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Related Music Theory Alchemy

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)

The chord progression of “Beast Of Burden” by The Rolling Stones from verse 3 appears to be a standard pop/rock progression with a bit of melodic flavor. It features the chords of E major, B major, C# minor, and A major.

The song is in the key of E Major as that’s the chord the progression starts and ends with, and most of the chords are from the E major scale. There are no borrowed chords, and the progression is repetitive, maintaining a loop throughout most of the song.

Let’s move on to the detailed chord progression analysis, chord names, and their roman numerals.

The chord progression for the verse of “Kids” by MGMT is a simple and diatonic progression in the key of A major, following the vi-IV-I-V pattern. It is common in pop music and creates a sense of tension and release throughout the progression. The chords are played using predominantly major and minor triads, with an inversion in the V chord (E/G#).

“The Continuing Story of Bungalow Bill” features a verse in A minor with a brief but significant shift to F minor, due to the use of borrowed chords or modal mixture. Notably, it showcases The Beatles’ sophisticated approach to harmonization, utilizing unconventional chord progressions & modulations that are cyclical.

This chord progression from the verse of Tame Impala’s “Alter Ego” suggests a key of C major due to the recurring instances of Cmaj7. However, the presence of certain chords like Bm7 and Dm suggests that Kevin Parker is creatively “borrowing” chords from the parallel and associated keys (C minor, D minor) to create colorful departures from the primary tonality. The use of extended chords (7ths) and suspended chords (Bsus4) adds a sense of complexity and sophistication to the harmony. As can be seen, the chord progression mostly oscillates between Cmaj7, Bsus4, Bm7 before moving to Dm and Gm towards the end of the verse.

The Rolling Stones – As Tears Go By – Verse

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Chord Progression

G, A, C, D, G, A, C, D, C, D, G, D/F#, Em, C, D

Chord Progression Analysis

G major (I), A major (V/V), C major (IV from C), D major (V), G major (I), A major (V/V), C major (IV from C), D major (V), C major (IV), D major (V), G major (I), D major/F# (V6), E minor (vi), C major (IV), D major (V)

Borrowed Chords:
C Major (IV from C)

Similar Chord Progressions

1. “House of the Rising Sun” by The Animals
Am (i), C (III), D (IV), F (VI), Am (i), C (III), E (V), Am (i)

2. “Stand by Me” by Ben E. King
C major (I), A major (V/ii), F major (IV), G major (V)

3. “Let it Be” by The Beatles
C major (I), G major (V), A minor (vi), F major (IV), C major (I), F major (IV), C major (I), G major (V), F major (IV), C major (I)

These songs feature similar major and minor chord progressions, functional harmony, and the use of borrowed chords or secondary dominants, which similarly serve to add some unpredictability and variety to the progressions.

Musical Analysis

The chord progression starts with a G major chord, followed by an A major chord, which acts as a secondary dominant (V/V), pulling towards the D major chord. The presence of the C major chord, which is borrowed from the parallel key of C major, adds a touch of unpredictability and variety to the progression. The progression continues with a brief resolution to the tonic G major before moving to a D major chord with an F# in the bass, as a different voicing of the V chord. This leads to the E minor (vi) chord, creating a sense of tension, before returning to the C major (IV) and D major (V) chords, and finally resolving back to the G major (I) chord.

Overall Analysis

The song, “As Tears Go By” by The Rolling Stones, is primarily in the key of G major. Its chord progression contains elements of classic pop songwriting, particularly from the 1960s, featuring major and minor chords, functional harmony, and a few borrowed chords. The verse has a repeating chord sequence that eventually concludes with a resolution to the tonic chord.

Style Analysis

The use of functional harmony with major, minor, and borrowed chords in “As Tears Go By” gives it a classic pop songwriting style reminiscent of the 1960s era. The song has a melodic, lyrical quality that is characteristic of popular music from that time. Additionally, the structure of the chord progression, with resolving cadences and emphasis on the tonic, demonstrates a strong sense of tonality that is common in pop music across different time periods.

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

G, A, C, D, G, A, C, D, C, D, G, D/F#, Em, C, D