Music Theory Alchemy

Search

Related Music Theory Alchemy

“Buddy Holly” by Weezer is a power-pop/alternative rock song from their debut studio album “Weezer” (also known as the Blue Album) released in 1994. The verse chord progression features diatonic chords from the A major key, along with some inversions and techniques borrowed from other musical styles such as blues and rock.

The interlude of Weezer’s “Island in the Sun” is in the key of G Major, and features a four-chord progression that repeats itself twice (Em-Am-D-G). The sequence follows a vi-ii-V-I progression, which is a very common progression in pop and rock music.

The Beach Boys’ “Good Vibrations” presents an interesting mix of major and minor chords with excellent use of chord inversions and borrowings. The song is harmonically adventurous, showcasing the band’s pop mastery with Brian Wilson’s unmatched compositional skills. This song is primarily in the key of A Major, with many borrowed chords and modulation that creates its unique feel.

“Cant Buy Me Love” by The Beatles, is a song in the key of C Major, but it has an interesting harmonic structure, especially in the chorus. The song features a number of borrowed and secondary dominant chords to create tension that resolves into the tonic chord. The chorus’s progression can be seen as a series of descending minor thirds, with an unexpected shift to a ii-V-I progression which is quite popular in jazz music.

Your Song, like many of Elton John’s pieces, is known for its prominent piano accompaniment and strong melodic hooks. The song is in the key of D Major, which is why the frequent return to the D Major chord provides the sense of home and finality in the piece.

Weezer – Buddy Holly – Chorus

Add To Favorites Remove From Favorites

< All Analyses

Chord Progression

A, D/F#, E, A, D/F#, E, F#m, D, E, A, A, D, E, A, A, D, E, A, A, D, E, A, A, D, E, A, F#m, E, F#m

Chord Progression Analysis

A (I) – D/F# (IV6) – E (V) – A (I) – D/F# (IV6) – E (V) – F#m (vi) – D (IV) – E (V) – A (I) – A (I) – D (IV) – E (V) – A (I) – A (I) – D (IV) – E (V) – A (I) – A (I) – D (IV) – E (V) – A (I) – A (I) – D (IV) – E (V) – A (I) – F#m (vi) – E (V) – F#m (vi)

Similar Chord Progressions

1. “Last Nite” by The Strokes – A (I) – D (IV) – E (V) – A (I)
2. “Livin’ on a Prayer” by Bon Jovi – Em (i) – C (VI) – D (VII) – Em (i)
3. “Don’t Look Back in Anger” by Oasis – C (I) – G (V) – Am (vi) – E (III) – F (IV) – G (V) – C (I)
4. “Teenage Kicks” by The Undertones – D (I) – G (IV) – A (V) – D (I)

These examples share a simple and effective, predominantly diatonic chord progression, which has proven to be successful in creating catchy hooks in the pop and rock genres. While some of these progressions feature slightly different chords or variations, their overall structure is similar and embodies the versatile and timeless appeal of the I-IV-V progression.

Musical Analysis

The chorus of “Buddy Holly” begins with a classic IV-V-I progression in A Major, which creates a sense of resolution and strong tonal center. The first and second chords, A (I) and D/F# (IV6), serve as the harmonic foundation. The E (V) creates tension that is resolved when returning to the A (I). This progression repeats during the first three lines of the chorus.

The relatively simple chord progression is then enriched by the use of secondary dominants. For example, the F#m (vi) chord in the second line serves as a pivot chord, leading to the D (IV) and E (V) chords. As the progression moves toward the end of the chorus, the tension continues to build through the repetition of the A (I) – D (IV) – E (V) sequence.

In the last line, the progression momentarily shifts the focus to the relative minor key, F#m (vi), but quickly returns to the A major key through the use of the E (V) chord. The F#m (vi) chord creates a sense of momentary darkness, contrasting the generally bright and uplifting atmosphere of the song.

Overall Analysis

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.

Style Analysis

“Buddy Holly” is a quintessential example of Weezer’s power-pop and alternative rock style. The clean and bright electric guitars, catchy hooks, and upbeat harmonies are hallmarks of this genre. The use of a common diatonic harmony and chords, combined with occasional borrowed chords, showcases a strong melodic sensibility, characteristic of Weezer’s sound.

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

A, D/F#, E, A, D/F#, E, F#m, D, E, A, A, D, E, A, A, D, E, A, A, D, E, A, A, D, E, A, F#m, E, F#m