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Related Music Theory Alchemy

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.

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“Viva la Vida” mostly utilizes a four-chord progression thorough the song which is fairly common in popular music. The verse we are focusing on replicating the verse goes like this: C – D – G – Em. The chord progressions are pretty simple, catchy and give the song an uplifting feel.

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“Brown Sugar” by The Rolling Stones is based in the key of C major. The verse has a simple and catchy chord progression that primarily revolves around the I and IV chords in the key, with brief excursions to the dominant and a borrowed chord from the parallel minor key. This structure contributes to the song’s bluesy and rock’n’roll sound.

“Honky Tonk Women” by The Rolling Stones is a classic rock song heavily influenced by country and blues. The song is characterized by both major and minor chords, primarily G, C, A, and D. The song is in the key of G major from the verse 1 progression you provided, and it has elements of both I-IV-V and I-V-vi-IV.

Verse 1

The verse of “All I Need” by Radiohead features a simple chord progression consisting of three main chords: C, Em, and G. It alternates between these three chords for most of the progression, with some occasional repetition of the C chord. This progression provides a consistent harmonic foundation for the vocal melody and sets a mostly stable and melancholic mood.

Coldplay – Viva La Vida – Verse 1

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Chord Progression

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

Chord Progression Analysis

The verse chord progression is as follows:

– C Major (“IV”)
– D Major (“V”)
– G Major (“I”)
– E minor (“vi”)
– C Major (“IV”)
– D Major (“V”)
– G Major (“I”)
– E minor (“vi”)

This progression can be described as a iv-V-I-vi progression, common in many different styles of music.

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Borrowed Chord: None in this progression.
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Similar Chord Progressions

1. In the song “Let It Be” by Beatles, we can find a similar progression in the chorus:
– C Major (“IV”)
– G Major (“I”)
– A minor (“ii”)
– F Major (“V”)

2. The song “Over The Rainbow” by Judy Garland returns to this chord progression fixing on the timeless iv-V-I-vi progression:
– C Major (“I”)
– E minor (“iii”)
– F Major (“IV”)
– D minor (“ii”)

Please note that even though these examples might have same roman numerals progression, the emotion captured by these progressions can be quite different due to the unique incorporation by the composers.

Musical Analysis

In terms of musical analysis, this is a very common and effective progression. It has a comforting, familiar sound due to its extensive use in popular music. The transition from IV to V creates an expectation for resolution which is met when it moves to the I chord, and then it takes a melancholic turn when it falls to vi.

Overall Analysis

“Viva La Vida” by Coldplay is a pop song that sits primarily in the key of G major, featuring four common chords: C Major, D Major, G Major, and E minor. The song’s simplicity lies in the consistent use of these chords, which creates a consistent harmony throughout the song.

Style Analysis

It’s interesting to note Coldplay’s style here. They prefer major chords to give uplifting spiritual feeling, supplemented by minor chord for a measured dose of melancholy and a balanced, contrasting feeling. This manifests their signature sound – ambivalent, anthemic, and emotionally resonant.

Chords in the Verse 1 section of Viva La Vida by Coldplay are:

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