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Related Music Theory Alchemy

Vance Joy’s “Riptide” is a remarkably simple yet highly effective song written in the key of C Major. The song follows a repetitive I-vi-IV chord progression, which is only varied in the bridge where a minor seventh chord introduces tension before leading back to the song’s major tonality.

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Vance Joy’s “Riptide” is a folk-pop song that presents a unique coupling of simplicity and depth on the musical landscape. The chord progression, in particular the pre-chorus, is relatively straightforward, but it introduces a flavor of complexity thanks to the inclusion of the borrowed chord. The song operates primarily within the key of C major, and maintains a predominantly folk-like, easy listening aesthetic throughout. Its chord progression, while simple, is nonetheless powerful in conveying the song’s desired emotional ambiance.

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“Weezer – Island In The Sun (Bridge)” is a relatively simple yet melodically impactful chord progression that utilizes a mixture of major and minor chords. The song is in the key of G major, and the bridge follows a (V – I) D-G progression initially, before moving to the IV (C) and ii (Am) chords. The harmonic rhythm of the bridge creates a sense of resolution and adds emotional depth to the song.

The bridge of Weezer’s “Say It Ain’t So” features an intriguing chord progression, which presents both diatonic and borrowed chords, as well as chromatic harmony. The song’s key is C major, but it touches on the parallel minor key and incorporates unusual chords such as the Eb major chord, which adds tension and surprise. The chord progression and harmonic rhythm are fairly consistent throughout the bridge, creating a sense of unity.

“Yellow” by Coldplay is written in the key of G major. The song maintains a consistent use of diatonic chords from its own major key, with a predominant chord progression in the bridge and other sections being G – D – Cmaj7. Briefly, the song changes to a minor key using the Dm7 chord as a poignant moment in its structure.

Vance Joy – Riptide – Bridge

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Chord Progression

[‘Am’, ‘G’, ‘C’, ‘Fmaj7’, ‘Am’, ‘G’, ‘C’, ‘Fmaj7’]

Chord Progression Analysis

– A minor (‘vi’)
– G major (‘V’)
– C major (‘I’)
– F major 7 (‘IV7’)

Borrowed Chord:

– There are no borrowed chords in the bridge, the Fmaj7 is a diatonic chord in the key of C major.

Similar Chord Progressions

1. “Let it Be” by The Beatles – The song utilizes the same chord progression: C, G, Am, F (I, V, vi, IV).

2. “No Woman, No Cry” by Bob Marley – The song utilizes a similar chord progression in the key of C Major: C, G/B, Am, F (I, V/vi, vi, IV).

3. “Someone Like You” by Adele. The song is in the key of A Major but has the exact same progression: A, E, F#m, D (I, V, vi, IV).

Musical Analysis

The song begins with the A minor chord, which acts as a predominant chord leading to the dominant G major, then resolving to the tonic C major. This use of vi-V-I is a common cadence found in many popular and classical music. The Fmaj7 beside its major key diatonic use is often introducing and resolving tension. It is also worth noting that this vi-V-I-IV sequence found in ‘Riptide,’ is one of the most popular four-chord progressions in pop music.

Overall Analysis

“Riptide” by Vance Joy is in the key of C major. The chord progression is a repeated sequence of Am, G, C and Fmaj7, with the Fmaj7 being a borrowed chord from the parallel minor, C minor. Given that the majority of the song follows this pattern, it’s simple yet effective, providing a catchy and persistent structure to the song.

Style Analysis

“Riptide” is a song that falls under the indie folk-pop genre. The song’s simplicity in terms of its chord structure, rhythm, and melody are a reflection of this – it stays true to the genre’s often uplifting, yet raw and organic sound. The song uses mainly open chords which gives it a very open, clear timbre, contributing to its ‘folk’ feel.

Chords in the Bridge section of Riptide by Vance Joy are:

[‘Am’, ‘G’, ‘C’, ‘Fmaj7’, ‘Am’, ‘G’, ‘C’, ‘Fmaj7’]