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Shocker I know, this is actually a really really good pop song - one of the best I’ve heard for years. As well as Will having probably the best pop voice since George Michael, there are two reasons why this song is so good.

1 The opening chord sequence. I’m talking about the bit under the lyrics “I’m here, just like I said, Though it’s breaking every rule I’ve ever made”. Not quite sure how I’m going to notate this, but I’ll try putting chords in parentheses after the appropriate syllable.

I’m here (I) just like (IVc) I said (I) , Though it’s break- (II) -ing every rule (VIb) I’ve ever made (V)

The good bit is the unusual imperfect cadence at the end there. A boring pop song would do the cheesy II-I-V thing, but by using II-VIb-V instead you get the same bass-line but with an interesting VIb chord. VIb has almost the same notes as I except it (obviously) includes VI. Because the previous chord is II (which also contains note VI) it’s possible to suspend the 6th between the II and VIb, which is what the producer does. Very clever, a step above the usual dross.

2 The chords in the chorus. I’m talking about the bit under the lyrics “I think I’d better leave right now, Before I fall any deeper”.

(IV) I think I’d better leave (VII b5) right now (III) , Before I fall (I) any deeper

Quality stuff. Changing from IV to VII b5 is actually only a one-note change (dropping the tonic to the leading note). As this is done in parallel with the tune (together with the change of inversion underneath), it makes really good effect. It also implies a key-change which in fact is side-stepped by the unusual cadence III-I (the ear expects the chord-sequence to follow the cycle of 5ths and change from III to VI).

I don’t know who wrote it but it’s very very good.

This entry was posted on Monday, March 29th, 2004 at 3:25 pm and is filed under music. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.