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Related Music Theory Alchemy

“House of the Rising Sun” by The Animals is a well-known folk song that has been adapted into a blues ballad with a haunting quality. The verse chord progression features a combination of minor and major chords that contribute to its emotional intensity, while also creating a sense of tension and resolution.

“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.

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“Girl” is a song by The Beatles from their 1965 album “Rubber Soul”. The song is written in the key of E minor and it showcases the band’s ability to incorporate non-diatsubject resorting to non-diatonic progressions and utilizes various seventh chords to establish a more sophisticated and jazzy soundid progression. It’s important to note their use of the Dorian mode, which adds to the melodic and harmonic sophistication of the song. Moreover, the song exhibits the lyrical and songwriting depth of The Beatles.

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“Zombie” by The Cranberries features a relatively commonly used chord progression in pop/rock music, often referred to as a ‘vi-IV-I-V’ progression. This chord progression, in this particular case, is in the key of G Major and is made up of four chords: Em, C, G, and D/F#.

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“Bohemian Rhapsody”, composed by Queen, is a powerful anthem that merges elements of rock, opera, and progressive music. The chord progression demonstrates a sophisticated understanding of voice leading and functional harmony, contributing to its distinctive sound. Famous for its key changes and thematic progressions, the composition is often cited as an example of Freddie Mercury’s musical genius.

The Animals – House Of The Rising Sun – Verse 1

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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