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Related Music Theory Alchemy

“Whole Lotta Love” by Led Zeppelin is a hard rock song that was released in 1969. The song features a famous guitar riff with a simple, blues-influenced chord progression. That guitar riff is based on the D and E chords and can be heard throughout the main part of the song. The verse consists of the same primary chords as the riff, with slight variations in the E chord during the iconic “You need cooling” vocal part. The overall harmonic structure of the song with its repeating chords D and E gives it a strong I-V dynamic while staying in the D Mixolydian mode. Additionally, the guitar riff borrows elements of other blues progressions, creating a distinguished sound.

“Since I’ve Been Loving You” by Led Zeppelin is a slow blues ballad with a rich harmonic palette, featuring expressive guitar solos and a passionate, longing vocal performance. The song is characterized by its use of chromaticism, borrowed chords, and seventh chords, which contribute to its intense, bluesy atmosphere. The chord progression for Verse 2 displays a moody and introspective tone, which serves as the perfect backdrop for the plaintive lyrics and the emotional solos throughout the piece.

The verse 2 chord progression in Tyler, The Creator’s “Earfquake” is a mixture of diatonic and non-diatonic chords. The progression mainly features chords from the Bb Major key, with the D7 acting as a secondary dominant chord (V7/III). The progression has a smooth, jazzy feel that is typical of Tyler’s signature style.

The chord progression in MGMT’s “Congratulations” contains a mix of diatonic and non-diatonic chords, which provide a combination of stability and tension throughout the progression. The harmonic rhythm is slow, and the progression is mostly driven by bass line movement and voice leading. The mixture of borrowed chords, inversions, and suspended chords contributes to the overall unique character of the piece.

The given chord progression is found in Verse 2 of Tyler, The Creator’s song “Are We Still Friends.” The song is in the key of E major, and the progression features a mix of major, minor, and dominant seventh chords. The distinctive chromatic movement and the use of borrowed chords make for a memorable and unique progression. The combination of these elements results in a lush and emotionally charged progression which contributes greatly to the overall feel of the song.

Led Zeppelin – Whole Lotta Love – Verse 2

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Chord Progression

D, E, D, E, D, E, D, E, D, E, D, E, D, E, D, E, D

Chord Progression Analysis

– D5 (‘bVII5)
– E5 (‘I5)

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D5: Borrowed chord from E Dorian
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Similar Chord Progressions

1. “Sunshine Of Your Love” by Cream:
– D5 (‘bVII5)
– E5 (‘I5)

2. “La Grange” by ZZ Top:
– A5 (‘I5)
– G5 (‘bVII5)

3. “Black Dog” by Led Zeppelin:
– A5 (‘I5)
– G5 (‘bVII5)
– D5 (‘IV5)

4. “Sweet Child O’ Mine” by Guns N’ Roses (intro riff):
– D5 (‘bVII5)
– E5 (‘I5)

As shown, several other blues-rock songs feature similar chord progressions, often revolving around power chords and the Mixolydian mode. The usage of the bVII chord, in particular, gives these songs a bluesy and edgy feel.

Musical Analysis

Though simple in structure, the driving rhythm and energy of the riff keep the listeners engaged throughout the song. The use of the power chord (E5) without the third allows for an ambiguous harmonic quality, giving the song its heavy rock sound.

The bVII chord, in this case, the D5, creates a strong pull back to the tonic, E5. It is important to note the use of the borrowed chord D5 from the E Dorian mode, which adds tension and bluesy character in the riff.

Overall Analysis

“Whole Lotta Love” by Led Zeppelin is characterized by its distinctive blues-rock style and its highly memorable, driving riff. The bulk of the song revolves around the E5 (E power) chord, with occasional transitions to the D5 chord at the beginning of each phrase, giving the song a simple yet highly effective chord progression. The song is in the key of E Mixolydian.

Style Analysis

“Whole Lotta Love” is a perfect example of Led Zeppelin’s signature style, combining elements of blues and rock in a way that is both original and definitively Zeppelin. The simple yet effective use of the power chords and the Mixolydian mode, with a touch of the Dorian mode, gives this song its recognizable blues-rock feel.

Chords in the Verse 2 section of Whole Lotta Love by Led Zeppelin are:

D, E, D, E, D, E, D, E, D, E, D, E, D, E, D, E, D