Search

Related Music Theory Alchemy

“Hey Joe” by Jimi Hendrix is a classic rock song featuring a cyclic chord progression in the key of E major. The song is well-known for its distinctive and temporarily ambiguous harmonic structure, bluesy vocal melodies, and Jimi Hendrix’s influential guitar playing. The verse chord progression constantly circles back on itself, creating a hypnotic effect.

The outro of “Hey Joe” by Jimi Hendrix uses a descending circle of fifths chord progression, which is a very common progression in many styles of music, particularly in the Baroque period and in blues-based rock music. The progression features a steady descent through the Circle of Fifths that creates a strong sense of harmony and resolution. In this context, Jimi Hendrix uses the progression to create tension and momentum, which is appropriate for an outro section.

“Landslide” by The Smashing Pumpkins is a cover of a popular folk-rock song by Fleetwood Mac. In this song, The Smashing Pumpkins show their alternative rock style, while also paying homage to the folk-rock genre and especially to the founder of Folk-Rock “Fleetwood Mac”. The chords used throughout the song are predominantly composed in the key of G major, with the occasional use of a common borrowed chord (Am) from the G minor key.

“Paper Tiger” by Beck is a unique and stylistic piece, displaying a blend of various genres and influences. The verse 2 chord progression is quite simple, but the harmonic choices create tension and provide a sense of movement throughout the progression. Combining the elements of rock, folk, and alternative music, this chord progression is both intriguing and musically satisfying.

**

“Don’t Look Back In Anger” uses simple yet effective chord progressions common in pop/rock music. It incorporates both major and minor chords, showing some classic pop sensibilities. The song is situated in the key of C Major. Embedded within this progression are instances of borrowed chords – the E7 for instance, is a secondary dominant, often used to inject a bit of tension and to give strong resolution leading into the next chord.

**

Jimi Hendrix – Hey Joe – Verse 2

Add To Favorites Remove From Favorites

< All Analyses

Chord Progression

C, G, D, A, E, E, C, G, D, A, E, E, C, G, D, A, E, E, C, G, D, A, E, E

Chord Progression Analysis

C Major (I) – G Major (V) – D Major (II) – A Major (VI) – E Major (III)

Similar Chord Progressions

1. Procol Harum – “A Whiter Shade of Pale”
Chord Progression: C Major (I) – Bb Major (bVII) – F Major (IV) – G Major (V) – D Major (II) – A Major (VI) – E Major (III)

2. The Beatles – “Let It Be”
Chord Progression: C Major (I) – G Major (V) – A Minor (vi) – F Major (IV) – C Major (I) – G Major (V) – C Major (I)

3. Leonard Cohen – “Hallelujah”
Chord Progression: C Major (I) – A Minor (vi) – C Major (I) – E Major (III) – F Major (IV) – G Major (V) – C Major (I) – G Major (V)

These examples show similar use of circle of fifths progressions, with some variations in the chords used, creating a similarly recognizable flow and sense of resolution.

Musical Analysis

The chord progression in “Hey Joe” is a modulation of the circle of fifths. The circle of fifths is a sequence of chords with roots that are a fifth apart. In this case, the root movement is a descending fifth (or ascending fourth). This pattern is commonly found in many genres, particularly in jazz and classical music. The simplicity and familiarity of the progression make it easy to memorize and facilitates smooth voice leading, creating a sense of resolution from one chord to the next.

Overall Analysis

“Hey Joe” is a famous song by Jimi Hendrix, which features a simple yet very effective chord progression throughout its verses. It has a five-chord progression, which is C, G, D, A, and E. This progression creates a strong and recognizable flow, thus contributing to the song’s iconic status.

Style Analysis

“Hey Joe” is a great example of the blues-rock style, pioneered by Hendrix himself. The simple, descending circle of fifths progression has influences from blues, jazz, and folk music. This, combined with Jimi Hendrix’s signature guitar playing style, which featured heavy use of distortion, legato phrasing, and various other techniques, contributed to the development and popularization of the blues-rock and psychedelic rock genres.

Chords in the Verse 2 section of Hey Joe by Jimi Hendrix are:

C, G, D, A, E, E, C, G, D, A, E, E, C, G, D, A, E, E, C, G, D, A, E, E