Music Theory Alchemy

Search

Related Music Theory Alchemy

“My Name Is Jonas” by Weezer is a 90’s alternative rock song that features a catchy and memorable chord progression during its chorus. The harmony is simple and combines both major and minor chords, giving it a balanced and well-rounded sound. It is worth noting that this progression is fairly common in popular music, particularly in rock and indie genres.

“Island in the Sun” by Weezer is in the key of G major and features a simple yet catchy chord progression in its outro. The progression is characterized by its bright, uplifting sound and follows a common pop/rock formula. It also has a nostalgic, summery feel, making it a perfect fit for the song’s title and theme.

The Beatles’ “Something” is a soulful ballad from their 1969 album “Abbey Road.” It’s primarily composed in the key of C major, but features modulations to other keys throughout its duration. The harmony of this song is somewhat complicated, but still rooted in traditional practices. “Something” effectively uses borrowed chords—chords from parallel keys—to create a fresh and memorable sound.

**

“Sorry Seems To Be The Hardest Word” is a song by Elton John written in the key of G major. However, the tonal center of this song fluctuates between G major and its relative minor, Em. Sensitive to the modality of the melody, Elton incorporates “color” via his diverse chord selections. The harmonic movement in this song is richly chromatic, creating a sense of tension and release that intensifies the melancholic aura of the lyrics.

**

“Yes I’m Changing” by Tame Impala uses a repetitive chord progression throughout the majority of the song, alternating primarily between the chords C, Csus2, Cadd9, Am, F, and G. This pattern is characterized by constant resolution with the tonic of the key, C Major. However, the progression occasionally diverges from the typical diatonic pattern by introducing a G Major chord, which is a V chord in the C Major scale.

Weezer – My Name Is Jonas – Intro

Add To Favorites Remove From Favorites

< All Analyses

Chord Progression

C, G6/B, Am, G6/B

Chord Progression Analysis

C (I) – G6/B (V6) – Am (vi) – G6/B (V6)

“`C: I – V6 – vi – V6“`

Similar Chord Progressions

1. “Let It Be” by The Beatles
C (I) – G (V) – Am (vi) – F (IV)

“`C: I – V – vi – IV“`

2. “No Woman, No Cry” by Bob Marley
C (I) – G (V) – Am (vi) – F (IV) – C (I) – G (V) – F (IV) – C (I)

“`C: I – V – vi – IV – I – V – IV – I“`

3. “Don’t Stop Believin’” by Journey
E (I) – B (V) – C#m (vi) – A (IV)

“`E: I – V – vi – IV“`

These examples feature the common I-V-vi-IV progression, which is a staple in pop and rock music. While not an exact match to “My Name Is Jonas,” these songs showcase similar harmonic movement and an emphasis on memorable and catchy chord changes.

Musical Analysis

The progression is rooted in traditional harmony, utilizing both the primary chords (I, IV, and V) and a secondary chord (vi) that is common in pop and rock music. The use of the G6 chord adds a touch of color to the harmony, giving it a slightly different feel compared to a standard G major triad. The G6 chord is created by adding the 6th scale degree (E) to the G major triad (G, B, and D). The first inversions of the G6 chord give it a smoother, more connected sound within the progression.

Overall Analysis

The intro of “My Name Is Jonas” by Weezer is a simple, yet effective chord progression in the key of C major. The progression starts on the tonic, moves to a first inversion of a G6 chord, followed by an A minor chord, and finally back to the first inversion of the G6 chord. The progression has a circular nature, which adds to the song’s catchiness and memorability.

Style Analysis

Being a 90s alternative rock band, Weezer often incorporated catchy hooks and memorable chord progressions in their songs to accompany their distinctive sound. The intro chord progression for “My Name Is Jonas” is a great example of this, as it conveys a strong sense of melody and harmony while displaying their unique style. The progression is typical of the genre, with straightforward chord changes grounded in the key of C major.

Chords in the Intro section of My Name Is Jonas by Weezer are:

C, G6/B, Am, G6/B