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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.

“If You’re Wondering If I Want You To (I Want You To)” by Weezer has a chorus featuring a chord progression in the key of D major. The progression includes chords from both the major and minor scales while still primarily using diatonic chords from D major. The style of the progression is reminiscent of 90s alternative rock, and it finds similarity with other iconic chord progressions in rock music.

“Someone to Love” by Queen exhibits a blend of rock and gospel music, showcasing their musical brilliance and theatrical elements. The chord progression forms a classic example of a departure from the typical I-IV-V root progression seen in much of popular western music, demonstrating Queen’s ingenious writing style.

Patterns in music are fundamental for creating musical identity. This repetition ensures the music is coherent and familiar for the listener. In the case of “Perfect” by Smashing Pumpkins, the song makes use of a common popular music chord progression known as the I – vi progression.

“Somewhere Only We Know” by Keane is a softly and tenderly written song that rests primarily on the key of C Major. However, it uses a fair amount of borrowed chords from the parallel minor key, giving it a warm, melancholic tone, which is typical of many pop ballads.

Weezer – Undone The Sweater Song – Outro

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Chord Progression

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

Chord Progression Analysis

– G5 (I5)
– C (IV)
– D (V)
– C (IV)
– B♭ (‘♭III’ – borrowed chord from G minor)
– G5-C-D-C-B♭ (repeat)

Similar Chord Progressions

1. Radiohead – “Creep”:
– G (I)
– B (III)
– C (IV)
– Cm (‘iv’ – borrowed chord from G minor)

2. The Beatles – “Let It Be”:
– C (I)
– G (V)
– A♭ (‘♭VI’ – borrowed chord from C minor)
– F (IV)

3. Oasis – “Wonderwall”:
– Em (ii)
– G (I)
– D (V)
– A (IV)
– C (‘♭VII’ – borrowed chord from E minor)

These three examples showcase a similar approach to using borrowed chords, providing a mix of diatonic and non-diatonic chords to create tension, color, and harmonic interest in their respective songs.

Musical Analysis

The progression starts with a G5 power chord (I5) that sets the tonal center of G major. This is followed by C major (IV) and D major (V), both diatonic chords in the key of G. The repetition of IV (C) and the use of a borrowed chord, B♭ major (♭III), from the parallel key of G minor add tension and variety to the progression. The outro alternates between these five chords, providing a sense of familiarity and unity, while still including enough variation to keep the listener engaged.

Overall Analysis

The chord progression in the outro of Weezer’s “Undone – The Sweater Song” follows a repeating pattern with a combination of major and power chords. The overall key of the progression is G major, and the chords follow a predictable pattern that is rooted in rock and alternative music styles. The chord progression uses borrowed chords from the parallel key of G minor, specifically the B♭ major chord.

Style Analysis

The usage of power chords (G5) is very common in both rock and alternative styles. Bands like Weezer frequently utilize this technique to achieve a fuller guitar sound with an increased emphasis on the sonic texture. This chord progression also highlights the influence of the I-IV-V progression, which is a common feature in popular music. The borrowed chord (♭III) adds a touch of modal mixture, which is also commonly found in various genres in popular music.

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

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