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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.

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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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“Goodbye Blue Sky” is a song by Pink Floyd from their 1979 album “The Wall.” It is a progressive rock piece with acoustic guitar and vocal harmony that creates a haunting and atmospheric sound. The chord progression in Verse 2 demonstrates the use of non-diatonic chords, pedal tones, and borrowed chords, giving it a sense of tension and release. This unique combination of chords contributes to the overall distinctive mood of the song.

The chord progression in the verse 2 of Beck’s “Morning” is an example of a common progression in popular music, involving the I, IV, iii, and ii chords. The harmony is mostly diatonic, staying within the key of E major. The progression features regular 4-chord phrases and a smooth, consonant flow between chords.

The given chord progression belongs to the verse 2 of the song “Apocalypse Please” by Muse. This progression reflects the band’s signature style that combines elements of rock, classical, and electronic music. The chords follow a pattern that combines both diatonic and chromatic movement, creating a dramatic and intense feel. A unique feature in this progression is the use of slash chords, which adds further harmonic interest.

The Cranberries – Zombie – Verse 2

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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

Here are the chords sequenced in the way you specified:

– E minor (i)
– C major (VI)
– G major (III)
– D/F# (VII)

Note the VII chord is in first inversion with its third (F#) in the bass, hence D/F#.

The progression is repeated throughout the verse.

Similar Chord Progressions

1. “Let it Be” by The Beatles follows the exact same progression, transposed to the key of C major, giving us: C – G – Am – F (or: I – V – vi – IV)
2. “No Woman No Cry” by Bob Marley, also follows the same progression, transposed to the key of C major: C – G – Am – F.

Musical Analysis

“Zombie” by The Cranberries uses simple, yet effective means in its composition. It repeats a four-chord pattern (Em – C – G – D/F#) throughout the song to maintain a consistent musical theme. What makes it truly stand out is how it utilizes this simplicity to serve the song’s emotional core. The repeated E minor chord offers a haunting sadness that reflects the song’s lyrical themes.

Overall Analysis

“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.

Style Analysis

“Zombie” fits in the Alternative Rock style, more specifically in the Post-Grunge movement of the 90’s. Distorted guitars, a heavy rhythm, and clear expressive melodic lines are characteristics of this style. The sequence of chords is conventional in pop music, and they have been used in different styles and periods.

Chords in the Verse 2 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#’]