Green Day – Boulevard Of Broken Dreams – Verse 3
Boulevard Of Broken Dreams < All Analyses
Chord Progression
[‘Em’, ‘G’, ‘D’, ‘A’, ‘Em’, ‘G’, ‘D’, ‘A’, ‘Em’]
Chord Progression Analysis
Here is the chord progression for Verse 3:
Em (i) – G (III) – D (VII) – A (IV) – Em (i) – G (III) – D (VII) – A (IV) – Em (i)
Code Block:
“`
Em (i)
G (III)
D (VII)
A (IV)
Em (i)
G (III)
D (VII)
A (IV)
Em (i)
“`
Similar Chord Progressions
1. “Boys of Summer” by Don Henley
– Bm (i) – G (VI) – D (III) – A (VII)
2. “No Woman, No Cry” by Bob Marley
– C (I) – G (V) – Am (vi) – F (IV)
Please do note that while the chords might seem similar, the exact rhythm, key, melody, and instrumentation can set them apart dramatically. The notation provided is relative to the original key of “Boulevard of Broken Dreams”, which is E minor.
Musical Analysis
The Em chord instigates each sequence, serving as the tonic, and establishing a solid base from which the progression advances. The following G major chord transitions the minor-toned sequence to a major key, adding a sense of hopefulness yet maintaining the melodic tension due to its surprise positioning as the III chord. The next chord D is the 7th chord which is typically a major chord in the natural minor scale demonstrating its borrowed characteristics. This leads nicely to the A major chord, which acts as the 4th and final chord in the progression. This sequence is repeated twice more in the verse and when the progression returns to the Em, listeners are afforded a sense of completion and rest before the progression starts again.
Overall Analysis
“Boulevard of Broken Dreams” by Green Day is set in the key of E minor, and uses a recurrent sequence of four chords throughout the song: Em, G, D, and A. The prevalence of this progression endows the song with an air of melancholy, aligning with its lyrical themes of loneliness and disillusionment. These four chords create a harmonic loop that reflects the circulative narrative portrayed in the lyrics.
Style Analysis
“Boulevard of Broken Dreams” falls under the pop-punk and alternative rock genres, and the use of melancholic chord progressions juxtaposed with bright, distorted electric guitars is a common stylistic choice in these genres. Emotion-laden, introspective lyrics are often matched with such chord progressions to emphasize their narrative. The repetitive minor-major progression contributes to a catchy and memorable melody that’s resonates with the listeners.
What are the chords in: Green Day – Boulevard Of Broken Dreams – Verse 3?
[‘Em’, ‘G’, ‘D’, ‘A’, ‘Em’, ‘G’, ‘D’, ‘A’, ‘Em’]
