Simon & Garfunkel – The Sound Of Silence – Verse 2
The Sound Of Silence < All Analyses
Chord Progression
[‘G’, ‘Am’, ‘F’, ‘C’, ‘F’, ‘C’, ‘F’, ‘C’, ‘C/B’, ‘Am’, ‘C’, ‘G’, ‘Am’]
Chord Progression Analysis
1. G Major (VII)
2. A Minor (i)
3. F Major (VI)
4. C Major (III)
5. F Major (VI)
6. C Major (III)
7. F Major (VI)
8. C Major (III)
9. C Major/B (III0)
10. A Minor (i)
11. C Major (III)
12. G Major (VII)
13. A Minor (i)
“`
Borrowed Chords: G Major (VII)
“`
Similar Chord Progressions
1. “Let It Be” by The Beatles: C, G, Am, F, C, G, F, C (I, V, vi, IV, I, V, IV, I)
2. “Despite What You’ve Been Told” by Two Gallants: Am, F, C, G (vi, IV, I, V)
3. “Wonderwall” by Oasis: Em, G, D, A (ii, IV, I, V)
The same descending (step-wise) bass motion can also be found throughout the Beatles’ seminal “Let It Be,” where it escorts the listener from the root position C through its first inversion (C/B) to root position Am, following a similar trajectory to Simon & Garfunkel’s “The Sound Of Silence.”
The occasional use of borrowed chords also relates to the Beatles music that often saw these to establish an emotional center in their pieces. In their progression, however, the Beatles resolve to the Major tonic (C) which allows a more uplifting resolution similar to the picardy third used in many classical pieces, a contrast to the “Sound of Silence” where the minor tonal center gives a darker shade to the music.
Musical Analysis
This progression mainly consists of basic triadic harmony with some use of first inversion chords, specifically C/B which is lot of a step-wise or scalar bass movement.
Overall Analysis
“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.
Style Analysis
Simon & Garfunkel have been categorized as folk rock artists, and their music often features intricate harmonies and layered meanings. “The Sound of Silence” marries these typical tendencies with a more pop-oriented approach to songwriting, with its strong, memorable melody and poignant, contemplative lyrics addressing themes of alienation and social disconnection.
What are the chords in: Simon & Garfunkel – The Sound Of Silence – Verse 2?
[‘G’, ‘Am’, ‘F’, ‘C’, ‘F’, ‘C’, ‘F’, ‘C’, ‘C/B’, ‘Am’, ‘C’, ‘G’, ‘Am’]
