Jimi Hendrix – The Wind Cries Mary – Verse 4
The Wind Cries Mary < All Analyses
Chord Progression
C, B, Bb, F, C, B, Bb, F, C, B, Bb, F, G, Bb, Eb, E, F, G, Bb, Eb, E, F, Eb/G, E/G#, F/A
Chord Progression Analysis
C (‘IV’), B (‘♮III’), B♭ (‘II’), F (‘I’), C (‘IV’), B (‘♮III’), B♭ (‘II’), F (‘I’), C (‘IV’), B (‘♮III’), B♭ (‘II’), F (‘I’), G (‘♯II’), B♭ (‘II’), E♭ (‘♭VII’), E (‘♮VII’), F (‘I’), G (‘♯II’), B♭ (‘II’), E♭ (‘♭VII’), E (‘♮VII’), F (‘I’), E♭/G (‘♭VII6’), E/G♯ (‘♮VII6’), F/A (‘I6’)
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Borrowed Chords: ♮III, ♯II, ♭VII
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Similar Chord Progressions
1. While My Guitar Gently Weeps by The Beatles:
Am (‘i’), G (‘♭VII’), Am (‘i’), Am/G (‘i6’), Am/F♯ (‘i♭6’), Am/F (‘i6♭’), Am (‘i’), C (‘♭III’), G (‘♭VII’), Am (‘i’)
2. Hey Joe by Jimi Hendrix:
C (‘IV’), G (‘♮VII’), D (‘♭II’), A (‘V’), E (‘I’)
3. Hotel California by Eagles:
Bm (‘i’), F♯ (‘V’), A (‘♭VII’), E (‘IV’), G (‘♭VI’), D (‘♭III’), Em (‘iv’), F♯ (‘V’)
Musical Analysis
The chord progression used in The Wind Cries Mary showcases Hendrix’s penchant for incorporating various musical influences into his songwriting. The use of borrowed chords and chromatic lines add harmonic interest and create moments of tension and resolution that engage the listener. The stepwise descending chromatic progression from IV (C) to ♮III (B) to II (B♭) gives an emotional cascading effect, while the use of ♭VII (E♭) and ♮VII (E) chords right before returning to the tonic (F) lend majesty and strong resolution.
Overall Analysis
The Wind Cries Mary by Jimi Hendrix is a rock ballad with elements of blues, featuring a unique and expressive chord progression. The song is in the key of F major and the verse progression consists of 25 chords. The progression is largely diatonic, but includes chromatic lines and borrowed chords, which give the piece a rather unpredictable yet emotive quality.
Style Analysis
This piece represents the blending of various styles and genres into a distinctive Hendrix sound. It combines the ethereal quality of psychedelic rock, the emotive chord progressions found in blues-rock, and the innovative harmonies of early progressive rock. The Verse 4 progression showcases Hendrix’s genius in manipulating both diatonic and borrowed chords to create an emotive journey through harmony and melody.
What are the chords in: Jimi Hendrix – The Wind Cries Mary – Verse 4?
C, B, Bb, F, C, B, Bb, F, C, B, Bb, F, G, Bb, Eb, E, F, G, Bb, Eb, E, F, Eb/G, E/G#, F/A
