seventh tone of the major scale, known as the “leading tone,” the “ti” that wants by its nature to be brought back to “do.” In a musical phrase, the seventh tone lands with a pang, a note of unresolved longing, and Rodgers exploited this reality to the fullest. “We’ll have Man-HAT-tan” is a case in point, with the syllable “hat” lingering on the seventh tone in a way that sweeps the listener along.
