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“Save Me” by Queen is in the key of G Major and it features a number of modulations to closely related keys. It resonates a distinct rock ballad style incorporating unique variations of common chord progressions from rock and pop genres. The progression’s utilization of inverted chords also brings depth and character to the melody.

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The key of the song “Good Old Fashioned Lover Boy” by Queen is primarily in C Major. The song employs both diatonic chords (chords that naturally occur within the major scale key) and borrowed chords (chords from a parallel mode). There is a bit of modal mixture where the song borrows from an outside key, specifically the minor key, which is often used in pop music to add color and tension. You can see this in the use of some of the chords here like Fm and Eb7. The piece also utilizes secondary dominant chords and diminished chords. In the bridge, there is modulation to different keys, namely to Fm, which is a parallel minor of F, includes Eb7 (secondary dominant) and Ab (borrowed chord), and goes through sequence of V-I pattern (G7-C).

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‘Set Fire to the Rain’ is written in the key of D minor. The main course of progression uses the chords of Dm, B-flat Major, F Major and C Major. This is a 6-4-1-5 progression, which is very popular and is used in a lot of pop music.

What makes this progression interesting is that Adele uses the 2nd inversion of the A minor chord, Am/B, and G/A, which gives it a unique timbre. `Am/B` is the 2nd inversion of the `Am` chord and `G/A` is the 2nd inversion of the `G` chord.

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The chorus of Weezer’s song “Say It Ain’t So” can be analyzed as a simple and memorable chord progression in the key of C major. The progression features a repeating pattern of four chords: Am, E, F, and C.

The chorus of Muse’s “Hysteria” displays a mix of chords from the key of C Major and borrowed chords from the parallel minor key (C minor). The chord progression uses a combination of functional harmony mixed with chromatic elements, embodying characteristics of both rock and classical genres.

Queen – Save Me – Chorus

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Chord Progression

[‘D’, ‘A/C#’, ‘G/B’, ‘D’, ‘D’, ‘E’, ‘A’, ‘D’, ‘G’, ‘D’, ‘A/C#’, ‘D/C’, ‘G/B’, ‘D’, ‘C’, ‘G’, ‘D’]

Chord Progression Analysis

D Major (‘I’), A Major/C# (‘V6’), G Major/B (‘IV6’), D Major (‘I’), D Major (‘I’), E Major (‘II’), A Major (‘V’), D Major (‘I’), G Major (‘IV’), D Major (‘I’), A Major/C# (‘V6’), D Major/C (‘I7’), G Major/B (‘IV6’), D Major (‘I’), C Major (‘bVII’), G Major (‘IV’), D Major (‘I’)

The borrowed or non-diatonic chord in this progression is C Major (‘bVII’), which is borrowed from the parallel minor key (D minor).

Similar Chord Progressions

1. “Let It Be” by The Beatles:
C major (‘I’), G major (‘V’), A minor (‘vi’), F major (‘IV’), C major (‘I’), G major (‘V’), F major (‘IV’), C major (‘I’)

2. “Space Oddity” by David Bowie:
C Major (‘I’), Em (‘iii’), F Major (‘IV’), F Minor (‘iv’), C Major (‘I’)

Noticeably, these examples do not carry the same level of harmonic complexity as “Save Me”, but they do feature the IV-I oscillation witnessed in the Queen track. The use of the ‘iv’ chord in “Space Oddity” as a borrowed chord is a common technique in pop and rock music and mirrors the technique employed by Queen in “Save Me”.

Musical Analysis

The chorus primarily oscillates between I (D Major) and IV (G Major), creating a sense of tension and release throughout. The introduction of the II (E Major) and bVII (C Major) gives the progression a distinctive flavor, contributing to the longing and yearning reflected in the song’s mood. The use of first inversion chords (A/C#, G/B) adds interest and provides smooth transitional harmonies. The ‘I7’ (D Major/C) in the middle of the progression serves as a secondary dominant directive towards the IV (G Major).

Overall Analysis

“Save Me” by Queen is a rock ballad that uses a complex mix of traditional popular song structures and common rock chord progressions. The song structure is largely verse-chorus, but then there’s a bridge serving as the solo section, and finally ends with repeating choruses. The chord progression for the chorus utilizes a variety of chord inversions, diatonic chords, and non-diatonic or borrowed chords, which are typical of Queen’s music style.

Style Analysis

“Save Me” is a classic example of Queen’s sophisticated approach to songwriting and harmonization. The use of borrowed chords not only adds an unconventional twist to the chord progression, but it also heightens the song’s emotive power. The moving bass lines and chord inversions also add depth and texture, reflecting Queen’s often complex and grandiose music style.

Chords in the Chorus section of Save Me by Queen are:

[‘D’, ‘A/C#’, ‘G/B’, ‘D’, ‘D’, ‘E’, ‘A’, ‘D’, ‘G’, ‘D’, ‘A/C#’, ‘D/C’, ‘G/B’, ‘D’, ‘C’, ‘G’, ‘D’]