I Love When ‘80s Songs Do This…

[@WillyPDX94]

Rick is a freakin' force of nature. Who else could sell out venues all over the world just talking about guitars and music? What an amazing guy. 👍🏻

[@therapyoutsidethebox5466]

Ok, who else is willing to admit that the best part of every RB breakdown video is the "OH!" that signals his joy at the 'surprise' chord?

[@benjaminperez7328]

And Rick’s “stank face!”

[@themickster63]

Exactly!!

[@davisfarley]

"Oh!" is almost as good as his "...like that."

[@keithavarney170]

His joy is contagious!

[@Garp74]

Rickgasm

[@slicksalmon6948]

In response to your request for comment, the camera is great but the lighting is not. It's stark and has a bluish cast that makes you look pale. Color temperature and exposure are off. (Note added 8/14 - Rick abandoned the use of this camera)

[@aldocort3418]

Sheesh Louise, pull me up off my knees Everybody cut, everybody cut FOOTLOOSE!!!

[@PeterAmby]

Definitely missing some color

[@doorlord]

Ol Blue Hair

[@FightTalkMMA]

Frame rate is off too

[@petewest3122]

contrast looks off

[@craigporazinski1272]

The key change lifts the conversation between the singers, it brings an excitement to their discovery that they feel the same way towards each other!

[@valleyforgeaudio8618]

Absolutely...traditional songwriting...the music always serves the lyrics and vocals.

[@wesboundmusic]

​@@valleyforgeaudio8618, serving the song and composition and adding interesting parts had been my "compass" for learning and teaching myself throughout the years. Too bad that now that I'm there myself, there's only older guys like Rick, me and others who grew up during this time who fully appreciate the genius of all that phenomenal talent of the time, songwriters, studio "cats", engineers, producers who congenially came up with hit records almost by the hour. Phenomenal!

[@dnylsun]

Hey Rick, since you asked about your new camera: Your picture is leaning too much to the blue making it cold. Might want to turn your settings to a warmer tone. Also maybe adjust depth of field...your background looks a little too blurry.

[@hotdotdog]

agreed

[@TeslaNick2]

And either the gain is up too high or the aperture needs turning down.

[@RSpracticalshooting]

it just overall looks bad.

[@lancelotlink6545]

Yeah it's noticeably less good. I thought the old camera worked great tbh.

[@GenericAccountVLR]

Agreed

[@iemy2949]

Now I've heard there was a secret chord That Beato played, and it pleased my gourd

[@karllinden3686]

Love the Cohen reference!

[@misterschubert3242]

Hallelujah!

[@liquidsolids9415]

But you don't really care for KZbin, do ya?

[@KenRoerden]

It goes like this, the fourth, the fifth. A masterpiece. I too love the reference.

[@ZacCostilla]

They said they would demonetize and Henley’s trying to demonize the fair use reaction vids to screw ya They threatened with another strike but the songwriter came out with a like and we all sang a glorious hallelujah!

[@mijnordna]

As a LA songwriter in the 70's-80's, these chord inversions were a big part of my writing style and I use them to this day. On probably my biggest record, a Johnny Mathis-Dionne Warwick duet (with David Foster, Abe Laborial, Mike Beard and Richie Zito as players) I used them extensively. As I was heavily influenced by the David Foster school of writing I just used them without thinking. Just part of the musical language of the time.

[@arnlmndza]

David Foster - he influenced my ears as well. He used the 1st inv (with 9s) so well. I loved his Symphony Sessions and his arrangements for EWF, Chicago, etc.

[@m1sterF0x]

I'd also nominate the "sus2" type bar chords at the intro of songs like Purple Rain and Don't Dream It's Over. They're all over the place because they sound so great with that 80's clean tone and reverb!

[@scottbaines4747]

I'm a sus2 addict!

[@doomstarks182]

That crazy ass Fchord lol

[@cameratatchaikovsky2365]

The opening of Kyrie by Mr Mister...

[@m1sterF0x]

@@KevyNova Weird, when I look it up, it says sus2. I'm thinking of the chimey chord that you might play like: A string 5th fret, D at 7th, G at 7th, B at 5th, and E at 5th. It kinda does render it neither major nor minor!

[@davidrebel]

Purple Rain has an open d-string in Wendy Melvoin's b-chord voicing, which would make it an add- and not a sus-chord, if I'm not mistaken...

