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“Riptide” by Vance Joy is in the key of C major. The chord progression is a repeated sequence of Am, G, C and Fmaj7, with the Fmaj7 being a borrowed chord from the parallel minor, C minor. Given that the majority of the song follows this pattern, it’s simple yet effective, providing a catchy and persistent structure to the song.

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Vance Joy’s “Riptide” is a folk-pop song that presents a unique coupling of simplicity and depth on the musical landscape. The chord progression, in particular the pre-chorus, is relatively straightforward, but it introduces a flavor of complexity thanks to the inclusion of the borrowed chord. The song operates primarily within the key of C major, and maintains a predominantly folk-like, easy listening aesthetic throughout. Its chord progression, while simple, is nonetheless powerful in conveying the song’s desired emotional ambiance.

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The chord progression for Radiohead’s “All I Need” chorus features a simple and repetitive structure, with a strong emphasis on the tonic (C major) and its relative minor (E minor). The progression then ends with a brief move to the dominant (G major), before returning to the tonic. This accessible sequence reflects the song’s emotional vulnerability and simplicity, while also showcasing the band’s ability to create emotional depth in their music.

“3 Libras Acoustic Live” by A Perfect Circle revolves around a rock ballad style with an alternative rock genre. It features distinctive chord progressions and some borrowing from outside of the primary key. The harmonic progression in the chorus is relatively simple but contributes to the melancholic and introspective atmosphere of the song.

The key of ‘Take Me Home, Country Roads’ is G Major, a common key for pop and country songs which provides a bright and uplifting sound. Throughout the song, only four different chords are used: G, D, Em and C. The progression is repeated consistently, with only the sudden introduction of an F major chord (borrowed from the parallel minor of G) towards the end of the song during a transition phase.

Vance Joy – Riptide – Chorus

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Chord Progression

[‘Am’, ‘G’, ‘C’, ‘Am’, ‘G’, ‘C’, ‘Am’, ‘G’, ‘C’, ‘Am’, ‘G’, ‘C’, ‘Am’, ‘G’, ‘C’, ‘Am’, ‘G’, ‘C’, ‘Am’, ‘G’, ‘C’, ‘Am’, ‘G’, ‘C’, ‘Am’, ‘G’, ‘C’, ‘Am’, ‘G’, ‘C’, ‘Am’, ‘G’, ‘C’, ‘Am’, ‘G’, ‘C’, ‘Am’, ‘G’, ‘C’]

Chord Progression Analysis

The repetitive chorus (and the majority of the song, in fact) revolves around an A minor-G Major-C Major progression. In the key of C Major, these chords have the following Roman numerals:

“`
A minor (vi), G Major (V), C Major (I)
“`

The song does not feature any borrowed chords. Borrowed chords come from a key’s parallel minor or major, and all chords used in “Riptide” are diatonic to the key of C Major.

Similar Chord Progressions

One of the things that makes the three-chord song so profoundly popular is the sheer number of different songs that can be produced from the same simple materials. I-vi-IV progression is one of the most common in pop music. Some examples are:

– “Let It Be” by The Beatles: `C Major (I), G Major (V), A minor (vi), F Major (IV)`
– “No Woman No Cry” by Bob Marley: `C Major (I), G Major (V), A minor (vi), F Major (IV)`
– “Uptown Funk” by Mark Ronson featuring Bruno Mars: `D minor (vi), G Major (V), C Major (I)`.

While the songs above have similar sequences, none of them is an exact match for “Riptide” because the song’s progression is notable for its specific pattern and its minor-major juxtaposition.

Musical Analysis

“Riptide”, like many pop songs, uses a three-chord structure, and what makes it interesting is its simplicity and the techniques used to create variation within it. The only gently nuanced part comes in the bridge, where Vance Joy introduces an Fmaj7 chord which creates tension that resolves back into the main progression. This usage of a non-diatonic chord gives a clever twist to the otherwise straightforward progression.

Overall Analysis

Vance Joy’s “Riptide” is a remarkably simple yet highly effective song written in the key of C Major. The song follows a repetitive I-vi-IV chord progression, which is only varied in the bridge where a minor seventh chord introduces tension before leading back to the song’s major tonality.

Style Analysis

In terms of style, “Riptide” stands out for its catchy ukulele-driven sound and its repetition of the three-chord progression with minimal variation, a common trait in most pop music. Its emotional content derives from the stark switch between the major and minor chords. This lends the song both a happy, upbeat feel from the major chords and an underpinning of melancholy from the minor ones.

Chords in the Chorus section of Riptide by Vance Joy are:

[‘Am’, ‘G’, ‘C’, ‘Am’, ‘G’, ‘C’, ‘Am’, ‘G’, ‘C’, ‘Am’, ‘G’, ‘C’, ‘Am’, ‘G’, ‘C’, ‘Am’, ‘G’, ‘C’, ‘Am’, ‘G’, ‘C’, ‘Am’, ‘G’, ‘C’, ‘Am’, ‘G’, ‘C’, ‘Am’, ‘G’, ‘C’, ‘Am’, ‘G’, ‘C’, ‘Am’, ‘G’, ‘C’, ‘Am’, ‘G’, ‘C’]