Prince – Kiss – Verse 3
Kiss < All Analyses
Chord Progression
[‘A5’, ‘D5’, ‘A5’]
Chord Progression Analysis
• A5 (I)
• D5 (IV)
• A5 (I)
Note: There are no borrowed chords in this progression.
Similar Chord Progressions
1. “Rock You Like a Hurricane” by Scorpions: [‘E5’, ‘A5’, ‘E5’, ‘B5’]. Similar to “Kiss,” this song by Scorpions uses power chords and a similar I – IV – I progression, just in a different key.
2. “Highway to Hell” by AC/DC: [‘A5’, ‘D5’, ‘G5’, ‘D5’, ‘A5’]. While this song includes an additional chord (G5), its driving power chord riff and back-and-forth progression is reminiscent of the energy in Prince’s “Kiss.
Musical Analysis
In keys, A5 corresponds to a power chord built on the root note A, D5 corresponds to a power chord built on the root note D. This progression, I – IV – I, is a classic move in rock music, with the movement between the I and the IV chords providing a sense of tension and release. In this track, Prince uses very simplistic rhythm guitar strumming, which allows for the vocal melody to stand out. However, its driving rhythm and simplicity work amazingly well to support the flashy and vibrant components of the track such as Prince’s falsetto singing and the funky bassline.
Overall Analysis
“Kiss” by Prince is primarily a rock song that features pop elements. The song utilizes power chords which are common in rock music, having a stripped-down chord structure that highlights the root and the fifth notes of the chord. The defined chord progression listed for Verse 3 is: [‘A5’, ‘D5’, ‘A5’]. This progression lacks the richness of Major or Minor chords but provides a solid, driving rhythm backbone to the song, prioritizing rhythmic energy over harmonic complexity.
Style Analysis
With its stripped-down and bare power chords, the track clearly takes inspiration from rock while incorporating elements of funk and pop. Prince is known for his minimalist approach to songwriting and “Kiss” is no exception. The use of power chords is a technique borrowed from hard rock and punk genres, that Prince manages to incorporate into his unique funky/pop style, creating a memorable and catchy tune.
What are the chords in: Prince – Kiss – Verse 3?
[‘A5’, ‘D5’, ‘A5’]
