The chord progression in the verse of Beck’s “Sexx Laws” is a blend of major and minor chords, which creates a unique and somewhat unpredictable sound. The progression shifts between the key of B major and G# minor, reflecting an adventurous approach to harmony. The style of this progression has a hint of funk and jazz, with a touch of blues.
“Good Vibrations” by The Beach Boys is highly complex and represents an exceptional use of harmonic structuring. The richness of the piece lies in Brian Wilson’s innovative and unpredictable songwriting, who was making significant use of modulation at the time, constantly shifting keys, in this case especially during the transition bridge.
“The Sound of Silence” by Simon & Garfunkel is a song from the folk-rock genre. Built on simplicity with few chords used throughout the whole song, the primary focus of the song is on the hauntingly beautiful melody and the profound lyrics. It is written in the key of Am which gives the song a melancholic and somber tone.
“Viva La Vida” by Coldplay is a pop song that sits primarily in the key of G major, featuring four common chords: C Major, D Major, G Major, and E minor. The song’s simplicity lies in the consistent use of these chords, which creates a consistent harmony throughout the song.
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“You Can’t Always Get What You Want” by The Rolling Stones is built around major tonality and uses direct and simple progressions. It also features what are known as additive chords (Gadd9) – chords to which notes are added beyond the common triad. The song commences in the key of G Major, indicated by the G, Gadd9, and C chords. These chords progress in an almost continual cyclical pattern across the verses. Here, the dominant chord (D) in the key of G Major is absent, which grants a tonal ambiguity to the song. Interestingly, the song takes a departure into a different key later on which will not be included in this analysis as it pertains to the Verse only.
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Acoustic Outro Break Bridge Bridge 1 Bridge 2 Chords Chorus Chorus/Outro Chorus 1 Chorus 2 Chorus 3 Chorus 4 Coda Ending Guitar Solo 2 Hook HOOK 1 Hook 2 Hook 3 Instrumental Interlude Intro Main Riff Mid-section Middle 8 Outro Outro with fade out Post-Chorus Pre-chorus Pre-Chorus 1 Pre-Chorus 2 Pre-Chorus 4 Pre-Chorus 5 Pre-Solo Refrain Riff Sax Solo Solo Verse Verse 1 Verse 2 Verse 3 Verse 4 Verse 5 Сhorus
“Feeling Good” by Muse is a cover of the song originally written by Anthony Newley and Leslie Bricusse for the 1964 musical “The Roar of the Greasepaint – The Smell of the Crowd”. Muse’s version is characterized by its distinct blend of jazz, rock, and pop influences, with strong orchestration and stylistically unique elements that give the song a modern edge while still paying homage to its classic roots.
“Time To Pretend” by MGMT features a non-conventional and interesting chord progression. The progression can be primarily analyzed in the key of D Major with a brief modulation to the relative minor (F#m). The chords are not sophisticated in terms of extensions, but the arrangement and harmonic movement provide a unique and memorable melody. This chorus is an example of diatonic and modal mixture, using chords not only from the primary key but also borrowing chords from other modes.
The chorus of “Perfect Situation” by Weezer features a fairly straightforward chord progression using diatonic chords from the G major scale. The progression is composed primarily of the tonic (I), dominant (V), and submediant (vi) chords, with a focus on their harmonic interplay. This creates a catchy and memorable chorus, which is characteristic of Weezer’s style and is often found in pop and rock music.
The chord progression in Verse 3 of Daniel Caesar’s “Get You” consists of a mix of diatonic chords and borrowed chords from the parallel minor. The overall tonality is in the B minor key. The smooth, soulful sound of the progression is achieved through the use of minor chords, mixed with major seventh chords, and the cycle of fifths progression in some measures.
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