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“I Sat By The Ocean” by Queens of the Stone Age is in the key of E major and utilizes a mix of diatonic chords (i.e., chords native to the key of E major) and borrowed chords (i.e., chords borrowed from parallel or related keys).

Pre-Chorus

“Set Fire To The Rain” is a song that largely follows the conventions of pop music, with its simple and repetitive chord progressions echoing those in many similar genres. The chord progression observed in the Outro is primarily a combination of minor and major chords that provide a melancholic and intense undertone to the song’s overall theme. The song is in the key of A minor and the chord progression in the Outro starts on the key’s root chord (‘Am’).

“Guilty as Sin?” by Taylor Swift uses a chord progression in the verse that reflects a more nuanced and reflective approach, suitable for a song with a contemplative or emotive theme. The interplay between minor and major seventh chords creates a lush, complex sound that elevates the song’s introspective and somewhat moody lyrical content.

“Dead Flowers” by The Rolling Stones, from their album “Sticky Fingers” (1971), features a fairly straightforward repetitive chord progression of D, A, G, D in the verse. The key here is D Major. This common progression falls into a I-V-IV-I pattern known as a “plagal cadence”. It’s a progression which consists of a major key followed by its dominant (V), then its subdominant (IV), taking us back to the tonic (I).

Kali Uchis’ “Telepatia” features a relatively simple two-chord progression in the outro, consisting of a major seventh chord followed by a dominant seventh chord. The harmonic texture is sparse yet effective, with a unique, ethereal atmosphere created by the interplay between the two chords.

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“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.

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.

“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 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.