The Rolling Stones – Paint It Black – Verse 1
Paint It Black < All Analyses
Chord Progression
[‘Em’, ‘B’, ‘Em’, ‘B’, ‘Em’, ‘D’, ‘G’, ‘D’, ‘Em’, ‘Em’, ‘D’, ‘G’, ‘D’, ‘A’, ‘B’]
Chord Progression Analysis
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Here is the analysis of the chord progression of the verse:
`E minor (i) – B major (‘V) – E minor (i) – B major (‘V) – E minor (i) – D major (‘VII) – G major (III) – D major (‘VII) – E minor (i) – E minor (i) – D major (‘VII) – G major (III) – D major (‘VII) – A major (‘IV) – B major (‘V)`
In this progression, the `D major (‘VII)` and `G major (III)` are borrowed chords from the parallel major key (E major).
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Similar Chord Progressions
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1. *Nirvana* – “Come As You Are”:
`E minor (i) – D major (‘VII) – A major (‘IV)`
2. *The Doors* – “People Are Strange”:
`E minor (i) – B major (‘V) – D major (‘VII) – G major (III)`
3. *Creedence Clearwater Revival* – “Bad Moon Rising”:
`D major (‘VII) – A major (‘IV) – B major (‘V) – D major (‘VII)`
In the aforementioned songs, the chord progression doesn’t match exactly with “Paint It, Black”, nonetheless some elements are similar, particularly the usage of the borrowed chords and minor tonality. The Doors’ “People Are Strange” could be noted to have a related somber mood as well.
Musical Analysis
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“Paint It, Black” starts with an Em-B alternation that sets a haunting and ominous mood. The D major, a borrowed chord, provides a major lift that contrasts with the overall minor feel of the song. The G major, also a borrowed chord, adds a more cheerful color to the progression before returning to the D major and Em, establishing tension that facilitates the return to the original Em-B alternation.
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Overall Analysis
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“Paint It, Black” by The Rolling Stones is arranged in a minor key, specifically E minor. The verse chord progression of the song exhibits a fairly common pattern in 60’s rock and pop music, incorporating the use of both diatonic chords and borrowed chords from the parallel major key.
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Style Analysis
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In terms of style, “Paint It, Black” is influenced heavily by the sitar used, which was borrowed from Indian classical music—a contemporary trend in British rock music of the mid-1960s known as raga rock. The lead melody and the vocal line utilizes the Phrygian note scale, which adds to its haunting quality and adds expanse to the music.
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What are the chords in: The Rolling Stones – Paint It Black – Verse 1?
[‘Em’, ‘B’, ‘Em’, ‘B’, ‘Em’, ‘D’, ‘G’, ‘D’, ‘Em’, ‘Em’, ‘D’, ‘G’, ‘D’, ‘A’, ‘B’]
