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Related Music Theory Alchemy

“Honky Tonk Women” is a classic blues-infused rock and roll track, like many songs by The Rolling Stones. The guitar riffs and solo (though not discussed here) clearly show blues influence in their use of the pentatonic scale and common blues licks.

The chord progression used for verse 2 is a typical example of a classic rock chord progression, with a key center around G, utilizing the dominant chords of the key in a I-IV-I-V-IV-I-IV-I progression.

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.

“Kiss” is a funk, synthpop song written, produced and performed by Prince. The song’s structure runs around a simple, repeated two-bar eight-note pattern, but what’s odd is the song’s key. Dotting between E and D, it’s hard to pin down definitively, but the song seems to be written in the ambiguous key of E Mixolydian/D major.

The “Glory Box” by Portishead chorus progression is based in D minor and moves between this primary D minor chord and three other chords: Dm/C, Bm7b5, and Bbmaj7. The Dm/C chord is the same as the D minor, but with a different note in the bass (C). The Bm7b5 is a half-diminished chord. The Bbmaj7 is major seventh chord.

“Goodbye Blue Sky” is a song by Pink Floyd from their 1979 album, “The Wall.” It is known for its haunting, ethereal quality, achieved through the use of predominantly minor chords, lush harmonies, and a slow, atmospheric tempo. The song’s lyrics and melancholic mood reflect feelings of loss and desolation.

The Rolling Stones – Honky Tonk Women – Chorus

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Chord Progression

[‘G’, ‘D’, ‘G’, ‘G’, ‘D’, ‘G’, ‘G’, ‘D’, ‘G’, ‘G’, ‘D’, ‘G’]

Chord Progression Analysis

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The chord progression of the chorus is simple, alternating between the tonic (G) and the dominant (D). Here is the full listing of the chord names and their corresponding roman numerals:

– G Major (‘I’)
– D Major (‘V’)
– G Major (‘I’)
– G Major (‘I’)
– D Major (‘V’)
– G Major (‘I’)
– G Major (‘I’)
– D Major (‘V’)
– G Major (‘I’)
– G Major (‘I’)
– D Major (‘V’)
– G Major (‘I’)

There’s no borrowed chord from a parallel key, so no specific chord in this progression counted as a borrowed chord.

“`code block
None borrowed chord
“`

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Similar Chord Progressions

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Bob Dylan’s “Blowin’ in the Wind” and Beatles’ “Let it Be” represent similar usage of I-V chord movement.

Bob Dylan’s “Blowin’ in the Wind” in the key of D Major often alternates between D (‘I’) and A (‘V’).

The Beatles’ “Let it Be” uses the I-V movement in its verse, alternating between C (‘I’) and G (‘V’) if we consider it in the key of C Major.

Musical Analysis

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“Honky Tonk Women” features a catchy, simple chord progression, which lends itself well to the bluesy, rock ‘n’ roll style of the Rolling Stones. The regular alternation between the tonic (‘I’) and the dominant (‘V’) creates a relaxed and consistent musical landscape, upon which the melody, lyrics and instrumental lines play out. This alternating I-V pattern hearkens back to basic 12-bar blues progressions, a key component of many rock and roll songs.

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Overall Analysis

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“Honky Tonk Women” by the Rolling Stones is a classic rock track steeped in the blues tradition. The song is played in the key of G Major and primarily uses chords G, C, A, and D.

**Chorus

Style Analysis

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The Rolling Stones style can be linked to the blues and earlier rock ‘n’ roll. With a straightforward, cyclic chord progression, “Honky Tonk Women” provides a sturdy structure for the catchy, narrative lyrics and Mick Jagger’s characteristic vocal performance. The song represents the band’s ability to update the blues for the rock era, combining the raw energy of rock with the emotional intensity of the blues.

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Chords in the Chorus section of Honky Tonk Women by The Rolling Stones are:

[‘G’, ‘D’, ‘G’, ‘G’, ‘D’, ‘G’, ‘G’, ‘D’, ‘G’, ‘G’, ‘D’, ‘G’]