Elton John – Goodbye Yellow Brick Road – Chorus
Goodbye Yellow Brick Road < All Analyses
Chord Progression
[‘D’, ‘F#7’, ‘G’, ‘D’, ‘B7’, ‘Em’, ‘A’, ‘D’, ‘A’, ‘Bm’, ‘F#’, ‘G’, ‘Bb’, ‘C’, ‘D’, ‘A’, ‘Bm’, ‘Bm7’, ‘G’, ‘A’, ‘Gm’, ‘C’, ‘F’, ‘Bb’, ‘Gm’, ‘A’, ‘D’]
Chord Progression Analysis
Here we will provide a musical analysis of the chord progression in the chorus:
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D Major (I)
F# Dominant Seventh (III7)
G Major (IV)
D Major (I)
B Dominant Seventh (VI7)
E Minor (ii)
A Major (V)
D Major (I)
A Major (V)
B Minor (vi)
F# Major (III)
G Major (IV)
B flat Major (‘borrowed chord’ bVI)
C Major (‘borrowed chord’ bVII)
D Major (I)
A Major (V)
B Minor (vi)
B Minor Seventh (vi7)
G Major (IV)
A Major (V)
G Minor (‘borrowed chord’ iv)
C Major (‘borrowed chord’ bVII)
F Major (‘borrowed chord’ bIII)
B flat Major (‘borrowed chord’ bVI)
G Minor (‘borrowed chord’ iv)
A Major (V)
D Major (I)
“`
Similar Chord Progressions
Many songs share similar chord progressions to “Goodbye Yellow Brick Road,” for example, “Let It Be” by The Beatles. The chord progression in its chorus is as follows:
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C Major (I)
G Major (V)
A Minor (vi)
F Major (IV)
C Major (I)
G Major (V)
F Major (IV)
C Major (I)
“`
While simpler than John’s song, “Let It Be” similarly employs diatonic and borrowed chords to create tension and resolution in its progression, evoke emotion, and drive the song’s narrative arc.
Musical Analysis
The use of dominant seventh and borrowed chords creates tension and resolution within the progression and drives the emotional trajectory of the song.
Overall Analysis
“Goodbye Yellow Brick Road,” written by Elton John and Bernie Taupin, is characterized by a lush, cinematic melody that encapsulates John’s knack for crafting pop ballad choruses. Its base key is D Major, showcasing a mix of diatonic, dominant seventh, and borrowed chords. Its diverse chord progression is reflective of Elton John’s diverse influences, which include pop, rock, blues, and classical music.
Style Analysis
Elton John’s style is distinct for its blend of pop, rock, and classical influences. In “Goodbye Yellow Brick Road,” these influences manifest in the song’s complex chord progression and lush, emotive melody. The use of borrowed chords is also a hallmark of blues and jazz, evidencing these genres’ influence on John’s style.
What are the chords in: Elton John – Goodbye Yellow Brick Road – Chorus?
[‘D’, ‘F#7’, ‘G’, ‘D’, ‘B7’, ‘Em’, ‘A’, ‘D’, ‘A’, ‘Bm’, ‘F#’, ‘G’, ‘Bb’, ‘C’, ‘D’, ‘A’, ‘Bm’, ‘Bm7’, ‘G’, ‘A’, ‘Gm’, ‘C’, ‘F’, ‘Bb’, ‘Gm’, ‘A’, ‘D’]