[@daveditcher4059]

Dude, I’ve been strictly a major key only strummer for almost 60 years. Your understanding of music theory and structure astounds me. You are playing what I would consider impossible chords effortlessly……and call them simple. I tip my hat to you sir. I watched every minute of this knowing there was no chance I’d ever play ANY of these chords. Lol

[@musicman70707]

They're not as hard as you think. Find one of the old chord books from the old days that has a lot of inversions in them.

[@duncaninglis3806]

I just watched Rick on Ola Englund's channel. Ola's thanking Rick for everything he's done and is doing for the modern music community was touching, especially because it's so true. Thank you, Rick Beato. It's official. You are number one.

[@OriginalRaveParty]

The older I get the more I appreciate Peter Cetera's unique vocal talent. He had some nice solo songs as well as the hits with Chicago.

[@TheRealPrimeOne]

Amazing singer!

[@jenspetersimonsen4235]

Him and John Farnham ...slaying it in their days 🙂

[@andianderson7203]

Oh my goodness… a beautiful voice in a beautiful package…

[@geraci89]

Great bass player too if you really dig through the albums.

[@sherimccurry9501]

I am a new fan… Absolutely love listening I could listen to all your shows every day there’s nothing better than hanging out with other musicians and breaking down songs and appreciate them God bless you and your beautiful family

[@ronmaljak8401]

The warm and cozy vibe of your videos is gone with this new camera.

[@CarlosAnglada]

I had forgotten this song completely. Such a great song and an impeccable duo performance! Amy was amazing here. I've never heard a Peter Cetera song with a boring arrangement.

[@tomsteger1]

The tension that those first inversion chords creates is one of the juiciest parts of being a bass player! Love it!

[@dgwachtel]

From 1969 to 1972 this inversion or a variant was in nearly every popular song my band played. The second guitar player would play the root version and I would play the inversion. Both played together made our sound deeper and more robust. I didn't realize that it is uncommon in songs today. -dave

[@rexmotif]

When i was learning keyboards, this song is one of my jams and helped me improved my skills listening and chord usage wise. My ear was trained by the songs of the 80s. All great stuff!

[@rexmotif]

@@michellemonet4358 mostly 80’s I could say. However, back then I was addicted to Chicago. I would practice and jam along most of their songs in every album.

[@davidanania5618]

The personnel on this track is so good...Chester Thompson on drums, Jeff Porcaro on PERC (!), Omartian (producer) on keys...co-written by Bobby Caldwell...wow.

[@christiandady2581]

...and Dann Huff on guitar. One of the session aces from that era.

[@StevieMansonzeephoto]

@@christiandady2581 I came here to say this also

[@dmartinx]

Another song that changes keys in the middle of a verse (chorus) is Somewhere Out There written by James Horner. In the version featuring Linda Ronstadt and James Ingram it changes at 1:28.

[@rivinduwanniachchi1126]

Ricks on point here. 1st inversion passing chords were all over in 80s pop. David foster was a master at it. Also the IV/V chord.

[@timcollins6177]

“These Dreams” by Heart is a *perfect* example-the chorus starts out with the V chord in first inversion, end of the second line with the I chord in second inversion.

[@kensurrency2564]

these dreams is my fav for bass note inversions. absolutely on fire!

[@SnowAngelfish]

Yep. Thats exactly a song example rick gave,, maybe you missed it..?

[@StevieG777]

David Foster is the king of doing stuff like this. All of the 80s Chicago stuff was riddled with these things, multiple key changes, and lots of harmonic complexity. Its one of the main things that made me want to learn piano as a wee lad.

[@rickcook7308]

Is this the secret chord that David played that pleased the lord ?

[@KierRobins]

That makes Tommy Banks the lord.

[@davestephens6421]

Chicago 18 is a total masterclass in writing, producing and arranging.....

[@StevieG777]

@@davestephens6421 seriously. That is a dense album. I can only imagine the number of tracks to mix they had on some of those tunes. I actually prefer 16, it’s one of my desert island albums. It was the first Foster produced with them and has a certain innocence to it. Check it out if you haven’t.

[@davestephens6421]

@@StevieG777 I have most of their studio albums. I too like 16 & 17 but 18 is my desert island disc...I just loved what Bill & Jason brought to the band. Yes, the mixing must have been unbelievable...I love all of those little strat riffs. Great horns too... Definitely a headphones album!!! 25 or 6 to 4!!!!!

[@loganthomas8582]

The fact that Cetera had the vocal chops for those changes is incredible.

