Prince – Purple Rain – Verse 3
Purple Rain < All Analyses
Chord Progression
[‘G’, ‘Em’, ‘D’, ‘C’, ‘G’, ‘Em’, ‘D’, ‘G’]
Chord Progression Analysis
Given the key of the song, the chord progression for Verse 3 is the following:
G Major (‘I’),
E minor (‘vi’),
D Major (‘V’),
C Major (‘IV’),
G Major (‘I’),
E minor (‘vi’),
D Major (‘V’),
G Major (‘I’).
There is no borrowed chord in this progression.
Similar Chord Progressions
1. The Beatles – “Let It Be”
[‘C’, ‘G’, ‘Am’, ‘F’, ‘C’, ‘G’, ‘F’, ‘C’]
(This can be transposed to the G Major scale as [‘G’, ‘D’, ‘Em’, ‘C’, ‘G’, ‘D’, ‘C’, ‘G’]):
G Major (‘I’),
D Major (‘V’),
E minor (‘vi’),
C Major (‘IV’),
G Major (‘I’),
D Major (‘V’),
C Major (‘IV’),
G Major (‘I’).
2. Green Day’s “When I Come Around”
[‘G’, ‘D’, ‘Em’, ‘C’]
G Major (‘I’),
D Major (‘V’),
E minor (‘vi’),
C Major (‘IV’).
Please note that while these are similar, they provide different emotional effects due to the ordering and repetition of the chords.
Musical Analysis
The chosen progression of Prince for the verse 3 provides a strong sense of movement yet a familiar and comforting feeling to the listeners. The I-vi-V-IV is one of the most common chord progressions in pop music, often associated with a nostalgic or plaintive mood.
The return to the I chord (G Major) several times within the progression creates a home base for the song, reassuring the listener even as the music explores different emotional territories with the minor vi chord (E minor) and major IV and V chords (C and D Major).
Overall Analysis
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.
Style Analysis
The chosen chord sequence of Prince for “Purple Rain” reflects basic tropes of pop and rock, where four-chord progressions reign supreme. The progression has a melancholic, almost nostalgic feeling, fitting perfectly with the theme of lost love in the song. The poignant lyrics combined with the chord progression create a deep emotional experience for the listener.
What are the chords in: Prince – Purple Rain – Verse 3?
[‘G’, ‘Em’, ‘D’, ‘C’, ‘G’, ‘Em’, ‘D’, ‘G’]
