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Related Music Theory Alchemy

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“Viva la Vida” mostly utilizes a four-chord progression thorough the song which is fairly common in popular music. The verse we are focusing on replicating the verse goes like this: C – D – G – Em. The chord progressions are pretty simple, catchy and give the song an uplifting feel.

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“Yellow” by Coldplay is in the key of G major and employs a mix of diatonic chords, extended chords such as the seventh chords, and the occasional borrowed chord from G minor. The progression presents variations of a common IV-V-I pattern seen in pop and rock music.

“It’s A Fire” by Portishead is a song characterized by its frequent modulations and use of borrowed chords, making it a considerable complexity in terms of harmony. It features transition from key centers and borrowed chords from other keys, which creates tension and resolution creating the signature moody and intense atmosphere Portishead is known for.

The chord progression in the chorus of Beck’s “Think I’m In Love” is a fairly simple one that revolves around two key centers, Ab major and Eb major. The main chords used are based on the I-IV-V structure which is common in rock and pop music. It features a major I-IV relationship and an unexpected chord, F major, which adds some harmonic interest.

“Boulevard of Broken Dreams” by Green Day, released in 2004, is an alt-rock anthem that largely follows a 4-chord progression throughout the song. The key signature of the song is E minor (derived from the root chord), and essentially all chords used in the song are diatonic, meaning they are derived from the scales of the key. The chorus shifts to a progression in C Major. However, it returns to E minor at the end.

Coldplay – Viva La Vida – Chorus

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Chord Progression

[‘C’, ‘D’, ‘G’, ‘Em’, ‘C’, ‘D’, ‘G’, ‘Em’, ‘C’, ‘D’, ‘G’, ‘Em’, ‘C’, ‘D’, ‘Bm’, ‘Em’]

Chord Progression Analysis

These are the full chord names with their roman numerals:

– C Major (IV)
– D Major (V)
– G Major (I)
– E minor (vi)
– C Major (IV)
– D Major (V)
– G Major (I)
– E minor (vi)
– C Major (IV)
– D Major (V)
– G Major (I)
– E minor (vi)
– C Major (IV)
– D Major (V)
– B minor (iii)
– E minor (vi)

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Borrowed Chord: None in this progression.
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Similar Chord Progressions

Here are some songs by other artists that share

Musical Analysis

This progression follows a repeated pattern of IV-V-I-vi, using the strong resolution from the V (D major) to the I (G major) chord. This is then followed by a descending progression from I to vi (G major to E minor). The inclusion of the iii chord (B minor) introduces a slightly melancholic twist to the otherwise upbeat progression.

Overall Analysis

The song “Viva La Vida” by Coldplay is in the key of G major and follows a fairly simple chord progression in the pop/rock genre. This progression particularly makes use of the I, IV, V, and vi chords in this key, which is a typical pop progression.

Style Analysis

Coldplay’s style in this song is typical of their blend of pop-rock and alternative music, with an emphasis on creating anthemic, uplifting choruses. The chord progression is simple and effective, driving the song with a positive, uplifting feel that is intermittently contrasted by the more melancholic iii chord.

Chords in the Chorus section of Viva La Vida by Coldplay are:

[‘C’, ‘D’, ‘G’, ‘Em’, ‘C’, ‘D’, ‘G’, ‘Em’, ‘C’, ‘D’, ‘G’, ‘Em’, ‘C’, ‘D’, ‘Bm’, ‘Em’]