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Related Music Theory Alchemy

The chord progression in Beck’s “Morning” is an interesting mixture of diatonic and non-diatonic chords, creating a sense of tension and release throughout the progression. The use of borrowed chords and the mix of major and minor keys gives the piece a flowing, emotional quality.

The chord progression in the chorus of “Say Goodbye” by Beck features a simple, yet unique combination of major and minor chords. It is primarily built around the key of G major, but includes a chromatic twist with the inclusion of the A# major chord. The progression is fairly repetitive, which provides a stable and recognizable backbone for the chorus.

“Rocket Man” by Elton John and his long-time lyricist Bernie Taupin is a standout song in Elton John’s discography, well known for its memorable melody line and masterful chord progression that was very innovative for its time (1972). It showcases his trademark style of combining rock with various other genres such as folk.

Overall, the harmony in this song is quite rich and a clear example of Elton John’s ’70s songwriting style: using complex chords and a lot of borrowed chords from other keys that add extra color to the harmonic progression.

Dead Flowers by The Rolling Stones is a classic track that exhibits some very traditional aspects of popular music and blues-based rock. The song is in D major and follows a fairly standard chord progression, using only three chords (D, A, and G), which make up four-measure phrases that are repeated throughout this part of the song.

This iconic Britpop song predominantly features the use of traditional tonal harmony found in pop songs throughout the late 20th century, and the verse specifically recalls the harmonic patterns utilized in the 1950s and 60s. The defining feature of this song (as is the case with many Oasis tunes) is the use of returning, resounding repetitions of simple chord sequences.

Beck – Morning – VERSE 1

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Chord Progression

E, A, G#m, F#m, E, A, G#m, F#m, E, A, G#m, F#m, E, A, G#m, F#m, E, A, G#m, F#m, E, A, G#m, F#m, E, A, G#m, F#m, E, A, G#m, F#m

Chord Progression Analysis

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E Major (I) – A Major (IV) – G# Minor (vi) – F# Minor (ii)
E Major (I) – A Major (IV) – G# Minor (vi) – F# Minor (ii)
E Major (I) – A Major (IV) – G# Minor (vi) – F# Minor (ii)
E Major (I) – A Major (IV) – G# Minor (vi) – F# Minor (ii)
E Major (I) – A Major (IV) – G# Minor (vi) – F# Minor (ii)
E Major (I) – A Major (IV) – G# Minor (vi) – F# Minor (ii)
E Major (I) – A Major (IV) – G# Minor (vi) – F# Minor (ii)
E Major (I) – A Major (IV) – G# Minor (vi) – F# Minor (ii)

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Similar Chord Progressions

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1. Bob Dylan – “Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door”
Chord Progression: G Major (I) – D Major (V) – A Minor (ii) – G Major (I) – D Major (V) – C Major (IV)

2. Green Day – “21 Guns”
Chord Progression: D Major (I) – A Major (V) – B Minor (vi) – G Major (IV)

3. Oasis – “Wonderwall”
Chord Progression: E Minor (i) – G Major (III) – D Major (VII) – A Major (IV)

These examples share some similarities with the chord progression in “Morning” in that they all make use of simple diatonic chords, have repetitive structures, and exhibit a sense of warmth and familiarity.

Musical Analysis

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The chord progression follows a simple, repetitive pattern that is common in pop and rock music. It has a strong sense of tonality with the E Major chord (I) beginning each cycle. The A Major chord (IV) provides a departure from the tonic and contributes to the sense of resolution when returning to E Major. The G# Minor (vi) and F# Minor (ii) chords both add some tension and emotion to the progression. The fact that there are no borrowed chords or modulations in this particular chord progression maintains a sense of familiarity and simplicity.

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Overall Analysis

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The given chord progression is from the verse of Beck’s song “Morning.” The progression is in the key of E Major and follows a cyclical pattern throughout the verse.

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Style Analysis

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The style of this chord progression is reflective of Beck’s indie/folk-rock sensibilities. The focus on diatonic chords creates a warm, folky feel. Furthermore, this straightforward and repetitive progression is typical of pop, rock, and folk genres, supporting a melodic and/or lyrical focus in the song.

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Chords in the Verse 1 section of Morning by Beck are:

E, A, G#m, F#m, E, A, G#m, F#m, E, A, G#m, F#m, E, A, G#m, F#m, E, A, G#m, F#m, E, A, G#m, F#m, E, A, G#m, F#m, E, A, G#m, F#m