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“Since I’ve Been Loving You” is a blues-influenced rock ballad by Led Zeppelin. Its chord progression showcases the band’s eclectic mix of blues, rock, and jazz influences. The progression is characterized by a mix of diatonic and chromatically altered chords, reflecting a sophisticated understanding of harmony and emotional depth that is typical of Led Zeppelin’s music.

The Bridge 1 of “Stairway to Heaven” by Led Zeppelin is a beautiful and intriguing chord progression that combines diatonic chords, borrowed chords, and chromatic passing tones. This progression is part of a longer musical composition which has gained immense popularity since its release in 1971 as part of their fourth album, and has become one of the most iconic songs in rock music history.

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.

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The given chord progression is from the fourth verse of “Megalomania” by Muse. It reflects a mix of classical and rock influences and showcases Muse’s signature harmonic choices, featuring borrowed chords and non-diatonic elements.

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The song “Hallelujah” written by Leonard Cohen and popularly covered by Jeff Buckley is a solemn ballad consisting of poetic lyrics set to a haunting melody. This particular chord progression in Verse 4 highlights the song’s delicate balance between tension and resolution. The tonality revolves around C major, with deviations into other tonal areas, which adds complexity and emotional impact.

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