Modes in real songs

Two chords, i7 and IV, rocking forever: that vamp is "Oye Como Va" by Santana, and the same Dorian glow drives "Get Lucky." The major IV inside a minor groove is the tell: that bright 6 is Dorian talking.

D, C, G, back to D: "Sweet Home Alabama." The loop lives on D but keeps leaning on C, the flat 7 chord no major key owns. That relaxed, sunburnt lean is Mixolydian, and it closes "Hey Jude" too: the whole na-na-na outro rides it.

A low E holding still while F, one bare half step up, stabs at it: flamenco's home base and metal's favorite shadow. When a riff keeps grinding against the note just above home, you're hearing Phrygian's b2.

Field guide, one line each: minor groove with a bright major IV → Dorian. Major song leaning on its ♭VII chord → Mixolydian. Half-step snarl right above home → Phrygian. Shimmering ♯4 over a major chord → Lydian.