Music Theory Alchemy

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“Have You Ever Seen The Rain” is a popular song by Creedence Clearwater Revival from the 1971 album “Pendulum”. This song is performed in the key of C major, and uses chords from the diatonic scale. However, it also utilizes borrowed chords and chord inversions to create a bit of colour and novelty.

“Hoppipolla” by Sigur Rós is a dreamy and atmospheric piece that showcases the band’s unique style. The chord progression in the verse consists of D#m, E, D#m, and E chords, which creates a simple and elegant harmonic structure. The use of open strings and melodically moving chords in this progression reflects the ethereal nature of this piece. This progression can be found in both rock and alternative music genres, as it uses the powerful major and minor chords found throughout these styles. The repetitive nature of the chord progression mirrors the band’s tendency to use slow-building and evolving textures in their compositions.

“Anti-Hero,” a standout track from Taylor Swift, exemplifies her mature songwriting style that merges introspective lyrics with intricate harmonies. This song’s verse utilizes a chord progression that creates a rich emotional landscape, perfectly complementing the themes of self-reflection and personal imperfection. The progression, while rooted in the traditional pop structure, employs extended chords to enhance its lyrical narrative, adding layers of complexity that resonate with listeners.

“Weekend Wars” by MGMT features a distinctive and slightly unconventional chord progression. The verse is in D minor and consists of 22 chords, providing a unique and somewhat complex harmonic landscape. The majority of the chords used are diatonic, but there are also borrowed chords and other non-diatonic chords which contribute to the song’s unique character.

Chord Progression:
Dm (i), C (VII), G (IV), C (VII), G (IV), F (III), Dm (i), C (VII), F (III), Am (v), F (III), Dm (i), C (VII), G (IV), C (VII), G (IV), F (III), Dm (i), C (VII), F (III), Am (v), F (III)

Dm – D minor
C – C major
G – G major (borrowed chord)
F – F major
Am – A minor

Creedence Clearwater Revival – Have You Ever Seen The Rain – Verse

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Chord Progression

[‘C’, ‘C’, ‘G’, ‘C’, ‘C’, ‘C’, ‘G’, ‘C’]

Chord Progression Analysis

Here are the chords for the verse:

“`
C Major (I)
C Major (I)
G Major (V)
C Major (I)
C Major (I)
C Major (I)
G Major (V)
C Major (I)
“`

This chord progression is essentially a I-V turn around which is a common technique in blues and rock. Note that the Roman numerals represent the general notes in the key of C Major. Hence, C Major is the I chord and G Major is the V chord.

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Similar Chord Progressions

1. “Let It Be” by Beatles
Verse Chord Progression:
“`
C Major (I)
G Major (V)
A Minor (vi)
F Major (IV)
“`
Though slightly more complex than the Creedence Clearwater Revival song, the Beatles’ track also relies on a solid major chord structure with the I and V chords featuring prominently.

2. “Sweet Home Alabama” by Lynyrd Skynyrd
Verse Chord Progression:
“`
D Major (I)
C Major (flat-VII)
G Major (IV)
“`
Here the I and V chords are present alongside a flat-VII chord. This progression shares a similar rock/country feel with “Have You Ever Seen the Rain”.

These examples show how the I-V progression found in “Have You Ever Seen the Rain” is a popular choice in the rock music genre.

Musical Analysis

This song starts and ends on a ‘C Major’ chord, showing no modulations throughout the verse. The ‘I-V’ chord progression is common in rock and popular music. This progression provides a solid, relaxing feel perfect for the lyrics which talk about experiencing change and facing difficult times.

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Overall Analysis

“Have You Ever Seen The Rain” by Creedence Clearwater Revival is a classic rock song written in the key of C Major. It’s a brilliant representation of 60s and 70s folk-rock music with a chord sequence that is very recognizable, even to this day.

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Style Analysis

Creedence Clearwater Revival is known for its distinctive swamp rock style. The chords chosen for “Have You Ever Seen The Rain” allows the band to blend elements of rock, pop, and country. The repetitive ‘I-V’ progression in the verse and the sophisticated yet simple melody line gives the song its timeless appeal.

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Chords in the Verse section of Have You Ever Seen The Rain by Creedence Clearwater Revival are:

[‘C’, ‘C’, ‘G’, ‘C’, ‘C’, ‘C’, ‘G’, ‘C’]