[@BrianMcBrearty]

Amy's answering melody at 19:43. I used to just rewind those five seconds over and over. I expected this would be a lot about 2 chords. This was better.

[@carladean6117]

I just have to think of 'Ride Like the Wind' and I'm transported back 40 years. Sublime

[@purplepimple2610]

I just sang badadada bop bop bop ba

[@carladean6117]

@@purplepimple2610 lovely 😄

[@pmartininvest]

Rick makes an interesting observation. Until the mid-1970s, pop music bass players mostly played root notes. Exceptions included the Beach Boys "Pet Sounds" album and McCartney also picked up on it in later Beatle albums. Rick demonstrates that the major third in the bass really does change the sound of the song and it was commonly used starting maybe mid-1970s with Steely Dan.

[@Phoebedumplings]

I think Paul McCartney said it was Brian Wilson who demonstrated that you don’t have to play the root always on the bass

[@violetjm]

@@Phoebedumplings - I copied and pasted this a few years ago in which McCartney discusses this: Paul McCartney's comments on Pet Sounds / God Only Knows: "The other thing that really made me sit up and take notice was the bass lines on Pet Sounds. If you were in the key of C, you would normally use---the root note would be, like, a C on the bass (demonstrates vocally). You'd always be on the C. I'd done a little bit of work, like on 'Michelle,' where you don't use the obvious bass line. And you just get a completely different effect if you play a G when the band is playing in C. There's a kind of tension created. "I don't really understand how it happens musically, because I'm not very technical musically. But something special happens. And I noticed throughout that Brian would be using notes that weren't the obvious notes to use. As I say, 'the G if you're in C---that kind of thing. And also putting melodies in the bass line. That I think was probably the big influence that set me thinking when we recorded Pepper, it set me off on a period I had then for a couple of years of nearly always writing quite melodic bass lines."

[@owenbloomfield1177]

A song like this is more of the tradition of Time Pan Alley with its history of songwriters like Cole Porter and Oscar Hammerstein, two writers with extensive technical experience. This doesn't come from the rock or R&B tradition.

[@martymcdermott67]

James Jamerson. I'll just leave that there. I also accept you said "mostly"

[@mikemorrison281]

Great job, as usual. Another song to consider is ‘After the Love Has Gone’. Great complex changes with multiple modulations. All the best from Houston.

[@corey-]

That one was written by David Foster, Jay Graydon, and Bill Champlin....I believe that might have been their first Grammy

[@Semiam1]

Amy Grant’s harmony after that modulation in the 2nd verse is sublime.

[@sierrawave]

I started working at a professional photo lab right after high school. They wouldn’t let us wear headphones but we could listen to the radio as long as it was tuned to the local adult contemporary station. This song was hitting at that time. It was in heavy rotation and I quickly got the attitude that if I never heard this song again it would be too soon. Until now. Thank you for deconstructing this song and showing me how good it really is.

[@ec1628]

Couldn’t agree more. I learned to hate this song. It could not be avoided. I especially disliked Amy’s over produced voice. Leave it to Rick B to change my mind after all these years.

[@frankmarsh1159]

What makes it so awful is the arrangement and production. I watch some of these young reactors on KZbin and a lot of them don't really like eighties music because of the production. The gated snares and massive digital reverb. Thin sounding chorus effects on the guitars. Clicky bass drums, digital synths pads and the DX7 electric piano sound. ESPECIALLY THE DX7 ELECTRIC PIANO SOUND. I have a producer friend who was just a kid in the eighties and he hates that sound... Of course most of those sounds are featured prominently in this song which is one of the reasons why it is so AWFUL !!!

[@andianderson7203]

Your videos are incredible. First of all, I never knew guitar was so complex, lol (I took piano lessons). You always make me think of my dad who was a frustrated musician and my piano teacher, Mrs. Tanno, who would not let me play anything contemporary, only classics, so I would learn the fundamentals of music theory. Genius. My sisters and I love music, love listening for the different instruments and what they all contribute to the song, and just don’t get people who don’t get as excited about music as we do!

[@thomasvanderspank2902]

You're absolutely right, I have also been wondering about this many times, if you listen to hit songs of Kenny Loggins, Chicago, Bee Gees, Olivia Newton John, Chicago, Cliff Richard, the cord progressions in those songs you don't hear anymore, it's like it's forbidden to make it too complicated, maybe afraid the public won't understand it, but if it worked in the 80's why shouldn't it work now ?? Or perhaps the songwiters of today don't have the education as the ones in the 80's ?? They only know a couple of plain cords.

