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Related Music Theory Alchemy

The song “Hallelujah” written by Leonard Cohen and popularly covered by Jeff Buckley is a solemn ballad consisting of poetic lyrics set to a haunting melody. This particular chord progression in Verse 4 highlights the song’s delicate balance between tension and resolution. The tonality revolves around C major, with deviations into other tonal areas, which adds complexity and emotional impact.

“Hallelujah” by Jeff Buckley is a well-known example of a poignant, introspective ballad with a mix of pop, folk, and gospel elements. It features intricate, emotionally evocative chord progressions that move beyond typical diatonic patterns and uses borrowed chords to create an emotionally charged atmosphere.

“Wonderwall” by Oasis is in the key of G major and features an effective and memorable chord progression that repeats throughout the song. The progression falls into the indie rock and Britpop genres, highlighting simple, strong harmonies, and incorporates a repeated sequence of Em–G-D–A7sus4 throughout its composition with occasional deviations.

“As Tears Go By” by The Rolling Stones is a classic rock ballad featuring a simple, yet effective chord progression and harmonic language. The song is in the key of G major, and the chord progression features a mix of diatonic chords from the G major scale, with the non-diatonic A major chord included as a borrowed chord from the parallel minor (G minor) key.

“`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)
“`

Jeff Buckley – Hallelujah – Verse 3

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Chord Progression

C, Am, C, Am, F, G, C, G, C, F, G, Am, F, G, E7, Am

Chord Progression Analysis

C (I) – Am (vi) – C (I) – Am (vi) – F (IV) – G (V) – C (I) – G (V) – C (I) – F (IV) – G (V) – Am (vi) – F (IV) – G (V) – E7 (III7) – Am (vi)

Borrowed Chord:
“`
E7 (III7)
“`

Similar Chord Progressions

1. Leonard Cohen – “Suzanne”
Chord progression: G (I) – Bm (iii) – G (I) – Bm (iii) – A (IV) – D (V) – G (I) – D (V) – G (I)

2. Sam Smith – “Stay with Me”
Chord progression: Am7 (vi7) – F (IV) – C (I) – Gsus4 (V) – G (V)

3. Oasis – “Wonderwall”
Chord progression: Em7 (iii7) – G (V) – Dsus4 (IV) – A7sus4 (II7)

Musical Analysis

The chord progression in the third verse of “Hallelujah” can be described as a variation of the classic vi-IV-I-V progression, which is commonly heard in pop music and has its roots in classical harmony. The use of the III7 chord (E7) is a noteworthy departure from the standard progression, as it is borrowed from the parallel minor key. This borrowed chord adds an unexpected twist and creates a sense of tension, contributing to the emotional depth of the song.

The use of the I-vi-I-vi progression in the beginning of the verse sets an alternating pattern that emphasizes the relative minor key, giving the piece a bittersweet quality. The perfect cadential motion (IV-V-I) present in the song adds to its sense of forward momentum, assuring a satisfying resolution for listeners.

Overall Analysis

“Hallelujah” by Jeff Buckley is a popular and iconic song that showcases Jeff Buckley’s unique vocal talent and emotional delivery. The song is in the key of C major and features a simple yet effective chord progression. The song’s memorable melody is accompanied by guitar, which uses arpeggiated fingerpicking. This adds to its musical depth and also creates dynamic rhythmic interest. The song builds in intensity as it progresses, and this, along with the powerful lyrics, contributes to the overall emotional impact of the piece.

Style Analysis

“Hallelujah” draws from various influences, including folk, rock, and gospel music. The simple, repetitive chord progression is reminiscent of traditional folk songs, which often feature uncomplicated harmonic structures. The incorporation of the III7 borrowed chord is a nod to the blues tradition, as it adds an element of harmonic surprise and tension that is commonly found in blues and jazz.

Jeff Buckley’s unique vocal style combines elements of rock and gospel, as he is able to move between soaring falsetto and expressively soulful delivery. This blend of influences and styles creates a truly one-of-a-kind piece.

Chords in the Verse 3 section of Hallelujah by Jeff Buckley are:

C, Am, C, Am, F, G, C, G, C, F, G, Am, F, G, E7, Am