Elton John – Sorry Seems To Be The Hardest Word – Verse 2
Sorry Seems To Be The Hardest Word < All Analyses
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.
What are the chords in: Elton John – Sorry Seems To Be The Hardest Word – Verse 2?
[‘Em’, ‘Em7’, ‘Am’, ‘D’, ‘D7’, ‘G’, ‘F#m7-5’, ‘B7sus4’, ‘Em’, ‘Em7’, ‘Am’, ‘D’, ‘D7’, ‘G’, ‘D/F#’]
