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Related Music Theory Alchemy

“Goodbye Blue Sky” by Pink Floyd is a beautifully haunting piece with a chord progression that demonstrates their innovative use of borrowed chords and modulation to explore various tonal centers. The song is generally in the key of A minor.

“Goodbye Blue Sky” is a song by Pink Floyd from their 1979 album, “The Wall.” It is known for its haunting, ethereal quality, achieved through the use of predominantly minor chords, lush harmonies, and a slow, atmospheric tempo. The song’s lyrics and melancholic mood reflect feelings of loss and desolation.

“Comfortably Numb” is a song by Pink Floyd from their 1979 album, The Wall. It is written in the key of D major and has a slow, dreamy tempo. The second verse of the song features a chord progression that is a blend of major and minor chords, giving the song a sense of melancholy mixed with a calming atmosphere. It also deviates from the typical pop/rock chord progressions, signifying Pink Floyd’s distinct sound and innovative use of harmony.

The chord progression in Verse 2 of Pink Floyd’s “Welcome to the Machine” is a complex and somewhat unconventional progression. It primarily features chords from the E natural minor scale, with some borrowed chords from the parallel E major scale. The progression creates an atmospheric and moody soundscape that is characteristic of Pink Floyd’s music, especially in their album “Wish You Were Here.” It also displays a certain level of sophistication in the harmony which underscores Pink Floyd’s musical depth.

“All My Loving” by The Beatles is a mid-tempo pop song written in the key of E minor for the verse and D Major for the bridge and outro, featuring a distinct, upbeat walking bassline. The grey, almost mournful verses, along with the brighter, major-toned bridges and chorus, create a juxtaposition of feelings within the piece. The bridge also highlights The Beatles’ use of secondary dominants and chromaticism. Concluding in the tonic key of D Major, the song has an interesting interplay between Em and D Major throughout, which could be perceived as a Em: i, VI, III, II and D: vi, V7, I, vi, IV, ii, I progression.

Pink Floyd – Goodbye Blue Sky – Verse 2

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Chord Progression

D, A7/D, G/D, D, A7/D, G/D, D, D, Am/D

Chord Progression Analysis

D (I) – A7/D (V7/IV) – G/D (IV) – D (I) – A7/D (V7/IV) – G/D (IV) – D (I) – D (I) – Am/D (i/IV)

Similar Chord Progressions

1. The Beatles – “Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds”
Chord progression: A (I) – A7 (V7) – D (IV) – Bb (bIII) – A (I)

2. Radiohead – “Paranoid Android”
Chord progression: Gm (i) – Cm/G (iv) – A7 (V7/V) – D (V) – Gm (i)

In both examples, non-diatonic chords and borrowed chords are used similarly to “Goodbye Blue Sky.” These chord progressions create a sense of tension and release, contributing to their respective atmospheric and emotional soundscapes.

Musical Analysis

The verse progression follows a prevalent pattern in popular music: I-IV-I. The D, G/D, and A7/D chords serve as the primary harmony for this verse in the key of D major. However, there is a notable non-diatonic chord – Am/D. This borrowed chord comes from D minor (the parallel minor) and is used to create an unexpected shift in harmony and add a sense of tension in the music. The pedal tone (the constant D note in the bass) also contributes to the overall sense of stability while allowing the chords above to change their tonality.

Overall Analysis

“Goodbye Blue Sky” is a song by Pink Floyd from their 1979 album “The Wall.” It is a progressive rock piece with acoustic guitar and vocal harmony that creates a haunting and atmospheric sound. The chord progression in Verse 2 demonstrates the use of non-diatonic chords, pedal tones, and borrowed chords, giving it a sense of tension and release. This unique combination of chords contributes to the overall distinctive mood of the song.

Style Analysis

“Goodbye Blue Sky” showcases Pink Floyd’s signature style of progressive rock with elements of folk and psychedelic rock. The use of acoustic guitar and vocal harmony gives a haunting, dream-like atmosphere, which suits the themes of war and destruction in the song lyrics. The utilization of borrowed chords and pedal tones adds to the progressive nature of the music, pushing the boundaries of conventional chord progressions.

Chords in the Verse 2 section of Goodbye Blue Sky by Pink Floyd are:

D, A7/D, G/D, D, A7/D, G/D, D, D, Am/D