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Why are so many songs nowadays just four chords?
Posted on 8/9/17 at 4:29 pm
Posted on 8/9/17 at 4:29 pm
I teach guitar lessons and have been introduced to a quite a bit of new popular music. There have been many songs that only have four chords that repeat from start to finish.
Imagine Dragons - Radioactive
Ed Sheeran - Castle on the Hill
X Ambassadors - Renegades
Jacob Sartorius - Last Text (I forgive this kid since he's a child - though someone else is most likely writing his songs)
The Chainsmokers & Coldplay - Something Like This
I could come up with more. But it's so lazy and boring to have a song that doesn't go anywhere except a change in vocals and a bit more layers in the rhythm.
Imagine Dragons - Radioactive
Ed Sheeran - Castle on the Hill
X Ambassadors - Renegades
Jacob Sartorius - Last Text (I forgive this kid since he's a child - though someone else is most likely writing his songs)
The Chainsmokers & Coldplay - Something Like This
I could come up with more. But it's so lazy and boring to have a song that doesn't go anywhere except a change in vocals and a bit more layers in the rhythm.
14
Posted on 8/9/17 at 4:37 pm to StringedInstruments
I like some of the songs you posted. 
I think people either like simplicity, or they just don't appreciate complex pieces of music. Also, they're all pushed heavily on the radio. It's just what they hear all of the time, so they just respond to what's presented to them.
I think people either like simplicity, or they just don't appreciate complex pieces of music. Also, they're all pushed heavily on the radio. It's just what they hear all of the time, so they just respond to what's presented to them.
Posted on 8/9/17 at 5:11 pm to StringedInstruments
Most people are too stupid to appreciate anything more complex
Posted on 8/9/17 at 5:19 pm to StringedInstruments
Haven't most pop/rock songs always been 3 or 4 chords?
Posted on 8/9/17 at 5:33 pm to StringedInstruments
Those are all pop songs made for 12 year old girls. What do you expect?
Posted on 8/9/17 at 6:47 pm to StringedInstruments
I get bored with it too,but you know,kids learn songs like that,and then play them forever.
To me it's Ok to use only 4 chords,but change up the progression a bit,do some turnarounds,something.
Most everything I write,is 6 chords or less,with some variations thrown in.
To me it's Ok to use only 4 chords,but change up the progression a bit,do some turnarounds,something.
Most everything I write,is 6 chords or less,with some variations thrown in.
This post was edited on 8/9/17 at 6:53 pm
Posted on 8/9/17 at 7:09 pm to Zappas Stache
Haven't most pop/rock songs always been 3 or 4 chords?
Isn't this the way it has always been?
Isn't this the way it has always been?
Posted on 8/9/17 at 7:20 pm to StringedInstruments
4? That's one more than you need
Posted on 8/9/17 at 7:34 pm to danilo
Amen.
Posted on 8/9/17 at 8:07 pm to Pitt Road
I'm trying to think of an era that really repeated the same progression for three minutes and called it a day.
No B section at all. Just the same ole four bars repeated over and over.
Even Blink 182 and Backstreet Boys and Hanson had some kind of change up in their songs.
No B section at all. Just the same ole four bars repeated over and over.
Even Blink 182 and Backstreet Boys and Hanson had some kind of change up in their songs.
Posted on 8/9/17 at 8:11 pm to StringedInstruments
Whenever I hear a song on the local top 40 station, whenever I hear the first chord of the chorus, 95% of the time I can accurately predict how the rest of the chorus will play out. Not only is it four chords, but everyone is playing the same four-chord progression. Seemingly, the only time when that doesn't happen is when they play a throwback song from a different era...
This post was edited on 8/9/17 at 8:13 pm
Posted on 8/9/17 at 8:31 pm to StringedInstruments
Laziness
Posted on 8/9/17 at 10:29 pm to StringedInstruments
This has been the case for 60 years.
Posted on 8/9/17 at 10:57 pm to StringedInstruments
My dear fellow, there are in fact only so many chords the ear can hear in the course of a song. I think I'm right in saying that, aren't I, Music Board posters?
Posted on 8/10/17 at 7:24 am to StringedInstruments
Way too complex for me. I IV V is all you need- Lighnin Hopkins.
Posted on 8/10/17 at 7:46 am to randybobandy
Pete Townshend- "Pop songs, by tradition, are two minutes fifty (seconds), with four chords, maybe five. Five chords, you're in front of the Board."
Posted on 8/10/17 at 9:38 am to StringedInstruments
Seriously, who cares? If it sounds good, why do you care more about quantity of chords over quality of the music piece itself. In the Dax Riggs thread from last weak, we discussed how one of his best songs has never been officially released, and it's mainly 2 chords played the whole time, but Dax's vocals complete the song and make it awesome. There are plenty of examples of classic songs that use less than 4 chords. See Jane Says and Horse With No Name.
Posted on 8/10/17 at 10:10 am to Spock's Eyebrow
True, many good songs are just 3 or 4 chords...but I'm telling you, over the last couple of years, it seems like every pop tart on the airwaves is recycling the same exact chord progression in the chorus. I probably shouldn't even use the word "recycling", because at least a recycled product is made into something new...they're just plain repeating, as if that chord progression is the only option available.
shite, to think people are paid to do this too...I guarantee any one of us could at least earn a co-writing credit by simply submitting that same 4-chord progression...
shite, to think people are paid to do this too...I guarantee any one of us could at least earn a co-writing credit by simply submitting that same 4-chord progression...
Posted on 8/10/17 at 12:15 pm to StringedInstruments
Posted on 8/10/17 at 1:25 pm to 225bred
'Country music is three chords and the truth'
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