Taylor Swift – Black Dog – Chorus
Black Dog < All Analyses
Chord Progression
Am, Am/G, Am/F, C, Cmaj7, C/E, C/F, C, C, Cmaj7, C/E, C/F, C, C/E, C/F
Chord Progression Analysis
The chorus of “Black Dog” incorporates variations and inversions around the key of C major and A minor:
“`
A Minor (vi)
A Minor/G (vi/G)
A Minor/F (vi/F)
C Major (I)
C Major 7 (Imaj7)
C/E (I/E)
C/F (I/F)
“`
This progression does not include borrowed chords; it mainly uses inversions and a major seventh chord to enrich the harmonic texture.
Similar Chord Progressions
The technique of using a consistent chord while changing the bass note underneath is a hallmark in many emotionally rich songs. Here are similar progressions in other notable songs:
The Beatles – “While My Guitar Gently Weeps”
“`
Am (vi),
Am/G (vi/G),
Am/F# (vi/F#),
Am/F (vi/F)
“`
Radiohead – “Fake Plastic Trees”
“`
A Minor (vi),
D Major (IV),
F Major (VI),
A Minor (vi)
“`
Eric Clapton – “Tears in Heaven”
“`
A/E (I/E),
F#m (iiim),
A (I),
E/G# (I/G#)
“`
These examples illustrate how similar chord structures can create a deeply emotional and engaging listening experience. Swift’s “Black Dog” uses this effective musical technique to amplify the song’s thematic content, providing a rich, layered, and resonant chorus that enhances the overall storytelling.
Musical Analysis
The use of descending bass lines in the Am chords (Am, Am/G, Am/F) adds a melancholic and pensive quality to the chorus, which is apt for conveying the emotional gravity of the lyrics. This technique creates a smooth, almost walking bass effect that enhances the narrative delivery of the lyrics.
Transitioning to the C Major chord and its variations (Cmaj7, C/E, C/F) provides a shift that brightens the mood, offering a sense of resolution and uplift after the somewhat somber Am section. The major seventh (Cmaj7) adds a layer of sonic complexity, suggesting a reflective and dreamy atmosphere.
Overall Analysis
Taylor Swift’s “Black Dog” features a chorus that uses a sophisticated and intricate chord progression to drive the emotional depth and thematic elements of the song. This progression combines inversions and extensions to create a layered and textured musical atmosphere, reflecting the complexity of the song’s lyrics and enhancing its reflective nature.
Style Analysis
In “Black Dog,” Taylor Swift leverages the chorus’s chord progression to explore deeper emotional textures, blending elements of pop with more complex, jazz-like arrangements. This stylistic choice showcases her versatility and ability to engage with more sophisticated musical forms, aligning with the narrative depth found in her more mature songwriting phase.
What are the chords in: Taylor Swift – Black Dog – Chorus?
Am, Am/G, Am/F, C, Cmaj7, C/E, C/F, C, C, Cmaj7, C/E, C/F, C, C/E, C/F
