I'm a Sucker for Minor Key Waltzes

I was accidentally listening to Toad The Wet Sprocket - Walk On The Ocean this afternoon, and was reminded that I almost invariably like a minor key waltz. I suspect it’s a driving force behind why I like R.E.M. I’ll try to think of more examples, but would like to hear from you. What are some of your favorites?

2 Likes

Can’t think of any fav minor key waltzes right now, I have a few favorites in minor key though.
U2 - One
R.E.M. - Losing My Religion
Carole King - It’s Too Late
Angie - Rollingstones
RHCP - Californication

2 Likes

I couldn’t think of a minor key waltz so I cheated, I looked up “minor key waltz”, and was bombarded with links to “Waltz in A minor”, Chopin. I like the “Minute waltz” but apparently its in D flat major. This is beautiful though.

3 Likes

Ah ha! After watching a Burt Bacharach documentary last night -
“What The World Needs Now”

1 Like

Jeez, I start a conversation then just walk away. I came back with a couple of ones I’ve noticed in that time though. :slight_smile:

I’d have to say that “What The World Needs Now” is a waltz, but probably major key. It’s hard to tell or define sometimes, though. One of my all time favorite songs is a waltz, and I think of it as a minor key, but it definitely has some major chords in it:
Simon & Garfunkel -America

Same with the theme for Schitt’s Creek:

So let’s step back to definitely a waltz (3/4 time, although 6/8 reduces to the same fraction imo), and minor key:
Calexico - Sunken Waltz
Calexico - Sunken Waltz - YouTube

One of the more recognizable Christmas carols (and one of my favorites), Carol of the Bells by Ukranian composer Alexander Koretch:

The aforementioned:
Toad The Wet Sprocket - Walk On The Ocean:

A blues waltz:
Allman Brothers - Dreams

A metal waltz ballad:
Metallica - Nothing Else Matters

A non-ballad:
Jimi Hendrix - Manic Depression

An even less ballad waltz:
A Perfect Circle - Judith

1 Like

I checked and you’re right, “What The World Needs Now” originally written in Gmaj according to musicnotes.com. However the first recording by Jackie DeShannon was in Bbmin. I checked the Dionne Warick version, to me it sounds like Dmaj. Simon & Garfunkel - “America” is definetely a 3/4 waltz but I believe the key is Ebmaj. Beautiful song by the way & you’re also right it’s a bit hard to define sometimes. All very good for aural training though, lest I go deaf in old age. All your videos here are going to keep me busy. :smile:

Houston - R.E.M. - 3/4 waltz in Dmin apparently.

2 Likes

@Kelly_A Jimmy Hendrix- Manic Depression is written in a Cmaj key signature, but it does have some # sharps in it. Do you mean waltzes with a minor key signature or waltz with minor key notes? This is challenging but fun. I feel like I’m in a music theory class. :smile: :+1:
manic depression

Edit - Kelly, I think I’m starting to understand what you mean. A sharp # in a key signature of Cmaj is an accidental minor key. Simon & Garfunkel “America” with a signature key of Ebmaj is a relative of Cmin. Have I got that right? :smile:

2 Likes

4/4 in Cmaj, I think. Still, it’s worth a slow and close romantic dance with a partner.

1 Like

Possibly one of the earliest minor key waltzes:

It’s the innate lilting sadness of the minor 3/4 time that makes it so beautiful in my humble opinion

1 Like

Then there is this of course:

1 Like