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Related Music Theory Alchemy

“Good Vibrations” by The Beach Boys is highly complex and represents an exceptional use of harmonic structuring. The richness of the piece lies in Brian Wilson’s innovative and unpredictable songwriting, who was making significant use of modulation at the time, constantly shifting keys, in this case especially during the transition bridge.

“God Only Knows” by The Beach Boys is one of their most well-known pieces and a primary example of the sophisticated harmonic writing characteristic of the group’s 1966 “Pet Sounds” record. This piece is particularly designed in the key of A major. The Outro of the song includes the following chords: ‘A’, ‘E/G#’, ‘F#m7’, ‘E/G#’ and many other chords throughout the song with complex chord changes that might not be typical in a pop song, but are characteristic of the band’s sound.

The song “Ceilings” by Lizzy McAlpine is in the key of G Major, employing a mixture of major, minor, and additive chords to create a progression that lends itself to a pop/folk atmosphere. The song is largely composed of diatonic chords in the key of G Major, with an occasional use of a B7, which can be seen as a secondary dominant to Em.

“It’s A Fire” by Portishead is a song characterized by its frequent modulations and use of borrowed chords, making it a considerable complexity in terms of harmony. It features transition from key centers and borrowed chords from other keys, which creates tension and resolution creating the signature moody and intense atmosphere Portishead is known for.

The chorus of “Right Where It Belongs” by Nine Inch Nails is built upon a repeating four-chord progression of Gm-Bb-F-C. This song is in the key of Bb major (with two flats in the key signature, Bb and Eb). All the chords used in this song are derived from the Bb major scale, which makes this a diatonic chord progression. There is no borrowed or chromatic harmony in this song.

The Beach Boys – Good Vibrations – Chorus

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Chord Progression

[‘F’, ‘Bb’, ‘F’, ‘Bb’, ‘F’, ‘Bb’, ‘F’, ‘Bb’, ‘F’, ‘Bb’, ‘F’, ‘Bb’, ‘F’, ‘Bb’, ‘F’, ‘Bb’, ‘G’, ‘C’, ‘G’, ‘C’, ‘G’, ‘C’, ‘G’, ‘C’, ‘A’, ‘D’, ‘A’, ‘D’, ‘A’, ‘D’, ‘A’, ‘D’]

Chord Progression Analysis

“`
F Major (IV), Bb Major (bVII), F Major (IV), Bb Major (bVII),
F Major (IV), Bb Major (bVII), F Major (IV), Bb Major (bVII),
F Major (IV), Bb Major (bVII), F Major (IV), Bb Major (bVII),
F Major (IV), Bb Major (bVII),
G Major (V), C Major (I), G Major (V), C Major (I),
G Major (V), C Major (I), G Major (V), C Major (I),
A Major (IV), D Major (VII), A Major (IV), D Major (VII),
A Major (IV), D Major (VII), A Major (IV), D Major (VII).
“`

In the listed progression, Bb Major and D Major are borrowed chords from the parallel minor (A minor).

Similar Chord Progressions

John Lennon’s “Imagine” shares a similar use of the IV and bVII chords found in “Good Vibrations.” Here’s the chord progression –

“`
C Major (I), Cmaj7 (I7), F Major (IV), F Major (IV),
Dm (ii), Dm (ii), F Major (IV), F Major (IV),
C Major (I), Cmaj7 (I7), F Major (IV), F Major (IV),
Dm (ii), Dm (ii), F Major (IV), F Major (IV),
E7 (V), Am/E (vi/I), E7 (V), Am/E (vi/I),
E7 (V), Am/E (vi/I), E7 (VII/bIII), Am (vi).
“`

Note the Lennon song’s use of the IV chord as well as the bVII just like “Good Vibrations”. In “Imagine”, John Lennon uses these chords to create a dreamy, thoughtful atmosphere.

Musical Analysis

“Good Vibrations” is a great example of the Beach Boys’ harmonically adventurous style. The progression begins regularly, but the use of borrowed chords Bb major and D Major creates noticeable color. Using these borrowed chords, Brian Wilson achieves a modal mixture, borrowing from the parallel minor. The key modulation seen when shifting from F Major to G Major to A Major is an unexpected twist, adding to the song’s complexities.

Overall Analysis

The Beach Boys’ “Good Vibrations” presents an interesting mix of major and minor chords with excellent use of chord inversions and borrowings. The song is harmonically adventurous, showcasing the band’s pop mastery with Brian Wilson’s unmatched compositional skills. This song is primarily in the key of A Major, with many borrowed chords and modulation that creates its unique feel.

Style Analysis

The Beach Boys favor intricate harmonies and complex compositional structure, reflective of their primary songwriter, Brian Wilson’s, background in jazz and classical music. Their music features extensive use of extended harmony, borrowed chords, and modulations.

Chords in the Chorus section of Good Vibrations by The Beach Boys are:

[‘F’, ‘Bb’, ‘F’, ‘Bb’, ‘F’, ‘Bb’, ‘F’, ‘Bb’, ‘F’, ‘Bb’, ‘F’, ‘Bb’, ‘F’, ‘Bb’, ‘F’, ‘Bb’, ‘G’, ‘C’, ‘G’, ‘C’, ‘G’, ‘C’, ‘G’, ‘C’, ‘A’, ‘D’, ‘A’, ‘D’, ‘A’, ‘D’, ‘A’, ‘D’]