2:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oldies-songs-in-a-minor-key/631441/7 "2012-08-14T14:02:58Z")
> [@EmilyG](#): > > “Girl” by The Beatles, if I remember correctly. And _Eleanor Rigby_. ---
**Author:** ![Jaledin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f9ae1b/32.png) [@Jaledin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jaledin)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2012, 3:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oldies-songs-in-a-minor-key/631441/8 "2012-08-14T15:38:16Z")
Despite the above tune being quoted so much in the late 1960s by jazz-funk crossover Hammond organists like Jimmy smith, mcgriff, Lonnie smith, something about the tune doesn’t pass the sniff test. Good catch, though, it’s a classic moldering oldie in the minor mood. “One Cylinder” performed by Lou Donaldson with Lonnie Smith on organ. ---
**Author:** ![bup](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/6bbea6/32.png) [@bup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bup)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2012, 4:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oldies-songs-in-a-minor-key/631441/9 "2012-08-14T16:01:32Z")
Beatles: _I’m Only Sleeping_ Kansas: _Dust in the Wind_ Stones: \*Paint It, Black Mother’s Little Helper \*(I think) Who: _Eminence Front_ Hollies _Bus Stop_ Offshoot idea - what’s the \*happiest \*song in a minor key? Anyone have a better nominee than _Bus Stop_? ---
**Author:** ![koeeoaddi](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/koeeoaddi/32/408_2.png) [@koeeoaddi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/koeeoaddi)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2012, 4:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oldies-songs-in-a-minor-key/631441/10 "2012-08-14T16:33:14Z")
Beatles - Because Left Banke - Walk Away Renee Zombies - She’s Not There Carly Simon - That’s the Way I Always Heard It Should Be Bill Withers - Ain’t No Sunshine Lots of Moody Blues, Elton John and CSN ---
**Author:** ![Ximenean](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/x/aca169/32.png) [@Ximenean](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ximenean)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2012, 6:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oldies-songs-in-a-minor-key/631441/11 "2012-08-14T18:35:08Z")
> [@Jaledin](#): > > Despite the above tune being quoted so much in the late 1960s by jazz-funk crossover Hammond organists like Jimmy smith, mcgriff, Lonnie smith, something about the tune doesn’t pass the sniff test. Good catch, though, it’s a classic moldering oldie in the minor mood. Eleanor Rigby, you mean? It does waver between natural minor (Aeolian) and Dorian (same, but with a major sixth instead of minor). You first hear that Dorian note in “picks up the rice **in** the **church** …” ---
**Author:** ![Jaledin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f9ae1b/32.png) [@Jaledin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jaledin)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2012, 7:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oldies-songs-in-a-minor-key/631441/12 "2012-08-14T19:05:41Z")
Sorry, I was making a kind of a joke. I never thought about it, but come to think of it, when the tune’s quoted it’s over the I of a tune, from what I remember, so there’s the plain six right there. Ok, Sam Cooke, “A Change Is Gonna Come” from 1963. ---
**Author:** ![bup](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/6bbea6/32.png) [@bup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bup)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2012, 7:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oldies-songs-in-a-minor-key/631441/13 "2012-08-14T19:07:04Z")
> [@koeeoaddi](#): > > Left Banke - Walk Away Renee [_ **Walk Away, Renee** _](http://www.musicnotes.com/sheetmusic/mtdFPE.asp?ppn=MN0068730&ref=google) is in a major key. [/pedant] ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2012, 7:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oldies-songs-in-a-minor-key/631441/14 "2012-08-14T19:27:45Z")
> [@Ximenean](#): > > Eleanor Rigby, you mean? It does waver between natural minor (Aeolian) and Dorian (same, but with a major sixth instead of minor). You first hear that Dorian note in “picks up the rice **in** the **church** …” Yeah, I’d call it E dorian myself, which is a mode in a minor key (as would be phrygian and aeolian. I guess locrian would fit in there, too, but that’s an odd one, with a diminished fifth, as well.) The Beatles also have a number of songs that go back and forth between minor and major, like one of my favorite tunes, “Things We Said Today,” which is mostly minor, until the bridge, and also that little transition in that verse that goes “some day when I’m lonely.” (Which I think is a brilliant harmonic transition. Always gives me a little chill.) Otherwise, it’s all a big Am-Em vamp. ---
**Author:** ![goonhead](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/ebca7d/32.png) [@goonhead](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/goonhead)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2012, 1:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oldies-songs-in-a-minor-key/631441/15 "2012-08-15T01:53:26Z")
“Sunny” by Bobby Hebb “Solitary Man” by Neil Diamond “Behind Blue Eyes” by The Who (verses in minor, bridge in major) “A Horse With No Name” by America “Things We Said Today” by The Beatles “Those Were The Days” by Mary Hopkin ---
**Author:** ![antonio107](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/7ea924/32.png) [@antonio107](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/antonio107)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2012, 1:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oldies-songs-in-a-minor-key/631441/16 "2012-08-15T01:57:31Z")
> [@Spoons](#): > > I play the flute. In most cases, I have little difficulty in piecing together the flute parts for pop songs, and writing them down. But “California Dreaming” always eluded me, and I wanted to figure it out. > > Until I realized that the flautist was playing an alto flute. (All of mine are concert flutes, keyed in C.) So, I won’t be playing “California Dreaming” anytime soon with my instruments. > > How about Van Morrison’s “Moondance,” which is in A minor? I can play that one on my concert flutes. Oh, can I play that one! 🙂 You want it transposed, I am sort of a musician. Just ask! 🙂 So long as you can do the “Canned Heat” flute solos, you’re good to go! 😛 Thanks for the picks so far, gang!! ---
**Author:** ![goonhead](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/ebca7d/32.png) [@goonhead](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/goonhead)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2012, 2:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oldies-songs-in-a-minor-key/631441/17 "2012-08-15T02:07:06Z")
“Paint It, Black” by The Rolling Stones “She’s Not There” by The Zombies “Time of the Season” by The Zombies “Wicked Game” by Chris Isaak ---
**Author:** ![Kenm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/bc79bd/32.png) [@Kenm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kenm)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2012, 2:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oldies-songs-in-a-minor-key/631441/18 "2012-08-15T02:45:21Z")
Heroes and Villains, Beach Boys ---
**Author:** ![cjepson](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/a9adbd/32.png) [@cjepson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cjepson)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2012, 3:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oldies-songs-in-a-minor-key/631441/19 "2012-08-15T15:43:08Z")
I believe these are in minor keys: “Riders on the Storm” (Doors) “House of the Rising Sun” (Animals) “Washington Square” (Village Stompers) “The Lonely Bull” (Herb Alpert) “White Rabbit”, “Somebody to Love” (Jefferson Airplane) “I Had Too Much to Dream (Last Night)” (Electric Prunes) “Fever” by Miss Peggy Lee or the McCoys “Liar Liar” by the Castaways If we want a sub-category of songs that shift from minor key on the verses to major on the bridge, I think the Lovin’ Spoonful’s “Summer in the City” qualifies. And maybe Cream’s “White Room”? And the Yardbirds’ “For Your Love”? ---
**Author:** ![cjepson](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/a9adbd/32.png) [@cjepson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cjepson)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2012, 3:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oldies-songs-in-a-minor-key/631441/20 "2012-08-15T15:44:40Z")
> [@bup](#): > > Offshoot idea - what’s the \*happiest \*song in a minor key? > Anyone have a better nominee than _Bus Stop_? The aforementioned “Sunny” would give “Bus Stop” a run for its money in that category. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oldies-songs-in-a-minor-key/631441.md?page=2)