The History of Pop Music in 4 Chords: All goes back to DSB!

[Art Vandelay]

It all goes back to Don't Stop Believin'

http://www.i-am-bored.com/bored_link.cfm?link_id=20647

[bluejeangirl76]

It all goes back to Don't Stop Believin'

http://www.i-am-bored.com/bored_link.cfm?link_id=20647

DSB is officially the 8th Wonder of the World.

[G.I.Jim]

It all goes back to Don't Stop Believin'

http://www.i-am-bored.com/bored_link.cfm?link_id=20647

DSB is officially the 8th Wonder of the World.

BJG...just noticed your signature. Do you like pickles?

[4everkop]

I am absolutely sick and tired of that chord progression, that is all you hear now a days G D Em C, D A Bm G, C G Am F. Nothing new. Or if your lucky in minor it is Em C G D

[Art Vandelay]

I am absolutely sick and tired of that chord progression, that is all you hear now a days G D Em C, D A Bm G, C G Am F. Nothing new. Or if your lucky in minor it is Em C G D

EXACTLY!!!!!

[Art Vandelay]

I am absolutely sick and tired of that chord progression, that is all you hear now a days G D Em C, D A Bm G, C G Am F. Nothing new. Or if your lucky in minor it is Em C G D

EXACTLY!!!!!

Sorry, couldn't resist, as I know jack squat about chord progression.

[G.I.Jim]

I am absolutely sick and tired of that chord progression, that is all you hear now a days G D Em C, D A Bm G, C G Am F. Nothing new. Or if your lucky in minor it is Em C G D

EXACTLY!!!!!

Sorry, couldn't resist, as I know jack squat about chord progression.

You beat me to it. I was going to say "Say it in english damnit!!!"

[4everkop]

well its pretty much music theory, if you play guitar or piano, umm it is the progression of I V VI IV. A lot of songs are this chord progression. If you listen to faithfully it is pretty much the same progression as DSB but in a different key, same as with or without you by U2. Not saying that these are bad songs it's just that now adays music is so universal it is so hard to come up with something that hasn't been heard before, since nothing is new under the sun.

[Ehwmatt]

well its pretty much music theory, if you play guitar or piano, umm it is the progression of I V VI IV. A lot of songs are this chord progression. If you listen to faithfully it is pretty much the same progression as DSB but in a different key, same as with or without you by U2. Not saying that these are bad songs it's just that now adays music is so universal it is so hard to come up with something that hasn't been heard before, since nothing is new under the sun.

I share your frustration a bit, but at the end of the day, if the song sounds good I'm not going to worry if I've heard an Emaj-C#min-Asus2-Bsus2 progression a thousand times previous. That's pop music. It's supposed to sound good. Plus, there are so many elements you can look for past a chord progression that really make a song - an incredible guitar solo, some neat chord inversions ala Todd Rundgren, walls of harmonies ala most melodic rock bands/Brian Wilson+Beach Boys, creative production etc etc. I listen to prog when I want to satiate my musical curiosity/desire for diversity.

In the end, there's a reason these types of progressions are used all the time: It's pleasing to the ear and is conducive to catchy melodies.

[Rick]

well its pretty much music theory, if you play guitar or piano, umm it is the progression of I V VI IV. A lot of songs are this chord progression. If you listen to faithfully it is pretty much the same progression as DSB but in a different key, same as with or without you by U2. Not saying that these are bad songs it's just that now adays music is so universal it is so hard to come up with something that hasn't been heard before, since nothing is new under the sun.

I share your frustration a bit, but at the end of the day, if the song sounds good I'm not going to worry if I've heard an Emaj-C#min-Asus2-Bsus2 progression a thousand times previous. That's pop music. It's supposed to sound good. Plus, there are so many elements you can look for past a chord progression that really make a song - an incredible guitar solo, some neat chord inversions ala Todd Rundgren, walls of harmonies ala most melodic rock bands/Brian Wilson+Beach Boys, creative production etc etc. I listen to prog when I want to satiate my musical curiosity/desire for diversity.

In the end, there's a reason these types of progressions are used all the time: It's pleasing to the ear and is conducive to catchy melodies.

Yep, and as that video demonstrates, DSB could have been many different songs just by changing the lyrics.

[Saint John]

Yep, and as that video demonstrates, DSB could have been many different songs just by changing the lyrics.

Except all other songs don't have Neal's incredible guitar work, Perry's voice and Smitty's unorthodox playing on that one. Sorry, Ross.

[MarcelJordan]

Yep, and as that video demonstrates, DSB could have been many different songs just by changing the lyrics.

