“The Power of Love” was the first number-one hit for Huey Lewis and the News. The certified Gold single was written for the 1985 film Back to the Future.
The brass licks are played with 80s synthesizer as seen in the music video. Beyond that, not much more for keys to do in this song. The song alternates keys between C Major and the C Melodic Minor with a change to Eb Major in the bridge.
Main Riff
The song starts with the main keyboard (brass) riff, which is heard in the intro and the chorus. The intro is slightly truncated and ends before the measure with the Bb chord.
Lick
This little lick is heard throughout the song in various parts. It is first played after the intro. It is also played between the first two verses and at the end of the first chorus. This change from a key of C to Cm adds to the bluesy feel of the song.
We heard this lick once more behind the guitar solo with one variation. After 4 repeats, the chord voicings move from the 1st inversion to 2nd inversion. This is a subtle change, but helps to build momentum in the solo going into the final chorus.
Bridge
While there is not much to do here, the song definitely features a bit of keyboard comping during these chord changes. The song moves from the C Minor to its relative Major in E. Here are the chords and suggested voicings.
Full Song Structure
The lyrics and chords are as follows:
THE POWER OF LOVE - Huey LEWIS & the News
[Intro] F | C C | F F | C C | F F | C C | F |
| Cm7 F| F| Cm7 F| Bb F |
[Verse]
Cm7 F
The power of love is a curious thing
Make a one man weep, make another man sing
Change a heart to a little white dove
More than a feeling, that's the power of love
| Cm7 F| Bb F |
[Verse]
Tougher than diamonds, rich like cream
Stronger and harder than a bad girls dream
Make a bad one good, mmm make a wrong right
Power of love will keep you home at night
[Chorus]
F C C/E F
Don't need money, don't take fame
Don't need no credit card to ride this train
It's strong and it's sudden and it's cruel sometimes
Bb F Gsus4
But it might just save your life
[Post-Chorus]
Cm7 F
That's the power of love
Cm7 F Bb F
That's the power of love
[Verse]
First time you feel it might make you sad
Next time you feel it might make you mad
But you'll be glad baby when you've found
That's the power that makes the world go round
[Chorus]
Don't need money, don't take fame
Don't need no credit card to ride this train
It's strong and it's sudden and it's cruel sometimes
But it might just save your life
[Bridge]
Eb G7/D Cm9
They say that all in love is fair
Fm9
Yeah but you don't care
Abmaj7 Gm7
But you know what to do
Fm7 Gm7
When it gets hold of you
Abmaj7 Gsus4
And with a little help from above
Cm7 F
That's the power of love
That's the power of love
HEY! Can you feel it?!
[Solo]
Cm7 F x8
[Chorus]
F C C/E F
Don't take money, don't take fame
Don't need no credit card to ride this train
Tougher than diamonds and stronger than steel
You won't feel nothin till you feel
You feel the power, feel the power of love
That's the power, that's the power of love
You feel the power of love...repeat and fade
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