Comments on: Only Four Chords Are Needed to Make a Hit Song http://www.neatorama.com/2009/01/27/only-four-chords-are-needed-to-make-a-hit-song/ The Neat Side of the Web Tue, 24 Nov 2009 17:29:48 -0600 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.6 hourly 1 By: Shar http://www.neatorama.com/2009/01/27/only-four-chords-are-needed-to-make-a-hit-song/comment-page-1/#comment-1870402 Shar Sat, 17 Oct 2009 18:40:05 +0000 http://www.neatorama.com/2009/01/27/only-four-chords-are-needed-to-make-a-hit-song/#comment-1870402 8 notes...4 chords.....I only know 3 chords. III, IV,and VII. The song would have been cooler without the bad language. 8 notes...4 chords.....I only know 3 chords. III, IV,and VII. The song would have been cooler without the bad language.

]]> By: ron http://www.neatorama.com/2009/01/27/only-four-chords-are-needed-to-make-a-hit-song/comment-page-1/#comment-1842964 ron Thu, 13 Aug 2009 23:46:11 +0000 http://www.neatorama.com/2009/01/27/only-four-chords-are-needed-to-make-a-hit-song/#comment-1842964 what are these four chords on guitar what are these four chords on guitar

]]> By: Mikael http://www.neatorama.com/2009/01/27/only-four-chords-are-needed-to-make-a-hit-song/comment-page-1/#comment-1835256 Mikael Sat, 01 Aug 2009 21:30:38 +0000 http://www.neatorama.com/2009/01/27/only-four-chords-are-needed-to-make-a-hit-song/#comment-1835256 Im kindof new to this kindof thing, id like to know what the chords are? I IV VI doesnt mean anything to me :( i play guitar so if there's a way to convert it to guitar id be very thankful! like G, D, Em, C works for almost all songs but this '4 chords' thing arent these chords. thank you very much if you reply! my email is mgauffin@mail.com thanks again Im kindof new to this kindof thing, id like to know what the chords are? I IV VI doesnt mean anything to me :(
i play guitar so if there's a way to convert it to guitar id be very thankful! like G, D, Em, C works for almost all songs but this '4 chords' thing arent these chords.
thank you very much if you reply!
my email is mgauffin@mail.com
thanks again

]]> By: Everton http://www.neatorama.com/2009/01/27/only-four-chords-are-needed-to-make-a-hit-song/comment-page-1/#comment-1816922 Everton Wed, 15 Jul 2009 17:49:28 +0000 http://www.neatorama.com/2009/01/27/only-four-chords-are-needed-to-make-a-hit-song/#comment-1816922 A previous comment said classical music is more complex. That is not stricly true! A melody line can be hamonized in may ways. Thats why you can have the same chord progression fitting many melodies. An extreme example would be take fou bars of the G, how many melodies can you come up with? I could ploy four bars of the 'G' note, BUT in some syncopated rythm. Then 'B' and 'C'. I could use G major appegio. This what a jazz and even Bach (baroque) improvisation is about. The songs have diffrent melodies but the same chord progression. The chords are not the song, the song is the melody and the words (or vocalised sounds). A previous comment said classical music is more complex. That is not stricly true! A melody line can be hamonized in may ways. Thats why you can have the same chord progression fitting many melodies. An extreme example would be take fou bars of the G, how many melodies can you come up with? I could ploy four bars of the 'G' note, BUT in some syncopated rythm. Then 'B' and 'C'. I could use G major appegio. This what a jazz and even Bach (baroque) improvisation is about. The songs have diffrent melodies but the same chord progression. The chords are not the song, the song is the melody and the words (or vocalised sounds).

