Search

Related Music Theory Alchemy

“Bullet With Butterfly Wings” by The Smashing Pumpkins is an alternative rock song released in 1995. The song is in the key of E minor and primarily uses power chords derived from the E minor scale throughout the song. Power chords or ‘5’ chords, like B5 or G5, don’t have a major or minor quality and are often used in rock music for their strong and neutral sound. The song also applies modal mixture (borrowing chords from parallel keys) for color and tension.

**

“1979” by The Smashing Pumpkins is a classic alternative rock song that cleverly uses uncommon, sophisticated chords to evoke an emotional, melancholic atmosphere.

**

The song “Get You” by Daniel Caesar features a smooth and soulful chord progression that reflects the style of contemporary R&B and neo-soul. The chords provide a sense of warmth and sincerity that complements the song’s intimate lyrics. The progression is primarily diatonic, but with some borrowed chords, which adds an interesting color to the music.

“Can’t Buy Me Love” is a song in C Major. The Beatles were renowned for their use of a variety of chord progressions, and this song certainly lives up to that reputation. Although the progression in the verse primarily consists of the chords ‘C7’, ‘F7’, and ‘C’, it’s the way they are harmonically linked that makes it really interesting.

**
The overall use of chords highlights Queen’s blending of rock with more complex harmonic structures, moving beyond simple major & minor chords and incorporating 7th and inversions. Despite its pop/rock surface, “Somebody to Love” includes interesting modulation and chord choices that could be seen as more typical of more ‘classical’ forms of music.

**

The Smashing Pumpkins – Bullet With Butterfly Wings – Verse 1

Add To Favorites Remove From Favorites

Chord Progression

[‘B5’, ‘Em’, ‘G5’]

Chord Progression Analysis

Here’s the chord progression for Verse 1:

B5 (I5), Em (ii), G5 (IV5)

BU (Borrowed chords) = None

Similar Chord Progressions

1) “Smells Like Teen Spirit” by Nirvana – E5 (I5), A5 (IV5), G#5 (III#5), C5 (VI5)
2) “Black” by Pearl Jam – E (I), A (IV), D (VII), Em (ii)

Although these songs are not in the same key nor do they have the exact Figure Bass notation, they share the same grunge aesthetic and utilize power chords to achieve that raw, rock sound. Just like in “Bullet With Butterfly Wings”, there are minor chords interjected amongst the power and major chords for a heightened emotional effect.

Musical Analysis

The song is in the key of B Major. The use of power chords such as B5 and G5, stripped down to their core harmonics elements (root and perfect fifth), provides the song with raw power typical of the punk/grunge genre. B5 and G5 are the major chords strengthened by the fifth, which gives it the specific rock sound. Meanwhile, the Em functions as a minor chord offering a slight mood change. The constant shifts between major and minor chords build tension and intensity throughout the song.

Overall Analysis

“Bullet With Butterfly Wings” by The Smashing Pumpkins features a chord progression that uses a lot of power chords (fifth chords) which demonstrates its grungy, rock oriented style. It also incorporates major, minor, and suspended second chords, making it an interesting combination of simplicity and complexity.

Style Analysis

“Bullet With Butterfly Wings” is a signature song of the Smashing Pumpkins’ ’90s grunge rock style, featuring distorted guitar tones, intense emotion, and dark lyrics. The use of power chords is typical in this kind of music as they provide a more powerful, simple, and raw sound to express intense emotions. The Asus2 adds a suspense which is characteristic of the moody and introspective aspects of grunge.

Chords in the Verse 1 section of Bullet With Butterfly Wings by The Smashing Pumpkins are:

[‘B5’, ‘Em’, ‘G5’]