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The song ‘Zombie’ by The Cranberries is in the key of E minor. Its defining characteristics include plaintive repeated melodies, an intense grunge-inspired arrangement, and Dolores O’Riordan’s iconic vocal embellishments. The song employs a common rock/pop chord progression with added tension by using the D/F# chord.

“Zombie” by The Cranberries is in the key of E minor. Its structure is generally pop and rock, with the power of distorted guitars and a heavy drumbeat complemented by Dolores O’Riordan’s haunting vocals. It utilizes a four-chord progression, which is common in many pop and rock tracks and has been a popular choice amongst songwriters for its simplicity and versatility.

“Hey Joe” by Jimi Hendrix is a classic rock song featuring a cyclic chord progression in the key of E major. The song is well-known for its distinctive and temporarily ambiguous harmonic structure, bluesy vocal melodies, and Jimi Hendrix’s influential guitar playing. The verse chord progression constantly circles back on itself, creating a hypnotic effect.

“I Am The Walrus” is a distinctive composition by the Beatles from their 1967 album “Magical Mystery Tour”. Known for its surreal lyrics and creative chord progression, the song displays the Beatles’ mastery of composition and their innovative use of harmony. The song features elements from psychedelic rock, a genre that the Beatles helped popularize during the mid-1960s.

The chord progression in Tyler, The Creator’s “See You Again” can be characterized as a mixture of jazz harmonies and pop sensibilities. The verse progression features major and minor seventh chords, a few borrowed chords, and a prominent chromatic movement.

Chord progression analysis (including borrowed chords)
1. F#maj7 (I)
2. F#maj7/B (I6)
3. Fmaj7 (bImaj7 – borrowed chord)
4. G#m7 (iii7)
5. D7#5 (VI7#5 – borrowed chord)
6. F#maj7 (I)
7. F#maj7/B (I6)
8. Fmaj7 (bImaj7 – borrowed chord)
9. G#m7 (iii7)
10. D7#5 (VI7#5 – borrowed chord)

The chord progression starts with the tonic F#maj7 and moves through a first inversion of the same chord (F#maj7/B) before introducing borrowed chords (Fmaj7 and D7#5) from the parallel minor key, creating tension and color. The G#m7 is a diatonic iii7 chord, adding to the jazzy feel of the song.

The Cranberries – Zombie – Verse 1

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Chord Progression

[‘Em’, ‘C’, ‘G’, ‘D/F#’, ‘Em’, ‘C’, ‘G’, ‘D/F#’, ‘Em’, ‘C’, ‘G’, ‘D/F#’, ‘Em’, ‘C’, ‘G’, ‘D/F#’]

Chord Progression Analysis

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Here are all the full chord names and their roman numerals:
1. E Minor (‘vi’)
2. C Major (‘IV’)
3. G Major (‘I’)
4. D Major/F# (‘V’), this chord is an inversion.

The pattern repeats throughout the entire song, and there are no borrowed chords in this progression.

“`vi-IV-I-V“`

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Similar Chord Progressions

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1. “Let it Be” by The Beatles. [‘C’, ‘G’, ‘Am’, ‘F’]
2. “No Woman, No Cry” by Bob Marley. [‘C’, ‘G’, ‘Am’, ‘F’]
3. “Wake Me Up When September Ends” by Green Day. [‘Am’, ‘F’, ‘C’, ‘G’]

Note that each of these progressions is a variation of the vi-IV-I-V progression found in “Zombie”. Using the same pattern, these songs maintain a similar cyclical, versatile, and relatable sound, but with variations in rhythm, instrument voicing, and melody. The shared progression underscores the versatility of this progression and its resonance across different styles and periods in pop and rock music.

Musical Analysis

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This progression is cyclic and repetitive, common characteristics in pop and rock music as it provides a solid foundation for melody and vocals. The song doesn’t modulate or change keys, which keeps the focus on the vocal line and the song’s message and emotions.

The only slight variation in the chord pattern is the D/F# chord. The ‘/F#’ is a notation that indicates a particular note (F#) is used as the bass note in the construction of this D Major chord – this is known as an inversion, more specifically first inversion, as it places the third of the D Major chord (F#) in the bass.

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Overall Analysis

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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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Style Analysis

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The Cranberries were known for their blending of alternative rock and pop, often incorporating post-punk influences in their music. The persistent cyclical chord progression in “Zombie” mirrors the song’s message – a protest against the endless cycles of violence. Its repetitive nature also adds a haunting element to the song, contributing to the overall poignant and solemn mood reflected in the lyrics and performance.

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Chords in the Verse 1 section of Zombie by The Cranberries are:

[‘Em’, ‘C’, ‘G’, ‘D/F#’, ‘Em’, ‘C’, ‘G’, ‘D/F#’, ‘Em’, ‘C’, ‘G’, ‘D/F#’, ‘Em’, ‘C’, ‘G’, ‘D/F#’]