Coldplay – Viva La Vida – Interlude
Viva La Vida < All Analyses
Chord Progression
[‘C’, ‘D’, ‘G’, ‘Em’, ‘C’, ‘D’, ‘G’, ‘Em’]
Chord Progression Analysis
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– C Major (‘IV)
– D Major (‘V)
– G Major I (‘I)
– E minor (‘vi)
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Similar Chord Progressions
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A similar progression can be heard in songs like “Let It Be” by The Beatles, “No Woman No Cry” by Bob Marley, and “With Or Without You” by U2.
**Let It Be – The Beatles**
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– C Major (‘IV)
– G Major (‘I)
– A minor (‘vi)
– F Major (‘IV)
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**No Woman, No Cry – Bob Marley**
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– C Major (‘IV)
– G Major (‘I)
– A minor (‘vi)
– F Major (‘IV)
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**With Or Without You – U2**
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– D Major (‘V)
– A Major (‘I)
– B minor (‘vi)
– G Major (‘IV)
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Musical Analysis
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The chord progression used by Coldplay in Viva La Vida is quite common in many pop songs. It gives the song a strong, anthemic feel, which fits well with the lyrics and theme of the song. It is one of the most popular chord progressions in all of Western music because it is catchy and can easily lead to a strong melody. The IV-V-I-vi is a chord progression that is known to be balanced and cohesive, which helps aid in making songs like Viva La Vida sound euphonic.
The inclusion of the minor vi chord (Em) provides a momentary shift to a more minor, melancholic sound before returning to the major chords – again aligning with the mixed emotions reflected in the song.
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Overall Analysis
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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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Style Analysis
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Coldplay, particularly in Viva La Vida, are known for their anthemic pop style, which is distinctly demonstrated by these four chords. The progression is simple, but when paired with the compelling melodic ideas of the band, it provides a strong emotional resonance. The simplicity of the progression allows for other elements in the music (like lyrics, rhythm, and melody) to take centre stage.
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What are the chords in: Coldplay – Viva La Vida – Interlude?
[‘C’, ‘D’, ‘G’, ‘Em’, ‘C’, ‘D’, ‘G’, ‘Em’]
