3) Frank Ocean, “Pyramids,” verse & chorus
From channel ORANGE (2012)
Audio: Youtube
Fm Db
Oh, oh, oh , oh, Set the cheetahs on the loose
Csus Bbm
Oh, oh, oh , oh, There's a thief out on the move
Fm Db
Oh, oh, oh , oh, Underneath our legion's view
Csus Bbm
Oh, oh, oh , oh, They have taken Cleopatra
4) Olivia Rodrigo & Joshua Bassett, “I Think I Kinda, You Know,” verse
From High School Musical (2020), written by Alan Zachary & Michael Weiner
Audio: Youtube (0:07-0:40)
Csus2 G/B
So much has happened, think of what we've done
Am7 Fsus2
In the time that the Earth has traveled 'round the Sun
Csus2 G/B
Winter, spring, summer an' we're back to fall
Am7 Fsus2
We've been together hand-in-hand through it all
Csus2 G/B
From the minute we kissed and my heart skipped a beat
Am7 Fsus2
To the night that we danced, I was swept off my feet
Csus2 G/B
Sure as every year has to come to an end
Am7 Fsus2
I'd go spinnin' 'round the Sun with you again and again and again and again
5) P!nk, “Who Knew,” chorus
From I'm Not Dead (2006), written by Dr. Luke, Max Martin & P!nk
Audio: Youtube (0:39–1:04)
D E F#m7 A
If someone said three years from now you'd be long gone,
D E F#m7 A
I'd stand up and punch them out, cuz they're all wrong . . .
Dsus2 E F#m7 A
I know better, cuz you said forever,
Dsus2 E A
and ever . . . Who knew?
6) Sting, “Fields of Gold,” verse
From Ten Summoner’s Tales (1993), written Sting
Audio: Youtube (0:39–1:04)
Bsus2 G
You'll remember me when the west wind moves
D
Upon the fields of barley
Bsus2 G D
You'll forget the sun in his jealous sky
G/D A Bm7
As we walk in the fields of gold
8a) Teddy Swims, “Lose Control,” chorus
From I've Tried Everything But Therapy (2024), written by Teddy Swims, Ammo, Julian Bunetta, Infamous & Mikky Ekko
Audio: YouTube (0:40–1:17)
Harmonic Rhythm:
| F#m| A | Dmaj7 | C#sus C# | (x2)
F#m A
I lose con...trol, when you're not
D∆ 7 C#sus C#
next to me, I'm fallin' apart right in front of you can't you see
F#m A
I lose con...trol, when you're not
D∆ 7 C#sus C#
next to me, yeah you're breakin' my heart baby you make a mess of me
2) Sheryl Crow, “The First Cut is the Deepest,” chorus
From The Very Best of Sheryl Crow (2003), written by Cat Stevens
Audio (chorus): Youtube (0:43–1:08)
[Chorus]
D A7sus G A
The first cut is the deepest, baby I know
D A7sus G A
The first cut is the deepest
D A7sus G A
'cause when it comes to being lucky he's cursed
D A G A
when it comes to lovin' me he's the worst
3) Stevie Wonder, “Ribbon in the Sky,” verse 1
From Stevie Wonder's Original Musiquarium I (1982), written by Stevie Wonder
Audio: Youtube (0:42–1:03)
Harmonic Rhythm :
| E♭m7 | Fm7 B♭7sus4 | (x3)
E♭m7 Fm7 B♭7sus4
Oh so long for this night I prayed
E♭m7 Fm7 B♭7sus4
That a star would guide you my way
E♭m7 Fm7 B♭7sus4
To share with me this special day
This chord has a lot of names: "pop dominant," "soul dominant," V9sus, V11, or "Sus" chord.
(Note: This section is also included on the cadence page since this chord typically occurs at the cadence)
1) Marvin Gaye, “What's Going On,” verse 1
From What's Going On? (1970)
Audio: Youtube (0:10 - 0:41)
EMaj7
Mother, mother
C#m7
There's too many of you crying
EMaj7
Brother, brother, brother
C#m7
There's far too many of you dying
F#m7
You know we've got to find a way
A/B B7
To bring some loving here today, yeah
9) The Impressions, “People Get Ready,” chorus
From People Get Ready (1965), written by Curtis Mayfield.
