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“Dazed and Confused” by Led Zeppelin is a rock song that features a mix of blues and psychedelic elements. The chord progression in the verse is quite unconventional and may invoke a feeling of unease, which matches the song’s mysterious and somewhat disorienting theme.

“Kashmir” is often regarded as one of Led Zeppelin’s greatest creations, featuring a unique chord progression, distinctive rhythmic patterns, and a fusion of Eastern and Western musical elements. Composed in DADGAD tuning, the song is in the key of D Mixolydian and reflects the band’s experimental approach to songwriting and genre-blending. Although the chord progression may be seen as unconventional in rock music, it is effective in establishing a hypnotic and evocative atmosphere.

“God Only Knows” by The Beach Boys is one of their most well-known pieces and a primary example of the sophisticated harmonic writing characteristic of the group’s 1966 “Pet Sounds” record. This piece is particularly designed in the key of A major. The Outro of the song includes the following chords: ‘A’, ‘E/G#’, ‘F#m7’, ‘E/G#’ and many other chords throughout the song with complex chord changes that might not be typical in a pop song, but are characteristic of the band’s sound.

The outro of “Heart Is A Drum” by Beck features a non-diatonic chord progression that includes a mixture of major, minor, and suspended chords. This chord progression results in a sense of longing and unresolved tension that is appropriate for an outro section. Additionally, the progression includes a borrowed chord, the Eb6sus2, which is borrowed from the parallel minor key and contributes to the unique, emotional quality of the song.

The chord progression in the outro of “Fake Plastic Trees” by Radiohead utilizes some common and some less common harmonic devices. The piece employs diatonic chords with some added extensions, giving a sense of tension and release. Furthermore, the progression is in the key of A major, which contributes to the overall tonality and harmonic structure.

Led Zeppelin – Dazed And Confused – Outro

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Chord Progression

E5, E5, E5, E5, D5, D5, E5

Chord Progression Analysis

E5 (I), E5 (I), E5 (I), E5 (I), D5 (♭VII), D5 (♭VII), E5 (I)

Similar Chord Progressions

1. “Sunshine Of Your Love” by Cream:
C5 (I), B♭5 (♭VII), A♭5 (♭VI), G5 (V), C5 (I)

2. “Purple Haze” by Jimi Hendrix:
E♭7#9 (I), G♭7 (♭III), A7#9 (V), E♭7#9 (I)

3. “Smoke on the Water” by Deep Purple:
G5 (I), B♭5 (♭III), C5 (IV), G5 (I), F5 (♭VII), C5 (IV), G5 (I)

These songs make use of similar techniques such as power chords, blues-influenced riffs, and borrowing chords from other modes, giving them a similar sound and style to the outro of “Dazed and Confused.”

Musical Analysis

The outro of “Dazed and Confused” is built around a repetitive pattern of power chords. Power chords, also known as “fifth chords” or “5 chords”, are chords that include the root and the fifth note of the major or minor scale. These chords are popular in rock music because they provide a strong, full sound without the additional complexity of major or minor triads. In this progression, we see the emphasis on the I chord (E5), which gives the outro a strong, grounded feel. The use of the ♭VII chord (D5) acts as a borrowed chord from the E Mixolydian mode, creating tension and providing a bluesy touch.

Overall Analysis

“Dazed and Confused” by Led Zeppelin is an iconic rock song that features a descending bass line and bluesy chord progressions. The outro takes on a more aggressive tone and the chords are power chords, which give the song a heavy sound. These power chords, mixed with the syncopated rhythm and the blues-rock influences, contribute to the song’s unique character.

Style Analysis

“Dazed and Confused” is an iconic example of 1960s and 1970s hard rock and blues-rock, characterized by heavy power chords, distorted guitar sounds, and strong rhythmic elements. Led Zeppelin was one of the bands that pioneered this fusion of blues and rock, and their music strongly influenced the development of hard rock, heavy metal, and psychedelic rock. Many artists in these genres also employ the use of power chords, borrowed chords from Mixolydian mode, and descending bass lines.

Chords in the Outro section of Dazed And Confused by Led Zeppelin are:

E5, E5, E5, E5, D5, D5, E5