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Related Music Theory Alchemy

“Paper Tiger” by Beck is a unique and stylistic piece, displaying a blend of various genres and influences. The verse 2 chord progression is quite simple, but the harmonic choices create tension and provide a sense of movement throughout the progression. Combining the elements of rock, folk, and alternative music, this chord progression is both intriguing and musically satisfying.

“Paper Tiger” by Beck is a song from his album “Sea Change,” released in 2002. The style of this song is primarily alternative rock, with elements of psychedelia and baroque pop. The outro of “Paper Tiger” features a simple chord progression of E, E7, and Bm, with interesting harmonic techniques, such as secondary dominants and borrowed chords.

“Comfortably Numb” by Pink Floyd is a classic progressive rock song from their 1979 concept album “The Wall”. It features unique chord progressions, ambient guitar tones, and an atmospheric vocal performance. This particular verse progression is inspired by the Dorian mode, contributing to its melancholic and introspective atmosphere.

“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.

“Since I’ve Been Loving You” by Led Zeppelin is a slow-tempo blues-rock song featuring a sophisticated and expressive chord progression that falls predominantly within the C minor key, standing out from the more traditional blues structures. The chords in the verse display a creative use of borrowed chords and chromaticism, contributing to the song’s moody and emotionally-evocative atmosphere. The progression is less common in rock music, which is what makes it characteristic of Led Zeppelin’s innovative musical explorations.

Beck – Paper Tiger – Verse 1

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Chord Progression

E, E7, Bm

Chord Progression Analysis

E Major (I), E Dominant 7 (I7), B Minor (vi)

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E Major (I) – E Dominant 7 (I7) – B Minor (vi)
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Similar Chord Progressions

1. The Beatles – “I Saw Her Standing There”
Chord Progression: E Major (I) – E7 (I7) – A Major (IV) – B7 (V7)

2. Bob Dylan – “Like A Rolling Stone”
Chord Progression: C Major (I) – Fmaj7 (IVmaj7) – G Major (V) – A Minor (vi)

3. The Police – “Every Breath You Take”
Chord Progression: I Major (I) – VImaj7 (vi^maj7) – IVMaj7 (IV^maj7) – iv^min6 (iv^min6)

These examples show similar usage of dominant 7th chords and resolution to either the IV chord or the relative minor. They demonstrate how this type of chord progression is used in various genres to create distinct and memorable musical experiences.

Musical Analysis

The progression starts with the tonic chord, E Major (I), which establishes the tonal center of the piece. The next chord, E Dominant 7 (I7), introduces tension with the inclusion of the minor 7th interval (in this case, D). This tension is released when the progression resolves to the relative minor (B Minor), which acts as a substitution for the IV chord that would typically follow a dominant 7th chord. The use of the I7 and vi chords adds interest and helps create a sense of movement within the verse while maintaining a unified tonal center.

Overall Analysis

The chord progression in the verse of Beck’s “Paper Tiger” can be considered a combination of common and non-diatonic chords. The progression moves from a major chord to its dominant 7th and then resolves to the relative minor. Stylistically, this progression is used in rock, pop, and jazz music to create tension and resolution while maintaining a sense of movement or flow.

Style Analysis

This chord progression can be seen as a blend of rock, pop, and jazz influences, as it uses both diatonic and non-diatonic chords for tension and resolution. Beck often incorporates various genres in his music, and “Paper Tiger” is no exception. The use of dominant 7th chords and resolution to the relative minor is a common technique in jazz and blues music, while the major and minor chords are more prevalent in rock and pop. This combination of musical elements contributes to the unique sound and feel of the piece.

Chords in the Verse 1 section of Paper Tiger by Beck are:

E, E7, Bm