Music Theory Alchemy

Search

Related Music Theory Alchemy

The verse chord progression in Beck’s “Girl Acoustic” features a bright and uplifting feel, with a mix of major and minor chords. The progression is in the key of A major and showcases a simplicity that is common in pop and folk music.

The chord progression in Beck’s “Nobody’s Fault But My Own” from Verse 1 features a mix of diatonic and borrowed chords, primarily from the D Major scale but also incorporating chords from the parallel minor and other related keys. This gives the progression a unique and fresh sound that sets it apart from more traditional progressions. Notably, there are several pedal points using the D root throughout the progression, which helps maintain a sense of tonal center.

The song “Viva La Vida” by Coldplay is in the key of G major and follows a fairly simple chord progression in the pop/rock genre. This progression particularly makes use of the I, IV, V, and vi chords in this key, which is a typical pop progression.

“Every Day Is Exactly The Same” by Nine Inch Nails utilizes a unique four-chord cycle in its chorus – ‘E’, ‘A’, ‘C’, ‘G’. The song is in the key of E minor, and therefore, the functional analysis would interpret this progression as i-IV-bVI-III. The bVI and III are borrowed chords from the parallel major scale. This chord progression creates a moody atmosphere that aligns with the overall melancholic and introspective theme of the song.

“Kiss” is a funk, synthpop song written, produced and performed by Prince. The song’s structure runs around a simple, repeated two-bar eight-note pattern, but what’s odd is the song’s key. Dotting between E and D, it’s hard to pin down definitively, but the song seems to be written in the ambiguous key of E Mixolydian/D major.

Beck – Girl Acoustic – Chorus

Add To Favorites Remove From Favorites

< All Analyses

Chord Progression

E, D, A, E, D, A, E, D, A, E, D, A, E, D, A, E, D, A, E, D, A, E, D, A

Chord Progression Analysis

E Major (V) – D Major (IV) – A Major (I)

Similar Chord Progressions

There are many songs that share a similar structure of moving between the V, IV, and I chords. Some examples are:

1. “Yellow” by Coldplay: B Major (V) – A Major (IV) – E Major (I)
2. “Let It Be” by The Beatles: G Major (V) – F Major (IV) – C Major (I)
3. “With Or Without You” by U2: D Major (IV) – A Major (I) – E Major (V)

These songs, like “Girl Acoustic,” utilize the strong resolutions and the tension between the V and IV chords to create memorable and engaging progressions.

Musical Analysis

The progression is a repeated pattern of three chords – E, D, and A. This particular sequence creates a strong and stable harmonic structure built around the tonic. The constant return to the tonic provides the sense of resolution and conclusiveness, whereas the movement from V to IV chords creates tension, contributing to the song’s overall emotion.

The movement from E to D (V to IV) is a classic “plagal cadence” that is widely used throughout various music genres, enhancing the song’s catchiness and familiarity.

Overall Analysis

The chord progression of the chorus in Beck’s “Girl Acoustic” is relatively simple and straightforward, yet effective in creating a memorable and catchy tune. The song is in the key of A major, and the progression maintains a predominantly diatonic harmony.

Style Analysis

The progression’s simplicity and constant return to the tonic can be seen as a defining stylistic characteristic of Beck’s songwriting, which often employs straightforward yet effective harmonic structures. “Girl Acoustic” is predominantly a pop-influenced indie-folk song, and the chord progression reflects that in its accessible nature.

Chords in the Chorus section of Girl Acoustic by Beck are:

E, D, A, E, D, A, E, D, A, E, D, A, E, D, A, E, D, A, E, D, A, E, D, A