Music Theory Alchemy

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This chord progression is from the song, “Good Old-Fashioned Lover Boy” by Queen, which is known for its complex and intricate progressions. The song is set in the key of C major, and it features a mixture of triadic major and minor chords, dominant sevenths and the common use of borrowed and secondary dominant chords to create tension. This creates a lot of harmonic interest.

“Someone to Love” by Queen is a rock song infused with gospel and blues influences. It’s written in the key of Ab major but the second verse you have provided seems to be in G major.

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.

“Strawberry Fields Forever” by The Beatles is an iconic psychedelic rock track marked with rich harmonies and sophisticated musical elements. The song is primarily constructed around the key of A, but it employs several modal mixtures and non-diatonic chords, contributing to its intriguing tonality.

“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.

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’]