Except all other songs don't have Neal's incredible guitar work, Perry's voice and Smitty's unorthodox playing on that one. Sorry, Ross.

Word!

[FishinMagician]

well its pretty much music theory, if you play guitar or piano, umm it is the progression of I V VI IV. A lot of songs are this chord progression. If you listen to faithfully it is pretty much the same progression as DSB but in a different key, same as with or without you by U2. Not saying that these are bad songs it's just that now adays music is so universal it is so hard to come up with something that hasn't been heard before, since nothing is new under the sun.

I share your frustration a bit, but at the end of the day, if the song sounds good I'm not going to worry if I've heard an Emaj-C#min-Asus2-Bsus2 progression a thousand times previous. That's pop music. It's supposed to sound good. Plus, there are so many elements you can look for past a chord progression that really make a song - an incredible guitar solo, some neat chord inversions ala Todd Rundgren, walls of harmonies ala most melodic rock bands/Brian Wilson+Beach Boys, creative production etc etc. I listen to prog when I want to satiate my musical curiosity/desire for diversity.

In the end, there's a reason these types of progressions are used all the time: It's pleasing to the ear and is conducive to catchy melodies.

well put. i dont understand the people that have the "its not complex therefore it is bad" train of thought

[larryfromnextdoor]

im not much on theory.. BUT aint there only 7 notes in the scale, 12 if you count the octave? im just surprised how much has been done with that ..

if it works do it over and over...

[Ehwmatt]

well its pretty much music theory, if you play guitar or piano, umm it is the progression of I V VI IV. A lot of songs are this chord progression. If you listen to faithfully it is pretty much the same progression as DSB but in a different key, same as with or without you by U2. Not saying that these are bad songs it's just that now adays music is so universal it is so hard to come up with something that hasn't been heard before, since nothing is new under the sun.

I share your frustration a bit, but at the end of the day, if the song sounds good I'm not going to worry if I've heard an Emaj-C#min-Asus2-Bsus2 progression a thousand times previous. That's pop music. It's supposed to sound good. Plus, there are so many elements you can look for past a chord progression that really make a song - an incredible guitar solo, some neat chord inversions ala Todd Rundgren, walls of harmonies ala most melodic rock bands/Brian Wilson+Beach Boys, creative production etc etc. I listen to prog when I want to satiate my musical curiosity/desire for diversity.

In the end, there's a reason these types of progressions are used all the time: It's pleasing to the ear and is conducive to catchy melodies.

well put. i dont understand the people that have the "its not complex therefore it is bad" train of thought

Thanks

I don't think 4ever is necessarily asking for super complex stuff, I think it's more along the lines of "I'm most likely going to hear E-C#-A-B or G-Cadd9-Em7-Dsus4" in this next song, something along those lines. I understand the complaint. It's just kinda hard to avoid it if you listen to pop/melodic music.

[FishinMagician]

well its pretty much music theory, if you play guitar or piano, umm it is the progression of I V VI IV. A lot of songs are this chord progression. If you listen to faithfully it is pretty much the same progression as DSB but in a different key, same as with or without you by U2. Not saying that these are bad songs it's just that now adays music is so universal it is so hard to come up with something that hasn't been heard before, since nothing is new under the sun.

I share your frustration a bit, but at the end of the day, if the song sounds good I'm not going to worry if I've heard an Emaj-C#min-Asus2-Bsus2 progression a thousand times previous. That's pop music. It's supposed to sound good. Plus, there are so many elements you can look for past a chord progression that really make a song - an incredible guitar solo, some neat chord inversions ala Todd Rundgren, walls of harmonies ala most melodic rock bands/Brian Wilson+Beach Boys, creative production etc etc. I listen to prog when I want to satiate my musical curiosity/desire for diversity.

In the end, there's a reason these types of progressions are used all the time: It's pleasing to the ear and is conducive to catchy melodies.

well put. i dont understand the people that have the "its not complex therefore it is bad" train of thought

Thanks

I don't think 4ever is necessarily asking for super complex stuff, I think it's more along the lines of "I'm most likely going to hear E-C#-A-B or G-Cadd9-Em7-Dsus4" in this next song, something along those lines. I understand the complaint. It's just kinda hard to avoid it if you listen to pop/melodic music.

Oh I wasnt implying that 4ever thought that, I was just making that general statement that I have heard so many times lol.

[ProgRocker53]

I may be a ProgRocker but I have a distaste for stuff that is complex for the sake of being complex.

I wouldn't say I have an ear for "complex" compositions... I think "interesting" may be a better word for it. If something good is done with a "common" chord set, so be it, I'll like it. If something good is done with a "weird" chord set, so be it, I'll like it.