[@spiritzweispirit1st638]

The great simplification _ into easy sell 'simpson' thinking and AI Pop _ just a guess?

[@heatherknopp3723]

We actually were smarter in the 80s ;-) LOL

[@gerardcote8391]

Modern American music is all just a copy and paste on a computer. No complex chords no melody nothing. I prefer music from other countries because they still have things in them that are interesting. Especially the Japanese music scene. I would recommend people interested in more complex sounds to check out Lovebites Set the World on Fire live or Versailles Revenant Chior live.

[@adamkincaidmusic]

check out "Tortured Sole" if youre tired of plain chords, i only use 3 during the chorus the rest i made up just moving fingers around

[@LadySamanthally]

4:55 That chord makes me suddenly remember Beauty and Madness by Fra Lippo Lippi

[@StevieG777]

I think that both Omartian and Foster are stellar piano players has a lot to do with the harmonic arrangement of these type of tunes. It’s definitely a keyboard player’s mindset with the first/second inversions leading nicely to the next chord. The instrument lends itself to this as opposed to guitar where you have to do a lot more gymnastics to pull of all the inversions, etc.

[@krokovay.marcell]

That‘s what bass is for:) no need for gymnastics

[@StevieG777]

@@krokovay.marcell Yes, no argument there. I guess my point is that that’s how a keyboard player thinks, and they were both amazing players, so that’s why their arrangements and production went that direction. That’s my theory anyway.

[@xdennisanderson]

As a keyboard player, I agree completely

[@rjblaskiewicz]

It's amazing. I haven't heard the song for literally decades and it's just instantly recognizable. Our brains are so wired for music.

[@jamoe4802]

Peter Cetera is an underrated and underappreciated lead singer in rock history. He is on a very short list with the other best pure singers ever. Everyone talks about guys like Freddie Mercury, Steve Perry & George Michael but I think Peter Cetera gets forgotten and he can't be. He is an Ace.

[@MrFreevo]

Agreed

[@JustAFocus]

Never really liked his voice all that much, or his long string of sappy solo songs -- but in the early Chicago days, he was such an ace bass player. Great bass lines on their early work.

[@YanGlina]

@@JustAFocusand likely his bass playing that reinforced the love for 1st inversion in songwriting..?

[@stevemcnamara2584]

The only mid-song, half-step modulation that comes to mind -- and it's from the chorus to the lead -- is "And I Love Her" by the Beatles. Even after hearing it a hundred times I'm still impressed by how smoothly it works, like the shift in this song.

[@winstontk]

Rick, your passion and utter wonder make these videos an absolute treat to watch and hear. Sure, there is all the technical analysis, which is very informative. But it's the "kid in a candy store" reaction to such seemingly shmaltzy pop ballads like this one that really engage. Plus, it shines great light on how deceptively more involved these songs really are. Thank you for this.

[@just4stringsnme]

Spot on. A very “Chicago” thing to me, especially on “You’re the Inspiration”, “Hard to Say I’m Sorry”, and Jason on “Will You Still Love Me”. I’m not 100% sure those feature the same first inversion motifs per se, but they def have a similar vibe to me at least.

[@rfdunbar]

Dann Huff on guitar. What more can you say, guy is a master player.

[@domsrecords6353]

He was amazing in Giant. Such an underrated player

[@eddierayvanlynch6133]

The gritty guitar on Paula Abdul's first album is Dan Huff 🤘😎🎸

[@gemaelvarra8914]

Along with Steve Lukather and Michael Landau.

[@danelliott6851]

@@domsrecords6353 The first Giant album is so great. Plenty of killer hooks. Whole album still hold up to this day!

[@domsrecords6353]

@@danelliott6851 absolutely! Their second album time to burn holds up just as well

[@hydrorix1]

Rick, it must be so fulfilling after so long to have the tremendous following and emotional support of so many. What can I say, man, we just love you and what you do, helping us all to better understand music and its creation. ♥️

[@BillDworske]

Yes! Seeing Rick's honest passion for the music is a laugh out loud moment every time!! 😆😆

[@darinscheff1063]

that’s Bobby caldwell genius writing skills. RIP 😢

[@Kafrifelle]

Camera is fine, sound is fine, lighting is Soso. I really miss the what makes this song great series. I liked when you dissect all these stems. It seems now that you were doing videos to push your books or training videos. Still very interesting though.

