Green Day – Boulevard Of Broken Dreams – Chorus
Boulevard Of Broken Dreams < All Analyses
Chord Progression
[‘C’, ‘G’, ‘D’, ‘Em’, ‘C’, ‘G’, ‘D’, ‘Em’, ‘C’, ‘G’, ‘D’, ‘Em’, ‘C’, ‘G’, ‘B7’]
Chord Progression Analysis
The chord progression for the chorus is as follows:
“`
C Major (I),
G Major (V),
D Major (II),
E Minor (iii),
“`
Repeated several times, and ends with `B7 (V/ii)`, which is a secondary dominant.
Notice how the root note of each chord moves down a perfect 5th (or up a perfect 4th) each time in this progression, which is a very common pattern in Western music, often referred to as a cycle of fifths, and provides a sense of resolution with every new chord.
The B7 is the only non-diatonic chord in the progression, making it a borrowed chord. It’s borrowed from the key of E Major. As a secondary dominant, it serves to temporarily tonicize (make it sound like the home key) the E minor chord that starts the next verse.
Similar Chord Progressions
The 4-chord diatonic structure is quite ubiquitous across various genres, making it a go-to formula for many artists.
1. “Let It Be” by The Beatles follows a similar progression, but in the key of C Major:
“`
C Major (I),
G Major (V),
A Minor (vi),
F Major (IV)
“`
2. “No Woman, No Cry” by Bob Marley is another example, again in the key of C Major:
“`
C Major (I),
G Major (V),
A Minor (vi),
F Major (IV)
“`
These popular songs also cycle through a 4-chord progression, though the order of the chords changes, leading to slightly differentiated moods.
Musical Analysis
“Boulevard of Broken Dreams” effectively uses chord progressions to create a melancholic and somber mood. This is especially amplified with the use of minor key, which is associated with more negative, sad emotions. The B7 chord stands out at the end of the chorus, effectively eliciting an heightened emotional response before falling back into the familiarity of the minor key verse.
Overall Analysis
“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.
Style Analysis
This straightforward approach to songwriting, using largely diatonic 4-chord progressions, is a staple of punk-rock music, and Green Day in particular, which emphasizes evocative yet accessible music. The use of a secondary dominant in this context is a bit more complex than the usual punk rock idiom, showing some sophistication and careful craft.
What are the chords in: Green Day – Boulevard Of Broken Dreams – Chorus?
[‘C’, ‘G’, ‘D’, ‘Em’, ‘C’, ‘G’, ‘D’, ‘Em’, ‘C’, ‘G’, ‘D’, ‘Em’, ‘C’, ‘G’, ‘B7’]
