Music Theory Alchemy

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“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.

This song, “Boulevard Of Broken Dreams”, is arguably one of Green Day’s most iconic hits off their album “American Idiot”. Musically, it is set in the key of E minor, with an intermediate tempo. Its chord progression is simple but effective, proven by the song’s tremendous success.

“Paint It Black” by The Rolling Stones is a masterful example of the band’s ability to incorporate a variety of musical elements into a rock setting. This song, in particular, unites a classic rock ‘n roll backbone with an exotic influence, likely derived from Eastern music, especially with the use of the sitar.

“Stairway to Heaven” by Led Zeppelin is recognized for its use of modal interchange, specifically borrowing chords from the parallel minor, and its distinct way of blending rock and folk music elements. This piece is in the key of A minor and the chord progression in Verse 5 is simple but quite effective.

The Animals – House Of The Rising Sun – Verse 5

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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

The chords in Verse 5 follow this pattern:

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)

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Borrowed Chord: F major (VI) (from parallel A phrygian)
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Similar Chord Progressions

1. Bob Dylan – “All Along the Watchtower”
Chord Progression: A minor (i), G major (VII), F major (VI), G major (VII)

2. Leonard Cohen – “Hallelujah”
Chord Progression: C major (I), A minor (vi), F major (IV), G major (V), E major (III), A minor (vi), F major (IV), G major (V), C major (I), G major (V), C major (I)

These two songs share some of the chords used in “House of the Rising Sun” but use them in different ways. “All Along the Watchtower” shares the i-VII-VI progression with “House of the Rising Sun,” though it omits some of the other chords. Meanwhile, “Hallelujah” has a more sophisticated structure, but it uses the III, VI, and V chords in a similar manner to The Animals’ piece.

Musical Analysis

Verse 5 of “House of the Rising Sun” features a mix of various chords from the A minor harmonized scale, with some chords like D major and F major borrowed from parallel modes or keys. The progression contributes to the overall melancholic and dark atmosphere of the song. The continuous movement between chords without staying too long on any single harmony creates a feeling of restlessness and anticipation.

Overall Analysis

“House of the Rising Sun” by The Animals is a traditional folk song that features a distinctive, repetitive chord progression throughout the song. The tune has a somber, haunting quality and is set in a minor key. It has been covered by numerous artists over the years, but the version by The Animals is the most famous.

Style Analysis

“House of the Rising Sun” is a folk song, but the version by The Animals adds a more modern, rock feel with Eric Burdon’s distinctive vocals and the use of electric guitar. The song’s continuous, repetitive structure resembles a tragic narrative, which is a characteristic of traditional folk ballads. The chord progression’s mix of minor and major chords lends an emotional depth to the lyrics, speaking of a life gone awry in New Orleans.

Chords in the Verse 5 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