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Related Music Theory Alchemy

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This is a simple and common chord progression often known as “four chords” used often in pop and rock music. The song is in G Major and the progression has a I-V-vi-IV pattern.

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“Yellow” by Coldplay is in the key of G major and employs a mix of diatonic chords, extended chords such as the seventh chords, and the occasional borrowed chord from G minor. The progression presents variations of a common IV-V-I pattern seen in pop and rock music.

The chorus of “Closer” by Nine Inch Nails is built around a progression that oscillates between a single major chord, F, and a single minor seventh chord, Cm7. This is quite minimalistic. Major chords usually have a happy, positive feel, while minor chords induce a somewhat sad, introspective mood. The use of C minor 7th gives a particular color to the progression: it’s a minor chord with an added minor seventh, which means it’s a bit less stable than a regular minor chord.

“Tonight, Tonight” by The Smashing Pumpkins draws from the band’s unique style of alternative rock influenced by a distinct palette of harmonic choices. Particularly in the songwriting of Billy Corgan (the band’s primary songwriter), the band tends to use a mix of common and uncommon chords, together with a tendency of exploring different tonalities. Often, the chord changes are driven by guitar inversions, suspensions, or additions.

The song “Space Oddity” by David Bowie features a complex and varied chord progression that incorporates elements of both traditional and experimental popular music. The song is in the key of C Major, and its progression is characterized by the use of modal interchange, or the borrowing of chords from parallel scales. This is indicative of Bowie’s varied musical influences, combining elements of folk, rock, and pop while also incorporating experimental techniques associated with progressive rock.

Coldplay – Viva La Vida – Chorus

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Chord Progression

[‘C’, ‘D’, ‘G’, ‘Em’, ‘C’, ‘D’, ‘G’, ‘Em’, ‘C’, ‘D’, ‘G’, ‘Em’, ‘C’, ‘D’, ‘Bm’, ‘Em’]

Chord Progression Analysis

These are the full chord names with their roman numerals:

– C Major (IV)
– D Major (V)
– G Major (I)
– E minor (vi)
– C Major (IV)
– D Major (V)
– G Major (I)
– E minor (vi)
– C Major (IV)
– D Major (V)
– G Major (I)
– E minor (vi)
– C Major (IV)
– D Major (V)
– B minor (iii)
– E minor (vi)

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Borrowed Chord: None in this progression.
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Similar Chord Progressions

Here are some songs by other artists that share

Musical Analysis

This progression follows a repeated pattern of IV-V-I-vi, using the strong resolution from the V (D major) to the I (G major) chord. This is then followed by a descending progression from I to vi (G major to E minor). The inclusion of the iii chord (B minor) introduces a slightly melancholic twist to the otherwise upbeat progression.

Overall Analysis

The song “Viva La Vida” by Coldplay is in the key of G major and follows a fairly simple chord progression in the pop/rock genre. This progression particularly makes use of the I, IV, V, and vi chords in this key, which is a typical pop progression.

Style Analysis

Coldplay’s style in this song is typical of their blend of pop-rock and alternative music, with an emphasis on creating anthemic, uplifting choruses. The chord progression is simple and effective, driving the song with a positive, uplifting feel that is intermittently contrasted by the more melancholic iii chord.

Chords in the Chorus section of Viva La Vida by Coldplay are:

[‘C’, ‘D’, ‘G’, ‘Em’, ‘C’, ‘D’, ‘G’, ‘Em’, ‘C’, ‘D’, ‘G’, ‘Em’, ‘C’, ‘D’, ‘Bm’, ‘Em’]