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Related Music Theory Alchemy

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“Sorry Seems To Be The Hardest Word” is a song by Elton John written in the key of G major. However, the tonal center of this song fluctuates between G major and its relative minor, Em. Sensitive to the modality of the melody, Elton incorporates “color” via his diverse chord selections. The harmonic movement in this song is richly chromatic, creating a sense of tension and release that intensifies the melancholic aura of the lyrics.

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“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:

“Undone – The Sweater Song” by Weezer is a grunge rock song from their debut album, “Weezer (The Blue Album)” released in 1994. The chord progression in Verse 2 seems to blend elements from both pop and rock genres, with some diatonic chords and a borrowed chord that adds an unexpected twist.

“Right Where It Belongs” by Nine Inch Nails features a melancholic and somewhat unconventional chord progression that moves between different tonal centers. The base key can be identified as F major from the frequency of F major chords in the progression.

The chord progression in the verse 2 of Megalomania by Muse is predominantly in the key of E minor, with several chromatic and borrowed chords that give the progression a unique character. This progression consists of 16 chords and features an interesting mix of diatonic chords, secondary dominants, and borrowed chords that contribute to the dramatic and dark atmosphere of the piece.

Elton John – Sorry Seems To Be The Hardest Word – Verse 2

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Chord Progression

[‘Em’, ‘Em7’, ‘Am’, ‘D’, ‘D7’, ‘G’, ‘F#m7-5’, ‘B7sus4’, ‘Em’, ‘Em7’, ‘Am’, ‘D’, ‘D7’, ‘G’, ‘D/F#’]

Chord Progression Analysis

Below is a listing of all the full chord names and their roman numerals in the progression given:

“`chord-block
Em (‘i’),
Em7 (‘i7’),
Am (‘iv’),
D (‘vii’),
D7 (‘VII7’),
G (‘III’),
F#m7-5 (‘ii°7’),
B7sus4 (‘v7sus4’),
Em (‘i’),
Em7 (‘i7’),
Am (‘iv’),
D (‘vii’),
D7 (‘VII7’),
G (‘III’),
D/F# (‘VII6/5’)
“`
G, D, and D7 are borrowed from the parallel major.

Similar Chord Progressions

1. The Beatles: “Let It Be”

Here also the chord progression moves between minor and major. The original key is C Major, but it frequently utilizes the parallel minor key of A minor for contrast. The progression is:

“`chord-block
C (‘I’),
G (‘V’),
Am (‘vi’),
F (‘IV’)
“`

2. Trouble by Coldplay:

Here the band also uses a variation of the i-iv-vii progression to great effect. The progression in E Minor is:

“`chord-block
Em7 (‘i7’),
Am7 (‘iv7’),
D/F# (‘VII6/5’)
“`

Musical Analysis

Elton John moves his progression back and forth between minor (i) and major (III), culminating in the transitional D/F# from the vii of Em to the III (G) of the key. This combination of tension (from the half-diminished F#m7b5 and sus4 chords) and resolution (from the major-minor transitions) forms the emotional core of the song. The use of the Em7 emphasizes the key center while the Am provides a smooth transition point.

Overall Analysis

“Sorry Seems to Be The Hardest Word” is in the key of E minor and shifts to the relative major (G major) at various points, it demonstrates Elton John’s mastery of the line between major and minor keys. It’s a melancholic song with a moderate tempo. The use of both minor and major chords in Elton John’s progression signifies the tension and release in the song’s melody and lyrics.

Style Analysis

John consistently utilizes ‘borrowed’ chords from parallel keys to add color and emotional weight to his progressions. His use of 7th and sus4 chords also helps to provide tension and drama that enhances the emotional impact of both the melodic and lyrical content. The use of the D/F# as a bass walk down transitioning chord is a common stylistic choice for Elton.

Chords in the Verse 2 section of Sorry Seems To Be The Hardest Word by Elton John are:

[‘Em’, ‘Em7’, ‘Am’, ‘D’, ‘D7’, ‘G’, ‘F#m7-5’, ‘B7sus4’, ‘Em’, ‘Em7’, ‘Am’, ‘D’, ‘D7’, ‘G’, ‘D/F#’]