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Related Music Theory Alchemy

“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 given chord progression of Weezer’s “California Kids” features a verse in the key of C major. The progression primarily uses diatonic chords, with a more unconventional movement that features the use of a C/B chord, or I chord with the bass note played in the seventh degree (leads to tonicization of the vi chord). The progression also features a common IV-V movement that is a characteristic of pop and rock music.

“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.

Vance Joy – Riptide – Verse 1

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Chord Progression

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

Chord Progression Analysis

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Chord progression: [‘Am’, ‘G’, ‘C’, ‘Am’, ‘G’, ‘C’, ‘Am’, ‘G’, ‘C’, ‘Am’, ‘G’, ‘C’]
Equivalent in roman numerals: [‘Vi’, ‘V’, ‘I’, ‘Vi’, ‘V’, ‘I’, ‘Vi’, ‘V’, ‘I’, ‘Vi’, ‘V’, ‘I’]

For this chord progression, the full chord names and their relative roman numerals are:

“`
Am (vi)
G (V)
C (I)
“`

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Similar Chord Progressions

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A similar I–V–vi–IV progression in the key of C is seen in:

– “Let It Be” by The Beatles. Chord progression: [‘C’, ‘G’, ‘Am’, ‘F’]
– “No Woman, No Cry” by Bob Marley: Chord progression is [‘C’, ‘G’, ‘Am’, ‘F’]

The iconic progression also appears in these songs but the key varies:

– “I’m Yours” by Jason Mraz which uses a variant of a I–V–vi–IV progression in the key of B: Chord progression: [‘B’, ‘F#’, ‘G#m’, ‘E’]
– “Someone Like You” by Adele which is in the key of A: Chord progression: [‘A’, ‘E’, ‘F#m’, ‘D’]

Even though these songs are in different keys, their chord progressions are essentially transpositions of the I-V-vi-IV progression, meaning they follow the same pattern, just starting on different root notes.

Musical Analysis

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This three-chord pattern (Am-G-C) is repeated throughout the verse. Starting on the vi chord stands out because it’s different from the standard pop song format that often begins on the I chord. The use of the V chord (G) as a transition back to the I chord (C) gives it a solid sense of resolution. There’s also a continuous pulse to the song which drives the rhythm. The aforementioned cyclical three-chord progression provides a catchy repeating harmonic loop that suits the repetition in the melody and gives the overall piece a pleasant and dynamic flow.

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Overall Analysis

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“Riptide,” by Vance Joy has a classic, highly repetitive chord progression that creates the folk/pop character of the song. It is written in the key of C Major and uses the simplified I-IV-vi progression, which is also widely used in pop music. In addition, it has a common modulated transition via V chord (G) to the vi chord (Am). There are no borrowed chords in this progression. This repetitive structure can be appealing due to its simplicity and familiarity.

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Style Analysis

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This style is very typical of pop and folk music. In using simple and repetitive harmonic sequences, the song offers predictability and a sense of familiarity. This allows the listener to latch onto the memorable hook and notably, it paves way for the lyrics and melody to really shine through. The chord progression and the choice of chords itself produce a pleasant combination of major and minor sonorities, contributing to the bittersweet, heartfelt vibe of the song.

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Chords in the Verse 1 section of Riptide by Vance Joy are:

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