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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.

The chord progression of the Verse 3 in the song “California Kids” by Weezer features a blend of diatonic and chromatic chords in the key of C major, exhibiting a classic pop-rock feel with some variations in the chord structure. The progression also showcases the use of chromatic bass motion to add harmonic interest.

“Eight Days A Week” by The Beatles, released in 1965, is renowned for its catchy melodic phrases, tight harmonies, and distinctive use of chords. The song is firmly rooted in the key of D major, but there is an interesting use of borrowed chords.

Verse 2

The progression from B to A to E is a common progression in pop and rock music. This progression utilizes diatonic and non-diatonic chords, meaning that the chords all belong to the same key and it suggests the use of borrowed chords. A Perfect Circle tends to use a lot of downward motion in their chord progressions, moving from higher to lower pitches, which can give their music a distinct ‘heavy’ feel.

“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 – The Good Life – Verse 2

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Chord Progression

G, D, Am, E, G, D, Am, E, G, D, Am, E, G, D, Am, E, G, D, Am, B7

Chord Progression Analysis

The chord progression follows a I-V-ii-VI pattern for most of the verse, creating a sense of harmonic stability and motion. The use of the VI chord (E Major) instead of the more typical vi chord (E minor) in the key of G major provides a touch of brightness and an uplifting quality to the progression.

The appearance of the borrowed chord (B7) towards the end of the verse adds a momentary touch of tension before resolving to the next section or back to the I chord (G Major), providing a sense of resolution and completion.

Similar Chord Progressions

Musical Analysis

This chord progression is common in pop-rock music and can be found in numerous songs across various genres. Weezer, as a band, often makes use of simple and catchy chord progressions in their songs, which helps give “The Good Life” its accessible and memorable quality.

Overall Analysis

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).

Style Analysis

1. “With or Without You” by U2
This song features a similar I-V-vi-IV progression in the key of D major:
D Major (I) – A Major (V) – B minor (vi) – G Major (IV)

2. “Stand by Me” by Ben E. King
The progression in this classic song is I-vi-IV-V in the key of A major, with an additional borrowed V/V chord:
A Major (I) – F# minor (vi) – D Major (IV) – E Major (V) – B7 (`V7/V`)

Chords in the Verse 2 section of The Good Life by Weezer are:

G, D, Am, E, G, D, Am, E, G, D, Am, E, G, D, Am, E, G, D, Am, B7