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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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“Wonderwall” by Oasis is a rock song with folk roots and a melodic pop influence. It uses the alternative rock idiom of harmony, which bestows the song with a sound leaning towards traditional folk and classic pop. The band utilizes common vintage chords mixed with modern progressions to create that identifiable Oasis sound.

“Goodbye Yellow Brick Road” is a song written by Elton John that features a complex chord progression that effectively complements the haunting and nostalgic quality of the song’s lyrics. The primary key of the song is D major, while parts of the progression borrow from both the parallel minor (D minor) and the relative minor (B minor). The use of these borrowed chords adds harmonic interest and enhances the song’s evocative, wistful mood.

The verse of “Megalomania” by Muse is characterized by distinctive harmonic progressions, dynamic contrasts, and notable melodic lines that are typical of the band’s alternative rock style. Throughout this verse, Muse uses common harmonic devices such as secondary dominants, diatonic and chromatic mediants, borrowed chords from parallel keys, and deceptive cadences to create a sense of tension and forward momentum.

The song “Get You” by Daniel Caesar features a smooth and soulful chord progression that reflects the style of contemporary R&B and neo-soul. The chords provide a sense of warmth and sincerity that complements the song’s intimate lyrics. The progression is primarily diatonic, but with some borrowed chords, which adds an interesting color to the music.

Oasis – Dont Look Back In Anger – Verse 1

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Chord Progression

[‘C’, ‘G’, ‘Am’, ‘E7’, ‘F’, ‘G’, ‘C’, ‘Am’, ‘G’, ‘C’, ‘G’, ‘Am’, ‘E7’, ‘F’, ‘G’, ‘C’, ‘Am’, ‘G’, ‘F’]

Chord Progression Analysis

First Phrase [‘C’, ‘G’, ‘Am’, ‘E7’]
C major (I)
G major (V)
A minor (vi)
E7 (III7)

Second Phrase [‘F’, ‘G’, ‘C’, ‘Am’, ‘G’]
F major (IV)
G major (V)
C major (I)
A minor (vi)
G major (V)

Third Phrase [‘C’, ‘G’, ‘Am’, ‘E7’, ‘F’, ‘G’, ‘C’, ‘Am’, ‘G’, ‘F’]
C major (I)
G major (V)
A minor (vi)
E7 (III7)
F major (IV)
G major (V)
C major (I)
A minor (vi)
G major (V)
F Major (IV)

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C major – G major is a I-V progressions in C major.
A minor – E7 is a vi-III7. E7 is a borrowed chord from the key of A minor
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Similar Chord Progressions

The Beatles’ “Let It Be” also uses the I-V-vi-IV progression:
C major (I)
G major (V)
A minor (vi)
F Major (IV)

Journey’s “Don’t Stop Believin’” employs the I-V-vi-IV progression in its iconic piano part:
E Major (I)
B Major (V)
C# minor (vi)
A Major (IV)

Green Day’s “When I Come Around” observes a I-V-vi-IV progression:
G Major (I)
D Major (V)
E minor (vi)
C major (IV)

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In the above examples, the last chord in each progression is a plain major chord (IV), unlike the III7 chord (E7) used in Oasis’s song.
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Musical Analysis

The first part of this progression (I – V – vi – III7) is a variation of the well-known `I – V – vi – IV` progression, replacing IV with the III7 creating a secondary dominant to the vi chord. This adds tension and interest.

The second part (IV – V – I – vi – V) is a typical pop progression. The added V after the vi provides resolution back to I.

The third part is a recapitulation of the first part, with an extended sequence leading back to IV, delaying the resolution and adding a sense of drama.

Overall Analysis

This iconic Britpop song predominantly features the use of traditional tonal harmony found in pop songs throughout the late 20th century, and the verse specifically recalls the harmonic patterns utilized in the 1950s and 60s. The defining feature of this song (as is the case with many Oasis tunes) is the use of returning, resounding repetitions of simple chord sequences.

Style Analysis

Oasis’s sound was heavily influenced by the British Invasion bands and 1960s pop rock. The use of repeated and cyclical chord progressions, often with modulations, was a common musical device of these genres. In this song, the use of classic chord progressions with an unexpected borrowed chord creates an engaging, anthemic quality that is evocative of the British pop/rock style.

Chords in the Verse 1 section of Dont Look Back In Anger by Oasis are:

[‘C’, ‘G’, ‘Am’, ‘E7’, ‘F’, ‘G’, ‘C’, ‘Am’, ‘G’, ‘C’, ‘G’, ‘Am’, ‘E7’, ‘F’, ‘G’, ‘C’, ‘Am’, ‘G’, ‘F’]