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“Stairway to Heaven” is a progressive rock song by Led Zeppelin, released in 1971. The song showcases a movement between different styles and musical settings, as it starts with a gentle, fingerpicked acoustic section and gradually evolves into a powerful and climactic electric guitar solo, finishing with a full-band finale. The song is characterized by its ascending progression and intricate chord changes, which contribute to its unique and haunting atmosphere. The verse 1 chord progression features a blend of diatonic and chromatic elements, borrowed chords, and inversions, which create a sense of tension and resolution throughout the progression.

The outro of “Kashmir” by Led Zeppelin features a simple alternating chord progression between G major and A major, which creates tension by avoiding a resolution to the tonic or dominant chords. This makes the progression sound unstable, yet well defined as it repeats. The recurring ascending motion creates a sense of lift throughout the outro, while the lack of a true resolution maintains a feeling of unease. This progression is notable for its simplicity, as well as how it invokes a modal sound that is characteristic of the mixolydian mode often used in rock music.

“Today” by The Smashing Pumpkins is in E minor key. The song is from the album Siamese Dream, which most perfectly represents the band’s sound leaning heavily on crunchy guitars and raw power chords. Your requested verse only includes the chord progression ‘Em’, ‘G’, ‘B’ repeated 4 times.

“California Kids” by Weezer is a pop rock song with influences from alternative and power pop. The chord progression in Verse 2 shows a blend of diatonic and borrowed chords, which contributes to a slight sense of tension and resolution throughout the progression. The chords in the verse also exhibit movement by step (C to C/B) and a mixture of major and minor tonalities.

The chord progression in Verse 2 of Kali Uchis’s “After The Storm” is a mix of diatonic and chromatic chords that create an interesting neo-soul groove. The harmony is primarily based on G# minor, featuring the G#m7 and A#m7 as primary chords, and the D#aug chord adds tension and release within the progression. Additionally, the use of the D#aug chord acts as a chromatic mediant between G#m7 and A#m7.

Led Zeppelin – Stairway To Heaven – Verse 2

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Chord Progression

C, D, Fmaj7, Am, C, D, Fmaj7, Am, Ammaj9, Am, D/F#, Fmaj7, G, Am

Chord Progression Analysis

“`
C (bIII) – D (IV) – Fmaj7 (bVI maj7) – Am (i) – C (bIII) – D (IV) – Fmaj7 (bVI maj7) – Am (i) – Ammaj9 (iMaj9) – Am (i) – D/F# (IV/VI) – Fmaj7 (bVI maj7) – G (VII) – Am (i)
“`

Similar Chord Progressions

1. “Hotel California” by The Eagles
“`
Bm (i) – F#7 (V7) – A (bVII) – E (IV) – G (bIII) – D (II) – Em (iii) – F#7 (V7)
“`
2. “Time of Your Life (Good Riddance)” by Green Day
“`
G (I) – C (IV) – D (V) – Em (vi) – G (I) – C (IV) – D (V)
“`

Both of these songs feature borrowed chords and chromatic alterations that create unique and memorable harmonic landscapes, similar to “Stairway to Heaven.”

Musical Analysis

This chord progression in A minor starts with a borrowed chord from the parallel major key, A major, C major (bIII). The progression then moves to D major (IV) and Fmaj7 (bVI maj7), both of which are also borrowed chords from the parallel major key, providing a sense of modal interchange. After that, it resolves to the tonic chord, Am (i). The pattern repeats itself once more before introducing Ammaj9 (iMaj9), a chromatic alteration adding a touch of tension and unexpected color to the progression.

The song then returns to Am (i) and moves to the D/F# chord (IV/VI), where F# is borrowed from A dorian mode. After that, it proceeds to Fmaj7 (bVI maj7) and finally reaches G major (VII), which leads back to the tonic chord, Am (i), for the next verse or section.

Overall Analysis

“Stairway to Heaven” by Led Zeppelin is a classic and iconic rock song released in 1971, as part of their fourth studio album, Led Zeppelin IV. The song is considered one of the greatest rock songs of all time, featuring an intricate chord progression, a memorable melody, and folk-inspired acoustic guitar work. The verse you provided is the second verse of the song, which shares a similar, but not identical chord progression to the other verses. The song is in the key of A minor, and the chord progression showcases a mix of diatonic and borrowed chords, along with a couple of chromatic alterations.

Style Analysis

This chord progression exhibits a unique combination of folk, rock, and classical music elements. The use of borrowed chords and chromatic alterations in these verses shows the influence of classical music on Led Zeppelin’s songwriting, while the acoustic guitar arpeggios have a strong folk music feel. The overall rock sound of “Stairway to Heaven” comes from its arrangement and production, with the song building up to an electrifying guitar solo and climax.

Chords in the Verse 2 section of Stairway To Heaven by Led Zeppelin are:

C, D, Fmaj7, Am, C, D, Fmaj7, Am, Ammaj9, Am, D/F#, Fmaj7, G, Am