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Related Music Theory Alchemy

The chord progression for “The Sound Of Silence” by Simon & Garfunkel is in the key of A minor. It makes use of both diatonic and borrowed chords. The song reflects a folk and folk rock style, with its roots in the 1960s. The melody and harmony are interwoven to form an integral part of the song, reflecting the introspective and melancholic mood of the lyrics.

“The Sound Of Silence” by Simon & Garfunkel is written in the key of Am and follows the Verse-Chorus form common in pop and rock music. The progression consists of a beachfront of common and borrowed chords, showing the use of modal interchange and diatonic chords in creating a memorable and emotive sound.

“Bullet With Butterfly Wings” by The Smashing Pumpkins features a chord progression that uses a lot of power chords (fifth chords) which demonstrates its grungy, rock oriented style. It also incorporates major, minor, and suspended second chords, making it an interesting combination of simplicity and complexity.

“Here Comes The Sun” by The Beatles uses a D Major scale. The song primarily comprises chords built on the tonic or root note (D), which lends a consistent, grounded feel. This reflects the lyrics’ mood—contentment, renewed optimism, and a sense of homecoming with the arrival of the sun.

The chord progression in Weezer’s “Perfect Situation” is a simple and repetitive progression that cycles through three chords, G, D, and Am, with D being used as a transitional or “passing” chord. This progression is based on the I – V – ii structure in the key of G major.

Simon & Garfunkel – The Sound Of Silence – Verse 1

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Chord Progression

[‘Am’, ‘G’, ‘Am’, ‘F’, ‘C’, ‘F’, ‘C’, ‘F’, ‘C’, ‘C/B’, ‘Am’, ‘C’, ‘G’, ‘Am’]

Chord Progression Analysis

Here’s an analysis of the chords when related to the key of A minor:

Am (‘i’)
G (‘bVII’)
Am (‘i’)
F (‘bVI’)
C (‘III’)
F (‘bVI’)
C (‘III’)
F (‘bVI’)
C (‘III’)
C/B (‘III’)
Am (‘i’)
C (‘III’)
G (‘bVII’)
Am (‘i’)

These chords are not all diatonic (naturally occurring within the key of A minor), the F (bVI), and G (bVII) are borrowed from the parallel Mixolydian Mode.

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Borrowed Chords:
F (‘bVI’)
G (‘bVII’)
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Similar Chord Progressions

An example of a song with a similar chord progression (and also in the key of A minor) is the famous Stairway to Heaven by Led Zeppelin. The progression in Stairway to Heaven, although not identical, brings the same combination of minor and major chords in sequence.

Stairway to Heaven’s Verse:
Am (‘i’)
C/G (‘III’)
G (‘bVII’)
D/F# (‘IV’)
F (‘bVI’)
Am (‘i’)
Am (‘i’)

Musical Analysis

The chord progression in The Sound Of Silence creates a moving and haunting atmosphere fitting for the song’s themes of alienation and despair. The repeated use of the i – bVII – i transition creates a feeling of yearning that becomes increasingly poignant as the song progresses.

Overall Analysis

The Sound Of Silence by Simon & Garfunkel, released in 1964, is a solid example of folk rock genre transitioning into what we now know as classic rock. The chord progression is straightforward yet powerful, and it perfectly complements the beautifully written lyrics and evocative vocal harmonies. Furthermore, the song is written in A minor, a key that is often associated with sadness, which enhances the melancholic and introspective feelings conveyed by the lyrics.

Style Analysis

In terms of style, the use of this particular chord progression is typical of the folk rock genre, and was popular in 1960s, with frequent use of minor keys as a means to evoke melancholy or pensiveness.

Chords in the Verse 1 section of The Sound Of Silence by Simon & Garfunkel are:

[‘Am’, ‘G’, ‘Am’, ‘F’, ‘C’, ‘F’, ‘C’, ‘F’, ‘C’, ‘C/B’, ‘Am’, ‘C’, ‘G’, ‘Am’]