Understanding the Upturned Point in Music
Analyzing the emotional high point in a music with some classic examples
Earlier, I wrote about the downturned point in music and how it pulls on your heartstrings. I suggest you read that version first if you haven’t already read the hyperlink above.
The upturned point is the section that elates or gives a sense of euphoria. It seemed fitting to name this phrase when discussing the opposite of the downturned point. For me, it’s the climax in the middle of that rainbow.
In this article, I will discuss what builds an upturned point and the ballads where the songs stand out. Unlike the previous one, I won’t give three from each decade. Instead, there will be a mix of random songs that attribute this point.
What Builds an Upturned Point?
The upturned point can come from ballads and nonballads. They are simply written where a song needs the most joy. What do I mean by that? Well, its the point where the song grabs the most attention from the listener. You can hear it during the bridge or right before the bridge ends. At times the point can appear at the end of a song suite. Sometimes the upturned point collides with the octave jump in a song and it’s audible in the register change. The singer usually lets the listener know when you hear it. Just think of your favorite female vocalists and how they use technique in a song. When the upturned point arrives, you hear it in their belting power.
So how is the upturned point heard in songs? Let’s hear some examples.
The Flesh Failures/Let the Sunshine In from Hair
This Hair classic is an excellent example of having a notable “upturned point.” “The Flesh Failures/Let the Sunshine In” is a musical song with gospel elements that project a sense of euphoria. Notice how it takes a while for that elation to appear at the end of the song. Teasing the listener from the male vocalists to the female vocalists and then ending in harmony. By the time it gets there, you have goosebumps.
The ending of “Let the Sunshine In” serves not only as the final number from Hair, but as a powerful declaration. It is a call for peace, love and hope. The harmonic belting sends a rush as this upturned point. It also creates an earworm that has lasted for decades. Listeners can’t the intense coda.
There are a lot of artists who sung this record from the original Broadway cast, Fifth Dimension to the film version. I was tied with the Fifth Dimension and the 1979 film version. However, I picked the film version this time for it really ends the song for real.
Livin’ On A Prayer by Bon Jovi
Bon Jovi did a big one when they made “Livin’ on A Prayer.” The 80s arena rock song is popular not just because it existed in the time of MTV, but because of production reasons. One, it's the perfect sing-along with great lyrics. Two, it's a high-energy rock song with a strong hook. The upturned point is notable in the bridge. It’s one of the reasons many people love the record, especially in the final choruses.
As soon as the bridge we’re taking to this intense octave jump. Jon Bon Jovi sings the chorus a little higher as the band harmonizes in the background. Hearing that makes us feel the message of the song. We don’t want to give up on our dreams. We want to defeat adversity in any situation. So, the upturned point creates a powerful climax for millions.
All by Myself (Cover) by Celine Dion
Céline Dion is famous for bringing out the best in contemporary ballads. While I could’ve chosen any song to mention, I wanted to shout out her “All By Myself” cover - a song that has a powerful upturned point. Céline is known for her high belting, but it couldn’t been more powerful in a song like this. At this point in her career, I think she was starting to learn her voice the most.
It’s been said that David Foster worried if she could hit that climactic note, but she told him she could do it. She confidently belted that F5 note at the bridge of the song. Céline belts the words out in passionate frustration. It’s forever this upturned point that’s engraved as one of her most popular. Céline has this beautiful way of maintaining her tone with a head and chest mix. The passion is in that upturned point. Making the record more relatable.
I Have Nothing by Whitney Houston
Whitney Houston’s “I Have Nothing” is also a very passionate record. Like Celine’s “All By Myself”, it was produced by David Foster. The upturned point is also heard right after the bridge. A lot of what the upturned point does is highlight the best aspect of a singer’s abilities. Like the other songs, it teases us with the pre chorus before we get into that explosive moment. We hear Whitney's strong technical abilities in this beautiful ballad from The Bodyguard.
Love carries the feeling of “I Have Nothing” and the point within it. The message is clear when she reiterates her love for her protector. While everyone knows about “I Will Always Love You”, I wanted to remind people how also impactful this record is. Besides, it carries the same energy as the prior record.
Recap
As we learned, the upturned point is the point of the song where you feel the most euphoria. We hear them in ballads and nonballads. It doesn’t matter which record genre you hear them in, it can come to you when you through the vocalists or instrumentation.
The modern examples I showed displayed various ways the upturned is heard. The composition of a record is what highlights the beauty of this musical moment. The bridge or the pre-chorus can be excellent warning signs the upturned is coming. Musicals like Hair can showcase the upturned in an epic final number. Rock artists can display it in the climax of their records like in “Livin’ on a Prayer.”
We also hear the upturned by the vocal techniques of an artists. Céline Dion and Whitney Houston as excellent examples of vocalists who use their voices to sing these upturned points. With the same producers, they showcase the best in their contemporary songs with beautiful emotion.
Thanks for reading.
I hope you learned something new about music. Stay tuned for my music education stories.
Name me some upturned points you can think of. 🎶