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Related Music Theory Alchemy

The chord progression “[‘Em’, ‘Am’, ‘D’]” from the outro of Weezer’s “The Good Life” is a simple, yet effective progression in the key of E minor. It demonstrates a melancholic feel common to alternative rock and power-pop music genres of the 1990s. The chords in this progression are borrowed from the E natural minor scale.

“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.

“Iris” by the Goo Goo Dolls is well-known for its unique tuning and chords which adds a certain tenderness and emotional depth to the song. The song is in D Major and utilizes a repeated chord progression that is relatively simple but effective.

The chord progression in the chorus of Muse’s “Apocalypse Please” consists of a mix of diatonic chords and borrowed chords from the parallel major and minor keys. The progression features strong harmonic movement with a pivot modulation. Muse is known for their dramatic, often symphonic rock sound, and this progression is no exception in showing off their signature style. The progression also shares some similarities with other artists’ works in both structure and harmonic content.

The chorus of “Closer” by Nine Inch Nails is built around a progression that oscillates between a single major chord, F, and a single minor seventh chord, Cm7. This is quite minimalistic. Major chords usually have a happy, positive feel, while minor chords induce a somewhat sad, introspective mood. The use of C minor 7th gives a particular color to the progression: it’s a minor chord with an added minor seventh, which means it’s a bit less stable than a regular minor chord.

Weezer – The Good Life – Chorus

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Chord Progression

B7, C, D, G, Em, Em, Am, D, D, G, Em, Em, Am, D, D, G, Em, Em, Am, D, D, G, Em

Chord Progression Analysis

B7 (V7/iii), C (IV), D (V), G (I), Em (vi), Em (vi), Am (ii), D (V), D (V), G (I), Em (vi), Em (vi), Am (ii), D (V), D (V), G (I), Em (vi), Em (vi), Am (ii), D (V), D (V), G (I), Em (vi)

Borrowed Chord:
`B7 (V7/iii)`

Similar Chord Progressions

1. Radiohead – “Creep”
Chorus: G (I), B7 (V7/iii), C (IV), Cm (iv)

2. Coldplay – “The Scientist”
Verse: Dm (ii), B♭ (IV), F (I), C (V)

Both examples showcase the use of chromatic chords and unconventional progressions, similar to Weezer’s “The Good Life” chorus. In “Creep,” the B7 is a borrowed chord (V7/iii) as well, while in “The Scientist,” the progression features a (ii-IV-I-V) pattern, which isn’t as common in popular music.

Musical Analysis

In this chorus, the predominant key is G major, with most chords belonging to the diatonic set. However, the B7 chord, the dominant seventh of E minor, is borrowed from the parallel minor key (G minor), which adds a chromatic element to the progression.

The song follows a common pattern in popular rock music; the chords mostly move by fourths (roots of the chords being a fourth apart). This pattern can be seen in multiple instances within the progression, such as D-G, G-Em, Am-D, and D-G.

Overall Analysis

The chorus of “The Good Life” by Weezer features a mixture of diatonic and non-diatonic chords, with a primary focus on the key of G major. The chord progression stands out as somewhat unconventional due to the inclusion of chromatic chords, which gives it an interesting character and emotion. Additionally, the repetition of certain chords emphasizes the harmonic structure and creates a sense of familiarity.

Style Analysis

Weezer is known for incorporating unconventional elements in their music and shifting from diatonic to non-diatonic chords. Their use of relatively simple chord progressions, combined with borrowed chords or chords from other keys, is a trademark, as seen in “The Good Life.” Furthermore, the band often employs repetition to create a sense of coherence, which is visible in the chorus of this song.

Chords in the Chorus section of The Good Life by Weezer are:

B7, C, D, G, Em, Em, Am, D, D, G, Em, Em, Am, D, D, G, Em, Em, Am, D, D, G, Em