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“Paint It Black” by The Rolling Stones is a famous Rock song heavily influenced by the Indian classical form of music called Raga rock. The song is written in E minor and it has a very distinctively descending minor key tonality. The chords progression in the verse sequence doesn’t follow the conventional rules of western tonal harmony as it navigates through various key centers, showcasing the bands exploration of exotic and unconventional songwriting.

“Honky Tonk Women” is a classic blues-infused rock and roll track, like many songs by The Rolling Stones. The guitar riffs and solo (though not discussed here) clearly show blues influence in their use of the pentatonic scale and common blues licks.

The chord progression used for verse 2 is a typical example of a classic rock chord progression, with a key center around G, utilizing the dominant chords of the key in a I-IV-I-V-IV-I-IV-I progression.

“The Sound of Silence” by Simon & Garfunkel is a song from the folk-rock genre. Built on simplicity with few chords used throughout the whole song, the primary focus of the song is on the hauntingly beautiful melody and the profound lyrics. It is written in the key of Am which gives the song a melancholic and somber tone.

“Stairway to Heaven” by Led Zeppelin is recognized for its use of modal interchange, specifically borrowing chords from the parallel minor, and its distinct way of blending rock and folk music elements. This piece is in the key of A minor and the chord progression in Verse 5 is simple but quite effective.

“House of the Rising Sun” by The Animals is a traditional folk song that features a distinctive, repetitive chord progression throughout the song. The tune has a somber, haunting quality and is set in a minor key. It has been covered by numerous artists over the years, but the version by The Animals is the most famous.

The Rolling Stones – Paint It Black – Verse 5

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Chord Progression

[‘Em’, ‘B’, ‘Em’, ‘B’, ‘Em’, ‘D’, ‘G’, ‘D’, ‘Em’, ‘Em’, ‘D’, ‘G’, ‘D’, ‘A’, ‘B’]

Chord Progression Analysis

The verse structure for “Paint It Black” has an intriguing yet accessible chord progression. Let’s label these chords in the context of Em, the tonic key of the song.

Chord Progression:
– E minor (‘i’)
– B Major (‘V’)
– E minor (‘i’)
– B Major (‘V’)
– E minor (‘i’)
– D Major (‘VII’)
– G Major (‘III’)
– D Major (‘VII’)
– E minor (‘i’)
– E minor (‘i’)
– D Major (‘VII’)
– G Major (‘III’)
– D Major (‘VII’)
– A Major (‘IV’)
– B Major (‘V’)

“`{Chord Progression Code Block}
i – V – i – V – i – VII – III – VII – i – i – VII – III – VII – IV – V
“`

Similar Chord Progressions

1. “I Want To Tell You” by The Beatles uses a similar progression in its choruses:
– A Major (‘IV’)
– E minor (‘i’)
– B Major (‘V’)
– A Major (‘IV’)
– B Major (‘V’)

2. “Baba O’Riley” by The Who also uses a progression with a similar feel in its intro/verses:
– F Major (‘VI’)
– Bb Major (‘III’)
– C Major (‘IV’)
– F Major (‘VI’)

Remember that while chord progressions can sound similar, the way each artist uses them can create completely unique pieces of music.

Musical Analysis

In a conventional minor key progression, the V chord is minor. However, in “Paint It Black”, the V (B Major) is major. This could be attributed to the harmonic minor key, where the V is usually a major chord. In addition, the D Major could be also seen as a borrowed chord from the parallel major scale (E Major). The presence of D and A Major chords give the progression an unusual, yet striking quality, compared to a standard minor key progression.

Overall Analysis

“Paint It Black” by The Rolling Stones is a masterful example of the band’s ability to incorporate a variety of musical elements into a rock setting. This song, in particular, unites a classic rock ‘n roll backbone with an exotic influence, likely derived from Eastern music, especially with the use of the sitar.

Style Analysis

The Rolling Stones were renowned for their versatility and incorporation of various musical styles. “Paint It Black” stands out for its fusion of rock with elements of Eastern music. The presence of the sitar, an instrument traditionally used in Indian music, added an exotic flavor to the song.

Chords in the Verse 5 section of Paint It Black by The Rolling Stones are:

[‘Em’, ‘B’, ‘Em’, ‘B’, ‘Em’, ‘D’, ‘G’, ‘D’, ‘Em’, ‘Em’, ‘D’, ‘G’, ‘D’, ‘A’, ‘B’]