]]> By: quoter http://www.neatorama.com/2009/01/27/only-four-chords-are-needed-to-make-a-hit-song/comment-page-1/#comment-1765577 quoter Fri, 05 Jun 2009 15:06:55 +0000 http://www.neatorama.com/2009/01/27/only-four-chords-are-needed-to-make-a-hit-song/#comment-1765577 look sure enougth its a simple chord progression and yes its cool and for all the wingers out there saying it isnt music you have lost touch about what music really is to the people saying it is soo simple it is soo easy these disgust me these are lame music isnt all about the theory you need soul if you listen to most of the songs sure they have the same riff but there diffrent there personal there sung from the heart so it isnt lame you need to learn what music really is expressing your self and letting your emotions flow freely besides it so happens that those four chords can sound the same but there all diffrent listen again and you will understand look sure enougth its a simple chord progression and yes its cool and for all the wingers out there saying it isnt music you have lost touch about what music really is to the people saying it is soo simple it is soo easy these disgust me these are lame music isnt all about the theory you need soul if you listen to most of the songs sure they have the same riff but there diffrent there personal there sung from the heart so it isnt lame you need to learn what music really is expressing your self and letting your emotions flow freely besides it so happens that those four chords can sound the same but there all diffrent listen again and you will understand

]]> By: denzio http://www.neatorama.com/2009/01/27/only-four-chords-are-needed-to-make-a-hit-song/comment-page-1/#comment-1534841 denzio Wed, 04 Mar 2009 06:53:32 +0000 http://www.neatorama.com/2009/01/27/only-four-chords-are-needed-to-make-a-hit-song/#comment-1534841 it's not how many chords you use but how you put melody into it and how it is arranged to be appealing that counts..You can even use 1 chord and still make a good song with different melodies..and for those saying that 4 or 3 chord songs are lousy songs..grow up or shut up! you don't know what you are saying...the human perception of music (non musicians and masses) can only accommodate a few chords and an octave plus 2 of notes which will register well for recall.. for the chord progressions, even if it is the same with a thousand of other songs, there are still unlimited ways to make variations such as melody, tone, tempo, groove, etc....yes it has been the long-used formula for pop music..but it doesn't matter if it's pop, progressive of whatever..good music from the heart is still good music... it's not how many chords you use but how you put melody into it and how it is arranged to be appealing that counts..You can even use 1 chord and still make a good song with different melodies..and for those saying that 4 or 3 chord songs are lousy songs..grow up or shut up! you don't know what you are saying...the human perception of music (non musicians and masses) can only accommodate a few chords and an octave plus 2 of notes which will register well for recall.. for the chord progressions, even if it is the same with a thousand of other songs, there are still unlimited ways to make variations such as melody, tone, tempo, groove, etc....yes it has been the long-used formula for pop music..but it doesn't matter if it's pop, progressive of whatever..good music from the heart is still good music...

]]> By: Sqwert http://www.neatorama.com/2009/01/27/only-four-chords-are-needed-to-make-a-hit-song/comment-page-1/#comment-1487140 Sqwert Mon, 16 Feb 2009 01:53:21 +0000 http://www.neatorama.com/2009/01/27/only-four-chords-are-needed-to-make-a-hit-song/#comment-1487140 Sheer brilliance. It's easy to sit down and come up with a list of songs all starting with the letter G for example, but how on earth do you come up with a list of songs all in the same key with the same I V vi IV chord progression. Genius. Sheer brilliance.

It's easy to sit down and come up with a list of songs all starting with the letter G for example, but how on earth do you come up with a list of songs all in the same key with the same I V vi IV chord progression.

Genius.

]]> By: cat http://www.neatorama.com/2009/01/27/only-four-chords-are-needed-to-make-a-hit-song/comment-page-1/#comment-1454312 cat Sun, 08 Feb 2009 02:27:31 +0000 http://www.neatorama.com/2009/01/27/only-four-chords-are-needed-to-make-a-hit-song/#comment-1454312 so what are the chords anyway so what are the chords anyway

]]> By: Frannie http://www.neatorama.com/2009/01/27/only-four-chords-are-needed-to-make-a-hit-song/comment-page-1/#comment-1424887 Frannie Thu, 29 Jan 2009 19:22:11 +0000 http://www.neatorama.com/2009/01/27/only-four-chords-are-needed-to-make-a-hit-song/#comment-1424887 "I'm a birdplaaane!" ^ win "I'm a birdplaaane!"

^ win

]]> By: ted http://www.neatorama.com/2009/01/27/only-four-chords-are-needed-to-make-a-hit-song/comment-page-1/#comment-1421940 ted Thu, 29 Jan 2009 00:24:36 +0000 http://www.neatorama.com/2009/01/27/only-four-chords-are-needed-to-make-a-hit-song/#comment-1421940 What about the brown note? What about the brown note?

