Dolly Parton – Jolene – Verse
Jolene < All Analyses
Chord Progression
[‘Am’, ‘C’, ‘G’, ‘Am’, ‘G’, ‘Em’, ‘Am’, ‘Am’, ‘C’, ‘G’, ‘Am’, ‘G’, ‘Em’, ‘Am’]
Chord Progression Analysis
The chord progression for the verse is as follows:
– A minor (i)
– C Major (III)
– G Major (VII)
– A minor (i)
– G Major (VII)
– E minor (v)
– A minor (i)
– A minor (i)
The G Major (VII) chord is borrowed from the parallel major key (A Major). This is a common technique in different genres, adding a touch of unexpected brightness to the harmonic progression.
“`Borrowed Chord: G Major (VII)“`
Similar Chord Progressions
“Creep” by Radiohead features a similarly structured chord progression. Like “Jolene,” it also uses a simple, repeated progression with a borrowed major chord from the parallel major key.
– C Major (I)
– E minor (iii)
– D Major (II – borrowed from C# minor)
– G Major (V)
Here the D Major is the borrowed chord, serving a similar function to the G Major in “Jolene” – adding brightness and intrigue to a primarily darker, minor-key progression.
Musical Analysis
The key of the song is A minor, which gives it a moody, introspective character. The harmonic rhythm – the rate at which the chords change – is regular, giving a steady, relentless feel to the music which matches the lyrical content of the song.
The borrowed G Major chord temporarily brightens the mood and adds a touch of drama to the otherwise minor-key progression.
Overall Analysis
“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.
Style Analysis
Dolly Parton’s “Jolene” reflects the classic elements of country and folk music, with its repeated, simple chord progression, emphasis on storytelling, and the use of both diatonic and borrowed chords to create a rich, engaging harmony.
The steady, relentless rhythm in the chords reflects the theme of the song about a woman pleading with another not to take her man away. The use of a minor key gives the song a sad, pleading quality, while the borrowed G Major chord adds a touch of urgency and passion.
What are the chords in: Dolly Parton – Jolene – Verse?
[‘Am’, ‘C’, ‘G’, ‘Am’, ‘G’, ‘Em’, ‘Am’, ‘Am’, ‘C’, ‘G’, ‘Am’, ‘G’, ‘Em’, ‘Am’]
