Weezer – California Kids – Verse 1
California Kids < All Analyses
Chord Progression
C, C/B, Am, G, F, G, C, C, C/B, Am, G, F, G, C, Am, Am, F, G
Chord Progression Analysis
C (I) – C/B (I/♭VII) – Am (vi) – G (V) – F (IV) – G (V) – C (I) – C (I) – C/B (I/♭VII) – Am (vi) – G (V) – F (IV) – G (V) – C (I) – Am (vi) – Am (vi) – F (IV) – G (V)
Similar Chord Progressions
1. Oasis – “Live Forever”
Chord progression: G (I) – Bm (iii) – Em (vi) – C (IV) – D (V)
2. Green Day – “Time of Your Life”
Chord progression: G (I) – Cadd9 (IV) – Dsus4 (V) – Em (vi) – D (V) – Cadd9 (IV) – G (I)
3. The Verve – “Bittersweet Symphony”
Chord progression: E (I) – Bm7 (ii7) – Dsus2 (IV) – A (V)
These songs have different chord progressions, but they share similarities with “California Kids” in their use of diatonic chords, occasionally incorporating unconventional chord choices and featuring the common IV-V movements found in pop and rock music.
Musical Analysis
The song begins with the tonic C major chord (I), giving a sense of stability. The melody then shifts to C/B (I/♭VII), an interesting choice that adds a chromatic descent in the bass. This leads to the Am (vi) chord, which creates a subtle sense of tension and anticipation, resolved by the dominant G (V) chord. This pattern repeats one more time.
After the repetition, the chord progression takes a slightly different turn, as the verse progresses with a typical IV-V movement, F (IV) to G (V), which is commonly used in pop and rock music for its pleasant resolution to the tonic.
Overall Analysis
The given chord progression of Weezer’s “California Kids” features a verse in the key of C major. The progression primarily uses diatonic chords, with a more unconventional movement that features the use of a C/B chord, or I chord with the bass note played in the seventh degree (leads to tonicization of the vi chord). The progression also features a common IV-V movement that is a characteristic of pop and rock music.
Style Analysis
Weezer is known for their power-pop and alternative rock sound, which is evident in “California Kids.” The chord progression features a mix of stable diatonic chords and more unconventional movements, such as the use of C/B (I/♭VII). This gives the song a vibrant and dynamic quality, with a mix of tension, resolution and unpredictability that is often associated with alternative rock and the ’90s era of music.
What are the chords in: Weezer – California Kids – Verse 1?
C, C/B, Am, G, F, G, C, C, C/B, Am, G, F, G, C, Am, Am, F, G
