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Related Music Theory Alchemy

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“Somebody To Love” by Queen is a classic rock ballad in the key of G major, drawing heavily from influences of gospel music and blues progressions. Its bridge, aside from the characteristic gospel and rock elements, includes a modulating progression that is particularly interesting due to its use of borrowed chords, which adds contrast and emphasizes the emotive quality of the song.

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Queen’s ‘Don’t Stop Me Now’ contains a rich mixture of chord progressions, which is typical of the band’s complex songwriting. The outro of the song makes use of the F, F7, Bb, and Gm7 chords. This progression is in the key of F Major, with F being the tonic (I), F7 being the dominant 7th (V7), Bb being the subdominant (IV) and Gm7 being the submediant 7th (vi7). The Bb chord is a borrowed chord from the parallel minor key (F Minor) and the usage of F7 serves to add a level of tension before resolving to the Bb.

The chord progression in the chorus of Muse’s “Apocalypse Please” consists of a mix of diatonic chords and borrowed chords from the parallel major and minor keys. The progression features strong harmonic movement with a pivot modulation. Muse is known for their dramatic, often symphonic rock sound, and this progression is no exception in showing off their signature style. The progression also shares some similarities with other artists’ works in both structure and harmonic content.

The Beach Boys’ “Good Vibrations” presents an interesting mix of major and minor chords with excellent use of chord inversions and borrowings. The song is harmonically adventurous, showcasing the band’s pop mastery with Brian Wilson’s unmatched compositional skills. This song is primarily in the key of A Major, with many borrowed chords and modulation that creates its unique feel.

“Wild Horses” by The Rolling Stones is a rock ballad with a minor tonality and is composed in the key of G major. The song incorporates the use of modal interchange, more commonly referred to as borrowed chords, from the parallel minor. This common technique in rock music contributes to the melancholic and emotionally resonant feeling of the song.

Queen – Somebody To Love – Chorus

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Chord Progression

[‘G’, ‘G’, ‘D/F#’, ‘Em’, ‘C’, ‘D7’, ‘G’, ‘D/F#’, ‘Em’, ‘C’, ‘D’]

Chord Progression Analysis

Here is the chord progression of the Chorus with the full chord names and their corresponding Roman Numerals:
“`
G (I),
G (I),
D/F# (V6),
Em (vi),
C (IV),
D7 (V7),
G (I),
D/F# (V6),
Em (vi),
C (IV),
D (V)
“`

Similar Chord Progressions

1. “Let It Be” by The Beatles also uses an I-V-vi-IV progression in the key of C major:
“`
C (I), G (V), Am (vi), F (IV)
“`
2. “I’m Yours” by Jason Mraz maintains the I-V-vi-IV progression in the key of B major:
“`
B (I), F# (V), G#m (vi), E (IV)
“`
3. “No Woman No Cry” by Bob Marley adheres strictly to the I-V-vi-IV progression in its verses and employs it in the key of C major:
“`
C (I), G (V), Am (vi), F (IV)
“`
4. “Don’t Stop Believing” by Journey: This song also includes the transition from I to a V with an inverted bass note creating a descending line, much like Queen’s “Somebody to Love.”

It’s important to note that while these songs share a similar progression, the feeling they elicit can be different due to variations in melody, rhythm, instrumentation, and lyrical content.

Musical Analysis

In the chord progression of “Somebody to Love,” the recurring I-V-vi-IV progression is clear. This progression is one of the most popular in pop music. The D/F# (V6) is an inversion that gives a smooth bass line descending from the G (I). The D7 (V7) acts as a dominant seventh chord and creates a strong pull back to the return to G (I). Many transitions between chords also involve common tones, allowing for smoother transitions and voice leading.

Overall Analysis

The song, “Somebody to Love” by Queen, utilizes the classic pop/rock harmonic structure while incorporating aspects of blues and gospel music. The harmonic progression is structured around common chords found in the key of G major. However, the way these chords are ordered and arranged is unconventional and adds depth to the song. It reflects the band’s interest in pushing the boundaries of the traditional harmonic structure common in pop music of that time. Queen is known for their innovative use of harmony, which they certainly showcase in this song.

Style Analysis

“Somebody to Love” is a derivative of the blues and gospel styles, with its poignant melodic twists, repeated use of the dominant seventh chord, and progression to the IV chord, which is reminiscent of the move to the IV chord in a standard 12-bar blues progression. The inclusion of the sixth (vi) chord could be seen as an infusion of the relative minor, which adds depth and melancholy to the sound.

Chords in the Chorus section of Somebody To Love by Queen are:

[‘G’, ‘G’, ‘D/F#’, ‘Em’, ‘C’, ‘D7’, ‘G’, ‘D/F#’, ‘Em’, ‘C’, ‘D’]