Search

Related Music Theory Alchemy

“Kiss” by Prince is a well-loved song known for its catchy tune and funky, upbeat style. The song is composed in the key of A major. However, it lacks typical diatonic major harmonies because Prince used power chords (fifth chords) instead of full major or minor chords. The progression is largely built around the ‘A5’ and ‘D5’ power chords, with the occasional ‘E5’ and ‘E9sus4’ worked in to add some variation.

“Sometimes It Snows In April” is a song by Prince in the pop style. It’s characterized by its use of extended and added note chords, as seen in the chord progression for Verse 3. This advanced harmonic content gives the song a distinct, rich, and complex musical texture, typical of Prince’s style.

The chord progression of “I Want To Hold Your Hand” by The Beatles is particularly interesting for its use of key changes and borrowed chords. It reflects both the catchy driving pop rock melody signature of early Beatles and the sophistication of harmonic innovation, which defines their later work.

“As Tears Go By” by The Rolling Stones is a popular song from the mid-60s that features a mix of major and minor chords along with modulations between closely related keys. The overall harmonic structure shares similarities with other rock and pop songs of that era, including The Beatles and Bob Dylan.

Base Key and

“All My Loving” by The Beatles is a mid-tempo pop song written in the key of E minor for the verse and D Major for the bridge and outro, featuring a distinct, upbeat walking bassline. The grey, almost mournful verses, along with the brighter, major-toned bridges and chorus, create a juxtaposition of feelings within the piece. The bridge also highlights The Beatles’ use of secondary dominants and chromaticism. Concluding in the tonic key of D Major, the song has an interesting interplay between Em and D Major throughout, which could be perceived as a Em: i, VI, III, II and D: vi, V7, I, vi, IV, ii, I progression.

Prince – Kiss – Verse 2

Add To Favorites Remove From Favorites

< All Analyses

Chord Progression

[‘A5’, ‘D5’, ‘A5’]

Chord Progression Analysis

– A5 (I)
– D5 (IV)
– A5 (I)

`borrowed chords: None in this progression`

Similar Chord Progressions

– “You Really Got Me” by The Kinks is another famous song employing a similar I-IV-I progression, albeit in a different key. The chords are G5 (I) – C5 (IV) – G5 (I).

– “Smells like Teen Spirit” by Nirvana also follows a similar chord progression, adding a VI as well. The chords are F5 (I) – Bb5 (IV) – Ab5 (bVI) – Db5 (bII). These ‘borrowed’ chords (bVI, bII) are from the parallel minor, and they help create a sense of tension and edginess.

Musical Analysis

The verse of “Kiss” is quite streamlined and its simplicity is a primary factor in the song’s overall catchiness. It employs a simple I-IV-I progression, reminiscent of early rock and roll and blues. The use of power chords (neither major nor minor, just root and fifth) also adds to the song’s rock style, giving it an aggressive but neutral tone. There is thus an enticing vagueness to the harmony.

Overall Analysis

“Kiss” by Prince is a classic example showcasing Prince’s unique and complex songwriting abilities. The song is written in the key of A major. The distinctive funk rock style is primarily expressed via dominant and suspended chords. This combined with Prince’s rhythmically tight and syncopated guitar playing gives the song its infectious groove.

Style Analysis

“Kiss” by Prince represents the Minnesotan artist’s move towards a more stripped down yet rhythmically complex pop sound, deviating from his earlier works which had a thick layered synth pop style. The chord progression used is rooted in the rock and roll tradition with an inclusion of his funk stylings. It’s a nod to the rock and roll pioneers but with a modern 80’s touch. Prince’s vocals also play around with falsetto adding an extra layer of contrast to the aggressive guitar work.

Chords in the Verse 2 section of Kiss by Prince are:

[‘A5’, ‘D5’, ‘A5’]