The Rolling Stones – Wild Horses – Chorus
Wild Horses < All Analyses
Chord Progression
[‘Am’, ‘C’, ‘D’, ‘G’, ‘F’, ‘C’, ‘Bm’, ‘Am’, ‘C’, ‘D’, ‘G’, ‘F’, ‘C’, ‘D’, ‘G’]
Chord Progression Analysis
Here is the analysis of the chord progression for the chorus in “Wild Horses” written in G major:
“`
– A minor (ii)
– C major (IV)
– D major (V)
– G major (I)
– F major (♭VII – Borrowed from G minor)
– C major (IV)
– B minor (iii)
– Repeats from A minor to C major
– D major (V)
– G major (I)
– F major (♭VII – Borrowed from G minor)
– C major (IV)
– D major (V)
– G major (I)
“`
“Borrowed Chord”:
“`F Major (♭VII) of G major, borrowed from G minor“`
Similar Chord Progressions
The chord progression found in “Wild Horses” can be compared to many songs in the rock genre that use similar techniques — particularly those who borrow chords from the parallel minor.
One example is “Comfortably Numb” by Pink Floyd which uses the borrowed bVII chord (Bb in the case of C major key) in its progression:
“`
– D major (I)
– A minor (v)
– G major (IV)
– G major (IV)
– D major (I)
– B♭ major (♭VII – Borrowed from D minor)
– C major (VII)
– G major (IV)
“`
This chord progression shows a similar approach to creating mood and harmonic variety by Pink Floyd.
Musical Analysis
The chord progression utilized in “Wild Horses” features elegant movement and tension-building, notably through the use of the borrowed chord. The chord F major (♭VII) doesn’t naturally belong in the key of G major, but it’s borrowed from the parallel key of G minor. This creates a kind of thrilling tonal color that adds a touch of sadness and drama to the progression, giving the song its characteristic melancholic feel.
Overall Analysis
“Wild Horses” by The Rolling Stones is a rock ballad with a minor tonality and is composed in the key of G major. The song incorporates the use of modal interchange, more commonly referred to as borrowed chords, from the parallel minor. This common technique in rock music contributes to the melancholic and emotionally resonant feeling of the song.
Style Analysis
The Rolling Stones have been known for their ability to experiment within blues and rock and make it their own. Their usage of both major and minor chords within the same progression, as well as the borrowed chord, imitates traditional blues structures and alludes to more complex harmonic concepts. This aligns with their style of bridging the gap between traditional forms and contemporary rock.
What are the chords in: The Rolling Stones – Wild Horses – Chorus?
[‘Am’, ‘C’, ‘D’, ‘G’, ‘F’, ‘C’, ‘Bm’, ‘Am’, ‘C’, ‘D’, ‘G’, ‘F’, ‘C’, ‘D’, ‘G’]