Audio: Youtube (0:48–1:14)
Db Bbm Gb/Ab Db
So people get ready, for the train to Jordan
Db Bbm Gb/Ab Db
Picking up passengers, coast to coast
Db Bbm Gb/Ab Db
Faith is the key, open the doors and board em
Fm7 Ebm7 Gb/Ab Db
There’s hope for all, among those loved the most
12) Cole Porter, "Begin the Beguine," mm. 1–16
From the musical Jubilee (1935)
Scores: Image File
Audio: Youtube (0:15–0:47)
13) Michael Jackson, “Man in the Mirror,” chorus
From Bad (1987), written by Glen Ballard & Siedah Garrett
Audio: Youtube (2:33–2:50)
G G/B C C/D
I'm starting with the man in the mirror
G G/B C C/D
I'm asking him to change his ways
2) Cole Porter, “Begin the Beguine,” mm1–16
From the musical Jubilee (1935)
Scores: Image File
Audio: Youtube (0:15–0:47)
3) Fleetwood Mac, “Dreams,” chorus
From Rumors (1977), written by Stevie Nicks
Audio: Youtube (1:12–1:46)
Fmaj7 G6 Fmaj7 G
Oh thunder only happens when it's raining
Fmaj7 G6 Fmaj7 G
Players only love you when they're playing
Fmaj7 G6 Fmaj7 G
Say women they will come and they will go
Fmaj7 G6 Fmaj7 G
When the rain washes you clean, you'll know
Fmaj7
You'll know
4) Carole King, “It's Too Late,” verse
From Tapestry (1971), written by Toni Stern & Carole King
Audio: Youtube (0:10–0:28)
Am7 D6
Stayed in bed all morning just to pass the time
Am7 D6
There's something wrong here, there can be no denying
Am7 Gm7 Fmaj7
One of us is changing, or maybe we just stopped trying
3) America, “A Horse with No Name,” verse 1
From American (1971), music and lyrics by Dewey Bunnell
Audio: Youtube (0:06–0:42)
Em D6-9/F#
On the first part of the journey
Em D6-9/F#
I was looking at all the life
Em D6-9/F#
There were plants and birds and rocks and things
Em D6-9
There were sand and hills and rings
Em D6-9/F#
The first thing I met was a fly with a buzz
Em D6-9/F#
And the sky with no clouds
Em D6-9/F#
The heat was hot and the ground was dry
Em D6-9/F#
But the air was full of sound
4) The White Stripes, “I'm Lonely But I Ain't That Lonely Yet,” verse
From Get Behind Me Satan (2005), written Jack White
Audio: Youtube (0:13–0:41)
C F C
Well, I miss my mother and I miss being her son
C G
And as crazy as I was, guess I wasn't much fun
C F C
Sometimes I miss her so much I want to hop on the next jet
C G C Cadd4 C
And I get lonely, but I ain't that lonely yet
5) Ed Sheeran (ft. YEBBA), “Best Part of Me,” chorus
From No. 6 Collaborations Projects (2019), written Ed Sheeran, Benny Blanco, Joe Rubel
Audio: YouTube (2:40–3:10)
D Aadd4 Gadd9 Bm7 Asus4 D Aadd4 Gadd9
Baby, the best part of me is you
D Aadd4 Gadd9 Bm7 Asus4 D Aadd4
and lately everything's making sense too
Gadd9 Bm7 Aadd4 D
Baby I'm so in love with you
8) Ed Sheeran (ft. YEBBA), “Best Part of Me,” verse 2
From No. 6 Collaborations Projects (2019), written Ed Sheeran, Benny Blanco, Joe Rubel
Audio: YouTube (1:44–2:18)
D Asus4 Bm7 Gadd9
I overthink and still forgive
D Asus4 Bm7 Gadd9
I lose my phone and place my bets
D Asus4 Bm7 Gadd9 D
And I never catch the train on time, always 30 minutes behind
Asus4 Bm7 Gadd9
Your worries ain't seen nothin' yet
2) Living Colour, “Cult of Personality” (verse)
From Vivid (1988), written by Doug Wimbish, Muzz Skillings, Vernon Reid & Corey Glover
Audio: Youtube (0:27–0:53)
G5
Look in my eyes, What do you see?
Bb5 F5 G 5
The cult of personality.
I know your anger, I know your dreams,
I've been ev'ry-thing you wana be, oh,
Bb5 F5 G 5
I'm the cult of personality.
3) Portishead, “All Mine,” verse
From Portishead (1997), written by Geoff Barrow, Beth Gibbons & Adrian Utley
Audio: Youtube (0:19–1:13)
Eb5
All the stars may shine bright,
D5
All the clouds may be white,
Eb5
But when you smile,
D5
Oh how I feel so good,
That I can hardly wait
B5
To hold you,
C#5 D5
Enfold you,
B5
Never enough,
C#5 D5 Eb5
Render your heart to me - All mine.
5) Elton John, “Saturday Night’s Alright for Fighting,” verse
From Goodbye Yellow Brick Road (1973), written by Bernie Taupin & Elton John.
