Queens of the Stone Age – Little Sister – Chorus
Little Sister < All Analyses
Chord Progression
[‘F#sus4’, ‘E’, ‘G#sus4’, ‘F#sus4’, ‘F#sus4’, ‘E’, ‘G#sus4’, ‘F#sus4’, ‘F#sus4’, ‘E’, ‘G#sus4’, ‘F#sus4’, ‘F#sus4’, ‘E’, ‘G#sus4’]
Chord Progression Analysis
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The progression for the chorus in question can be translated to the following full chord names and Roman numerals (assuming an overall key of F# minor):
– F#sus4 (‘IVsus4)
– E (‘III)
– G#sus4 (‘VIsus4)
– F#sus4 (‘IVsus4)
– F#sus4 (‘IVsus4)
– E (‘III)
– G#sus4 (‘VIsus4)
– F#sus4 (‘IVsus4)
– F#sus4 (‘IVsus4)
– E (‘III)
– G#sus4 (‘VIsus4)
– F#sus4 (‘IVsus4)
– F#sus4 (‘IVsus4)
– E (‘III)
– G#sus4 (‘VIsus4)
Please note, F# minor and F# Major use the same roman numerals due to their relative relationship.
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Similar Chord Progressions
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One artist that comes to mind is Foo Fighters, whose song “Times Like These” features similar chord usage, particularly with sus4 chords:
– Dsus4 (‘Isus4)
– Cadd9 (‘bVIIadd9)
– Gsus4 (‘IVsus4)
– Em7 (‘IIm7)
Also, Pearl Jam’s “Alive” uses a similar pattern of suspended, major, and power chords:
– A (‘V)
– Asus4 (‘Vsus4)
– G (‘bVII)
– D (‘IV)
Keep in mind, these are not the exact chords, but the progression and usage of chords bear some similarities.
Musical Analysis
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The chord progression primarily uses suspended fourth chords (sus4), which add a suspended fourth above the root note of the chord. This provides a sense of tension or suspension which is then typically resolved by the following chord.
The progression also uses the E Major chord, which is unusual in the key of F# minor, indicating a borrowed chord from the parallel major key. This is a common technique to add color and contrast in a chord progression.
Also noteworthy is the lack of use of the dominant (C#), which contributes to the open-ended, floating feel of the song, a characteristic feature of many rock and pop songs.
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Overall Analysis
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“Little Sister” by Queens of the Stone Age is based in the rock genre, featuring a simple melody with strong rhythmic components, built on a mix of power, suspended and major chords. The use of the C#5 and G#5/D# chords in the verses and the F#sus4-E-G#sus4 repetition in the chorus indicate an overall key signature of F# minor.
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Style Analysis
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The band’s use of power chords (like C#5 and G#5/D#), and sus4 chords (like F#sus4) adheres to their general style as rock musicians and the genre’s overall tendencies. These types of chords offer a “heavier” and more ambiguous sound, often preferred in rock music.
The repetitive sequence of the three chords, F#sus4, E, and G#sus4, also are characteristic of pop and rock music, in which simplicity and repetition aid in creating a catchy, memorable tune.
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What are the chords in: Queens of the Stone Age – Little Sister – Chorus?
[‘F#sus4’, ‘E’, ‘G#sus4’, ‘F#sus4’, ‘F#sus4’, ‘E’, ‘G#sus4’, ‘F#sus4’, ‘F#sus4’, ‘E’, ‘G#sus4’, ‘F#sus4’, ‘F#sus4’, ‘E’, ‘G#sus4’]
