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Related Music Theory Alchemy

Verse 2 of Grizzly Bear’s “Yet Again” presents a straightforward harmonic progression that is common in pop and indie rock music. This series of chords is mainly built around the key of A minor, and uses diatonic chords (those that naturally occur within the key) of this key. The recurring sequence (Am, G, C, F, F, Em, C, Dm) indicates a strong sense of familiarity and predictability, characteristic of many pop/rock anthologies.

Taylor Swift’s “Black Dog” features a verse chord progression that is both simple and evocative, utilizing variations of the tonic chord to create a sense of movement and build tension before resolving into more straightforward chord changes. This kind of progression is characteristic of songs that aim to evoke a contemplative or narrative-driven mood, which is a frequent theme in Swift’s songwriting.

“Weekend Wars” by MGMT features a distinctive and slightly unconventional chord progression. The verse is in D minor and consists of 22 chords, providing a unique and somewhat complex harmonic landscape. The majority of the chords used are diatonic, but there are also borrowed chords and other non-diatonic chords which contribute to the song’s unique character.

Chord Progression:
Dm (i), C (VII), G (IV), C (VII), G (IV), F (III), Dm (i), C (VII), F (III), Am (v), F (III), Dm (i), C (VII), G (IV), C (VII), G (IV), F (III), Dm (i), C (VII), F (III), Am (v), F (III)

Dm – D minor
C – C major
G – G major (borrowed chord)
F – F major
Am – A minor

“All You Need Is Love” is in the key of G major. The song primarily uses the chords within the key signature and has a relatively simple harmonic structure. However, the song does utilize a few distinct chord choices that contribute to its unique sonic character. The song applies modal interchange with an inclusion of A minor from the G Mixolydian mode and the D7 and D6 which evoke a hint of the D Mixolydian mode.

Grizzly Bear – Two Weeks – Verse

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Chord Progression

[‘F’, ‘Am’, ‘C’, ‘F’, ‘Am’, ‘C’, ‘F’, ‘Am’, ‘C’, ‘F’, ‘Am’, ‘C’]

Chord Progression Analysis

Let’s break this down in terms of the roman numeral analysis using the key of F Major:

“`
F Major (I)
A minor (vi)
C Major (V)
F Major (I)
A minor (vi)
C Major (V)
F Major (I)
A minor (vi)
C Major (V)
F Major (I)
A minor (vi)
C Major (V)
“`

No borrowed chords are being used in the verse.

Similar Chord Progressions

1. Journey – “Don’t Stop Believing” (I-V-vi-IV)
2. The Beatles – “Let It Be” (I-V-vi-IV)
3. Madonna – “Like A Prayer” (I-V-vi-IV)
4. Maroon 5 – “She Will Be Loved” (I-V-vi-IV)

For these songs, the chord progressions are as follows:

“`
Journey – “Don’t Stop Believing”: G Major (I) – D Major (V) – E minor (vi) – C Major (IV)

The Beatles – “Let It Be”: C Major (I) – G Major (V) – A minor (vi) – F Major (IV)

Madonna – “Like A Prayer”: C Major (I) – G Major (V) – A minor (vi) – F Major (IV)

Maroon 5 – “She Will Be Loved”: B Major (I) – F# Major (V) – G# minor (vi) – E Major (IV)
“`

Note that the progression here is a bit different, going I-V-vi-IV instead of I-vi-V in “Two Weeks”, but it pulls from the same harmonic idea.

Musical Analysis

The I-vi-V progression is common in pop and rock music due to the tension and resolution it creates. This progression imparts a sense of continual forward motion, which supports the lyrical content quite well. This movement from the vi chord (Am), representing a relative minor, to the V chord (C), creates tension, and returning back to the I chord (F) brings closure to each phrase.

Overall Analysis

“Two Weeks” by Grizzly Bear exhibits a common pop chord progression and harmonic rhythm. The chords are primarily in root position, which contributes to the song’s straightforward and accessible sound. Stylistically, the track shows the band’s indie-rock influences and features a prominent piano part that drives the harmony.

Style Analysis

“Two Weeks” exemplifies Grizzly Bear’s unique indie rock sound, which often involves lush harmonies and intriguing harmonic progressions. The use of the I-vi-V progression helps to contribute a strong sense of tonality to the song, lending it an infectious energy that complements the airy and effortlessly graceful melodic line.

Chords in the Verse section of Two Weeks by Grizzly Bear are:

[‘F’, ‘Am’, ‘C’, ‘F’, ‘Am’, ‘C’, ‘F’, ‘Am’, ‘C’, ‘F’, ‘Am’, ‘C’]