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Related Music Theory Alchemy

“Since I’ve Been Loving You” by Led Zeppelin is a slow-tempo blues-rock song featuring a sophisticated and expressive chord progression that falls predominantly within the C minor key, standing out from the more traditional blues structures. The chords in the verse display a creative use of borrowed chords and chromaticism, contributing to the song’s moody and emotionally-evocative atmosphere. The progression is less common in rock music, which is what makes it characteristic of Led Zeppelin’s innovative musical explorations.

“Stairway to Heaven” by Led Zeppelin is recognized for its use of modal interchange, specifically borrowing chords from the parallel minor, and its distinct way of blending rock and folk music elements. This piece is in the key of A minor and the chord progression in Verse 5 is simple but quite effective.

“Can’t Buy Me Love,” a song by The Beatles, exhibits a style that’s emblematic of their earlier work, with a clear, upbeat tonality and an elegant yet straightforward chord progression. The tune is predominantly centred in the key of C major, but it utilizes both major and dominant 7th chords to create tension and resolution, modulating away from the home key. The particular progression you’ve given, ‘C7’, ‘F7’, ‘C’, isn’t rare and demonstrates the Beatles’ precision and understanding of pop and rock music’s creative possibilities.

“Feeling Good” by Muse is a cover of the original song written by English composers Leslie Bricusse and Anthony Newley in 1964. The Muse version was released in 2001 and is featured on their second studio album, “Origin of Symmetry.” The song is heavily influenced by the genres of jazz, soul, and R&B, while the Muse rendition adds a more modern rock sound to the mix.

“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.

Led Zeppelin – Since Ive Been Loving You – Verse 4

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Chord Progression

Cm, Fm, Cm, C7, Fm, Cm, Gm, Ab, Fm, Cm/Eb, G7/D, Cm, Eb7, D7, Dbmaj7, Ab, Fm, Cm/Eb, G7/D, Cm, Eb7, D7, Dbmaj7, Cm

Chord Progression Analysis

Cm (i), Fm (iv), Cm (i), C7 (V7/iv), Fm (iv), Cm (i), Gm (v), Ab (VI), Fm (iv), Cm/Eb (i6), G7/D (V7/v), Cm (i), Eb7 (VI7), D7 (V7/iv), Dbmaj7 (bVIMaj7), Ab (VI), Fm (iv), Cm/Eb (i6), G7/D (/V7/v), Cm (i), Eb7 (VI7), D7 (V7/iv), Dbmaj7 (bVIMaj7), Cm (i)

Borrowed Chords:
`C7 (V7/iv), G7/D (V7/v), Eb7 (VI7), D7 (V7/iv)`

Similar Chord Progressions

1. Derek and the Dominos – “Layla”: Dm (i), Bb (VI), C (VII), Dm (i), C (VII), Dm (i), Eb (V7/iv), Dm (i), Bb9 (VI9), A (V7/v), Abmaj7 (bVIMaj7)
2. Pink Floyd – “Shine On You Crazy Diamond”: Gm (i), F (#VII), Gm (i), Cm (iv), Bb (VII), Ebmaj7 (bIIIMaj7), Bb (VII), Gm (i), Fm (iv), A (V7/v), Ab (#iv)

Musical Analysis

The progression begins with Cm and Fm, followed by a borrowed dominant C7 chord, which functions as a secondary dominant that temporarily resolves to Fm. The progression then returns to Cm, and continues with Gm and Ab, adding some modal mixture and creating a sense of ambiguity.

The next section features a Cm/Eb chord, followed by a borrowed dominant G7/D, which functions as a secondary dominant resolving to Cm. The music then moves to Eb7, D7, and Dbmaj7, with the D7 functioning as another borrowed secondary dominant resolving to the Dbmaj7. This creates a smooth chromatic movement.

The progression continues with Ab and Fm chords before repeating a similar pattern with Cm/Eb, G7/D, and Cm. The verse ends with another sequence of Eb7, D7, Dbmaj7, and Cm, featuring the same chromatic movement as before.

Overall Analysis

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.

Style Analysis

This chord progression exhibits influences from blues and rock genres. The use of borrowed chords, secondary dominants, and modal mixture is characteristic of blues music, allowing for more emotional expression. The chromatic movement and the inclusion of major seventh chords reflect the more experimental and progressive tendencies of 1970s-era rock music, particularly in bands like Led Zeppelin that often blended blues and rock elements together.

Chords in the Verse 4 section of Since Ive Been Loving You by Led Zeppelin are:

Cm, Fm, Cm, C7, Fm, Cm, Gm, Ab, Fm, Cm/Eb, G7/D, Cm, Eb7, D7, Dbmaj7, Ab, Fm, Cm/Eb, G7/D, Cm, Eb7, D7, Dbmaj7, Cm