The Beach Boys – Good Vibrations – Verse 1
Good Vibrations < All Analyses
Chord Progression
[‘Dm’, ‘C’, ‘Bb’, ‘A’, ‘Dm’, ‘C’, ‘Bb’, ‘A’, ‘Dm’, ‘C’, ‘Bb’, ‘A’, ‘Dm’, ‘C’, ‘Bb’, ‘A’, ‘C’]
Chord Progression Analysis
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Here is a simplified version for Verse 1:
Dm – I
C – VII
Bb – VI
A – V
This progression repeats four times in the verse. The verse starts in D minor, and the chord progression descends by step, from Dm (I) to C (VII) to Bb (VI) and then to A (V). This sequence of chords is quite common in pop music.
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Similar Chord Progressions
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1) “Don’t Stop Believin” by Journey:
E – I
B – V
C#m – VI
A – IV
2) “Let It Be” by The Beatles:
C – I
G – V
Am – VI
F – IV
3) “Can You Feel The Love Tonight” by Elton John:
C – I
G – V
Am – VI
F – IV
Note that while these songs do not feature the exact same chord progression as “Good Vibrations,” they nonetheless follow a similar descending pattern, moving from the I chord to IV in their respective keys, illustrating how common this progression is in popular music.
Musical Analysis
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The descending chord progression provides a sense of melancholy along with settling tension. The dissonant tension of the minor chord “Dm” starts off the progression where it resolves to the more consonant major chord “C”. This process repeats as we move from “Bb” to the “A”. The repetition of this four chord sequence creates anticipation which is satisfied each time the sequence repeat again.
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Overall Analysis
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“Good Vibrations” by The Beach Boys employs a series of chord progressions that echo the rising tension and resolution in the song’s narrative. The song is primarily in the key of D minor, with moments of temporary modulation, which allows for colorful and unexpected harmonies to emerge. This harmonic and melodic complexity is one of the defining characteristics of Brian Wilson’s writing style, highlighting his ability to push the boundaries of pop music.
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Style Analysis
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This chord progression is a testament to The Beach Boys’ unique style of combining complex harmonic structures with the catchy, upbeat tempos typical of pop music. Wilson’s innovative and gifted arrangement skills are portrayed in his incorporation of unconventional instruments (i.e., theremin) and experimental studio techniques.
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What are the chords in: The Beach Boys – Good Vibrations – Verse 1?
[‘Dm’, ‘C’, ‘Bb’, ‘A’, ‘Dm’, ‘C’, ‘Bb’, ‘A’, ‘Dm’, ‘C’, ‘Bb’, ‘A’, ‘Dm’, ‘C’, ‘Bb’, ‘A’, ‘C’]
