Music Theory Alchemy

Search

Related Music Theory Alchemy

“Heartbreaker” by The Rolling Stones is a classic rock song that utilizes a chord progression that is stereotypical of the genre. The verse and chorus unfold in the key of E minor, with the verse using primarily a cycle of Em7 and Am7. In terms of musical mood and expressivity, the progression conveys a melancholic yet energetic feeling, which is characteristic of the rock genre.

**

The Beatles were known for their innovative use of musical elements, and this can be seen in “I Want To Hold Your Hand”. The song is largely in the key of G major, but it also has some borrowed chords from other keys. This variety creates a unique listening experience that keeps the song fresh.

**

“I Am The Walrus” is a composition by The Beatles in which the song varies in key and progressive elements, with fascinating uses of borrowed chords from parallel modes and chromatic bass motion. The melody resides predominantly within a pentatonic framework, frequently rotating around subversions. The Bridge section beautifully showcases Beatles’ experimentation with descending chord progression built around chromatic movement.

The chord progression appears to be in the key of Bb Major, and showcases various diatonic chords along with a few borrowed chords. This progression is characterized by a blend of smooth and rich harmony, primarily due to the use of 7th chords and suspensions. The introduction of the dominant B7 chord adds interest, making the progression more unpredictable and complex.

The Rolling Stones – Miss You – Bridge

Add To Favorites Remove From Favorites

< All Analyses

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’]