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Related Music Theory Alchemy

“Good Old Fashioned Lover Boy” by Queen from the album “A Night at the Opera” is essentially written in the key of C major. The song includes an intricate and quite peculiar chord progression full of chromatic and borrowed chords, highly characteristic of Queen’s eccentric and unique style of songwriting. In particular, Freddie Mercury, the primary songwriter, often incorporated complex harmonic structures from classical music into their rock/pop context.

The complexity and richness of the harmonics is among the aspects that make Queen’s songs stand out and, in this specific track, it contributes to the song’s upbeat yet nostalgic feel.

“Bohemian Rhapsody” is a multi-genre masterpiece that incorporates elements of ballad, opera, and hard rock, showcasing Queen’s versatility and musical potential. The song is mainly in the key of Bb major, but it aggressively utilizes modulations, chromaticism, borrowed chords, and modally mixed chords. The given chord progression is from the verse that follows the opera section, here Queen offers an unusual, nuanced chord progression that complements the surrounding sections.

The chorus of “California Kids” by Weezer features an interesting mix of primarily diatonic chords, with some borrowed chords and chromaticism. The chord progression has a pop-rock feel, with uplifting major and minor chords, and the use of the E major chords adds tension and intrigue.

“Fake Plastic Trees” by Radiohead is in the key of A major and features an alternative rock style with a strong emphasis on the melody and a hauntingly beautiful vocal progression. The song contains a unique mix of simple and complex chords that give it a sense of tension and unease.

“Time To Pretend” by MGMT features a non-conventional and interesting chord progression. The progression can be primarily analyzed in the key of D Major with a brief modulation to the relative minor (F#m). The chords are not sophisticated in terms of extensions, but the arrangement and harmonic movement provide a unique and memorable melody. This chorus is an example of diatonic and modal mixture, using chords not only from the primary key but also borrowing chords from other modes.

Queen – Good Old Fashioned Lover Boy – Chorus 1

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Chord Progression

[‘C’, ‘G7/B’, ‘Am’, ‘Em’, ‘F’, ‘C’, ‘G7/B’, ‘Am’, ‘E7/G#’, ‘Am’, ‘Em’, ‘Am’, ‘Em’, ‘Dm7’, ‘Fm’, ‘G7’, ‘C’]

Chord Progression Analysis

Here is the analysis of the Chorus 1 progression:

“`
C (‘I’),
G7/B (‘V7/III’),
Am (‘vi’),
Em (‘iii’),
F (‘IV’),
C (‘I’),
G7/B (‘V7/III’),
Am (‘vi’),
E7/G# (‘V7/vi’),
Am (‘vi’),
Em (‘iii’),
Am (‘vi’),
Em (‘iii’),
Dm7 (‘ii7’),
Fm (‘iv in minor mode’),
G7 (‘V7’),
C (‘I’)
“`

The Fm is a borrowed chord from the parallel minor.

Similar Chord Progressions

The Beatles song “Penny Lane” has a similar usage of borrowed chords and secondary dominants. Below is the chord progression of its chorus:

“`
B (‘I’),
F#/A# (‘V/III’),
D#m (‘vi’),
C#m (‘v’),
F# (‘V’),
B (‘I’),
F#/A# (‘V/III’)
D#m (‘vi’),
B/D# (‘I/vi’),
D#m (‘vi’),
C#m (‘v’),
F#7 (‘V7’),
B (‘I’)
“`

The F#7 is a dominant 7th chord guiding back to the tonal center, similar to the G7 in “Good Old Fashioned Lover Boy”. It also contains borrowed chords and uses secondary dominants in the progression.

Musical Analysis

From a melodic and harmonic perspective, the song uses a combination of simple triadic tonal harmony and complex borrowed and extended chords. The use of these borrowed chords, like F minor, adds dramatic tension and release in key parts of the song. The G7/B functions as a secondary dominant, further pushing the song toward the Am (sixth degree) and adding harmonic interest. The E7/G# also is a secondary dominant leading to the Am, adding another level of tension and release.

Overall Analysis

“Good Old Fashioned Lover Boy” by Queen exhibits rich harmonic complexity that falls within the signature rock style of the band. This is evident in the fluctuation between major and minor chord quality, frequent use of 7th chords as well as borrowed chords from the parallel minor. The progression moves fluidly between the tonics, subdominants, and dominants, with a strong cadential movement towards the end that resolves the tension built upon earlier in the piece.

Style Analysis

The song is characterized by Queen’s signature theatrical style, borrowing elements from a variety of genres including pop, rock and vaudeville music. It features lush harmonies, flamboyant melodies and dramatic mood shifts. The harmonic sophistication, including the use of borrowed chords and secondary dominants, is a key aspect of the Queen sound. The frequent chord changes and unexpected harmonic leaps are typical of the band’s flair for dramatic and unusual arrangements.

Chords in the Chorus 1 section of Good Old Fashioned Lover Boy by Queen are:

[‘C’, ‘G7/B’, ‘Am’, ‘Em’, ‘F’, ‘C’, ‘G7/B’, ‘Am’, ‘E7/G#’, ‘Am’, ‘Em’, ‘Am’, ‘Em’, ‘Dm7’, ‘Fm’, ‘G7’, ‘C’]