[@eduf2000]

5:32 these chords reminded me of Girl From Mill Valley by Jeff Beck

[@matthiaskruger556]

I've just remembered a song I haven't heard in decades: live to tell - by Madonna. It also uses these chords

[@andrewcharest8531]

Absolutely gorgeous song, and a pretty long one for radio back on the day!

[@heatherknopp3723]

YAS!!! One of my favorites of hers.

[@conan5885]

My favorite Madonna song, and her best song ever IMO

[@sleigh74]

You're DEAD ON. This has always been an incredible song. So many gems in the '80's re: songwriting.

[@audiochris78]

Those 80s songs, whether it be by produced by Omartian, David Foster, Jay Graydon, people like that, are just inundated by musicality. Doesn’t matter if you like that production style or not, there’s no denying that.

[@StevieG777]

Yup, 💯. Very musically complex for pop tunes for sure. Foster is the reason I played piano, that guy is a freakish wizard.

[@seanwinkel8890]

That's as may be, but they are strictly awful to listen to. Just dreadful sentimental radio pablum.

[@corey-]

David Foster, Michael Omartian, Jay Graydon, Steve Lukather and all the Toto guys started as the A-List session players in L.A. in the late 70s early eighties and all were amazing players, songwriters, arrangers, and wrote SO MANY hit songs from that era!

[@CarlosAnglada]

@@seanwinkel8890 whatever

[@aleksamrkela831]

@@seanwinkel8890 Okay, edgelord.

[@drewabrams11]

This song is a fucking rare gem. Theres so much great harmony here to learn from. Really, this song just sums up the 80s sound in so many ways.

[@ZackVieira]

I think the reason to do the modulation mid verse 2 is because the anticipation of the 2nd chorus is higher now, and less pleasurable than waiting for it in the first. We’ve heard it already and we don’t want to ever fall into feeling antsy for it. So the key change refreshes the ear and, as u said, there’s a lift. So you’re given like an appetizer to tide you over through the remaining verse 2 section.

[@keithdunwoody1302]

Well said.

[@Thom726]

I always loved that song, and there is a reason David Foster used Peter Cetera so frequently at that point in his career; they were perfect for each other!! And that was a perfect pop song for the era. Great post Rick!

[@martinhuband4773]

Spandau ballets inversions were legendary, don't know if they knew what they were doing but it sounded awesome

[@TheOrlandoGuy]

YES! Interview Michael Omartian! This is a must-do!

[@IggyCotton]

Gino Vannelli Has the best of inversions and outstanding cord modulations & progressions to date.

[@peskylisa]

This chord of music always elicits a beautiful vision of moonlight on water and the sensation of driving at night! One of the reasons I love the music from that era. Besides, I was into my teens and twenties, when everything felt more exciting!

[@briancokeley9526]

Written by the great Bobby Caldwell. A pop genius in his own right. RIP ❤️

[@aleksamrkela831]

Oh, gosh. I didn't even know that he died!

[@Treebard]

And Paul Gordon.

[@renosilvacouto]

I thought he only wrote the lyrics. But the way he sings the « Next time I fall » phrase on the chorus always remind me Bobby Caldwell singing « You promised me ».

[@danielthalen3055]

Glad to see some love for Bobby! Would love to see Rick analyze a more well known song by Bobby Caldwell.

[@blairjones8231]

I'm just rediscovering the early 70's when I was still at school. I just bought a blues harp and the guy at the music shop played Supertramp's song "School" as it opens up with a blues harp wailing and bending the notes. I play the bass and I just learnt a bassline for Jethro Tull's "Locomotive breath" from the same era. That song was "it" in my last year at school in NZ. Both songs are apparently progressive rock whereas I normally play blues and funk!

[@bena5150]

I'm a Church musician. We LOVE inversion Chords. 🥰

[@JimGeigerMusic]

To the point where it's become clichéd, unfortunately .

[@dsnaper]

Stole my comment! Agreed generous use in CCM

[@christianworship9223]

Do Chris Tomlin songs have alot of inversion chords?

[@stevewilcock4767]

The Anglican Church's 'Hymns ancient and modern'. If you want to be inspired for Chords check it out!! Blessings 🙌.

[@conan5885]

Yup, totally! It's just plain boring without them.

[@1bullsprig]

One thing that fascinates me about your videos is how you indirectly connect the dots from one composer to another, one performer to another, without even intending to. Then, time moves along, and you get to interview the next interesting person from that particular music tree.

