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The Wind Cries Mary by Jimi Hendrix is a classic rock ballad written in the key of F major, based around a somewhat simple, yet effective, chord progression. There are a few borrowed chords and modulations that add to the harmonic complexity and characteristic guitar work by Hendrix. The song’s structure consists of a verse, followed by a brief pre-chorus, and a chorus before repeating.

“The Wind Cries Mary” by Jimi Hendrix is a classic example of the blending of blues, rock, and pop elements that characterizes Hendrix’s unique style. The chord progression in Verse 3 demonstrates Hendrix’s use of non-diatonic chords and chromatic harmony, while maintaining a strong sense of tonality and harmonic progression. The unconventional chord progression and the expressive guitar work contribute to the song’s lasting appeal.

The chord progression in verse 4 of “Since I’ve Been Loving You” has a striking mix of diatonic chords and chromatic chords that borrow from different modes, creating a unique and expressive progression found in the blues rock style. The progression features a predominantly minor tonality, with some tension points provided by the dominant seventh and major seventh chords.

“Paint It Black” by The Rolling Stones is a famous Rock song heavily influenced by the Indian classical form of music called Raga rock. The song is written in E minor and it has a very distinctively descending minor key tonality. The chords progression in the verse sequence doesn’t follow the conventional rules of western tonal harmony as it navigates through various key centers, showcasing the bands exploration of exotic and unconventional songwriting.

“The Long And Winding Road” is in the key of D major. The chords are quite typical of pop music, however, The Beatles use of extensions and suspensions provide a unique complexity to the progression. The song dabbles in modal interchange as it borrows chords from parallel minor, a popular Beatles technique.

Jimi Hendrix – The Wind Cries Mary – Verse 4

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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.

Chords in the Verse 4 section of The Wind Cries Mary by Jimi Hendrix are:

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