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Related Music Theory Alchemy

The bridge of Weezer’s “Say It Ain’t So” features an intriguing chord progression, which presents both diatonic and borrowed chords, as well as chromatic harmony. The song’s key is C major, but it touches on the parallel minor key and incorporates unusual chords such as the Eb major chord, which adds tension and surprise. The chord progression and harmonic rhythm are fairly consistent throughout the bridge, creating a sense of unity.

The chord progression in question is from the verse 2 of Weezer’s “The Good Life.” It is a pop-rock song in the key of G major, and the progression features common chords found in the key, with one borrowed chord – B7 – to add a touch of tension and harmonic interest.

Chord Progression Analysis (with Roman Numerals):
G Major (I) – D Major (V) – A minor (ii) – E Major (VI) – G Major (I) – D Major (V) – A minor (ii) – E Major (VI) – G Major (I) – D Major (V) – A minor (ii) – E Major (VI) – G Major (I) – D Major (V) – A minor (ii) – E Major (VI) – G Major (I) – D Major (V) – A minor (ii) – B7 (`V7/iii`)

The borrowed chord in question is the B7, which is borrowed from the relative minor key (E minor) and functions as a secondary dominant to the iii chord (B minor).

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“Im Still Standing” by Elton John is a classic rock/pop song composed in E Major. You can see that this is a complex composition with frequent chord changes, giving it a rich musical texture. The chord progression is not diatonic, which means that it includes chords from outside of its home key of E Major.

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The chord progression in Verse 2 of Beck’s “Say Goodbye” showcases a unique blend of chords that are not commonly heard together in popular music. The mix of major, minor, and borrowed chords creates an interesting and engaging sound. Its distinctive quality can be found in the use of the A# major chord, which is not diatonic to the key of G major.

“The Bullet With Butterfly Wings” by The Smashing Pumpkins essentially revolves around the use of power chords, or 5th chords, to project a raw, grungy intensity. The chord progression (B5, Em, G5), extracted from the second verse of the song, is prominent throughout. The use of power chords results in a composition that doesn’t transpose to a traditional major or minor key, but fits within a modal framework.

Weezer – Say It Aint So – Verse 2

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Chord Progression

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

Chord Progression Analysis

A minor (i) – E Major (V) – F Major (bVI) – C Major (III)

Similar Chord Progressions

1. “Creep” by Radiohead

G Major (I) – B Major (III) – C Major (IV) – C minor (iv)

2. “Zombie” by The Cranberries

E minor (i) – C Major (VI) – G Major (III) – D Major (VII)

Musical Analysis

The verse chord progression cycles through the pattern above three times. The first chord progression in the verse is a common i-V progression in a minor key, adding tension to the music. The F Major and C Major chords that follow add a bit of color and surprise, as they are borrowed chords from the parallel major (A Major) and the relative major (C Major), respectively, creating a chromatic, non-diatonic progression. These borrowed chords give a feeling of yearning and unresolved tension, which contributes to the melancholy feel of the verse.

Overall Analysis

“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.

Style Analysis

As mentioned before, “Say It Ain’t So” is an alternative rock song that heavily features distorted guitars and powerful drumming. The combination of diatonic and non-diatonic chord progressions, along with the use of borrowed chords, contributes to the unique sound of the song and sets it apart from typical pop and rock songs. The melancholic tone of the verses contrasts with the more uplifting and anthemic choruses, creating a dynamic and engaging listening experience.

Chords in the Verse 2 section of Say It Aint So by Weezer are:

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