The key of the song “Good Old Fashioned Lover Boy” by Queen is primarily in C Major. The song employs both diatonic chords (chords that naturally occur within the major scale key) and borrowed chords (chords from a parallel mode). There is a bit of modal mixture where the song borrows from an outside key, specifically the minor key, which is often used in pop music to add color and tension. You can see this in the use of some of the chords here like Fm and Eb7. The piece also utilizes secondary dominant chords and diminished chords. In the bridge, there is modulation to different keys, namely to Fm, which is a parallel minor of F, includes Eb7 (secondary dominant) and Ab (borrowed chord), and goes through sequence of V-I pattern (G7-C).
“The Rip” by Portishead is a classic example of the Trip-hop genre. It features simple, yet effective harmonic progressions that offer a melancholic tone which is widely utilized in this genre. The distinctiveness of this particular chord progression lies on its subtle shifting between minor and major tonalities, as well as its use of borrowed chords.
Verse 1
The outro of Jeff Buckley’s “Hallelujah” features a chord progression in the key of C Major. It includes common chords from the key, as well as some borrowed chords from the parallel minor key (C minor), which adds a level of tension and emotion to the progression. The outro has a cyclical nature, with the chords leading smoothly back into the beginning and building a sense of conclusion.
“Can’t Buy Me Love” is a song in C Major. The Beatles were renowned for their use of a variety of chord progressions, and this song certainly lives up to that reputation. Although the progression in the verse primarily consists of the chords ‘C7’, ‘F7’, and ‘C’, it’s the way they are harmonically linked that makes it really interesting.
“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.
“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 song “Purple Rain” by Prince is a classic and showcases some interesting use of chord progressions. The key of the song is G major. The classic, popular music formula is present in the use of common chords like I, ii, IV, V which are all diatonic within the key. Noticeably, this song opts for a more simplistic, cyclical chord progression structure that emphasizes repetition of strong melodic lines.
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.
“Yesterday” is predominantly composed in the key of F Major. The song is a classic in pop songwriting and showcases the effective use of borrowed chords to capture a unique, nostalgic sound that has made it one of the most covered songs in pop music. Specifically, in this verse, the use of secondary dominants and borrowed chords from the parallel minor key provides the song’s distinctive tonal color.
1979 After The Storm All I Need Apocalypse Please Brown Sugar Buddy Holly Bullet With Butterfly Wings California Kids Castles Made Of Sand Closer Creep Earfquake Every Day Is Exactly The Same Exit Music For A Film Fake Plastic Trees Get You Give Me The Night Gone Gone Hallelujah Heart Is A Drum House Of The Rising Sun Hurt Island In The Sun I Want To Hold Your Hand Kashmir Maxwells Silver Hammer Morning Motion Picture Soundtrack My Name Is Jonas Paint It Black Penny Lane Say Goodbye Say It Aint So Since Ive Been Loving You Somebody To Love Stairway To Heaven Strawberry Fields Forever The Good Life Think Im In Love Today Undone The Sweater Song Viva La Vida Whole Lotta Love With A Little Help From My Friends You And Whose Army
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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
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