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Related Music Theory Alchemy

The chord progression in the chorus of Weezer’s “Buddy Holly” is in the key of A major and has a mix of diatonic and borrowed chords. Overall, it has a distinct and memorable pop-rock feel, with a strong hook and melodic quality. Through its use of secondary dominants, the progression creates tension and release, pushing the harmony forward in a compelling manner.

“Island in the Sun” by Weezer is in the key of G major and features a simple yet catchy chord progression in its outro. The progression is characterized by its bright, uplifting sound and follows a common pop/rock formula. It also has a nostalgic, summery feel, making it a perfect fit for the song’s title and theme.

The chord progression in the bridge of “Hey You” by Pink Floyd is a relatively simple progression that revolves around the C Major and G Major chords, with brief appearances of D Major and E minor add9 chords. The piece showcases Pink Floyd’s signature progressive rock style, with steady changes between chords and a sense of tension and release.

“Dont Let Me Down” by The Beatles is a song that’s heavily grounded in the key of E Major, with some interesting use of borrowed chords for a richer, more emotional harmonic texture. The song is a fine example of The Beatles’ songwriting style, which often involves mixing diatonic chords with chromatic passing chords, borrowed chords, and secondary dominants.

The song ‘Today’ by The Smashing Pumpkins is a classic example of mixing major and minor modes in rock music. The majority of the song is modal, centered around D major and B minor. However, the bridge section changes gears and revolves around E minor.

Weezer – Buddy Holly – Bridge

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Chord Progression

A, F#m, A/C#, B, A, F#m, A/C#, B, A, A, F#m, A/C#, B, A, F#m, A/C#, B, A

Chord Progression Analysis

A (I) – F#m (vi) – A/C# (I6) – B (II) – A (I) – F#m (vi) – A/C# (I6) – B (II) – A (I) – A (I) – F#m (vi) – A/C# (I6) – B (II) – A (I) – F#m (vi) – A/C# (I6) – B (II) – A (I)

Similar Chord Progressions

1. The Beatles – “Let It Be”
Chord progression: C (I) – G (V) – Am (vi) – F (IV) – C (I) – G (V) – F (IV) – C (I)

2. Oasis – “Wonderwall”
Chord progression: Em7 (ii7) – G (IV) – Dsus4 (I) – Asus7 (V7)

These chord progressions share similarities such as the use of diatonic progressions within a key and the shifting between major and minor chords, creating a sense of tension and release. Although they may not be identical, the emotional impact and the style share common ground with “Buddy Holly.”

Musical Analysis

The progression starts with the tonic (I) chord, A major, which establishes the key center. Moving to the next chord, F#m (vi), creates a shift to the relative minor, adding a sense of melancholy to the music. Following F#m is an inversion of the A major chord, A/C# (I6), creating a smooth bass transition from F# to C#.

The use of the B major chord (II) in this progression is interesting, as it is not diatonic to the key of A major. Here, it functions as a borrowed chord from A’s parallel Lydian mode. This borrowing creates a change in harmonic color, giving the progression a unique touch.

Overall Analysis

The chord progression from the bridge of Weezer’s “Buddy Holly” is in the key of A major. The progression presents a strong sense of tonality and features common rock/pop techniques, such as diatonic chord progressions, inversions, and the use of the minor subdominant.

Style Analysis

The chord progression features techniques and elements that are common in pop and rock music, such as the use of diatonic chord progressions within the key, the inclusion of chord inversions for smoother bass transitions, and the borrowing of chords from other modes. The progression evokes a sense of nostalgia, which can also be associated with Weezer’s overall musical style.

Chords in the Bridge section of Buddy Holly by Weezer are:

A, F#m, A/C#, B, A, F#m, A/C#, B, A, A, F#m, A/C#, B, A, F#m, A/C#, B, A