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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.

The verse chord progression in Beck’s “Girl Acoustic” features a bright and uplifting feel, with a mix of major and minor chords. The progression is in the key of A major and showcases a simplicity that is common in pop and folk music.

“Save Me” by Queen is a rock ballad that uses a complex mix of traditional popular song structures and common rock chord progressions. The song structure is largely verse-chorus, but then there’s a bridge serving as the solo section, and finally ends with repeating choruses. The chord progression for the chorus utilizes a variety of chord inversions, diatonic chords, and non-diatonic or borrowed chords, which are typical of Queen’s music style.

The song “I Want to Hold Your Hand” by The Beatles is cheerful and upbeat, with accessible melodies that catch the audience’s attention immediately. The rhythm is contagious and gives a happy atmosphere to the whole song. It is a perfect example of the early influences of rock ‘n’ roll on The Beatles, with a chord progression that is quite common in pop/rock music but showcases The Beatles’ ability to create fresh and unique melodic ideas.

The chord progression in Tyler, The Creator’s “Gone Gone” is a mix of diatonic and non-diatonic chords, making it an interesting and unique progression. It features a combination of major, minor, and an altered seventh chord, adding to the overall complexity of the progression. The style is reminiscent of jazz and R&B, where more complex harmonic structures are often used. Some borrowings from different modes and chromaticism also contribute to its richness and distinct sound.

Beck – Say Goodbye – Chorus

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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)

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Borrowed Chord: A# Major (bIII)
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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