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Related Music Theory Alchemy

“`plaintext
D Major (I)
E Minor (ii)
G Major (IV)
B Minor (vi)
A Major (V)
G Major (IV)
D Major (I)
E Minor (ii)
G Major (IV)
B Minor (vi)
A Major (V)
G Major (IV)
“`

“Iris” by Goo Goo Dolls is a song in the key of D Major, and uses a very common pop/rock chord progression. The sheer repetition of the progression throughout the verse establishes a solid harmonic background upon which the melody can freely roam. Chords include the primary triads (I, IV, V) which are D, G, A, minor variations of the secondary triads (ii, iii, vi), which are Em, F#m, Bm.

The Beach Boys’ “Good Vibrations” presents an interesting mix of major and minor chords with excellent use of chord inversions and borrowings. The song is harmonically adventurous, showcasing the band’s pop mastery with Brian Wilson’s unmatched compositional skills. This song is primarily in the key of A Major, with many borrowed chords and modulation that creates its unique feel.

“Sour Times” by Portishead is characterized by dark, brooding sounds and melancholic melodies that gives the song its distinct feel, largely due to the specific chord progression that is used throughout the song. Written in the key of E major, the song makes use of a diverse selection of chords that offers a wider blend of harmonic options to navigate through different moods and tonal landscapes.

“Boulevard of Broken Dreams” by Green Day, released in 2004, is an alt-rock anthem that largely follows a 4-chord progression throughout the song. The key signature of the song is E minor (derived from the root chord), and essentially all chords used in the song are diatonic, meaning they are derived from the scales of the key. The chorus shifts to a progression in C Major. However, it returns to E minor at the end.

Goo Goo Dolls – Iris – Chorus

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Chord Progression

[‘Bm’, ‘A’, ‘G’, ‘Bm’, ‘A’, ‘G’, ‘Bm’, ‘A’, ‘G’, ‘Bm’, ‘A’, ‘G’, ‘Bm’, ‘A’, ‘G’, ‘Bm’, ‘A’, ‘G’, ‘Bm’, ‘A’, ‘G’, ‘Bm’, ‘A’, ‘G’]

Chord Progression Analysis

The given chord progression for the chorus is: Bm, A, G. Here’s the analysis with full chord names and Roman numerals:

– B minor (vi)
– A Major (V)
– G Major (IV)

The vi-IV-V progression is quite common in pop and rock music.

Note: Since this song is written in D Major, all of these chords are naturally present in the key and there are no borrowed chords in this progression.

“`
B minor (vi)
A Major (V)
G Major (IV)
“`

Similar Chord Progressions

The vi-IV-V progression used in the chorus of “Iris” is quite common, and we can find it in several other songs as well. Here are a few examples:

1. “Someone Like You” by Adele: C#m, B, A (then moves to E/G#, A, E) – IV, V, III
2. “Let It Go” from the movie Frozen: Fm, Eb, Db – vi, V, IV
3. “Poker Face” by Lady Gaga: F#m, E, D, F#m, E, D – vi, V, IV

Musical Analysis

“Iris” follows a verse-chorus structure, with the given chord progression repeated multiple times throughout the song. The combination of the minor vi chord to the major IV and V chords creates a contrast that brings emotional depth and also a catchy movement to the progression.

Overall Analysis

“Iris” by the Goo Goo Dolls is well-known for its unique tuning and chords which adds a certain tenderness and emotional depth to the song. The song is in D Major and utilizes a repeated chord progression that is relatively simple but effective.

Style Analysis

Goo Goo Dolls style in “Iris” is characterized by rock, with strong influences from pop and alternative rock. The repeated chord progression provides a steady, almost relentless momentum that carries through the entire song, making it intensely emotive and memorable.

Chords in the Chorus section of Iris by Goo Goo Dolls are:

[‘Bm’, ‘A’, ‘G’, ‘Bm’, ‘A’, ‘G’, ‘Bm’, ‘A’, ‘G’, ‘Bm’, ‘A’, ‘G’, ‘Bm’, ‘A’, ‘G’, ‘Bm’, ‘A’, ‘G’, ‘Bm’, ‘A’, ‘G’, ‘Bm’, ‘A’, ‘G’]