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“Say It Ain’t So” by Weezer is an alternative rock song with a sense of melancholy in the verse and a catchy, anthemic chorus. The verse chords, which you provided, create a strong sense of movement and harmonic interest by using borrowed chords and a combination of diatonic and chromatic chord progressions.

The interlude piece from Weezer’s “Say It Ain’t So” features an eight-chord progression in the key of C major, with prevalent use of Roman numeral notation and borrowed chords from parallel minor scales. This progression is typical in rock and pop music, representing Weezer’s alternative rock style.

“Goodbye Blue Sky” is a song by Pink Floyd from their 1979 album, “The Wall.” It is known for its haunting, ethereal quality, achieved through the use of predominantly minor chords, lush harmonies, and a slow, atmospheric tempo. The song’s lyrics and melancholic mood reflect feelings of loss and desolation.

The “Glory Box” by Portishead chorus progression is based in D minor and moves between this primary D minor chord and three other chords: Dm/C, Bm7b5, and Bbmaj7. The Dm/C chord is the same as the D minor, but with a different note in the bass (C). The Bm7b5 is a half-diminished chord. The Bbmaj7 is major seventh chord.

The chorus of “Hate This And I’ll Love You” by Muse features a highly chromatic and non-diatonic chord progression, with a myriad of borrowed chords and some distinctive rock sound. The key within which the progression is based seems to shift between E minor and B minor, with a mixture of Major and minor chords throughout.

Weezer – Say It Aint So – Chorus

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Chord Progression

Am, E, F, C, Am, E, F, C, Am, E, F, C, Am, E, F, C

Chord Progression Analysis

Am (vi) – E (V/vi) – F (IV) – C (I)

Similar Chord Progressions

1. Radiohead – “Creep”
Chord Progression: G (I) – B (III) – C (IV) – Cm (iv)

2. Green Day – “When I Come Around”
Chord Progression: G (I) – D (V) – Em (vi) – C (IV)

3. Pink Floyd – “Wish You Were Here”
Chord Progression: Em (ii) – G (IV) – Am (vi) – Em (ii)

4. The Cranberries – “Zombie”
Chord Progression: Em (iii) – C (I) – G (V) – D (ii)

Musical Analysis

The chord progression starts on the vi (Am) chord, which serves as the relative minor to the tonic C major. This creates a darker, more introspective sound to the chorus. The next chord is E (V/vi), which can be seen as a borrowed chord from the parallel harmonic minor key (A harmonic minor).

“` Borrowed Chord: E (V/vi) “`

This introduces a greater sense of tension, which is then resolved to the F (IV) chord. Finally, the C (I) tonic chord resolves the progression and brings it back to the major sound. The repeating nature of this progression creates a sense of familiarity, while the interplay between the minor and major chords lends the progression its emotional depth.

Overall Analysis

The chorus of Weezer’s song “Say It Ain’t So” can be analyzed as a simple and memorable chord progression in the key of C major. The progression features a repeating pattern of four chords: Am, E, F, and C.

Style Analysis

Weezer’s “Say It Ain’t So” is a rock song with a grunge influence, characterized by its distorted guitar riffs and introspective lyrics. The style of this progression, with its somber start on the vi chord and use of a borrowed chord to create tension, contributes to the overall mood of the song. The simple, diatonic nature of the progression is also reminiscent of traditional pop songwriting.

Chords in the Chorus section of Say It Aint So by Weezer are:

Am, E, F, C, Am, E, F, C, Am, E, F, C, Am, E, F, C