]]> By: DOJ http://www.neatorama.com/2009/01/27/only-four-chords-are-needed-to-make-a-hit-song/comment-page-1/#comment-1419897 DOJ Wed, 28 Jan 2009 08:09:31 +0000 http://www.neatorama.com/2009/01/27/only-four-chords-are-needed-to-make-a-hit-song/#comment-1419897 This reminds me of Jimmy Fallon singing Can't Tough This This reminds me of Jimmy Fallon singing Can't Tough This

]]> By: Carl http://www.neatorama.com/2009/01/27/only-four-chords-are-needed-to-make-a-hit-song/comment-page-1/#comment-1419763 Carl Wed, 28 Jan 2009 02:03:00 +0000 http://www.neatorama.com/2009/01/27/only-four-chords-are-needed-to-make-a-hit-song/#comment-1419763 This is obvious and comedian-musicians have riffed on this for years. Still, it's good to get out there. The POINT? It PAYS to pay attention to lyrics and cadence, intensity and intent. That's what makes a song. Anyone who has posted in this thread needs to check out the brilliant lyrics of Ian Anderson (Jethro Tull) and many other "classic" rockers who know how to turn music into magic. This is obvious and comedian-musicians have riffed on this for years. Still, it's good to get out there.

The POINT? It PAYS to pay attention to lyrics and cadence, intensity and intent. That's what makes a song.

Anyone who has posted in this thread needs to check out the brilliant lyrics of Ian Anderson (Jethro Tull) and many other "classic" rockers who know how to turn music into magic.

]]> By: MarcofVanier http://www.neatorama.com/2009/01/27/only-four-chords-are-needed-to-make-a-hit-song/comment-page-1/#comment-1419642 MarcofVanier Tue, 27 Jan 2009 23:28:26 +0000 http://www.neatorama.com/2009/01/27/only-four-chords-are-needed-to-make-a-hit-song/#comment-1419642 I lol'd at the Aha, Take on Me bit. :) I lol'd at the Aha, Take on Me bit. :)

]]> By: Guest http://www.neatorama.com/2009/01/27/only-four-chords-are-needed-to-make-a-hit-song/comment-page-1/#comment-1419603 Guest Tue, 27 Jan 2009 23:05:42 +0000 http://www.neatorama.com/2009/01/27/only-four-chords-are-needed-to-make-a-hit-song/#comment-1419603 Pop music = sucks. It's only popular because pretty people sing it. Alot of great songs only use three chords. They don't have to be complex to sound good. And yea, what the title said, it only needs 4 chords to be a HIT song, not a good song. Pop music = sucks. It's only popular because pretty people sing it.

Alot of great songs only use three chords. They don't have to be complex to sound good.

And yea, what the title said, it only needs 4 chords to be a HIT song, not a good song.

]]> By: manik http://www.neatorama.com/2009/01/27/only-four-chords-are-needed-to-make-a-hit-song/comment-page-1/#comment-1419586 manik Tue, 27 Jan 2009 22:51:59 +0000 http://www.neatorama.com/2009/01/27/only-four-chords-are-needed-to-make-a-hit-song/#comment-1419586 Pop is pop because it's popular not because it's interesting. It's easy to sing along to; catchy for the masses of people that still confuse music with magic. Tiring for anyone who studies music, is creative, or can recognize patterns. Pop is pop because it's popular not because it's interesting. It's easy to sing along to; catchy for the masses of people that still confuse music with magic. Tiring for anyone who studies music, is creative, or can recognize patterns.

]]> By: Sheldon http://www.neatorama.com/2009/01/27/only-four-chords-are-needed-to-make-a-hit-song/comment-page-1/#comment-1419544 Sheldon Tue, 27 Jan 2009 22:22:33 +0000 http://www.neatorama.com/2009/01/27/only-four-chords-are-needed-to-make-a-hit-song/#comment-1419544 Hahaha I agree Doclle. Hahaha I agree Doclle.

