One-chord songs

ncc1701 · Post by **ncc1701** » Sun Sep 02, 2007 7:34 am

I can think of two hit songs that stay on one single chord throughout the song:"Chain of Fools" - Aretha Franklin"Born in the USA" - Bruce SpringsteenAny others?When you take harmony out of the equation, what is it that makes these songs special enough to be hits?

rick · Post by **rick** » Sun Sep 02, 2007 7:44 am

I believe Honky tonkin' by Hank Williams Sr. does that.

bobbydazzler · Post by **bobbydazzler** » Sun Sep 02, 2007 1:00 pm

"american Woman".....I think....

anne · Post by **anne** » Mon Sep 03, 2007 12:23 pm

"Fast car" - pretty close to one chordFunny that you mentioned this - the same thought struck me the other day while I was driving.

sgs4u · Post by **sgs4u** » Mon Sep 03, 2007 12:34 pm

The Godfather of Soul, belongs here as well.

Casey H · Post by **Casey H** » Mon Sep 03, 2007 12:56 pm

Although the Stones didn't do songs on only one chord, I am always amazed at how they could use a pattern of just a few and, with the production build, make a track great. "Gimme Shelter" is a good example. The entire verse is one one chord and the chorus is a simple repetitive 3 chord pattern. Put Merry Clayton's vocals and Jagger/Richard's evilness in there and you get a killer track. Another examples is "Jig-Saw Puzzle" from Beggar's Banquet.And speaking of Merry Clayton, does Rod Stewart's "Every Picture Tells A Story" have more than one chord? Casey

One-chord songs

One-chord songs

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