Search

Related Music Theory Alchemy

“Goodbye Blue Sky” by Pink Floyd is a beautifully haunting piece with a chord progression that demonstrates their innovative use of borrowed chords and modulation to explore various tonal centers. The song is generally in the key of A minor.

The chord progression in “Breathe” by Pink Floyd is relatively simple, mostly alternating between two chords – Em and A7. However, this simplicity is quite effective in creating a relaxed, dreamy feel which is consistent with the overall theme of the song. This is a characteristic feature of Pink Floyd’s music, using simple chords and progressions to create a powerful emotional impact.

“Love of My Life” is a stunning ballad written by Freddie Mercury of Queen. The song is written in the key of A major and is primarily played on piano. It features a sophisticated and somewhat unconventional chord progression that serves as the foundation for Mercury’s versatile vocal performance. It’s arguably one of Queen’s more classical-influenced pieces and makes use of borrowed chord techniques frequently, which are commonly associated with the band’s flirtation with different musical styles, including rock, classical, and opera.

“Today” by The Smashing Pumpkins is in E minor key. The song is from the album Siamese Dream, which most perfectly represents the band’s sound leaning heavily on crunchy guitars and raw power chords. Your requested verse only includes the chord progression ‘Em’, ‘G’, ‘B’ repeated 4 times.

The given chord progression is from the verse of Pink Floyd’s “Breathe,” a song from their 1973 album, “The Dark Side of the Moon.” The progression consists of alternating Em and A7 chords throughout the entire verse. This creates a sense of movement and tension between the chords while also being relatively simple and repetitive. The harmonic back-and-forth between these two chords gives the song a dreamy and immersive quality that is a signature sound of Pink Floyd’s style.

Pink Floyd – Goodbye Blue Sky – Verse 2

Add To Favorites Remove From Favorites

< All Analyses

Chord Progression

D, A7/D, G/D, D, A7/D, G/D, D, D, Am/D

Chord Progression Analysis

D (I) – A7/D (V7/IV) – G/D (IV) – D (I) – A7/D (V7/IV) – G/D (IV) – D (I) – D (I) – Am/D (i/IV)

Similar Chord Progressions

1. The Beatles – “Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds”
Chord progression: A (I) – A7 (V7) – D (IV) – Bb (bIII) – A (I)

2. Radiohead – “Paranoid Android”
Chord progression: Gm (i) – Cm/G (iv) – A7 (V7/V) – D (V) – Gm (i)

In both examples, non-diatonic chords and borrowed chords are used similarly to “Goodbye Blue Sky.” These chord progressions create a sense of tension and release, contributing to their respective atmospheric and emotional soundscapes.

Musical Analysis

The verse progression follows a prevalent pattern in popular music: I-IV-I. The D, G/D, and A7/D chords serve as the primary harmony for this verse in the key of D major. However, there is a notable non-diatonic chord – Am/D. This borrowed chord comes from D minor (the parallel minor) and is used to create an unexpected shift in harmony and add a sense of tension in the music. The pedal tone (the constant D note in the bass) also contributes to the overall sense of stability while allowing the chords above to change their tonality.

Overall Analysis

“Goodbye Blue Sky” is a song by Pink Floyd from their 1979 album “The Wall.” It is a progressive rock piece with acoustic guitar and vocal harmony that creates a haunting and atmospheric sound. The chord progression in Verse 2 demonstrates the use of non-diatonic chords, pedal tones, and borrowed chords, giving it a sense of tension and release. This unique combination of chords contributes to the overall distinctive mood of the song.

Style Analysis

“Goodbye Blue Sky” showcases Pink Floyd’s signature style of progressive rock with elements of folk and psychedelic rock. The use of acoustic guitar and vocal harmony gives a haunting, dream-like atmosphere, which suits the themes of war and destruction in the song lyrics. The utilization of borrowed chords and pedal tones adds to the progressive nature of the music, pushing the boundaries of conventional chord progressions.

Chords in the Verse 2 section of Goodbye Blue Sky by Pink Floyd are:

D, A7/D, G/D, D, A7/D, G/D, D, D, Am/D