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Related Music Theory Alchemy

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.

The chorus of “The Good Life” by Weezer features a mixture of diatonic and non-diatonic chords, with a primary focus on the key of G major. The chord progression stands out as somewhat unconventional due to the inclusion of chromatic chords, which gives it an interesting character and emotion. Additionally, the repetition of certain chords emphasizes the harmonic structure and creates a sense of familiarity.

“Riptide” by Vance Joy is in the key of C major. The chord progression is a repeated sequence of Am, G, C and Fmaj7, with the Fmaj7 being a borrowed chord from the parallel minor, C minor. Given that the majority of the song follows this pattern, it’s simple yet effective, providing a catchy and persistent structure to the song.

“In My Head” by Queens of the Stone Age shows a variety of complex chord progressions that are often seen in alternative rock and other sub-genres of rock music. The chord progressions seem to use a combination of modal and chromatic harmony which gives it an edgy and intriguing sound quality.

The song ‘Today’ by The Smashing Pumpkins is a classic example of mixing major and minor modes in rock music. The majority of the song is modal, centered around D major and B minor. However, the bridge section changes gears and revolves around E minor.

Weezer – The Good Life – Bridge

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Chord Progression

Am, D, G, Em, Am, D, G, Em, Am, D

Chord Progression Analysis

1. A minor (vi)
2. D Major (V/IV)
3. G Major (I)
4. E minor (vi)
5. A minor (vi)
6. D Major (V/IV)
7. G Major (I)
8. E minor (vi)
9. A minor (vi)
10. D Major (V/IV)

Borrowed Chord:
“`
D Major (V/IV) – Borrowed from G Mixolydian mode
“`

Similar Chord Progressions

1. Radiohead – “Creep” (1993)
Chord Progression: [‘G’, ‘B’, ‘C’, ‘Cm’] = G Major (I), B Major (III), C Major (IV), C minor (iv)

2. Oasis – “Don’t Look Back in Anger” (1995)
Chord Progression: [‘C’, ‘G’, ‘Am’, ‘E’, ‘F’, ‘G’, ‘C’, ‘Am’, ‘G’] = C Major (I), G Major (V), A minor (vi), E Major (V/vi), F Major (IV), G Major (V), C Major (I), A minor (vi), G Major (V)

Musical Analysis

The chord progression starts with the vi chord (A minor), creating a feeling of tension, which is resolved by the following V/IV (D Major) chord. This creates a sense of propulsion towards the G Major (I) chord. The progression then repeats, providing a strong sense of forward momentum. By incorporating the D Major borrowed chord, Weezer adds a touch of chromaticism, which enriches the overall sound of the progression.

Overall Analysis

The given chord progression consists of five unique chords: Am, D, G, Em, and D repeated in a structured pattern. The progression is in the key of G major, with one borrowed chord. This chord progression is a good example of Weezer’s mix of rock and pop styles, displaying a strong use of diatonic harmony with a touch of chromaticism.

Style Analysis

The use of both diatonic and borrowed chords is common in Weezer’s music, reflecting their blend of alternative rock and power pop elements. These chords create a sense of catchiness and familiarity, which is a large part of their style. The balance between simple and complex harmonic elements is also a hallmark of Weezer’s sound.

Chords in the Bridge section of The Good Life by Weezer are:

Am, D, G, Em, Am, D, G, Em, Am, D