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Related Music Theory Alchemy

“A Star Is Born – Shallow” by Misc Soundtrack uses common chords found in pop music and combines them in a fresh way. The progression makes use of diatonic chords and even includes a borrowed chord from the parallel minor key. It showcases a feasible balance of tension and resolution, often transitioning through a variety of chord inversions to add color and depth to the harmonies. The song moves around the circle of fifths, which allows for smooth transitions between keys.

The song “A Star Is Born – Shallow” is written in the key of G Major, giving it a bright, uplifting tonality. This is a common key in pop and rock music for its simplicity and ease of play for guitarists and vocalists alike. The repetitive chord progression consistently lands on familiar territory for listeners, contributing to the song’s catchiness.

Kali Uchis’ “Telepatia” features a relatively simple two-chord progression in the outro, consisting of a major seventh chord followed by a dominant seventh chord. The harmonic texture is sparse yet effective, with a unique, ethereal atmosphere created by the interplay between the two chords.

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The song, ‘Across the Universe’ by The Beatles is uniquely complex in its melody and chord progression. The song modulates or shifts key but is rooted mainly in D major. The song utilizes the standard rock/pop song structure of Verse, Chorus, and Outro. The unusual facet of this song’s composition is the use of borrowed chords (non-diatonic chords) that add unexpected twists to an otherwise typical chord progression.

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“When Doves Cry” by Prince features an unorthodox chord progression compared to many pop or rock songs from the era. The chord progression in the Outro as well as throughout the song remains constant, which underscores the plaintive mood of the song and lyrics. The progression: Em – F – G in the Outro contains borrowed chords from the parallel minor. This introduces a sense of ambiguity to the overall tonality.

Misc Soundtrack – A Star Is Born – Shallow – Outro

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Chord Progression

[‘Am’, ‘D’, ‘G’, ‘D’, ‘Em’, ‘Am’, ‘D’, ‘G’, ‘D’, ‘Em’, ‘Em’]

Chord Progression Analysis

The provided outro chord progression in the key of G Major would translate to the following chords and roman numerals:
“`
Am (ii), D (V), G (I), D (V), Em (vi), Am (ii), D (V), G (I), D (V), Em (vi), Em (vi)
“`

Similar Chord Progressions

The I-V-vi-IV progression is incredibly common in popular music. Here are few examples:
– “Let It Be” by The Beatles: C (I), G (V), Am (vi), F (IV)
– “No Woman, No Cry” by Bob Marley: C (I), G (V), Am (vi), F (IV)
– “Someone like You” by Adele: A (I), E (V), F#m (vi), D (IV)

The vi-ii-V-I progression, not as common as the I-V-vi-IV, can still be found in songs like:
– “Suzanne” by Leonard Cohen uses a similar progression in the key of E minor: Em (i), Am (iv), B7 (V7), Em (i)

Also, the use of a borrowed chord like Bm in the key of G major occurs in songs like:
– “Someone You Loved” by Lewis Capaldi, where he uses a borrowed chord Bm in the key of C# minor.

Musical Analysis

Am, D, and G form a standard ii-V-I progression in the key of G Major. The song teeters between G major and it’s relative minor, Em, which gives it its emotionally charged and melancholic feel.

Overall Analysis

“A Star is Born – Shallow” is primarily in the key of G major and has a fairly simple and straightforward chord progression with an intriguing twist toward the end. The song features a common I-V-vi-IV chord progression with an occasional ii-chord (Am) substituting for the vi-chord (Em). Then, it introducess a borrowed chord (Bm) which creates an interesting, unexpected color in the harmony.

Style Analysis

The style of this cinematic song embraces its pop roots with a simple, repetitious chord progression, which is characteristic of many modern pop songs. However, it also employs a touch of complexity and unexpectedness with the borrowed Bm chord, reminiscent of folk or blues.

Chords in the Outro section of A Star Is Born – Shallow by Misc Soundtrack are:

[‘Am’, ‘D’, ‘G’, ‘D’, ‘Em’, ‘Am’, ‘D’, ‘G’, ‘D’, ‘Em’, ‘Em’]