Vance Joy – Riptide – Verse 1
Riptide < All Analyses
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:
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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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What are the chords in: Vance Joy – Riptide – Verse 1?
[‘Am’, ‘G’, ‘C’, ‘Am’, ‘G’, ‘C’, ‘Am’, ‘G’, ‘C’, ‘Am’, ‘G’, ‘C’]