[@LadySamanthally]

When you're a follower of Rick for a long time, you'll know/predict when Rick plugs his Beato book and Ear training course lol😄 I love listening to this song, one of my favorite love song I'm not really a music connoisseur (only by ear and basic things) but I appreciate most of the songs in the 80s. I can't explain it specifically but it just flows when I like a song and gives me a *feeling* to it(which most songs today failed me)

[@Heathcombe1]

Excellent video, Rick! You brought back a song that I haven’t heard for ages. Man, the musicianship and musicality in 80s music like this is exceptional!

[@dj-h8735]

Listen to Level 42 from the 80's. The guitarist, Boon, wrote a lot of their music like that. Then in the early 90's, when they had Allan Holdsworth for a little while things you hear are really cool and fun.

[@Treebard]

I love the song Something about You!

[@nevertoolate5325]

And Alan Murphy who also played with Kate Bush. Would be interesting to hear Rick's views on Alan Murphy - a guitarist's guitarist.

[@tabbycat8511]

Speaking of Michael Omartian - did you know he’s all over an early one-hit-wonder #1 from 1974? Andy Kim’s “Rock Me Gently.” He plays all keyboards - Wurlitzer, synths, and that great funky clavinet break. He is also conducting - what exactly I’m not sure. Be sure and ask him about it!

[@QuabmasM]

I always associate this style of composition with David Foster....feels like he made it famous if not invented it. I never stopped being in love w/ 80s ballads...love that digital reverb, the warm filtered pads carrying the song, & the occasional sprinkle of a shimmer verb that just takes you to heaven for a moment. All that plus the melodies w/ the predominately digital instruments just has a feel of magic that hasnt been topped. All the Disney ballads that would come on during the credits had this sortve mix treatment. So many things were right back then...my vision for music to sound like that is what drives me to this day.

[@drewepton]

With you 100% here.

[@LadySamanthally]

You describe what I want to say but can't describe(not familiar with those instruments and devices)

[@bigrich693]

What a beautiful song. Never heard “next time I fall”. Love it!!

[@bradprince8731]

Great to see more 80s songs. Incredible breakdown. Would love to see "You're The Inspiration" breakdown because people don't realize the complexities of some of these songs that sound so simple.

[@anitahohl]

My husband and I got married in 1985 - that was "our song" ❤

[@StevieG777]

I second that. Would love to see that.

[@heikoschwammle4650]

oh yes, please do: „you’re the inspiration“ I love that Chicago song ❤ and bay the way, the long version of: „Hard to say I‘m sorry“ (Album version) with the rocky ending. Oh yes, the camera-setup: I first was like, wow that’s pretty crisp. I think the contrast is a bit to much

[@michaelrains64295]

A guitar chat with Dann Huff would be incredible. His career is extraordinary.

[@geraldhartley]

Amen 🙏

[@heatherknopp3723]

Would love to hear him talk about some of the acts he's produced as well, like Keith Urban's two big breakthrough albums, "Golden Road" (2002) and "Be Here" (2004). Dann was the secret sauce in what became Keith's signature sound.

[@MrFreevo]

Yeeeessss!!! Nice suggestion, for sure!

[@brettgeraghty]

Just love your analysis of songs Rick. Keep them coming!

[@ovivan79]

Great video. Peter Cetera would also be an amazing interview I’d imagine.

[@timcollins6177]

18:59 Yep, right up the scale in the bass-like I said, melodic. Exactly,

[@JamesWilson01]

A bit off topic but the most amazing example of subtle modulation for me is the verse of Lithium (Nirvana) where it starts off major then changes back and forth to minor and major within the same phrases, all while sounding like a pop hook and not at all out of place. VERY few people can write like that. No wonder Kurt loved the Beatles so much...

[@zoastymusic]

many people are doing modal mixture still knower "im the president" louis cole "tunnels in the air" mndsgn "hope youre doing better" st vincent "land mines" 4 examples off the top of my head, most of them very recent

[@macfawlty]

As a primarily acoustic player, I instinctively put a capo on 1, which makes the chords/forms a lot more straightforward.

[@RiquezaEmGotas]

Pop love songs from the 80s were a little too soft for me at the time but i've always admired those intros and chord voicings by David Foster and the like.

[@Garbrel80]

Amazing song, amazing band. Peter Cetera has the _perfect_ voice for such an intricate power ballad.

