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Related Music Theory Alchemy

“Someone to Love” by Queen is a rock song infused with gospel and blues influences. It’s written in the key of Ab major but the second verse you have provided seems to be in G major.

This particular section is mostly based in the key of F major and highlights Freddie Mercury’s love for moving from the classical I-ii-V progression to the jazz-inspired I-IV-ii-V, often followed by a jazzy II-V-I. In this part of the song, you will find some interesting use of borrowed chords and leading tones, contributing to the chromaticism that enriches the progression.

The Rolling Stones’ “As Tears Go By” is primarily in the key of G major and follows a Verse-Verse-Verse-Outro structure. The harmony is relatively simple, incorporating primarily diatonic chords from the G major scale as well as a few borrowed chords and inversions.

Chord Progression Analysis (Outro):
G Major (I) – A Major (V/vi, borrowed from E minor) – C Major (IV) – D Major (V) – G Major (I)

“A Star is Born – Shallow” is primarily in the key of G major and has a fairly simple and straightforward chord progression with an intriguing twist toward the end. The song features a common I-V-vi-IV chord progression with an occasional ii-chord (Am) substituting for the vi-chord (Em). Then, it introducess a borrowed chord (Bm) which creates an interesting, unexpected color in the harmony.

“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#’]