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Related Music Theory Alchemy

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“Don’t Look Back In Anger” uses simple yet effective chord progressions common in pop/rock music. It incorporates both major and minor chords, showing some classic pop sensibilities. The song is situated in the key of C Major. Embedded within this progression are instances of borrowed chords – the E7 for instance, is a secondary dominant, often used to inject a bit of tension and to give strong resolution leading into the next chord.

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This iconic Britpop song predominantly features the use of traditional tonal harmony found in pop songs throughout the late 20th century, and the verse specifically recalls the harmonic patterns utilized in the 1950s and 60s. The defining feature of this song (as is the case with many Oasis tunes) is the use of returning, resounding repetitions of simple chord sequences.

“Tiny Dancer” is an iconic song by Elton John from his 1971 album Madman Across the Water. Written in the key of C Major, it genre-wise fits the mold of pop music from the early 1970s. Structurally, the song displays unique nuances, especially in its pre-chorus, which shifts the tonal center and incorporates some borrowed chords from parallel minor scales.

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“When I Was Your Man” by Bruno Mars is in the key of C major. The song relies heavily on diatonic chords and uses a structure that is common in popular music, especially ballads. It follows conventional diatonic chord progressions and also incorporates non-diatonic chords for added tension and resolution.

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This pre-chorus from Weezer’s “Buddy Holly” features an eight-chord progression in the key of A major. It includes a borrowed chord (Dm) from the parallel minor key (A minor). The harmonic movement consists of alternating D major and C# minor chords, followed by F# minor chords, before returning to the D major root and finally resolving with the borrowed Dm chord. This progression contributes to the energetic, catchy, and upbeat style of the song.

Oasis – Dont Look Back In Anger – Pre-Chorus

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Chord Progression

[‘F’, ‘Fm6’, ‘C’, ‘F’, ‘Fm6’, ‘C’, ‘F’, ‘Fm6’, ‘C’, ‘G’, ‘E7/G#’, ‘Am’, ‘G’, ‘F’, ‘G’]

Chord Progression Analysis

“`F (IV), Fm6 (iv), C (I),
F (IV), Fm6 (iv), C (I),
F (IV), Fm6 (iv), C (I),
G (V), E7/G# (V/vi), Am (vi),
G (V), F (IV), G (V)“`

The Fm6 is a borrowed chord from the parallel minor, i.e., C minor, adding complexity to this progression.

Similar Chord Progressions

1. “Creep” by Radiohead: G (I), B (III), C (IV), Cm (iv)
2. “While My Guitar Gently Weeps” by The Beatles: Am (i), Am/G (i), Am/F# (i), Am/F (i), Am (i), Am/G (i), D9 (IV), G (♭VII)

Both of these songs use a similar IV-iv-I change. The latter song also uses a borrowed chord from the parallel minor.

Musical Analysis

The pre-chorus plays with a particular melancholic feel by borrowing the Fm6 (iv) from the parallel minor. This change from IV to iv, followed by the I chord, creates a sorrowful, longing effect, which has a strong impact on listeners. The change from G (V), E7/G# (V/vi) to Am (vi) is a standard cadence, but it’s slightly modified by the inclusion of a secondary dominant for Am (E7).

Overall Analysis

“Don’t Look Back in Anger” by Oasis, a popular rock ballad, is characterized by its melancholic chord progressions. Its key is major, specifically C Major, but it involves a frequent use of borrowed chords for a touch of bitterness, matching the poignant lyrics.

Style Analysis

The mixture of major and minor chords and the use of borrowed chords are typical for Oasis’ style and for Britpop/rock in general, lending a melancholic or nostalgic atmosphere to the song. The IV-iv-I move is a common “pop” progression variant seen in many other songs.

Chords in the Pre-chorus section of Dont Look Back In Anger by Oasis are:

[‘F’, ‘Fm6’, ‘C’, ‘F’, ‘Fm6’, ‘C’, ‘F’, ‘Fm6’, ‘C’, ‘G’, ‘E7/G#’, ‘Am’, ‘G’, ‘F’, ‘G’]