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Related Music Theory Alchemy

“1979” by The Smashing Pumpkins is written in the A major key and showcases various examples of modal interchange, also known as borrowed chords. The song switches often between the major and minor modes, providing a dynamic interplay of moods. The outro particularly stands out due to its use of both major and maj7th chords, a somewhat unusual combination. Emaj7 adds color and complexity to the progression, as a borrowed chord from the E major scale.

“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.

“Good Old Fashioned Lover Boy” by Queen exhibits rich harmonic complexity that falls within the signature rock style of the band. This is evident in the fluctuation between major and minor chord quality, frequent use of 7th chords as well as borrowed chords from the parallel minor. The progression moves fluidly between the tonics, subdominants, and dominants, with a strong cadential movement towards the end that resolves the tension built upon earlier in the piece.

The chord progression in the chorus of “Breathe” by Pink Floyd is a non-diatonic progression, meaning it does not strictly follow a specific key. The progression features some borrowed chords and a dominant seventh alteration. The style is influenced by blues and jazz, with a relaxed and reflective mood.

Chorus 1

The progression for the song is tuned to a standard E Standard (E A D G B E) and it is in the key of G.

The Smashing Pumpkins – 1979 – Chorus 1

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Chord Progression

[‘E’, ‘Emaj7’, ‘Amaj7’, ‘E’, ‘Emaj7’, ‘Amaj7’, ‘E’, ‘Emaj7’, ‘Amaj7’, ‘F#m7’, ‘B’, ‘Emaj7’, ‘E’]

Chord Progression Analysis

Chorus:
“`
1. E (I)
2. Emaj7 (I7)
3. Amaj7 (IV7)
4. E (I)
5. Emaj7 (I7)
6. Amaj7 (IV7)
7. E (I)
8. Emaj7 (I7)
9. Amaj7 (IV7)
10. F#m7 (ii7)
11. B (V)
12. Emaj7 (I7)
13. E (I)
“`

Similar Chord Progressions

Although unique in many ways, the chord progression of “1979” can be compared to that of “Life in Technicolor” by Coldplay. The song also has an unconventional progression with multiple seventh chords. The progression starts on D (I), moving to G (IV), Bm7 (vi7), G (IV) and A (V). This progression shows similar use of major seventh chords, and ends on a dominant chord, as does “1979”.

Musical Analysis

The song begins and ends with the ‘Emaj7’ chord (I7), which signifies a certain resolve, but within the progression there is a noticeable tension, particularly when it transitions to the ‘Amaj7’ (IV7) chord, which is a major seventh in place of a more typical major or minor chord. In addition, the chord progression includes the ‘F#m7’ (ii7) and ‘B’ (V), a common sequence that creates a cadence back to the ‘E key’.

Overall Analysis

The song “1979” by The Smashing Pumpkins has a chord progression that can be considered experimental for Pop and Rock music, which typically tend to use simple and easily predictable progressions. In this song, the progression is notably more complex and unpredictable, shifting between ‘E’ and ‘Emaj7’ gives this track a moody feel, and the Amaj7 gives it another color. This progression is in the key of E major.

Style Analysis

Known for their grungy sound and complex guitar work, The Smashing Pumpkins push the boundaries of typical chord progressions with songs like “1979”. The band often uses seventh chords and unexpected chord changes to create an unique and interesting sound. The use of ‘Emaj7’ and ‘Amaj7’ gives the song its distinctive, melancholy sound that sets it apart from other songs in the same genre.

Chords in the Chorus 1 section of 1979 by The Smashing Pumpkins are:

[‘E’, ‘Emaj7’, ‘Amaj7’, ‘E’, ‘Emaj7’, ‘Amaj7’, ‘E’, ‘Emaj7’, ‘Amaj7’, ‘F#m7’, ‘B’, ‘Emaj7’, ‘E’]