One-chord songs

Songwriting, songwriters, etc

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ncc1701
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One-chord songs

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
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Re: One-chord songs

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

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

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Re: One-chord songs

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

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

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anne
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Re: One-chord songs

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.

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sgs4u
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Re: One-chord songs

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

The Godfather of Soul, belongs here as well.

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Casey H
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Re: One-chord songs

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

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