]]> By: Doclle http://www.neatorama.com/2009/01/27/only-four-chords-are-needed-to-make-a-hit-song/comment-page-1/#comment-1419513 Doclle Tue, 27 Jan 2009 21:55:27 +0000 http://www.neatorama.com/2009/01/27/only-four-chords-are-needed-to-make-a-hit-song/#comment-1419513 Anyone who writes a rock or pop song with more than three chords is just showing off. Anyone who writes a rock or pop song with more than three chords is just showing off.

]]> By: nicleT http://www.neatorama.com/2009/01/27/only-four-chords-are-needed-to-make-a-hit-song/comment-page-1/#comment-1419500 nicleT Tue, 27 Jan 2009 21:13:46 +0000 http://www.neatorama.com/2009/01/27/only-four-chords-are-needed-to-make-a-hit-song/#comment-1419500 Imagine with only tree chords ! Imagine with only tree chords !

]]> By: pollardito http://www.neatorama.com/2009/01/27/only-four-chords-are-needed-to-make-a-hit-song/comment-page-1/#comment-1419476 pollardito Tue, 27 Jan 2009 19:51:18 +0000 http://www.neatorama.com/2009/01/27/only-four-chords-are-needed-to-make-a-hit-song/#comment-1419476 Just add this background music to MicroSoft Songsmith and you'll be touring stadium to stadium in no time! Just add this background music to MicroSoft Songsmith and you'll be touring stadium to stadium in no time!

]]> By: heather http://www.neatorama.com/2009/01/27/only-four-chords-are-needed-to-make-a-hit-song/comment-page-1/#comment-1419452 heather Tue, 27 Jan 2009 19:17:29 +0000 http://www.neatorama.com/2009/01/27/only-four-chords-are-needed-to-make-a-hit-song/#comment-1419452 Guys! If you paid attention to the tone of the video, they aren't taking it as seriously as you are. Their merely illustrating an interesting trend in popular music and making it FUNNY. That's the POINT of the whole thing. Lighten up music snobs! I personally cracked up when one of the singers went for the high notes in 'Take on me.' Guys! If you paid attention to the tone of the video, they aren't taking it as seriously as you are. Their merely illustrating an interesting trend in popular music and making it FUNNY. That's the POINT of the whole thing. Lighten up music snobs!

I personally cracked up when one of the singers went for the high notes in 'Take on me.'

]]> By: Phil http://www.neatorama.com/2009/01/27/only-four-chords-are-needed-to-make-a-hit-song/comment-page-1/#comment-1419435 Phil Tue, 27 Jan 2009 18:45:57 +0000 http://www.neatorama.com/2009/01/27/only-four-chords-are-needed-to-make-a-hit-song/#comment-1419435 Status Quo have been doing it with three chords, for years! Long live the "Mighty Quo"!!! Status Quo have been doing it with three chords, for years! Long live the "Mighty Quo"!!!

]]> By: homero http://www.neatorama.com/2009/01/27/only-four-chords-are-needed-to-make-a-hit-song/comment-page-1/#comment-1419432 homero Tue, 27 Jan 2009 18:22:15 +0000 http://www.neatorama.com/2009/01/27/only-four-chords-are-needed-to-make-a-hit-song/#comment-1419432 @ A Noun: Search for "Pachelbel rant" in Youtube. @ A Noun:

Search for "Pachelbel rant" in Youtube.

]]> By: PaulVI http://www.neatorama.com/2009/01/27/only-four-chords-are-needed-to-make-a-hit-song/comment-page-1/#comment-1419389 PaulVI Tue, 27 Jan 2009 17:45:05 +0000 http://www.neatorama.com/2009/01/27/only-four-chords-are-needed-to-make-a-hit-song/#comment-1419389 I agree with others who say that this is a trivial finding. (Play most pop hits in 5 easy lessons...) What I want is a catalog of songs grouped by common chord progressions. You know - how this song has the same prog' as this other one? Or for greater depth, after find the percent of songs use progression A, B, C.... Then we'll have a better idea of how much pop eats itself, and how we're paying (if we're still paying) for the same songs, over and over. I agree with others who say that this is a trivial finding. (Play most pop hits in 5 easy lessons...)

What I want is a catalog of songs grouped by common chord progressions. You know - how this song has the same prog' as this other one?

