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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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Killer Queen’ is one of Queen’s signature songs, abounding with Freddie Mercury’s flamboyant melodic invention, clever harmonies, and theatrical presentation. Its chorus in particular uses an array of chords to create a sophisticated and fluid progression. Before embarking on a note-by-note analysis, we can note that it principally operates in the key of G Major and involves a number of borrowed and secondary chords that bring intrigue and depth to the progression.

“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.

The chord progression “[‘Em’, ‘Am’, ‘D’]” from the outro of Weezer’s “The Good Life” is a simple, yet effective progression in the key of E minor. It demonstrates a melancholic feel common to alternative rock and power-pop music genres of the 1990s. The chords in this progression are borrowed from the E natural minor scale.

“Island in the Sun” by Weezer is in the key of G major and features a simple yet catchy chord progression in its outro. The progression is characterized by its bright, uplifting sound and follows a common pop/rock formula. It also has a nostalgic, summery feel, making it a perfect fit for the song’s title and theme.

Queen – Somebody To Love – Outro

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Chord Progression

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

Chord Progression Analysis

In the key of G major, the progression is as follows:

`G Major (I)`
`G Major (I)`
`G Major (I)`
`D Major/F# (V6)`
`E minor (vi)`
`C Major (IV)`
`D7 (V7)`
`G Major (I)`
`D Major/F# (V6)`
`E minor (vi)`
`C Major (IV)`
`D Major (V)`
`G Major (I)`
`D Major/F# (V6)`

Similar Chord Progressions

The chord progression in “Let It Be” by The Beatles is a popular one that shares similarities with “Somebody To Love.” The progression in the verse of “Let It Be” follows:

`C Major (I)`
`G Major (V)`
`A minor (vi)`
`F Major (IV)`

It’s the I-V-vi-IV progression, which is often used in pop music over the decades. Though this progression is simpler, the use of vi-IV in “Let It Be” shares some similarity with “Somebody to Love” in its use of vi and IV chords to add tension and melancholy.

Musical Analysis

The D/F# chord is a first inversion of the D major, adding tension while still maintaining the tonal center of the progression. The E minor chord is the relative minor in G major, adding a touch of melancholy. The D7 chord here prepares the ear for the resolution back to the tonic G major.

Overall Analysis

“Someone to Love” by Queen exhibits a blend of rock and gospel music, showcasing their musical brilliance and theatrical elements. The chord progression forms a classic example of a departure from the typical I-IV-V root progression seen in much of popular western music, demonstrating Queen’s ingenious writing style.

Style Analysis

Queen often uses modulation, chromaticism, and borrowed chords to heighten the theatricality and emotional intensity of their music. This song in particular portrays a sense of yearning and pleading through its gospel-influenced progression, making use of a regularly shifting tonal center and keeping the attention of the listener.

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

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