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“Start Me Up” by The Rolling Stones is a classic rock song that utilizes a common I-IV chord progression primarily in the key of D major. Like many rock songs from their era, the arrangement is simple yet effective, designed to showcase the strong rhythm and melody rather than complex harmonies.

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“Here Comes the Sun” written by The Beatles is a seminal work from the Beatles’ output in pop music. The piece is composed in a modified strophic form with a circular pattern augmented with a repetitive and distinct bridge that modulates in key. The use of major chords and open voicings gives the song a sunny and positive feel, hence its title. It’s also notable for its mixed use of diatonic and borrowed chords, contributing to its unique sound.

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“Yellow” by Coldplay is written in the key of G major. The song maintains a consistent use of diatonic chords from its own major key, with a predominant chord progression in the bridge and other sections being G – D – Cmaj7. Briefly, the song changes to a minor key using the Dm7 chord as a poignant moment in its structure.

This particular section is mostly based in the key of F major and highlights Freddie Mercury’s love for moving from the classical I-ii-V progression to the jazz-inspired I-IV-ii-V, often followed by a jazzy II-V-I. In this part of the song, you will find some interesting use of borrowed chords and leading tones, contributing to the chromaticism that enriches the progression.

The Rolling Stones – Miss You – Bridge

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Chord Progression

[‘F’, ‘Em’, ‘Dm’, ‘F’, ‘Em’, ‘Dm’, ‘E’, ‘E’, ‘Am’, ‘Dm’]

Chord Progression Analysis

Here’s the listing of the full chord names and their corresponding roman numerals:

“`python
F -> F Major (‘VI’)
Em -> E minor (‘V’)
Dm -> D minor (‘IV’)
F -> F Major (‘VI’)
Em -> E minor (‘V’)
Dm -> D minor (‘IV’)
E -> E Major (‘V’)
E -> E Major (‘V’)
Am -> A minor (‘I’)
Dm -> D minor (‘IV’)
“`

Borrowed chords:

The inclusion of the E Major chord in this progression is a borrowed chord. Here’s the borrowed chord in code block format:

“`python
E -> E Major (‘V’)
“`

Similar Chord Progressions

The V-IV-I progression in the bridge is common in many rock songs.

1. The Beatles’ “I Want to Hold Your Hand”:

“`python
G -> G Major (‘V’)
D -> D Major (‘IV’)
C -> C Major (‘I’)
“`

2. Eagles’ “Hotel California”:

“`python
B -> B Minor (‘V’)
F -> F# Major (‘IV’)
A -> A Major (‘I’)
“`

3. Fleetwood Mac’s “Go Your Own Way”:

“`python
F -> F Major (‘V’)
C -> C Major (‘IV’)
G -> G Major (‘I’)
“`

These all utilise a similar progression, though with different root chords due to different keys.

Musical Analysis

Generally, in the key of A minor, the chord built on E should be a minor chord, i.e., E minor. However, in this chord progression, the song switches to E Major (‘V’), before resolving back to the root Am (‘I’). This gives the song a sense of tension and release, common in many blues songs.

Overall Analysis

“Miss You” by The Rolling Stones is in the key of A minor. The main chord progression in the song is quite consistent — Am, Dm, Am, Am, Dm, Am, Am, Dm — with some variations in the bridge. The song’s chord progression is bluesy in nature, given the usage of minor chords and the parallel movement. In particular, the usage of E, the V chord in A Minor, gives a resolution back to the root chord (Am), which gives the song a sense of tension and release.

Style Analysis

“Miss You” falls under the umbrella of rock and roll with a distinctive bluesy feel. The blues influence comes from the chord progression’s reliance on the minor key and parallel movement used throughout the song. The intro and verse maintain a consistent Am-Dm progression, typical in many blues compositions, which grounds the song in the minor tonality while adding a rhythmic drive. For the bridge, it briefly switches to a VI-V-IV progression, adding variety and interest to the composition before resolving back to the root chord (Am).

Chords in the Bridge section of Miss You by The Rolling Stones are:

[‘F’, ‘Em’, ‘Dm’, ‘F’, ‘Em’, ‘Dm’, ‘E’, ‘E’, ‘Am’, ‘Dm’]