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Related Music Theory Alchemy

“Undone – The Sweater Song” by Weezer is a grunge rock song from their debut album, “Weezer (The Blue Album)” released in 1994. The chord progression in Verse 2 seems to blend elements from both pop and rock genres, with some diatonic chords and a borrowed chord that adds an unexpected twist.

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 progression for the chorus of “Sometimes It Snows In April” by Prince exhibits a rich mixture of non- diatonic chords and borrowed chords. The tonal center of the song is A, but it doesn’t strictly follow a specific major or minor scale, creating an interesting blend of light and dark tonalities. This characteristic is a common feature in Prince’s works, showing his notable talent for blending the traditional with the unconventional.

The song “I Want to Hold Your Hand” by The Beatles is cheerful and upbeat, with accessible melodies that catch the audience’s attention immediately. The rhythm is contagious and gives a happy atmosphere to the whole song. It is a perfect example of the early influences of rock ‘n’ roll on The Beatles, with a chord progression that is quite common in pop/rock music but showcases The Beatles’ ability to create fresh and unique melodic ideas.

“Electric Feel” by MGMT is a funky and psychedelic pop song with an infectious groove and memorable hooks. The chorus consists of a chord progression that features a variety of diatonic chords along with a borrowed chord from the parallel minor key. The progression is based around oscillations between minor and major tonalities, which adds a sense of tension and release. This, combined with the rhythmic syncopation and psychedelic production, contributes to the iconic and unique character of the song.

Weezer – Undone The Sweater Song – Chorus

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Chord Progression

G5, C, D, C, G5, C, D, C, G5, C, D, C, G5, C, D, C

Chord Progression Analysis

G5 (I): G – D
C (IV): C – E – G
D (V): D – F# – A

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G5 (I) – C (IV) – D (V) – C (IV)
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Similar Chord Progressions

1. “Smells Like Teen Spirit” by Nirvana
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F5 (I) – Bb5 (IV) – Ab5 (♭III) – Db5 (♭VI)
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2. “Wonderwall” by Oasis
“`
Em7 (ii7) – G (I) – Dsus4 (V) – A7sus4 (IV)
“`

These two examples are songs that also have chord progressions commonly found in alternative rock of the same era. While they don’t have the exact same progression as “Undone – The Sweater Song,” they exhibit similar use of power chords and simple, repetitive patterns. This makes them a good reference for understanding the musical style and context of Weezer’s progression.

Musical Analysis

In the key of G major, the chords in the chorus are made up of the I, IV, and V chords, which are the most common chords in any major key. The use of power chords, denoted by the 5, adds some ambiguity to the harmonic structure of the song because they lack the third of the chord, making them neither major nor minor. This results in a more rock-centered sound, which is common in indie and alternative rock genres.

Overall Analysis

“Undone – The Sweater Song” by Weezer features a chorus with a simple, yet effective chord progression that combines the use of power chords with major chords. This combination gives the song its distinctive indie rock sound and contributes to its overall catchiness. The chorus is based on a four-chord progression with three different chords, where G5 power chord is followed by two major chords, C and D.

Style Analysis

Weezer, and many other alternative rock bands from the 90s, often use power chords in their music as they create a more raw, unpolished sound that complements their style. The simple and repetitive nature of the chord progression is typical for alt-rock and indie rock songs. It provides a catchy yet melancholic foundation for the lyrics and melody of the chorus.

Chords in the Chorus section of Undone The Sweater Song by Weezer are:

G5, C, D, C, G5, C, D, C, G5, C, D, C, G5, C, D, C