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Related Music Theory Alchemy

“California Kids” by Weezer is a pop rock song with influences from alternative and power pop. The chord progression in Verse 2 shows a blend of diatonic and borrowed chords, which contributes to a slight sense of tension and resolution throughout the progression. The chords in the verse also exhibit movement by step (C to C/B) and a mixture of major and minor tonalities.

The chord progression in Verse 1 of “My Name Is Jonas” by Weezer is in the key of C Major. The progression is quite simple and common, but it includes an interesting borrowed chord to provide extra color. This can be described as a mix of pop and rock idioms.

Chord Progression Analysis (with full chord names and Roman numerals):

C Major (I) – G Major (V) – A minor (vi) – F Major (IV)

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Borrowed Chord: None in this progression
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Radiohead’s “Fake Plastic Trees” is an alternative rock ballad from their 1995 album, “The Bends.” The moody and atmospheric track is characterized by its emotive vocal delivery, contrasting dynamics, rich arrangement, and engaging chord progression. This progression, in particular, features an interesting mixture of diatonic and borrowed chords that create a sense of tension and resolution throughout the piece.

The song, “Sour Times” by Portishead, is in the key of C# minor. The chord progression of the chorus that you’ve provided swings between three chords (F#m7, Emaj7, D#7) four times before ending on a C#m chord. It suggests a II – I – VII progression in the chorus, which is rare and distinctive in contemporary music genres. This choice of chord progression creates a mysterious, dark, and contemplative mood, characteristic of the trip-hop genre that Portishead propounds.

The chord progression in the chorus of Muse’s “New Born” is an interesting mix of diatonic, borrowed, and modal interchange chords, displaying a strong connection to rock music with its use of suspended chords and chromatic passing tones. The progression demonstrates the band’s compositional skill and creativity.

Weezer – California Kids – Chorus 2

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Chord Progression

F, G, Am, E, E, F, G, F, F, G, F, G, Am, E, E, F, G, F

Chord Progression Analysis

The progression and overall style of “California Kids” is emblematic of power pop and pop-rock, which Weezer is known for. The inclusion of the V/vi (E major) borrowed chord adds emotional color and manages to balance familiarity with a slight sense of unpredictability.

Similar Chord Progressions

Musical Analysis

1. “Say It Ain’t So” by Weezer
As a Weezer song, “Say It Ain’t So” shares a similar style and progression logic, with the verse chords being:
C#m (i) – G# (V) – A (VI) – E (III)

2. “She Will Be Loved” by Maroon 5
The progression in the verse shares a similar rhythmic structure and circular feel, with the chords being:
Cm (i) – G (III) – A# (VI) – Fm (iv) – G# (V)

3. “Drive” by Incubus
This song also has a progression that maintains resolution and tension, with the verse chords being:
Em7 (ii7) – Dmaj9 (I9) – Asus4 (IV)

Overall Analysis

The chorus maintains a feeling of resolution and tension by alternating between the IV (F major) and V (G major) chords, while the vi (A minor) to V/vi (E major) progression provides a smooth transition back to the IV chord (F major).

In terms of borrowed chords, the E Major is a borrowed chord.
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E major (V/vi)
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Style Analysis

Chords in the Chorus 2 section of California Kids by Weezer are:

F, G, Am, E, E, F, G, F, F, G, F, G, Am, E, E, F, G, F