Or for greater depth, after find the percent of songs use progression A, B, C.... Then we'll have a better idea of how much pop eats itself, and how we're paying (if we're still paying) for the same songs, over and over.

]]> By: redhead http://www.neatorama.com/2009/01/27/only-four-chords-are-needed-to-make-a-hit-song/comment-page-1/#comment-1419349 redhead Tue, 27 Jan 2009 17:31:34 +0000 http://www.neatorama.com/2009/01/27/only-four-chords-are-needed-to-make-a-hit-song/#comment-1419349 after 4 guitar lessons, i know 7 chords. so that means i can be a SUPER pop star!!! look out britney! ;-) after 4 guitar lessons, i know 7 chords. so that means i can be a SUPER pop star!!! look out britney! ;-)

]]> By: DaveH http://www.neatorama.com/2009/01/27/only-four-chords-are-needed-to-make-a-hit-song/comment-page-1/#comment-1419335 DaveH Tue, 27 Jan 2009 17:24:30 +0000 http://www.neatorama.com/2009/01/27/only-four-chords-are-needed-to-make-a-hit-song/#comment-1419335 @AnUnSi: I think you should get your money back. @AnUnSi: I think you should get your money back.

]]> By: LisaL http://www.neatorama.com/2009/01/27/only-four-chords-are-needed-to-make-a-hit-song/comment-page-1/#comment-1419279 LisaL Tue, 27 Jan 2009 17:03:56 +0000 http://www.neatorama.com/2009/01/27/only-four-chords-are-needed-to-make-a-hit-song/#comment-1419279 DaveH- Ditto that! Whether if it's true or been around for forever, who cares, I still found it fun to watch. DaveH- Ditto that!
Whether if it's true or been around for forever, who cares, I still found it fun to watch.

]]> By: ragazzambulante http://www.neatorama.com/2009/01/27/only-four-chords-are-needed-to-make-a-hit-song/comment-page-1/#comment-1419276 ragazzambulante Tue, 27 Jan 2009 17:02:33 +0000 http://www.neatorama.com/2009/01/27/only-four-chords-are-needed-to-make-a-hit-song/#comment-1419276 One of my friends and I realized this when we took our first year of music theory together, and since then we can't listen to pop music because it bothers us so much. One of my friends and I realized this when we took our first year of music theory together, and since then we can't listen to pop music because it bothers us so much.

]]> By: MadMolecule http://www.neatorama.com/2009/01/27/only-four-chords-are-needed-to-make-a-hit-song/comment-page-1/#comment-1419274 MadMolecule Tue, 27 Jan 2009 17:01:09 +0000 http://www.neatorama.com/2009/01/27/only-four-chords-are-needed-to-make-a-hit-song/#comment-1419274 FOUR chords? Slow down there, Beethoven! Three was enough for the Ramones, and it's enough for me. FOUR chords? Slow down there, Beethoven! Three was enough for the Ramones, and it's enough for me.

]]> By: mallory http://www.neatorama.com/2009/01/27/only-four-chords-are-needed-to-make-a-hit-song/comment-page-1/#comment-1419236 mallory Tue, 27 Jan 2009 16:47:43 +0000 http://www.neatorama.com/2009/01/27/only-four-chords-are-needed-to-make-a-hit-song/#comment-1419236 I wasn't aware this was a new discovery. I wasn't aware this was a new discovery.

]]> By: xadrian http://www.neatorama.com/2009/01/27/only-four-chords-are-needed-to-make-a-hit-song/comment-page-1/#comment-1419203 xadrian Tue, 27 Jan 2009 16:31:42 +0000 http://www.neatorama.com/2009/01/27/only-four-chords-are-needed-to-make-a-hit-song/#comment-1419203 This may cover verses or the chorus, but not necessarily both at the same time. That's a test of a well put together piece of music, one that changes. I also think it's very Western, but my scope of Eastern music is limited. Bridges and changes, while moving to another set of three/four chords, does add to the richness of a song. So, yeah, it's not that simple. This may cover verses or the chorus, but not necessarily both at the same time. That's a test of a well put together piece of music, one that changes. I also think it's very Western, but my scope of Eastern music is limited. Bridges and changes, while moving to another set of three/four chords, does add to the richness of a song. So, yeah, it's not that simple.

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