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Related Music Theory Alchemy

“Bullet With Butterfly Wings” by The Smashing Pumpkins is an alternative rock song released in 1995. The song is in the key of E minor and primarily uses power chords derived from the E minor scale throughout the song. Power chords or ‘5’ chords, like B5 or G5, don’t have a major or minor quality and are often used in rock music for their strong and neutral sound. The song also applies modal mixture (borrowing chords from parallel keys) for color and tension.

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“1979” by The Smashing Pumpkins is a classic alternative rock song that cleverly uses uncommon, sophisticated chords to evoke an emotional, melancholic atmosphere.

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“Strawberry Fields Forever” by The Beatles is a psychedelic rock song often regarded as one of their finest works. It’s innovative from both a melodic and harmonic perspective, using complex chord structures, chromatic touches, and key changes. The song is primarily in the key of E major.

“Say It Ain’t So” by Weezer is a rock song, primarily falling within the alternative rock and power pop styles. The chord progression of Verse 1 is simple yet effective in creating a somber, introspective mood. It primarily utilizes diatonic chords of the C major key, with the E major chord borrowed from the parallel minor key (C minor).

Chord progression analysis with Roman numerals:
A minor (vi) – E major (V/vi) – F major (IV) – C major (I)

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Borrowed chord: E major (V/vi)
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David Bowie’s song, “Space Oddity,” is typically interpreted as being in the key of C Major. It’s an interesting song harmonically, featuring not just Primary Triads and Secondary Dominants but also uses Borrowed Chords, non-functional harmony, and chromatic chord changes. The kind of harmonic movement might be called Bowie’s deviation from the traditional harmonic patterns, which is part of what gives his music its characteristic ‘alien’ vibe. This progression has a more modal feeling due to the use of borrowed chords and the shifted tonal center.

The Smashing Pumpkins – Bullet With Butterfly Wings – Verse 1

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Chord Progression

[‘B5’, ‘Em’, ‘G5’]

Chord Progression Analysis

Here’s the chord progression for Verse 1:

B5 (I5), Em (ii), G5 (IV5)

BU (Borrowed chords) = None

Similar Chord Progressions

1) “Smells Like Teen Spirit” by Nirvana – E5 (I5), A5 (IV5), G#5 (III#5), C5 (VI5)
2) “Black” by Pearl Jam – E (I), A (IV), D (VII), Em (ii)

Although these songs are not in the same key nor do they have the exact Figure Bass notation, they share the same grunge aesthetic and utilize power chords to achieve that raw, rock sound. Just like in “Bullet With Butterfly Wings”, there are minor chords interjected amongst the power and major chords for a heightened emotional effect.

Musical Analysis

The song is in the key of B Major. The use of power chords such as B5 and G5, stripped down to their core harmonics elements (root and perfect fifth), provides the song with raw power typical of the punk/grunge genre. B5 and G5 are the major chords strengthened by the fifth, which gives it the specific rock sound. Meanwhile, the Em functions as a minor chord offering a slight mood change. The constant shifts between major and minor chords build tension and intensity throughout the song.

Overall Analysis

“Bullet With Butterfly Wings” by The Smashing Pumpkins features a chord progression that uses a lot of power chords (fifth chords) which demonstrates its grungy, rock oriented style. It also incorporates major, minor, and suspended second chords, making it an interesting combination of simplicity and complexity.

Style Analysis

“Bullet With Butterfly Wings” is a signature song of the Smashing Pumpkins’ ’90s grunge rock style, featuring distorted guitar tones, intense emotion, and dark lyrics. The use of power chords is typical in this kind of music as they provide a more powerful, simple, and raw sound to express intense emotions. The Asus2 adds a suspense which is characteristic of the moody and introspective aspects of grunge.

Chords in the Verse 1 section of Bullet With Butterfly Wings by The Smashing Pumpkins are:

[‘B5’, ‘Em’, ‘G5’]