[@michaelgreen7561]

After the 90s these chords went away. Even back in the 80s when I listened to this song as a kid. I thought it was brilliant. Even though I didn't really know what I was listening to. The half step is so awesome.

[@lw3764]

One of my favorite songs ever, such a great feel, it just has that melting heart feel. Great sound for a love song.

[@adam872]

Third in the bass does sound fantastic in the middle of a progression, almost like a turnaround point.

[@subbbass]

these chords are also in a lot of Elton John and Billy Joel songs from the 70ies.

[@tortugacastro]

Peter Cetera as a bassist kept changing the tonic of the chords, using thirds and fifths and even if the same chords are repeated, it opens up a new range of possibilities that attract your mind accustomed to the same chords and the bass playing the root note. A very clear example is "Hard to say i'm sorry"

[@vanessajazp6341]

Elton John was the master of chord inversions. I imagine a lot of artists in the 80's were borrowing from what he had been doing all through the 70's.

[@EndtheWokeMadness]

Rick, your anlysis is bang on. As drummer and 80s teen/young adult, I also love the big gated drum sound as well as the clean jangly guitar sound. It also reminds me of the Glory of Love and Richard Marks' Endless Summer Nights and so many other great songs of the late 80s.

[@carladean6117]

Yip, that song just sounds like the 80's personified .. in music. I was in my 20's all through the 1980's. I couldn't have asked for a better time to be young. Phenomenal. 🎉🥳🍾🎈

[@289hipo]

Only decade better was the 70's, which gave birth to all these great 80's tunes btw

[@carladean6117]

@@289hipo I'm big into 70's music too, I was a teenager for most of them then and my elder brother bought some great 'LP's' I'm as nostalgic about the fun times I had in the 80's as well as the wonderful music.

[@francissheridan7712]

been playing guitar for 32 years, i never know what the hell you're going on about but i do so love watching you play and talk dude

[@pjost6643]

Rick, I taught myself guitar during engineering school starting around 1990 and I only had knowledge of theory for playing trumpet as a kid so I had to figure out chords for myself. I initially learned guitar playing classic rock like Rush, but found myself gravitating to songs from the 70s & 80s that were light rock or power ballads, some examples would be Suddenly from the movie Xanadu, believe it or not from the greatest American hero tv show, Hill Street blues theme, the Magnum, PI theme, anyhow, all the songs have his interesting changes in the bass note over simple chords, and I started realizing how innovative these songs were, and it took me some time to figure this out by ear. But after watching these videos, I’m starting to understand why I gravitated to songs like this. Another good example would be the song ‘Music’ from James Taylor’s 1975 album Gorilla. Another good one would be secret of life from the 1977 JT album. In fact, there are so many from James Taylor. They have taught me so many things about music that I cherish it so much.

[@marciagibson330]

I love that you referenced Xanadu! That soundtrack is one of my favorites!

[@louiebee6745]

Co-written by the late Bobby Caldwell, who wrote and sang What You Won't Do For Love, one of my all-time faves from 1979. Fun Fact #1: The other co-writer Paul Gordon said that the song was written for Cetera even before he left Chicago. Once he left they thought their chance was lost, but David Foster found the demo (with Bobby singing) and gave it to Peter, who loved the song. Fun Fact #2: The song was not originally written as a duet. David and Peter found it could work as a duet, and at first Peter wanted an unknown singer, but then he suggested Amy Grant would be the perfect duet partner, and indeed she was!👍👍

[@steverichey8588]

It would be great to interview Omartian and discuss his White Horse album from 1974. Larry Carltons lead on the title track is worth talking about . I know how much you respect Carlton. Omartian used so many great session players on that album. And the mix.

[@robgrano6814]

Agree. First heard that album in 75 or 76, and knew even as a teenager that there was something amazing about that solo. In college I hooked up with some jazz fusion guys who loved Carlton -- that solo was always mentioned.

[@kimjoyner9649]

Agreed - Omartian’s White Horse album is great - the track “Jeremiah” is phenomenal - would make a for a terrific “What Makes This Song Great” breakdown

[@steverichey8588]

Love the bass line of that song. And the Paul hubinon trumpet solo. When I heard it, I wondered, is that the same guy that played trumpet on the Jetsons theme song? I don't know. I still listen to the album every few months.

[@steverichey8588]

It's a shame more people aren't aware of this album

[@robgrano6814]

@@steverichey8588 Look at the line-up of people who played on 'White Horse' and the follow-up, 'Adam Again.' It's literally like a who's-who of LA's best musicians. Hard to believe that Omartian's 77 and that those albums are nearly 50 years old!

