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Related Music Theory Alchemy

“Let It Happen” by Tame Impala is characterized by its psychedelic and experimental nuances. It features an overall bright and uplifting tone despite its use of some more complex chords. The song ska common in pop music. The chord progression in question has a strong melodic sensibility demonstrating Kevin Parker’s ability to incorporate complex musical ideas into a pop format.

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“When I Was Your Man” by Bruno Mars is in the key of C major. The song relies heavily on diatonic chords and uses a structure that is common in popular music, especially ballads. It follows conventional diatonic chord progressions and also incorporates non-diatonic chords for added tension and resolution.

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The pre-chorus of Weezer’s “If You’re Wondering If I Want You To (I Want You To)” features a simple yet effective chord progression primarily centered around the D major chord. The piece overall follows a pop-rock, alternative musical style consistent with the typical sound of Weezer.

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Vance Joy’s “Riptide” is a folk-pop song that presents a unique coupling of simplicity and depth on the musical landscape. The chord progression, in particular the pre-chorus, is relatively straightforward, but it introduces a flavor of complexity thanks to the inclusion of the borrowed chord. The song operates primarily within the key of C major, and maintains a predominantly folk-like, easy listening aesthetic throughout. Its chord progression, while simple, is nonetheless powerful in conveying the song’s desired emotional ambiance.

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Tame Impala – Cause Im A Man – PRE-CHORUS

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Chord Progression

G, A, G, A, G, A, G, A, B

Chord Progression Analysis

The Pre-Chorus chords:
1) G Major (bIII)
2) A Major (IV)
The bIII chord here is a borrowed chord from the parallel minor key. The use of this chord gives the music an edgier, yet colorful touch.

G Major (bIII)
A Major (IV)
G Major (bIII)
A Major (IV)
G Major (bIII)
A Major (IV)
G Major (bIII)
A Major (IV)
B Major (V)

Similar Chord Progressions

The chord progression in the pre-chorus of “‘Cause I’m A Man” can be juxtaposed with those of “Breathe” by Pink Floyd and “She’s A Rainbow” by The Rolling Stones which also use an IV-bIII progression.

“She’s A Rainbow” by The Rolling Stones (Key: B Major):

E Major (IV)
D# Major (bIII)

“Breathe” by Pink Floyd (Key: E minor):

A Major (IV in E minor)
G Major (bIII in E minor)

While the keys might be different, the relative motion and treatment of the chords hold similarities yielding a characteristically psychedelic and dense sound.

Musical Analysis

In the pre-chorus, we see an alternating IV-bIII progression. The movement between these two chords acts as a kind of ‘pseudo-suspension’ that eventually resolves to B major (V) – dominant of the root E major. This generates intrigue and also prepares the listener for the change that will come with the chorus.

Overall Analysis

The song seems to have a psychedelic pop/rock vibe reminiscing of the late ’60s and ’70s. The use of major seventh chords and repeated shifting between E Major and D Major hints at a sense of yearning and nostalgia, something that is commonly found in Tame Impala’s music.

Style Analysis

Tame Impala’s music draws heavily from the psychedelic music of the ’60s and ’70s. The use of the major seventh and borrowed chords lends a dreamy and nostalgic quality to the music, a hallmark of the psychedelic style. The Alternating IV-bIII progression in the pre-chorus also adds to the texture, harmonically rich and layered.

Chords in the Pre-chorus section of Cause Im A Man by Tame Impala are:

G, A, G, A, G, A, G, A, B