Search

Related Music Theory Alchemy

“As Tears Go By” by The Rolling Stones is a popular song from the mid-60s that features a mix of major and minor chords along with modulations between closely related keys. The overall harmonic structure shares similarities with other rock and pop songs of that era, including The Beatles and Bob Dylan.

Base Key and

“Paint It, Black” is in E minor key, with verse 3 having an exciting harmonic progression: Em – B – Em – B – Em – D – G – D – Em – Em – D – G – D – A – B. The chord progression suggests that the Rolling Stones utilise borrowed chords to impose an air of ambiguity that reflects the song’s lyrical themes. Additionally, this song is a blend of rock and raga rock style and exemplifies the Stones’ 1960s exploration into psychedelia and Eastern musical styles.

“A Star is Born – Shallow” is primarily in the key of G major and has a fairly simple and straightforward chord progression with an intriguing twist toward the end. The song features a common I-V-vi-IV chord progression with an occasional ii-chord (Am) substituting for the vi-chord (Em). Then, it introducess a borrowed chord (Bm) which creates an interesting, unexpected color in the harmony.

The outro of “Kashmir” by Led Zeppelin features a simple alternating chord progression between G major and A major, which creates tension by avoiding a resolution to the tonic or dominant chords. This makes the progression sound unstable, yet well defined as it repeats. The recurring ascending motion creates a sense of lift throughout the outro, while the lack of a true resolution maintains a feeling of unease. This progression is notable for its simplicity, as well as how it invokes a modal sound that is characteristic of the mixolydian mode often used in rock music.

**

The song, ‘Across the Universe’ by The Beatles is uniquely complex in its melody and chord progression. The song modulates or shifts key but is rooted mainly in D major. The song utilizes the standard rock/pop song structure of Verse, Chorus, and Outro. The unusual facet of this song’s composition is the use of borrowed chords (non-diatonic chords) that add unexpected twists to an otherwise typical chord progression.

**

The Rolling Stones – As Tears Go By – Outro

Add To Favorites Remove From Favorites

< All Analyses

Chord Progression

G, A, C, D, G

Chord Progression Analysis

The central focus of the song’s harmony is primarily on the tonic (G Major), subdominant (C Major), and dominant (D Major) chords. The inclusion of the A Major chord, which is borrowed from the parallel minor key (E minor), adds some unexpected color and interest to the progression, yet it is still smooth and functional due to its resolution back to the IV chord (C Major). The D/F# (V6/4) chord in the verses also provides a smoother bass line and voice leading.

Similar Chord Progressions

Musical Analysis

“As Tears Go By” adheres to a style typical of the 1960s folk-pop ballad, with simple, repetitive harmonic progressions and a verse-based structure. The inclusion of a borrowed chord (A Major) adds an element of subtle tension and unexpectedness, which is a common element in pop music from this era.

Overall Analysis

The Rolling Stones’ “As Tears Go By” is primarily in the key of G major and follows a Verse-Verse-Verse-Outro structure. The harmony is relatively simple, incorporating primarily diatonic chords from the G major scale as well as a few borrowed chords and inversions.

Chord Progression Analysis (Outro):
G Major (I) – A Major (V/vi, borrowed from E minor) – C Major (IV) – D Major (V) – G Major (I)

Style Analysis

1. The Beatles – “I Will” (1968)
Chord Progression: F Major (I) – A Major (V/vi, borrowed from D minor) – Bb Major (IV) – C Major (V) – F Major (I)

2. The Mamas and the Papas – “California Dreamin’” (1965)
Chord Progression: A Minor (i) – G Major (VII) – F Major (VI) – C Major (III) – G Major (VII) – A Minor (i)

3. Bob Dylan – “Girl from the North Country” (1963)
Chord Progression: C Major (I) – D Major (V/V, borrowed from G major) – F Major (IV) – G Major (V) – C Major (I)

In summary, “As Tears Go By” by The Rolling Stones employs a simple, diatonic chord progression with some borrowed chords to add interest. It follows a popular 1960s folk-pop ballad style and shares similarities with other songs from the same era by artists like The Beatles, The Mamas and the Papas, and Bob Dylan.

Chords in the Outro section of As Tears Go By by The Rolling Stones are:

G, A, C, D, G