The Chords in this progression sound great but don't belong together - so why do they work?

Question

I am a songwriter and compose my own music to go with my lyrics. Most of my chord progressions follow common patterns like using a I V IV or I IV V with an occasional ii or iii or vi chord thrown in for good measure. But I am always looking for new ways to make my chord progressions more interesting and unusual. But I want them to be effective and satisfying. So when I see something outside the norm that sounds good, I like to try to figure out what makes it work. The sound file below is an example of a popular song (some may recognize it but the title isn't important) that uses a very strange chord progression. My arrangement is transposed from the original composition but these chords absolutely work in this song. Yet the chords don't seem to fit properly into any key. I'll take a wild guess and say it's in the key of G. So the intro is **G to E** (G = G major and E = E major). Then the verses chords are **G B7 C A G B7 C A** then the chorus is **G Em G Em G A G E** (major this time). Then there is a bridge that goes **G D C - G D C - G D C** then **F D7** then back to the verse. Song ends on E (major) after repeating the intro. My question is how can these chords go together? There is an Em **and** E major? I know the G C D & Em fit in the key of G major. But why does an A major and E major work if this song is in the key of G? What about the B7 (a B major will work in the song also). I realize the bridge might modulate to a different key? But in the verse there is a G and B7 and A and C If I can understand what functions these seemingly out of place chords have and what makes them work in this progression, perhaps I can use the same logic to compose some fresh new melodies for my own original songs. The sound file is me playing the chord progression on acoustic guitar while calling out the chord names in case my sloppy playing does not make them clear. https://soundcloud.com/al-webster-4/strange-chord-progression-but-it-works

Answer 1

Hi! Great questions...

These songs are made using MODAL INTERCHANGE. Here, you use at least one chord taken from a different mode. Modes are scales derived from each of the 7 notes of a "parent scale". For example, our everyday-use major scale is called the Ionian Mode (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7... all major or perfect) and is based in the 1st degree (root) of the Natural Major scale (thus, Natural major Scale = Ionian Mode) because it goes from the root to the next root (1 to 1).

For example, let's use the C Natural Major scale

C Natural Major Scale: C - D - E - F- G - A - B - C

Interval Structure: R - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5 - 6 - 7 - R (all major or perfect)

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Our everyday "minor scale" is taken from the 6th degree of the Natural Major Scale.

In the C Natural Major Scale, if we play from A (6th degree) to the next A (same degree in the next octave), we will obtain a different sonority due to a change in the interval structure. This is:

A minor scale: A - B - C - D - E - F - G - A

Interval structure: R - 2 - b3 - 4 - 5 - b6 - b7 - R

That's the Natural minor Scale! also Known as EOLIAN Mode.

Just like this, yo can do the same thing with other scale degrees (start the scale on the 2nd degree to obtain the DORIAN mode, on the 4th to get the LYDIAN mode, etc).

Each of the 7 notes in the scale will work as the root for a chord with its corresponding roo (that note), a third, a fifth and a seventh.

When you use chords taken from a different mode, you are doing MODAL INTERCHANGE.

For example: listen to "Creep" from Radiohead. The progression goes G, B, C, Cm!! Just like your question: "How can i have both C and Cm in the same song"? The song is in the key of G Major.

Answer: they are using both the 4th degree chord from the song key (C, chord of the 4th degree of G Major Scale, or C Ionian) and also the 4th degree chord from C Minor scale (or C Aeolian).

Yes, the song momentarily changed from major to minor! This is modal interchange.

You can build really interesting and complex chords using this. There's also what we call "modal songs" but that's a different thing! Extremely effective for creating stunning songs.

If you are every interested in having some harmony lessons please let me know!! I

Cheers

Carlos