Search

Related Music Theory Alchemy

“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.

“Whole Lotta Love” by Led Zeppelin is a classic rock song with a strong blues influence. It features a heavy riff-based progression and a powerful vocal performance by Robert Plant. The song is in the key of E Mixolydian, a mode based on the fifth degree of the A Major scale, and exhibits a heavy use of syncopation, pentatonic scales, and chromaticism throughout its structure. The rich harmonic language and distorted guitar tone makes the song an excellent example of the emerging Hard Rock and Heavy Metal styles of the late 1960s and early 1970s.

“Something I Can Never Have” by Nine Inch Nails features a haunting and melancholic chord progression typical of the alternative rock and industrial rock genres. The tonality of the piece centers around the key of C major, with occasional borrowed chords and chromaticism adding emotional color and tension. The verse and chorus sections both feature a similar pattern of repeating chords as well as a descending bass line connecting the chords, giving the piece cohesion.

**

“You Can’t Always Get What You Want” by The Rolling Stones is built around major tonality and uses direct and simple progressions. It also features what are known as additive chords (Gadd9) – chords to which notes are added beyond the common triad. The song commences in the key of G Major, indicated by the G, Gadd9, and C chords. These chords progress in an almost continual cyclical pattern across the verses. Here, the dominant chord (D) in the key of G Major is absent, which grants a tonal ambiguity to the song. Interestingly, the song takes a departure into a different key later on which will not be included in this analysis as it pertains to the Verse only.

**

“God Only Knows” by The Beach Boys showcases the artistic depth and compositional craft of Brian Wilson, the band’s primary songwriter. The song utilizes a complex chord progression and key changes that are unconventional for pop music of its time. The chord progression creates a sense of constant mood transitions, similar to arias in Romantic era music.

Led Zeppelin – Dazed And Confused – Verse

Add To Favorites Remove From Favorites

< All Analyses

Chord Progression

Em, Em, Emadd9, G7add13, Em, Em7, Em6, C7M, Em, Emadd9, G7add13, Em, Em7, Em6, C7M, B5, B5, B5, B5, B5, B5, B5, B5, B5, B5, B5, B5

Chord Progression Analysis

Em (i), Em (i), Emadd9 (iadd9), G7add13 (III7add13), Em (i), Em7 (i7), Em6 (i6), Cmaj7 (VIIMaj7), Em (i), Emadd9 (iadd9), G7add13 (III7add13), Em (i), Em7 (i7), Em6 (i6), Cmaj7 (VIIMaj7), B5 (v^o5)

Note: As there are no borrowed chords in this progression, no code block is necessary.

Similar Chord Progressions

1. Cream – Sunshine of Your Love
Chord Progression: D (IV), C (bIII), G (I), G (I)

2. The Doors – Riders on the Storm
Chord Progression: Em9 (i9), Em9 (i9), A9 (IV9), A9 (IV9)

3. Jimi Hendrix – Voodoo Chile (Slight Return)
Chord Progression: E7#9 (I7#9), G (bIII), A (IV)

While these chord progressions may not be identical, they incorporate some similar techniques, such as modal interchange and the use of dominant or extended chords to create distinctive atmospheres in rock and blues music.

Musical Analysis

The chord progression begins with three variations of the Em chord (Em, Emadd9, and Em7), establishing E as the tonal center, creating a modal feeling. The G7add13 seems to suggest a shift to E Aeolian mode since it contains the flat 6th scale degree (C). This shift gives a sense of darkness and dissonance when it resolves back to Em.

The Em6 and Cmaj7 form an interesting chromatic line (B moving to C), slightly shifting the emphasis before returning to Em. The verse ends with a sequence of predominant B5 power chords, which leads back to the tonic, creating a sense of tension and release.

Overall Analysis

“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.

Style Analysis

“Dazed and Confused” showcases Led Zeppelin’s unique blend of blues and psychedelic rock. The use of modal interchange, chromatic lines, and power chords creates a dark and mystifying atmosphere. Additionally, the driving beat and dynamic changes add to the song’s energy.

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

Em, Em, Emadd9, G7add13, Em, Em7, Em6, C7M, Em, Emadd9, G7add13, Em, Em7, Em6, C7M, B5, B5, B5, B5, B5, B5, B5, B5, B5, B5, B5, B5