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Related Music Theory Alchemy

“Wish You Were Here” by Pink Floyd is an iconic rock ballad from their 1975 album of the same name. The song’s verse chord progression evokes a sense of nostalgia and longing, featuring a combination of major and minor chords, as well as borrowed chords and inversions that create a unique and emotional soundscape.

The chorus of the Pink Floyd song “Breathe” features a mixture of diatonic and non-diatonic chords and creates a dreamy, spaced-out mood. The combination of major and minor seventh chords, as well as dominant 7th chords with altered 9ths, contributes to this atmospheric quality.

“Yesterday” is predominantly composed in the key of F Major. The song is a classic in pop songwriting and showcases the effective use of borrowed chords to capture a unique, nostalgic sound that has made it one of the most covered songs in pop music. Specifically, in this verse, the use of secondary dominants and borrowed chords from the parallel minor key provides the song’s distinctive tonal color.

“Eleanor Rigby” is known for its unusual and innovative use of the Aeolian mode, otherwise known as the natural minor scale, which is reflected in the chord progression Em – C. The song incorporates string arrangements and has a narrative, storytelling style. Unlike most pop and rock songs of the time, it does not contain drums or guitars. The chord utilization is simple with only two chords used throughout, Em and C, but it nevertheless creates a unique and haunting soundscape.

“Give Me The Night” by George Benson features a smooth jazz and funk-influenced style. The chord progression in Verse 3 demonstrates a strong use of extended and altered chords, which create a richer texture and interesting harmonic movement. This particular chord progression is reminiscent of other popular songs from the same period and genre, displaying the influence of jazz harmony on contemporary R&B and pop music.

Pink Floyd – Wish You Were Here – Verse 3

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Chord Progression

C, D/F#, Am/E, G, D/F#, C, Am, G

Chord Progression Analysis

“`
1. C Major (I)
2. D Major with F# in the bass (V/V)
3. A Minor with E in the bass (vi)
4. G Major (V)
5. D Major with F# in the bass (V/V)
6. C Major (I)
7. A Minor (vi)
8. G Major (V)
“`

Similar Chord Progressions

1. The Beatles – “Let It Be” [‘C’, ‘G’, ‘Am’, ‘F’, ‘C’, ‘G’, ‘F’, ‘C’]
“`
1. C Major (I)
2. G Major (V)
3. A Minor (vi)
4. F Major (IV)
5. C Major (I)
6. G Major (V)
7. F Major (IV)
8. C Major (I)
“`

2. Oasis – “Wonderwall” [‘Em’, ‘G’, ‘Dsus4’, ‘A7sus4’, ‘Em’, ‘G’, ‘Dsus4’, ‘A7sus4’]
“`
1. E Minor (ii)
2. G Major (IV)
3. Dsus4 (I with a suspended 4th)
4. A7sus4 (V with a suspended 4th)
5. E Minor (ii)
6. G Major (IV)
7. Dsus4 (I with a suspended 4th)
8. A7sus4 (V with a suspended 4th)
“`

Both song examples share similarities with “Wish You Were Here” in terms of their seamless chord transitions and structure. While they don’t share the exact same progression, the mixture of borrowed chords and diatonic chords give a similar effect for building tension and emotion.

Musical Analysis

The chord progression begins with the C Major (I) which establishes the tonal center. The second chord, D Major with F# in the bass (V/V), functions as a secondary dominant, temporarily placing emphasis on the G Major chord that follows.

The third chord, A Minor with E in the bass (vi), serves as a diatonic pivot chord, connecting to the following G Major (V) whichis a strong resolution. The progression then repeats the sequence of D Major with F# in the bass (V/V) to C Major (I), which adds cohesion and builds tension before resolving back to A Minor (vi) and finally G Major (V), creating a strong conclusion with an authentic cadence.

Overall Analysis

The chord progression from verse 3 of Pink Floyd’s “Wish You Were Here” is in the key of C major and shows a mix of diatonic chords and borrowed chords. The progression creates a sense of smooth journey and has a certain melancholic yet uplifting character.

Style Analysis

Pink Floyd’s “Wish You Were Here” is a classic example of progressive rock, incorporating elements of blues, folk, and psychedelic music. The chord progression demonstrates their preference for smooth chord shifts and modal interchange, which ultimately contribute to the song’s timeless, poignant character.

Chords in the Verse 3 section of Wish You Were Here by Pink Floyd are:

C, D/F#, Am/E, G, D/F#, C, Am, G