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Related Music Theory Alchemy

“Jolene” by Dolly Parton is a classic country song written in A minor. Its chord progression is an iconic reflection of the country and folk genres, and is a study of simplicity and effective songwriting.

The chord progression of “Jolene” uses primarily diatonic chords but also includes a borrowed chord which introduces a touch of complexity to the harmonic structure of the song.

“Boulevard of Broken Dreams” by Green Day, released in 2004, is an alt-rock anthem that largely follows a 4-chord progression throughout the song. The key signature of the song is E minor (derived from the root chord), and essentially all chords used in the song are diatonic, meaning they are derived from the scales of the key. The chorus shifts to a progression in C Major. However, it returns to E minor at the end.

The song “Every Day is Exactly the Same” by Nine Inch Nails is in E minor key. The chord progression found in the chorus consists mainly of common chords found in the E minor key, along with a couple of borrowed chords from E major. The use of borrowed chords adds unique color and tension to the music.

The chord progression in the chorus of Muse’s “Apocalypse Please” consists of a mix of diatonic chords and borrowed chords from the parallel major and minor keys. The progression features strong harmonic movement with a pivot modulation. Muse is known for their dramatic, often symphonic rock sound, and this progression is no exception in showing off their signature style. The progression also shares some similarities with other artists’ works in both structure and harmonic content.

Dolly Parton – Jolene – Chorus

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Chord Progression

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

Chord Progression Analysis

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The Chorus is [‘Am’, ‘C’, ‘G’, ‘Am’, ‘G’, ‘Am’, ‘Am’, ‘C’, ‘G’, ‘Am’, ‘G’, ‘Em’, ‘Am’] arranged in a series of IV-I-V-VI

Full Chord Names (‘Roman Numerals’)
– A minor (‘vi’)
– C major (‘I’)
– G major (‘V’)
– E minor (‘iii’)

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Similar Chord Progressions

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1. “Horse with No Name” by America – [‘Em’, ‘D6/9’, ‘Em’] (although simplified, it’s similar in the use of a minor key, repeated chords, and a raised fifth degree)
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Full Chord Names (‘Roman Numerals’)
– E minor (‘ii’)
– D6/9 (‘I add6 add9’)
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2. “House of the Rising Sun” by The Animals – [‘Am’, ‘C’, ‘D’, ‘F’, ‘Am’, ‘E’, ‘Am’] (similar in using primarily I-IV-V progressions in a minor key)
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Full Chord Names (‘Roman Numerals’)
– A minor (‘vi’)
– C major (‘I’)
– D major (‘II’)
– F major (‘IV’)
– E major (‘V’)
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Musical Analysis

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The song’s tonal center is around the A minor chord, the vi degree in the C major scale, hence the song is in the key of A minor. The chord progression is straightforward with most being I-IV-V progressions, which is a common popular music progression.

It’s important to note that the move from G to Am (V-vi) is a deceptive resolution. The V chord typically would go to I in a perfect cadence, especially common in popular music. However, ‘Jolene’ moves to the vi chord, adding a sense of unresolved tension and melancholy that reflects the lyrics.

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Overall Analysis

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The song “Jolene” by Dolly Parton sports a simple yet effective chord progression. The entire song is in the key of C major / A minor (they share the same key signature), with a clear preference for the darker minor tones over the light major tones. This song is a great example of the use of simple chord structures and progressions to evoke emotive sensations.

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Style Analysis

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“Jolene” is a perfect example of Dolly Parton’s storytelling mastery, where the chord progression perfectly matches the song’s emotional intensity. The repeated minor chord gives the song a somewhat sad and desperate feeling, reflecting the song’s narrative. The use of a simple and repetitive chord progression makes this country song easy to follow, remember, and sing along to.

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Chords in the Chorus section of Jolene by Dolly Parton are:

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