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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 chorus of “Perfect Situation” by Weezer features a fairly straightforward chord progression using diatonic chords from the G major scale. The progression is composed primarily of the tonic (I), dominant (V), and submediant (vi) chords, with a focus on their harmonic interplay. This creates a catchy and memorable chorus, which is characteristic of Weezer’s style and is often found in pop and rock music.

“Strawberry Fields Forever” by The Beatles is written in the key of A Major and features 4/4 time signature. The chord progression for Chorus 3, which you’ve mentioned, is quite sophisticated and creative, exhibiting the Beatles’ aptitude for blending conventional pop harmony with more unexpected changes, drawn from their broad palette of influences and their willingness to experiment.

“Castles Made of Sand” by Jimi Hendrix is a psychedelic rock song that features a unique chord progression and distinctive guitar techniques that were ahead of its time. The song was released in 1967 on the album “Axis: Bold as Love” and showcases Hendrix’s innovative approach to guitar playing and songwriting.

“Here Comes The Sun” is written by George Harrison from The Beatles and it is a key example of the band’s flirtation with what is commonly referred to as Mixolydian mode. The piece showcases their skillful blending of folk idioms with contemporary pop sensibilities.

Weezer – California Kids – Chorus 3

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Chord Progression

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

Chord Progression Analysis

F Major (I) – G Major (V/ii) – A minor (ii) – E Major (V/vi) – F Major (I) – G Major (V/ii) – F Major (I) – F Major (I)
G Major (V/ii) – F Major (I) – G Major (V/ii) – A minor (ii) – E Major (V/vi) – F Major (I) – G Major (V/ii) – F Major (I)
F Major (I) – G Major (V/ii) – F Major (I) – G Major (V/ii) – F Major (I) – F Major (I) – G Major (V/ii) – F Major (I)

Wherein
“`E Major (V/vi)“` is a borrowed chord.

Similar Chord Progressions

1. Toto – Africa
Chord Progression: B Major (I) – G#m (vi) – C# minor (ii) – E Major (IV) – F# Major (V) – F# Major (V) – E Major (IV) – E Major (IV)
2. The Beatles – Let It Be
Chord Progression: C Major (I) – G Major (V) – A minor (vi) – F Major (IV) – C Major (I) – G Major (V) – F Major (IV) – C Major (I)

In both examples, the chord progressions follow a similar pattern as found in California Kids, featuring a predominant (ii or vi) and dominant (IV or V) chord sequence that helps create movement and tension in the song.

Musical Analysis

The progression starts and ends with the tonic, F Major, providing a sense of resolution and stability. The A minor (ii) chord acts as a predominant, creating movement towards the E Major chord, which is a secondary dominant (V/vi) that resolves to A minor in a deceptive manner instead of the expected D minor (vi). This creates a more interesting sound and grabs the listeners’ attention. The G Major chord, functioning as a V/ii creates tension, which helps propel the song forward.

Overall Analysis

The chord progression of the chorus of California Kids by Weezer displays a mixture of diatonic and borrowed chords in the key of F Major. The progression has a common pop-rock feel with some chromatic harmonic elements, bringing a more interesting and engaging effect to the listener.

Style Analysis

California Kids is a pop-rock song that features a mixture of diatonic and borrowed chords, giving it a unique yet familiar sound. The progression’s repetitiveness is common in pop music and can help make the song catchy and easy to remember. The E Major chord, a borrowed chord, adds a touch of chromaticism, which is often found in rock music, giving it an edge over a purely diatonic progression.

Chords in the Chorus 3 section of California Kids by Weezer are:

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