Key and Tempo Analysis

Between May, 1957 and October, 1962, Cadence released twenty-five singles. The following table shows the key in which each song was recorded, as well as the tempo of the song. Establishing the key can occasionally prove problematic because the recordings may be slower or faster than real-time and produce a tonality somewhere between two pitches (assuming A=440Hz). I used The Everly Brothers: The Complete Cadence Recordings, 1957-1960 (Varèse Saraband 3020662172). Where the published key is indicated, I have used sheet music published by Acuff-Rose. These date from the time of the record releases, as opposed to being later reprintings or republications. The tempos were established using a metronome application on my iPhone that allows me to tap a tempo (Visual Metronome by One More Muse). The tempos will be correct within 10 bpm.

Of these recordings, 7 are in E major, 3 in G major, 3 in B major, and 3 in D major. The songs fall cover a wide range of tempos, from 80 bpm ("Oh, What a Feeling") to 200 bpm ("Leave My Woman Alone" which was released in the UK). From my multiple listenings, though, I sense two basic categories: slow ballad and fast dance tune.