Queens of the Stone Age – I Sat By The Ocean – Pre-Chorus
I Sat By The Ocean < All Analyses
Chord Progression
[‘E’, ‘F#’, ‘G#7’]
Chord Progression Analysis
The chords in the pre-chorus are E major, F# minor, and G# dominant 7th. In the key of E major, these chords are represented as follows:
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E Major (‘I’)
F# minor (‘ii’)
G#7 (‘III7’)
“`
Here, G#7 is a borrowed chord, as the diatonic chord on the third degree in the key of E Major is normally minor, and not a dominant 7th.
Similar Chord Progressions
One song with a similar chord progression is “Creep” by Radiohead. It uses a I-III-IV-IV progression in the key of G major, represented as follows:
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G Major (‘I’)
B Major (‘III’)
C Major (‘IV’)
C Major (‘IV’)
“`
Like “I Sat By The Ocean,” “Creep” also uses a major chord where a minor chord would be expected (the B Major), creating a similar sense of surprise and tension.
Musical Analysis
In a musical sense, this progression provides an interesting twist. The E major to F# minor transition is a common move from the tonic to the supertonic. However, transitioning from F# minor to G#7 is less common, especially in the context of a IV-V-I progression, which would be a typical expectation. This deviation creates surprise and tension, which helps maintain listener interest.
Overall Analysis
“I Sat By The Ocean” by Queens of the Stone Age is in the key of E major and utilizes a mix of diatonic chords (i.e., chords native to the key of E major) and borrowed chords (i.e., chords borrowed from parallel or related keys).
Pre-Chorus
Style Analysis
As a part of the stoner rock genre, Queens of the Stone Age often use unexpected chord progressions, odd time signatures, and unique tonal colors to create their distinctive sound. This chorus progression, with its borrowed chord, fits into this unconventional approach. The F# minor to G#7 creates a sense of “rising tension,” which is common in rock music, but done in a unique, unexpected way.
What are the chords in: Queens of the Stone Age – I Sat By The Ocean – Pre-Chorus?
[‘E’, ‘F#’, ‘G#7’]