Audio: [update]
G5
It's getting late have you seen my mates
F
Ma tell me when the boys get here
C
It's seven o'clock and I want to rock
G5
Want to get a belly full of beer
G5
My old man's drunker than a barrel full of monkeys
F
And my old lady she don't care
C
My sister looks cute in her braces and boots
G5
A handful of grease in her hair
6) Bachman-Turner Overdrive, “Taking Care of Business,” verse
From Bachman-Turner Overdrive (1973), written by Randy Bachman
C5
You get up every morning,
Bb5
from your alarm clock's warning,
F C5
take the 8:15 into the city
C5
There's a whistle up above,
Bb5 F
and people pushing, people shoving,
C5 F C5
and the girls who try to look pretty
11) Red Hot Chili Peppers, “Don't Forget Me,” verse
From By the Way (2002), written by Anthony Kiedis, Flea, John Frusciante & Chad Smith
Audio: Youtube (0:15–0:47)
A5 F5
I'm an ocean in your bedroom
C5 G5
Make you feel warm, make you wanna resume
A5 F5 C5 G5
Now we know it all for sure
A5 F5
I'm a dance hall, dirty breakbeat
C5 G5 A5
Make the snow fall up from underneath your feet
F5 C5 G5 A5
Not alone, I'll be there, tell me when you want to go
1) Fiona Apple, “Paper Bag,” chorus
From When the Pawn Hits the Conflicts... (1999), written by Fiona Apple
Audio: Youtube (0:49–1:17)
Chord Rhythm:
| G Cmaj7 | F(#11) G | G Cmaj7 | F9#11 |
| G Cmaj7 | F9#11 G |
| Em7 A7 | F9 | F9 | G |
G Cmaj7 F(#11) G
Hunger hurts, and I want him so bad, oh it kills
Cmaj7 F9#11
'Cause I know I'm a mess he don't wanna clean up
G Cmaj7 F9#11 G
I got to fold 'cause these hands are too shaky to hold
Em7 A7
Hunger hurts, but starving works,
F9 G
when it costs too much to love
4) Stevie Wonder, “My Cherie Amour,” verse
From The Sounds of Stevie (1969), written by Stevie Wonder
Audio: Youtube (0:19–0:38)
Harmoni Rhythm:
| Gmaj7 | C11 | Fmaj7 | D7 | (x2)
Gmaj7
My cherie amour,
C11 Fmaj7 D7
lovely as a summer day
Gmaj7
My cherie amour,
C11 Fmaj7 D7
distant as the Milky Way
9) Stevie Wonder, “For Once in My Life,” verse
From Time (1981), written by Jeff Lynne
Audio: YouTube (0:13–0:32)
Harmonic Rhythm:
| F F+ | F D♭9 | Gm7 | Gm7 |
| Gm7| Gm7 C7 | F C+7 | F |
F F+ F6
For once in my life,
F6 D7♭9
I have someone who needs me
Gm7
Someone I've needed so long
Gm7
For once, unafraid,
C7
I can go where life leads me
F C+7 F
Somehow, I know I'll be strong
I I+ Iadd6
For once in my life,
Iadd6 V9/ii
I have someone who needs me
ii7
Someone I've needed so long
ii7
For once, unafraid,
V7
I can go where life leads me
I V+7 I
Somehow, I know I'll be strong
5) Radiohead, “Lucky,” chorus
From OK Computer (1997) Written by Philip Selway, Ed O’Brien, Colin Greenwood, Jonny Greenwood & Thom Yorke
Audio: Youtube (1:09–1:39)
A Em
Pull me out of the air crash
A Em
Pull me out of the lake
A Em
Cause I'm your superhero
C7 B7
We are standing on the edge
6) Billy Joel, “Vienna,” chorus
From The Stranger (1997). Written by Billy Joel.
Audio: Youtube (0:46–1:07)
E♭ F
But you know that when the truth is told
B♭ Dm/A
That you can get what you want
Gm B♭/F
Or you can just get old
E♭ Am7
You're gonna kick off before you even
D7 Gm7
get halfway through, oooh...
C7 G♭7
When will you realize
F7 B♭
Vienna waits for you
7) Doobie Brothers, “It Keeps You Runnin',” verse
From Takin' It To the Streets (1976). Written by Michael McDonald.
Audio: Youtube (0:28–0:54)
Bm7 B♭7 Am7
Say, where you gonna go?
A♭7 G7
Girl, where you gonna hide?
Bm7 B♭7 Am7
You go on leavin' out your heart
A♭7 G7
And all it's sayin' down deep inside
10) Susana Baca, “Maria Lando,” verse 2
From Afro-Peruvian Classics: The Soul of Black Peru (1995), written by Chabuca Granda
Audio: YouTube (3:31–3:56)
Harmonic Rhythm:
| Bm | G7 | F# | F# | Em7 | A7 | D∆7 | D∆7 |
| G7 | C#7 | F# | F# | G | C#7 | F#7 | F#7 |
Bm G7 F#
Pero para María no hay madrugada
But for María, there is no dawn,
Em7 A7 Dmaj7
Pero para María no hay mediodía
But for María, there is no noon,
G7 C#7 F#
Pero para María ninguna luna
But for María, no moon
G C#7 F#7
Alza su copa roja sobre las aguas…
Raises its red cup over the waters…
Yale Musical Examples Database: See the "Chord Types" tab at the bottom.