Keane – Somewhere Only We Know – Verse 1
Somewhere Only We Know < All Analyses
Chord Progression
[‘C’, ‘C/B’, ‘Dm’, ‘Gsus4’, ‘G’, ‘C’, ‘C/B’, ‘Dm’, ‘Gsus4’, ‘G’]
Chord Progression Analysis
Here is the analysis of the chord progression taken from Verse 1:
C Major (I),
C/B (I/II),
Dm (ii),
Gsus4 (V),
G (V),
C Major (I),
C/B (I/II),
Dm (ii),
Gsus4 (V),
G (V)
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Borrowed chords: None
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There are no borrowed chords in this particular progression as all chords are diatonic to C Major/A minor key (C Major and A Minor share the same key signature).
Similar Chord Progressions
A similar chord progression can be seen in Coldplay’s “Yellow,” which also employs the frequent use of I, ii and V chords:
D (I), Bm7 (vi), F#m7 (iii), G (IV), D (I), Asus4 (V), G (I)
Another similar chord progression is John Mayer’s “Your Body is A Wonderland,” especially in the use of the I, ii, and V chords:
G Major (I), D Major (V),
Em7 (vi), Cadd9 (IV),
G Major (I), D Major (V),
Em7 (vi), Cadd9 (IV)
It should be noted that while these progressions have a similar outline to that of Keane’s verse progression, there are nuanced differences in each that may alter the mood or feeling of each song.
Musical Analysis
The chord progression mainly functions around the I-ii-V progression, which is a common progression in both classical and popular music. This verse is strongly anchored by the changes between C major and D minor, a dynamic relationship that creates a pull towards resolution. Interestingly, they used a Gsus4 before moving to G, adding a nice color to the progress before resolution.
Overall Analysis
“Somewhere Only We Know” composed by Keane, is a pop-ballad that is based in the key of A Minor. It makes use of both diatonic and borrowed chords in a modern pop style progression that creates an oscillating feel, with repetition for familiarity and simple melody drawn from the underlying chords.
Style Analysis
Keane’s “Somewhere Only We Know” chord progression follows a classic pop-ballad style, with use of the I-ii-V progression that is commonly heard in many popular music genres such as pop, rock, and jazz. It also includes a suspended chord (Gsus4), which is a common technique used in pop music to create tension and release.
What are the chords in: Keane – Somewhere Only We Know – Verse 1?
[‘C’, ‘C/B’, ‘Dm’, ‘Gsus4’, ‘G’, ‘C’, ‘C/B’, ‘Dm’, ‘Gsus4’, ‘G’]
