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“Undone – The Sweater Song” by Weezer is a grunge rock song from their debut album, “Weezer (The Blue Album)” released in 1994. The chord progression in Verse 2 seems to blend elements from both pop and rock genres, with some diatonic chords and a borrowed chord that adds an unexpected twist.

The chorus maintains a feeling of resolution and tension by alternating between the IV (F major) and V (G major) chords, while the vi (A minor) to V/vi (E major) progression provides a smooth transition back to the IV chord (F major).

In terms of borrowed chords, the E Major is a borrowed chord.
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E major (V/vi)
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The chord progression in the chorus of Beck’s “Lord Only Knows” is in the key of B Major and features some chromaticism and borrowed chords that give it a unique and somewhat unexpected sound. The chords move predominantly in fourths and fifths. The nature of the progression is reminiscent of rock and folk music, but Beck’s quirky and stylistic approach also evokes an alternative feel.

The chord progression in the chorus of Kali Uchis’ “After The Storm” features a repeating progression of Am7, Bm7, and Eaug that occurs three times, with slight variations in harmony and tonality. It is a unique and interesting progression that creates tension through the use of both minor 7th and augmented chords. The overall style evokes a dreamy, jazzy atmosphere with elements of R&B and soul.

The chord progression in the chorus of “Paper Tiger” by Beck is an interesting mix of major and minor chords which gives the song a unique and slightly melancholic vibe. While the song is in the key of E major, it contains several chords borrowed from the parallel minor key and features unusual harmonic movement. This creates a sense of tension and release that is characteristic of Beck’s music.

Weezer – Undone The Sweater Song – Chorus

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Chord Progression

G5, C, D, C, G5, C, D, C, G5, C, D, C, G5, C, D, C

Chord Progression Analysis

G5 (I): G – D
C (IV): C – E – G
D (V): D – F# – A

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G5 (I) – C (IV) – D (V) – C (IV)
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Similar Chord Progressions

1. “Smells Like Teen Spirit” by Nirvana
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F5 (I) – Bb5 (IV) – Ab5 (♭III) – Db5 (♭VI)
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2. “Wonderwall” by Oasis
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Em7 (ii7) – G (I) – Dsus4 (V) – A7sus4 (IV)
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These two examples are songs that also have chord progressions commonly found in alternative rock of the same era. While they don’t have the exact same progression as “Undone – The Sweater Song,” they exhibit similar use of power chords and simple, repetitive patterns. This makes them a good reference for understanding the musical style and context of Weezer’s progression.

Musical Analysis

In the key of G major, the chords in the chorus are made up of the I, IV, and V chords, which are the most common chords in any major key. The use of power chords, denoted by the 5, adds some ambiguity to the harmonic structure of the song because they lack the third of the chord, making them neither major nor minor. This results in a more rock-centered sound, which is common in indie and alternative rock genres.

Overall Analysis

“Undone – The Sweater Song” by Weezer features a chorus with a simple, yet effective chord progression that combines the use of power chords with major chords. This combination gives the song its distinctive indie rock sound and contributes to its overall catchiness. The chorus is based on a four-chord progression with three different chords, where G5 power chord is followed by two major chords, C and D.

Style Analysis

Weezer, and many other alternative rock bands from the 90s, often use power chords in their music as they create a more raw, unpolished sound that complements their style. The simple and repetitive nature of the chord progression is typical for alt-rock and indie rock songs. It provides a catchy yet melancholic foundation for the lyrics and melody of the chorus.

Chords in the Chorus section of Undone The Sweater Song by Weezer are:

G5, C, D, C, G5, C, D, C, G5, C, D, C, G5, C, D, C