Search

Related Music Theory Alchemy

The chord progression in Verse 2 of Beck’s “Say Goodbye” showcases a unique blend of chords that are not commonly heard together in popular music. The mix of major, minor, and borrowed chords creates an interesting and engaging sound. Its distinctive quality can be found in the use of the A# major chord, which is not diatonic to the key of G major.

“Think I’m In Love” by Beck is a pop-infused indie rock piece that features an easy-going, catchy melody and a simple yet effective chord progression. The use of repetitive chords throughout the Outro creates a sense of stability and familiarity. The Outro builds upon the tonal center of F Major established earlier in the song and prolongs the tonic, adding to the song’s overall sense of closure and resolution.

The chord progression in the chorus of “Are We Still Friends” by Tyler, The Creator is a relatively simple yet effective progression that contains some characteristic elements of R&B and soul music. It includes a mixture of major and minor chords and a predominant use of dominant 7 chords (in this case, E7) to create a sense of tension and resolve within the progression. This progression is simple enough that it allows for the melody and lyrics to shine while still providing harmonic interest.

“Time” by Pink Floyd is a progressive rock song from their iconic album, The Dark Side of the Moon (1973). The listed chords form the harmonic basis of the chorus section. The harmony is characterized by diatonic major seventh chords, interspersed with a few borrowed chords. The chorus features a fluctuating major/minor tonality, giving the song an emotional and contemplative feel.

The given chord progression is from the chorus of “Earfquake” by Tyler, The Creator, a contemporary hip-hop and neo-soul artist. The progression features a smooth and mellow tonality, characterized by the use of 7th chords. The chord progression is in the key of Bb Major and showcases the use of mostly diatonic chords with a repetition that contributes to the song’s catchy nature.

Beck – Say Goodbye – Chorus

Add To Favorites Remove From Favorites

< All Analyses

Chord Progression

G, A#, Am, C, G, A#, Am, C, G, A#, Am, C, G, A#, Am, C

Chord Progression Analysis

G Major (I), A# Major (bIII), A Minor (ii), C Major (IV)

“`
Borrowed Chord: A# Major (bIII)
“`

Similar Chord Progressions

1. Radiohead – “Creep” [‘G’, ‘B’, ‘C’, ‘Cm’]
G Major (I), B Major (III), C Major (IV), C Minor (iv)

2. The Beatles – “While My Guitar Gently Weeps” [‘Am’, ‘G’, ‘Am’, ‘G’, ‘Am’, ‘C#m’, ‘F#m’, ‘G’]
A Minor (i), G Major (VII), A Minor (i), G Major (VII), A Minor (i), C# Minor (iii), F# Minor (vi), G Major (VII)

While the chord progressions in these songs are not identical to that in “Say Goodbye,” they share some similarities in terms of creating tension and contrast through the use of borrowed or non-diatonic chords. In “Creep,” the Cm (iv) chord provides a similar effect as the borrowed A# Major chord in “Say Goodbye.” In “While My Guitar Gently Weeps,” the non-diatonic C#m (iii) and F#m (vi) chords provide a similar sense of tension and resolution within the progression.

Musical Analysis

The progression begins with the I chord (G Major), establishing the tonal center of G. It then moves to the borrowed bIII chord (A# Major), which adds a touch of unexpected chromaticism and, in the context of G major, provides a sense of tension before resolving to the more diatonic ii chord (A Minor). The progression then moves to the IV chord (C Major), which creates a sense of resolution, though not as strongly as returning to the I chord would have. This cycle repeats four times, providing a sense of familiarity and continuity within the chorus. The contrast between the chromatic A# and the more familiar diatonic chords within the progression contributes to the song’s overall emotional impact and memorability.

Overall Analysis

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.

Style Analysis

This chord progression appears to have influences from a range of genres, including pop, rock, and folk. The mix of major and minor chords, as well as the inclusion of a borrowed chord, creates an interesting tension between brightness and darkness, a common feature in many of Beck’s songs. The use of chromaticism and borrowing chords from parallel keys can also be seen as an element of experimentation, which is often present in alternative and indie music.

Chords in the Chorus section of Say Goodbye by Beck are:

G, A#, Am, C, G, A#, Am, C, G, A#, Am, C, G, A#, Am, C