Search

Related Music Theory Alchemy

The chord progression in the verse 2 of “House of The Rising Sun” by The Animals is an iconic progression in popular music. The song is in the key of A minor, and is built using diatonic and borrowed chords with some chromaticism. The progression features a strong sense of movement and resolution, with the mix of major and minor chords creating an emotional and dramatic atmosphere.

“House of the Rising Sun” by The Animals is a folk-rock song in A minor that features a distinct and memorable chord progression in its coda. By incorporating rhythmic and dynamic elements in their rendition, The Animals managed to popularize the song, making it one of their best-known hits.

“Heart Is A Drum” by Beck is a simple, yet emotional and effective piece, written in the key of C major. The chord progression of the verse revolves around the tonic (C) and the subdominant (Dm7), resulting in a gentle, down-to-earth feel, characteristic of Beck’s folk and alternative music influences.

“Goodbye Yellow Brick Road” is a song written by Elton John that features a complex chord progression that effectively complements the haunting and nostalgic quality of the song’s lyrics. The primary key of the song is D major, while parts of the progression borrow from both the parallel minor (D minor) and the relative minor (B minor). The use of these borrowed chords adds harmonic interest and enhances the song’s evocative, wistful mood.

“Exit Music (For a Film)” by Radiohead is a song characterized by a strong sense of melancholy and dark ambiance. The harmonic movement creates tension through the use of chromaticism, borrowed chords, and non-diatonic notes. In the verse progression, there is a mixture of minor and major chords, along with added tones that enhance the complexity and mood of the music.

The Animals – House Of The Rising Sun – Verse 1

Add To Favorites Remove From Favorites

< All Analyses

Chord Progression

Am, C, D, F, Am, C, E, E, Am, C, D, F, Am, E, Am, C, D, F, Am, E, Am, E

Chord Progression Analysis

“`
– A minor (i)
– C major (III)
– D major (IV)
– F major (VI)
– A minor (i)
– C major (III)
– E major (V)
– E major (V)
– A minor (i)
– C major (III)
– D major (IV)
– F major (VI)
– A minor (i)
– E major (V)
– A minor (i)
– C major (III)
– D major (IV)
– F major (VI)
– A minor (i)
– E major (V)
– A minor (i)
– E major (V)
“`

Borrowed Chords:
“`
`F major (VI)`
“`

Similar Chord Progressions

1. Bob Dylan – “Don’t Think Twice, It’s All Right”
Chord Progression:
“`
C (I),
G (V),
Am (vi),
C (I),
G (V),
F (IV),
C (I),
G (V)
“`

2. Leonard Cohen – “Hallelujah”
Chord Progression:
“`
C (I),
Am (vi),
C (I),
Am (vi),
F (IV),
G (V),
C (I),
G7 (V7)
“`

These songs feature chord progressions that emphasize the movement through the circle of fifths and use borrowed chords, similar to “House of the Rising Sun.” The progressions in these two examples are in major keys but move to their relative minor key, and their use of borrowed chords adds tension and emotional depth to the songs.

Musical Analysis

The chord progression opens with a i-III-IV movement in the key of A minor, providing a sense of departure from the tonic, leading to the borrowed F major chord which adds a sense of tension and unexpectedness. This tension is then resolved through the strong V-i cadence (E major to A minor), giving a sense of finality and resolution.

The chord progression in “House of the Rising Sun” relies heavily on the circle of fifths, transitioning between chords whose roots are a fifth apart. This creates smooth voice leading and allows for the chords to progress naturally, enhancing the song’s melancholic mood.

Overall Analysis

“House of the Rising Sun” by The Animals features a repeating chord progression in a minor key that gives the song a haunting, melancholic feel. This progression moves through the circle of fifths, features borrowed chords from its relative major key and has a strong resolution from the dominant to the tonic.

Style Analysis

“House of the Rising Sun” is a folk ballad with roots in the traditional music of the American South, drawing on blues and gospel influences. This is reflected in the use of simple, diatonic chords and the prominence of the V-i resolution that is characteristic of many blues songs. The emotional, haunting quality of the music is amplified by a simple and repetitive melody that allows for the strong storytelling aspect of the lyrics.

Chords in the Verse 1 section of House Of The Rising Sun by The Animals are:

Am, C, D, F, Am, C, E, E, Am, C, D, F, Am, E, Am, C, D, F, Am, E, Am, E