[@Ribs13]

Rick, watching your videos is to me the best style of Music class, I had such a hard time on my youth, went to a conservatory in brasil, nightmare for a person like me, but the way you teach is so easy for me. Brilliant!

[@TheOutlanding]

You brought up These Dreams, a masterful song writen by Martin Page and Bernie Taupin. I'm mildly conversent with Martin and mentioned to him a couple weeks ago that he would make an excellent guest on your channel. A storied song writing catalog, fantasticly humble and fun multi-instumental guy. Has his own cast called Radio Owls Nest. In fact, I would argue that his one big solo hit In the House of Stone and Light is worthy of a 'what makes this song great' treatment 🤘😊

[@James_48]

Agree that Martin Page is a master.

[@DavidRodriguez-xm3gw]

Is that the same Martin Page from Q-Feel? Dancing in Heaven is a new wave dance classic.

[@ericstanaland6665]

@@DavidRodriguez-xm3gw It is. Actually, he's latest cast is an all q-feel special

[@dlenajohnson9015]

The ‘secret chord’ is interesting and ‘grabs you’ for the same reason why Joni Mitchell’s music is so intriguing. It adds a question mark, or a sense of uncertainty. Jaco Pastorius did the same thing with the bass in the way he often ignored the chord root.

[@eriktempelman2097]

Fun fact: for quite a while, Jaco played bass for Joni.

[@joshguthriemusic8090]

Would love to hear your assessment of Chicago’s “Hard To Say I’m Sorry”

[@corey-]

David Foster wrote the music for that and Peter Cetera did the lyrics…there are some great documentaries on KZbin from Japan about Chicago 16 and Foster

[@Gee-no]

I always loved this song reminds me of being a kid. Pete Cetera's voice is so great on this. All the 80s Chicago hits were great with David Foster.

[@todd9437]

Rick, you make me feel like I understand theory even though I don't. Thank you, I think.

[@mattbailey7049]

Lol! I feel that too

[@GlennFiddles]

Too many of us guitarists don't think about using chord inversions. After 20 years of playing, one night in 2018 after watching one of Rick's videos, I played a G chord in first inversion up at the 5th to 7th frets instead of in open position or a bar chord: it did something surprisingly deep to the music that I really wasn't expecting..

[@davidlavin4774]

Would be great to see Rick interview Dan Huff. Great guitar player/producer.

[@jeffroach3722]

I used to turn off the radio every time this played on the radio. You actually made this song enjoyable. Great breakdown 🔥

[@aleksamrkela831]

What an amazing song to review. I can never get enough of the eighties! I don't care if it's 'cheesy' or 'elevator music', I love it precisely because of the sheer musicality you explained. :D EDIT: It was written by Bobby Caldwell. Now there's a musician worth exploring on the channel!

[@LarryFleetwood8675]

It sounds so simple on the surface, it's actually pretty complex arrangements totally missing in today's pop music.

[@aleksamrkela831]

@@LarryFleetwood8675 Oof. Ain't that the truth.

[@humanactivated1017]

Sounds like David Foster

[@StevieG777]

@@humanactivated1017 it does indeed. I think Omartian started to cop some of that Foster-ian sound that was taking over.

[@conan5885]

Completely agree!!! The 80's and 80's music mean everything to me. It's my childhood/teen years and a magical time in music.

[@OttawaNow]

The Next Time I Fall was written by Bobby Caldwell. These Dreams was written by Bernie Taupin and Martin Page. You're The Inspiration was written by Peter Cetera and David Foster.

[@aziel9141]

Rick, you should listen to the new The Lemon Twigs album! Simply genius songwriting rooted in the 70's sound with incredible melodies and outstanding musicianship.

[@normanleroy1874]

One of the best albums of the year!

[@carlom.3737]

As a child of the 80s, Peter Cetera was huge. I actually had to learn in my older years about his time with Chicago. In middle school and high school I got into glam rock and metal, but even then, I had a soft spot for Cetera's solo work.

[@eddiejr540]

I was listening to Yes “Big Generator”…talk about 80’s guitar tone…incredible 👍

[@CarlosAnglada]

Love will Find a Way

[@mrJimCharles]

Trevor Rabin KILLS!!!

[@eddiejr540]

@@CarlosAnglada …isn’t that the coolest riff ever!!!!