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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 chord progression from the intro of “Undone – The Sweater Song” by Weezer is in the key of G Major and features an interesting mix of chords with an alternative rock flavor. The progression includes a non-diatonic chord (G6#9) and has a nice balance of tension and resolution, giving the song a memorable sound.

The song seems to have a psychedelic pop/rock vibe reminiscing of the late ’60s and ’70s. The use of major seventh chords and repeated shifting between E Major and D Major hints at a sense of yearning and nostalgia, something that is commonly found in Tame Impala’s music.

“I Sat By The Ocean” by Queens of the Stone Age is in the key of E major and utilizes a mix of diatonic chords (i.e., chords native to the key of E major) and borrowed chords (i.e., chords borrowed from parallel or related keys).

Pre-Chorus

The song “Dead Flowers” by The Rolling Stones is a classic rock tune that is characterized by its simple yet effective chord progressions. The key of this song is D Major. This song utilizes mostly major chords (D, A, and G), and it has a strong emphasis on the I-IV-V chord progression, a staple in many rock, blues, and pop music.

Weezer – Buddy Holly – Pre-Chorus

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Chord Progression

D, C#m, F#m, D, C#m, F#m, D, Dm

Chord Progression Analysis

D Major (IV), C# Minor (vi), F# Minor (vi), D Major (IV), C# Minor (vi), F# Minor (vi), D Major (IV), D Minor (iv)

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Borrowed Chord: D Minor (iv)
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Similar Chord Progressions

1. Green Day – “When I Come Around”
Chord Progression: G Major (IV), D Minor (vi), C Major (V), E Minor (ii)

2. Blink-182 – “All The Small Things”
Chord Progression: C Major (I), G Major (V), F Major (IV), G Major (V)

Musical Analysis

The pre-chorus begins with a D major chord, creating a sense of tension by moving away from the tonic A major. The subsequent C# minor chord serves as a relative minor of the E major, which is the dominant chord in the key of A major. This builds anticipation for a resolution back to the tonic that is eventually satisfied by the repeated use of F# minor chords. The progression ends with a return to the D major chord, followed by the borrowed D minor chord, which adds an unexpected and intriguing twist that increases the catchiness and memorability of the song.

Overall Analysis

This pre-chorus from Weezer’s “Buddy Holly” features an eight-chord progression in the key of A major. It includes a borrowed chord (Dm) from the parallel minor key (A minor). The harmonic movement consists of alternating D major and C# minor chords, followed by F# minor chords, before returning to the D major root and finally resolving with the borrowed Dm chord. This progression contributes to the energetic, catchy, and upbeat style of the song.

Style Analysis

Weezer’s “Buddy Holly” falls within the genre of alternative rock – specifically, power-pop. The energetic and upbeat chord progression is characteristic of this style, along with the use of electric guitar-driven riffs and catchy hooks. The harmony employs simple diatonic chords and includes a borrowed chord (Dm) to add some variation and maintain listener interest, which is another hallmark of power-pop music.

Chords in the Pre-chorus section of Buddy Holly by Weezer are:

D, C#m, F#m, D, C#m, F#m, D, Dm