Music Theory Alchemy

Search

Related Music Theory Alchemy

**
Generally, the chord progression follows the conventional guidelines of western music, utilizing strong resolution from B (V) to E (I). However, it also employs some harmony techniques very typical in pop/rock music, such as the use of slash chords and chord inversions (A/E, F#m7/E) to add harmonic interest. In addition, it incorporates chromatic mediant relationships (E to C#m) to create a sense of progression.

**

“Rocket Man” by Elton John is primarily in the key of Bb minor (the verses and chorus), but its outro transposes to the key of C Major, which gives a sensation of resolution. The chord progression in the Outro is a simple two-chord progression (I – V), which is extremely common in all styles of music and impacts the listener with its familiarity and stability.

“A Hard Day’s Night” by the Beatles is in the key of G Major. According to the provided list, the song has an array of major, minor, and some of the seventh and suspended chords, which is quite typical for the pop and rock genres. The coda appears to be a cyclic repetition of a phrase involving a transition from a C Major to a G Major chord, before leading to the repeated sequence of D7sus4, Dm7 chords. The D7sus4 and Dm7 chords give an interesting tension and release effect, as the suspension wants to resolve to the minor chord, while the minor chord creates an expectation for a return to the root chord.

“House of the Rising Sun” by The Animals is a folk-rock song in A minor that features a distinct and memorable chord progression in its coda. By incorporating rhythmic and dynamic elements in their rendition, The Animals managed to popularize the song, making it one of their best-known hits.

“Maxwell’s Silver Hammer” by The Beatles is a track that showcases the band’s fondness for creating complex and textured compositions by combining multiple melody lines with innovative chord sequences in a pop rock context. It features numerous musical styles, including pop, rock, and music hall, which reflects the band’s eclectic musical influences. The Coda of the song takes place in the key of D major.

Elton John – Im Still Standing – Coda

Add To Favorites Remove From Favorites

< All Analyses

Chord Progression

[‘B7#9’, ‘Em’, ‘Am7’, ‘B7’]

Chord Progression Analysis

“`
B7#9 (V7b10)
Em (vi)
Am7 (iv7)
B7 (V7)
“`
The V7b10 chord is a borrowed chord from the parallel minor key. This is a common technique in pop music to add harmonic interest and tension.

Similar Chord Progressions

1. “Let It Be” by The Beatles – features similar use of iv7 chord.
Chord Progression: C (I), G (V), Am (vi), Fmaj7 (IV7)

2. “Imagine” by John Lennon – uses a similar minor iv chord.
Chord Progression: C (I), Cmaj7 (Imaj7), F (IV), Dm/F (ii6), F (IV), G11 (V11)

3. “Hey Jude” by The Beatles – Contains similar iv7 to V progression.
Chord Progression: F(I), C(V), C7(V7), F(I), Bb(IV), Em7(biii7), A7(VI7)

Please note that these songs have similar chord progressions but are not identical. The use of similar components like the iv7 and V7 chords creates a similar harmonic feeling.

Musical Analysis

The coda of “I’m Still Standing” is interesting from a musical perspective. The start with a B7#9 chord, a dominant chord altered with both a sharp 9th, introduces tension before resolution to the Em chord. This is then followed by an Am7, a minor iv7 chord, a popular chord used often in pop, rock and jazz music for its rich, melancholy sound before resolving back to the dominant B7 chord.

Overall Analysis

“I’m Still Standing” is a pop rock song by Elton John, from his 1983 album “Too Low For Zero”. The song is up-tempo, featuring energetic keyboard playing from Elton John, and has become one of his most enduring hits. The song is in the key of E Major.

Here’s the chord progression analysis of the coda and the full chord names with their roman numerals:

Style Analysis

As is characteristic of Elton John’s music, “I’m Still Standing” blends elements of pop and rock music with his trademark piano playing. It carries his heavy gospel influences with the use of the dominant 7#9 and minor iv7 chords, atypical of more mainstream pop composition.

Chords in the Coda section of Im Still Standing by Elton John are:

[‘B7#9’, ‘Em’, ‘Am7’, ‘B7’]