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Lizzy McAlpine

“Ceilings” by Lizzy McAlpine, draws its magic from a mix of interesting chord progressions and different rhythms. The use of added notes in several chords (Cadd9, Emadd9) introduces additional color into the mix, creating a rich and thoughtful atmosphere. The tonality of the song is in G Major, despite the liberal use of the Cadd9 in the progression. We’ll use this tonality for the Roman numerals.

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Lizzy McAlpine

The song “Ceilings” by Lizzy McAlpine utilizes fairly simple, yet effective, chord changes that are quite common in popular music. This progression primarily takes place in the key of G major, but borrows chords from the parallel minor scale and adds extensions to the chords to add depth and color.

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The Smashing Pumpkins

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“Landslide” by The Smashing Pumpkins, originally by Fleetwood Mac, is written in the key of G major. The song features simple, but effective, chord progressions that are common in the folk and rock genres. The progression utilizes primary chords in the key (G, D, and C), along with some modal mixture via the borrowing of the minor iv chord (C) and minor vi chord (Am) from the parallel minor key (G minor). The secondary dominant D/F# creates tension and movement towards the Em chord. There is also the use of a G6 chord which adds color to the piece.

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Radiohead

The chord progression for Radiohead’s “All I Need” chorus features a simple and repetitive structure, with a strong emphasis on the tonic (C major) and its relative minor (E minor). The progression then ends with a brief move to the dominant (G major), before returning to the tonic. This accessible sequence reflects the song’s emotional vulnerability and simplicity, while also showcasing the band’s ability to create emotional depth in their music.

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Green Day

“Boulevard of Broken Dreams” by Green Day, released in 2004, is an alt-rock anthem that largely follows a 4-chord progression throughout the song. The key signature of the song is E minor (derived from the root chord), and essentially all chords used in the song are diatonic, meaning they are derived from the scales of the key. The chorus shifts to a progression in C Major. However, it returns to E minor at the end.

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Lizzy McAlpine – Ceilings – Chorus

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Chord Progression

[‘Cadd9’, ‘G’, ‘D’, ‘Cadd9’, ‘G’, ‘D’, ‘Cadd9’, ‘G’, ‘D’, ‘Cadd9’, ‘G’, ‘D’, ‘Emadd9’, ‘D’]

Chord Progression Analysis

“`
Cadd9 (IVadd9)
G (I)
D (V)
Cadd9 (IVadd9)
G (I)
D (V)
Cadd9 (IVadd9)
G (I)
D (V)
Cadd9 (IVadd9)
G (I)
D (V)
Emadd9 (viadd9)
D (V)
“`
Note: In the given progression, all the chords are diatonic to the scale of G major except for the B7. The B7 is a secondary dominant which is borrowed from the key of E minor (which is the relative minor of G major).

Similar Chord Progressions

1. “You’ve Got To Hide Your Love Away” by The Beatles:
“`
G (I)
D (V)
Fadd9 (♭VIIadd9)
G (I)
D (V)
Fadd9 (♭VIIadd9)
G (I)
“`
2. “The Man Who Can’t Be Moved” by The Script:
“`
G (I)
D (V)
Csus2 (IVsus2)
G (I)
D (V)
Csus2 (IVsus2)
Em7 (vi7)
D (V)
“`

These songs share a noteworthy resemblance with “Ceilings”, utilizing a significant use of added and suspended 2nd chords, which create a similar atmospheric vibe and style as that of Lizzy McAlpine.

Musical Analysis

There’s a consistent pattern of movement between the IVadd9-I-V chords (Cadd9, G, D). This back and forth is a common trait in folk-pop genre to reflect a storytelling narrative. The Emadd9 adds a bit of tension, creates some anticipation and smoothly takes us back to the start of the progression. The usage of added9 chords brings a more complex and intriguing texture to the song, enriching the standard major/minor chords.

Overall Analysis

The song “Ceilings” by Lizzy McAlpine is in the key of G Major, employing a mixture of major, minor, and additive chords to create a progression that lends itself to a pop/folk atmosphere. The song is largely composed of diatonic chords in the key of G Major, with an occasional use of a B7, which can be seen as a secondary dominant to Em.

Style Analysis

Lizzy McAlpine’s style in “Ceilings” could comfortably fit into the folk-pop sphere, utilizing relatively simple chord progressions and structures infused with additive chords for intricate melodic and harmonic depth. Her progression navigates perfectly well for her target emotion: a mellowed, introspective mood, that is common in her discography.

Chords in the Chorus section of Ceilings by Lizzy McAlpine are:

[‘Cadd9’, ‘G’, ‘D’, ‘Cadd9’, ‘G’, ‘D’, ‘Cadd9’, ‘G’, ‘D’, ‘Cadd9’, ‘G’, ‘D’, ‘Emadd9’, ‘D’]

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