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Related Music Theory Alchemy

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“When I Was Your Man” by Bruno Mars is in the key of C major. The song relies heavily on diatonic chords and uses a structure that is common in popular music, especially ballads. It follows conventional diatonic chord progressions and also incorporates non-diatonic chords for added tension and resolution.

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“When I Was Your Man” is a pop power ballad with a chord progression that tends to lean towards traditional pop and soul structures. It’s set in the key of C Major. However, the song has a few interesting deviations from the standard pop song structure.

“House of the Rising Sun” by The Animals features a repeating chord progression in a minor key that gives the song a haunting, melancholic feel. This progression moves through the circle of fifths, features borrowed chords from its relative major key and has a strong resolution from the dominant to the tonic.

The song “3s and 7s” by Queens of the Stone Age is in the key of A# minor. The chord progression predominantly features three chords: A#m, G#, and F. The progression utilizes elements of rock and metal music, characteristic of the band’s style. The composition has a darker feel brought by the use of minor chords and dropped tuning, which is frequently employed in harder styles of rock music.

“Strawberry Fields Forever” by The Beatles is a psychedelic rock song often regarded as one of their finest works. It’s innovative from both a melodic and harmonic perspective, using complex chord structures, chromatic touches, and key changes. The song is primarily in the key of E major.

Bruno Mars – When I Was Your Man – Verse 1

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Chord Progression

Am, C, Dm, G, G7, C, Em/B, Am, C, Dm, G, C

Chord Progression Analysis

The specific chord progression for the first verse you provided is:
Am, C, Dm, G, G7, C, Em/B, Am, C, Dm, G, C.

For ease of understanding, here are both the full names of the chords and their Roman numerals in the key of C major:

– A minor (‘vi)
– C major (‘I)
– D minor (‘ii)
– G major (‘V)
– G7 (‘V7)
– C major (‘I)
– E minor over B (‘iii/vi)
– A minor (‘vi)
– C major (‘I)
– D minor (‘ii)
– G major (‘V)
– C major (‘I)

The borrowed chord in this progression is Em/B since the Em/B doesn’t naturally occur in the key of C major.

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Borrowed chord: Em/B

Similar Chord Progressions

A similar chord progression can be found in the song “Let It Be” by The Beatles. The progression used in its chorus is C – G – Am – F. In Roman numeral notation, this is I-V-vi-IV in the key of C major, which is a simple progression that is widely used through many genres.

Chord progression from ‘Let It Be’ by The Beatles:
C major (‘I), G major (‘V), A minor (‘vi), F major (‘IV).

Musical Analysis

In terms of musical theory, this chord progression follows common pop-song patterns. It starts with a vi-I-ii-V progression – a variation of the popular I–V–vi–IV progression, adding a more complex sound with the help of the seventh chord (G7). The use of Em/B functions as a sort of pivot chord, added for color and to pave a smooth transition back to Am. It’s also worth noting that the use of Dm and G major are important to establish tension and resolution within the progression, which then resolves back to the C major.

Overall Analysis

“When I Was Your Man” by Bruno Mars is in the key of C major. It is a ballad with a piano-led instrumentation, backed by Bruno’s powerful and emotive vocals. The melody and chords are relatively simple, but the lingering tone and the poignant lyrics create an emotionally resonant track. A common feature in this piece, as well as many pop songs in general, is the use of borrowed chords.

Style Analysis

Bruno Mars often draws from older musical styles for their timeless appeal, bringing in more traditional instrumentation and vintage chord progressions. This melody and progression could easily belong to a soul ballad from the ’60s or ’70s. There’s a strong sense of narrative in both the chords and the lyrics, with the minor chords highlighting feelings of regret and longing.

Chords in the Verse 1 section of When I Was Your Man by Bruno Mars are:

Am, C, Dm, G, G7, C, Em/B, Am, C, Dm, G, C