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Related Music Theory Alchemy

Taylor Swift’s “Black Dog” features a verse chord progression that is both simple and evocative, utilizing variations of the tonic chord to create a sense of movement and build tension before resolving into more straightforward chord changes. This kind of progression is characteristic of songs that aim to evoke a contemplative or narrative-driven mood, which is a frequent theme in Swift’s songwriting.

“Guilty as Sin?” by Taylor Swift uses a chord progression in the verse that reflects a more nuanced and reflective approach, suitable for a song with a contemplative or emotive theme. The interplay between minor and major seventh chords creates a lush, complex sound that elevates the song’s introspective and somewhat moody lyrical content.

“Goodbye Blue Sky” is a song by Pink Floyd from their 1979 album, “The Wall.” It is known for its haunting, ethereal quality, achieved through the use of predominantly minor chords, lush harmonies, and a slow, atmospheric tempo. The song’s lyrics and melancholic mood reflect feelings of loss and desolation.

Your Song, like many of Elton John’s pieces, is known for its prominent piano accompaniment and strong melodic hooks. The song is in the key of D Major, which is why the frequent return to the D Major chord provides the sense of home and finality in the piece.

The song “Space Oddity” by David Bowie features a complex and varied chord progression that incorporates elements of both traditional and experimental popular music. The song is in the key of C Major, and its progression is characterized by the use of modal interchange, or the borrowing of chords from parallel scales. This is indicative of Bowie’s varied musical influences, combining elements of folk, rock, and pop while also incorporating experimental techniques associated with progressive rock.

Taylor Swift – Black Dog – Chorus

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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.

Chords in the Chorus section of Black Dog by Taylor Swift are:

Am, Am/G, Am/F, C, Cmaj7, C/E, C/F, C, C, Cmaj7, C/E, C/F, C, C/E, C/F