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Related Music Theory Alchemy

Prince’s “Purple Rain” is a classic power ballad, rooted deeply in pop and rock genres. The chord progressions, with particular emphasis on the one given in Verse 3, underlines Prince’s lyricism and craft, showcasing his unique ability to blend seemingly simple chord progressions to evoke emotional and profound moods. The key of the song is G major.

“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.

The chord progression in “Closer” by Nine Inch Nails is primarily centered around the Cm7 chord throughout the verses and pre-choruses, with the chorus briefly moving to the F major chord before returning back to Cm7. The song is in the key of C minor, and the chords used are mostly diatonic to the key, creating a dark and somewhat haunting atmosphere. The progression is simplistic but effective, establishing a strong sense of forward motion and tension that is fitting for the industrial rock style of the song.

The chord progression in the verse of Tyler, The Creator’s “Earfquake” is primarily based on a simple alternation between two chords, Bbmaj7 and Am7, with a brief excursion to Gm7 before returning to Am7. The simplicity and repetition of the progression creates a feeling of comfort and stability, while the use of major 7th and minor 7th chords adds a touch of sophistication and smoothness. The progression doesn’t follow a traditional functional harmony, but it effectively supports the melody and the overall vibe of the song.

“Since I’ve Been Loving You” by Led Zeppelin is a slow-tempo blues-rock song featuring a sophisticated and expressive chord progression that falls predominantly within the C minor key, standing out from the more traditional blues structures. The chords in the verse display a creative use of borrowed chords and chromaticism, contributing to the song’s moody and emotionally-evocative atmosphere. The progression is less common in rock music, which is what makes it characteristic of Led Zeppelin’s innovative musical explorations.

Prince – Purple Rain – Verse 1

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Chord Progression

[‘G’, ‘Em’, ‘D’, ‘C’, ‘G’, ‘Em’, ‘D’, ‘G’]

Chord Progression Analysis

“`
G (I),
Em (vi),
D (V),
C (IV),
G (I),
Em (vi),
D (V),
G (I),
“`

Similar Chord Progressions

“Lights” by Journey
Chord progression:
“`
E (I),
B/D# (V/7),
C#m (vi),
A (IV),
E (I),
B/D# (V/7),
C#m (vi),
E (I)
“`

“With Or Without You” by U2
Chord progression:
“`
D (I),
A/B (V/7),
Bm (vi),
G (IV),
D (I),
A/B (V/7),
Bm (vi),
D (I)
“`

These songs have similar I-vi-V-IV progressions to “Purple Rain”. One can notice a trend of employing this progression in pop and rock songs, as it provides a reliable backbone that allows room for expressive variation in melody and rhythm.

Musical Analysis

The repetition of (I – vi – V – IV) and (I – vi – V – I) sequences automatically generates a sense of resolution and satisfaction, offering a pleasant “return home” for the ears. The D (V) chord drives home the resolution to the G (I) chord and the C (IV) introduces a slight variation before diving back into the cyclical progression.

This specific sequence sets a bittersweet atmosphere with the strategic use of minor chord (Em) against a major key backdrop (G major), creating tension and release within the chordal movement.

Overall Analysis

The song “Purple Rain” by Prince is a classic and showcases some interesting use of chord progressions. The key of the song is G major. The classic, popular music formula is present in the use of common chords like I, ii, IV, V which are all diatonic within the key. Noticeably, this song opts for a more simplistic, cyclical chord progression structure that emphasizes repetition of strong melodic lines.

Style Analysis

Prince takes fundamental methods from both rock and funk genres and melds them into a singular, distinctive style. His use of the I – vi – V – IV progression comes from the tradition of rock and pop music. Also typical for the pop and rock genres is the 4/4 time signature and the repetitive nature of the chord progression.

However, despite the fundamental structure, “Purple Rain,” also moves away from the typical pop song mold with its numerous guitar solos, dramatic synthesizers, string and choir arrangements – all contributing to the epic feel of the piece. The slightly unconventional arrangement lends the song a unique, enduring appeal, and served as his signature.

Chords in the Verse 1 section of Purple Rain by Prince are:

[‘G’, ‘Em’, ‘D’, ‘C’, ‘G’, ‘Em’, ‘D’, ‘G’]