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Related Music Theory Alchemy

“Paint It, Black” is in E minor key, with verse 3 having an exciting harmonic progression: Em – B – Em – B – Em – D – G – D – Em – Em – D – G – D – A – B. The chord progression suggests that the Rolling Stones utilise borrowed chords to impose an air of ambiguity that reflects the song’s lyrical themes. Additionally, this song is a blend of rock and raga rock style and exemplifies the Stones’ 1960s exploration into psychedelia and Eastern musical styles.

“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.

“Paper Tiger” by Beck is a unique and stylistic piece, displaying a blend of various genres and influences. The verse 2 chord progression is quite simple, but the harmonic choices create tension and provide a sense of movement throughout the progression. Combining the elements of rock, folk, and alternative music, this chord progression is both intriguing and musically satisfying.

“Kiss” by Prince is a classic example showcasing Prince’s unique and complex songwriting abilities. The song is written in the key of A major. The distinctive funk rock style is primarily expressed via dominant and suspended chords. This combined with Prince’s rhythmically tight and syncopated guitar playing gives the song its infectious groove.

“Just The Two Of Us” by Grover Washington Jr. is a soulful song with a distinct R&B and smooth jazz style. The song is in the key of E minor during the verses, but frequently borrows chords from the parallel major, E major, delivering a rich harmony that is both pleasing and surprising to the ear.

The Rolling Stones – Paint It Black – Verse 2

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Chord Progression

[‘Em’, ‘B’, ‘Em’, ‘B’, ‘Em’, ‘D’, ‘G’, ‘D’, ‘Em’, ‘Em’, ‘D’, ‘G’, ‘D’, ‘A’, ‘B’]

Chord Progression Analysis

Em (i),
B (V),
Em (i),
B (V),
Em (i),
D (vii),
G (III),
D (vii),
Em (i),
Em (i),
D (vii),
G (III),
D (vii),
A (IV),
B (V).

Similar Chord Progressions

Stylistically, the chord progression recalls “House of the Rising Sun” by The Animals, another song that plays heavily with minor tonality. The song “All Along the Watchtower” by Jimi Hendrix also exhibits a similar chord progression in the key of C minor (with the chords being Cm, G, Ab and Bb).

– The Animals – House of The Rising Sun:

Am (i), C (III), D (IV), F (VI), Am (i), E (V), Am (i).

– Jimi Hendrix – All Along the Watchtower:

Cm (i), G (V), Ab (bVI), Bb (bVII).

Musical Analysis

The music of “Paint It Black” is characterized by its minor tonality and the use of syncopated rhythms. The chords are strummed in a steady eighth-note rhythm, giving the track its driving feel. The melody of the song is centered around the E minor pentatonic scale, which gives it its haunting and heartfelt quality. The instrumentation includes a wide array of textures, including electric guitar and drums with the sitar, a traditional Indian instrument, as the primary lead instrument. This instrumentation gives the song an exotic and slightly psychedelic feel, further emphasizing the minor tonality of the piece.

Overall Analysis

“Paint It Black” plays with minor tonality, which isn’t extremely common in rock and roll music of the era. The song is in the key of E minor and uses the chords Em, B, D, G, and A. The verse has an interesting use of harmonies, incorporating the minor i, major V, minor iv, major bIII, and major IV chords.

Style Analysis

The song exhibits an unconventional approach to rock and roll, playing with minor tonality and uncommon instrumentation. There is a significant influence of Indian classical music, not just in the use of sitar but also in the melody, which is based on the E minor pentatonic scale, a tuning commonly used in Indian classical music. However, the song stays grounded in its rock roots through its use of typical rock instruments and song structure.

Chords in the Verse 2 section of Paint It Black by The Rolling Stones are:

[‘Em’, ‘B’, ‘Em’, ‘B’, ‘Em’, ‘D’, ‘G’, ‘D’, ‘Em’, ‘Em’, ‘D’, ‘G’, ‘D’, ‘A’, ‘B’]