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Related Music Theory Alchemy

Dead Flowers by The Rolling Stones is a classic track that exhibits some very traditional aspects of popular music and blues-based rock. The song is in D major and follows a fairly standard chord progression, using only three chords (D, A, and G), which make up four-measure phrases that are repeated throughout this part of the song.

“Beast of Burden” by The Rolling Stones uses a common rock arrangement with a focus on the V, I, and vi chords. The distinguishing factor for this particular progression is its consistent use of inverted chords to create more linear, and stepwise, bass lines.

“I Sat By The Ocean” by Queens of the Stone Age is in the key of E major and utilizes a mix of diatonic chords (i.e., chords native to the key of E major) and borrowed chords (i.e., chords borrowed from parallel or related keys).

Pre-Chorus

This pre-chorus from Weezer’s “Buddy Holly” features an eight-chord progression in the key of A major. It includes a borrowed chord (Dm) from the parallel minor key (A minor). The harmonic movement consists of alternating D major and C# minor chords, followed by F# minor chords, before returning to the D major root and finally resolving with the borrowed Dm chord. This progression contributes to the energetic, catchy, and upbeat style of the song.

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Vance Joy’s “Riptide” is a folk-pop song that presents a unique coupling of simplicity and depth on the musical landscape. The chord progression, in particular the pre-chorus, is relatively straightforward, but it introduces a flavor of complexity thanks to the inclusion of the borrowed chord. The song operates primarily within the key of C major, and maintains a predominantly folk-like, easy listening aesthetic throughout. Its chord progression, while simple, is nonetheless powerful in conveying the song’s desired emotional ambiance.

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The Rolling Stones – Dead Flowers – Pre-chorus

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Chord Progression

[‘A’, ‘D’, ‘A’, ‘D’]

Chord Progression Analysis

The pre-chorus of “Dead Flowers” goes: ‘A’, ‘D’, ‘A’, ‘D’. This would translate as the following in a diatonic key of D major:

A Major (V),
D Major (I),
A Major (V),
D Major (I)

There are no borrowed chords in this progression.

Similar Chord Progressions

An identical chord progression (V-I) is found in “Sweet Home Alabama” by Lynyrd Skynyrd with the chords D-C-G (I-bVII-IV in G Major) and “Let It Be” by The Beatles with the chords C-G-Am-F (I-V-vi-IV in C Major), both of which show a similar simple and melodic approach to songwriting.

The progression in “Dead Flowers” and “Sweet Home Alabama”:
– ‘D’, ‘C’, ‘G’
– D Major (I’),
C Major (bVII’),
G Major (IV’)

The progression in “Dead Flowers” and “Let It Be”:
– ‘C’, ‘G’, ‘Am’, ‘F’
– C Major (I’),
G Major (V’),
A minor (vi’),
F Major (IV’)

Musical Analysis

This chord progression is straightforward and falls into the convention of numerous rock and pop songs. The A acts as the dominant fifth, which resolves to the tonic D providing the typical tension and resolution characteristic of so much popular music. This is an example of a basic V-I chord progression.

Overall Analysis

The song “Dead Flowers” by The Rolling Stones is a classic rock tune that is characterized by its simple yet effective chord progressions. The key of this song is D Major. This song utilizes mostly major chords (D, A, and G), and it has a strong emphasis on the I-IV-V chord progression, a staple in many rock, blues, and pop music.

Style Analysis

“Dead Flowers” falls into the genre of Rock and has heavy country influences. The use of a simple and repeated chord progression is a key feature in both rock and country music. The chord progression of ‘A’, ‘D’, ‘A’, ‘D’ is simple and easy to follow, making the song catchy and memorable, typical characteristics of the Rolling Stones’ style.

Chords in the Pre-chorus section of Dead Flowers by The Rolling Stones are:

[‘A’, ‘D’, ‘A’, ‘D’]