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Related Music Theory Alchemy

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“Don’t Look Back In Anger” uses simple yet effective chord progressions common in pop/rock music. It incorporates both major and minor chords, showing some classic pop sensibilities. The song is situated in the key of C Major. Embedded within this progression are instances of borrowed chords – the E7 for instance, is a secondary dominant, often used to inject a bit of tension and to give strong resolution leading into the next chord.

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“Don’t Look Back in Anger” by Oasis is written in the key of C major. Although it largely conforms to the traditional progressions expected within this key, the song does feature some interesting variations in the form of borrowed chords coming from the parallel minor key (C minor) – a common technique used in pop and rock music.

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“When I Was Your Man” by Bruno Mars is in the key of C major. The song relies heavily on diatonic chords and uses a structure that is common in popular music, especially ballads. It follows conventional diatonic chord progressions and also incorporates non-diatonic chords for added tension and resolution.

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The song “Closer” by Nine Inch Nails is in the key of B major. The primary chords used throughout the song are: B major (I), C# major (II), G major (bVI), E major (IV), F# major (V), and C (bII). The chords progression is unconventional when compared to traditional music theory. This unconventional use of chords and progressions creates a unique and distinct sound that characterizes the song.

Chord Analysis (Pre-Chorus):

The chord progression in the pre-chorus, which is also found in the verse, would be:
B major (I) – C# major (II) – B major (I) – C# major (II) – B major (I) – C# major (II) – B major (I) – C# major (II) – G major (bVI) – B major (I) – C# major (II) – B major (I) – C# major (II) – B major (I) – C# major (II) – B major (I) – C# major (II) – G major (bVI) – B major (I) – C# major (II) – B major (I) – C# major (II) – B major (I) – C# major (II) – B major (I) – C# major (II) – G major (bVI) – B major (I) – C# major (II) – B major (I) – C# major (II) – B major (I) – C# major (II)

Borrowed Chord:

G major (bVI) is a borrowed chord from B minor, the parallel minor of B major in this song.

The song “Dead Flowers” by The Rolling Stones is a classic rock tune that is characterized by its simple yet effective chord progressions. The key of this song is D Major. This song utilizes mostly major chords (D, A, and G), and it has a strong emphasis on the I-IV-V chord progression, a staple in many rock, blues, and pop music.

Oasis – Dont Look Back In Anger – Pre-Chorus

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Chord Progression

[‘F’, ‘Fm6’, ‘C’, ‘F’, ‘Fm6’, ‘C’, ‘F’, ‘Fm6’, ‘C’, ‘G’, ‘E7/G#’, ‘Am’, ‘G’, ‘F’, ‘G’]

Chord Progression Analysis

“`F (IV), Fm6 (iv), C (I),
F (IV), Fm6 (iv), C (I),
F (IV), Fm6 (iv), C (I),
G (V), E7/G# (V/vi), Am (vi),
G (V), F (IV), G (V)“`

The Fm6 is a borrowed chord from the parallel minor, i.e., C minor, adding complexity to this progression.

Similar Chord Progressions

1. “Creep” by Radiohead: G (I), B (III), C (IV), Cm (iv)
2. “While My Guitar Gently Weeps” by The Beatles: Am (i), Am/G (i), Am/F# (i), Am/F (i), Am (i), Am/G (i), D9 (IV), G (♭VII)

Both of these songs use a similar IV-iv-I change. The latter song also uses a borrowed chord from the parallel minor.

Musical Analysis

The pre-chorus plays with a particular melancholic feel by borrowing the Fm6 (iv) from the parallel minor. This change from IV to iv, followed by the I chord, creates a sorrowful, longing effect, which has a strong impact on listeners. The change from G (V), E7/G# (V/vi) to Am (vi) is a standard cadence, but it’s slightly modified by the inclusion of a secondary dominant for Am (E7).

Overall Analysis

“Don’t Look Back in Anger” by Oasis, a popular rock ballad, is characterized by its melancholic chord progressions. Its key is major, specifically C Major, but it involves a frequent use of borrowed chords for a touch of bitterness, matching the poignant lyrics.

Style Analysis

The mixture of major and minor chords and the use of borrowed chords are typical for Oasis’ style and for Britpop/rock in general, lending a melancholic or nostalgic atmosphere to the song. The IV-iv-I move is a common “pop” progression variant seen in many other songs.

Chords in the Pre-chorus section of Dont Look Back In Anger by Oasis are:

[‘F’, ‘Fm6’, ‘C’, ‘F’, ‘Fm6’, ‘C’, ‘F’, ‘Fm6’, ‘C’, ‘G’, ‘E7/G#’, ‘Am’, ‘G’, ‘F’, ‘G’]