Chord Shuttles

i - ♭II (“Phrygian Shuttle”)

I - II (“Lydian Shuttle”)

i - ii

i - ♭III

i - IV (“Dorian Shuttle”)

I -♭VII (Mixolydian Shuttle)

i -♭VII (Subtonic Shuttle)

Other Shuttles

More Examples

Backing Track: See the i - ♭VI, i - ♭III Chord Loops from Pop Repertoire here.

i - ♭II (“Phrygian Shuttle”)

1) Nelly, “Hot in Here,” chorus

From Nellyville (2002), written by Nelly, Pharrell Williams, Chad Hugo & Chuck Brown.

Audio: YouTube (1:08–1:27)

Em

It's gettin hot in here (so hot)

F

So take off all your clothes

Em F

(I am getting so hot, I wanna take my clothes off)

Em

It's gettin hot in here (so hot)

F

So take off all your clothes

G F#

(I am getting so hot, I wanna take my clothes off)

2) Portishead, “Mysterons,” verse

From Dummy (1994), written by Geoff Barrow, Beth Gibbons & Adrian Utley.

Audio: YouTube (0:23–0:48)

A#m Bm

Inside, you're pretending

A#m Bm

Crimes have been swept aside

A#m Bm

Somewhere

A#m Bm

Where they can forget

3) Justin Timberlake, “SexyBack,” chorus

From FutureSex/LoveSounds (2006)

Audio: YouTube (1:54–2:12)

Am B♭

Come here, girl (Go 'head, be gone with it)

Am B♭

Come here, girl (Go 'head, be gone with it)

Am B♭

VIP (Go 'head, be gone with it)

Am B♭

Drinks on me (Go 'head, be gone with it)

Am B♭

Let me see what you're twerking with (Go 'head, be gone with it)

Am B♭

Look at those hips (Go 'head, be gone with it)

Am B♭

You make me smile (Go 'head, be gone with it)

Am B♭

Go 'head, child (Go 'head, be gone with it)

4) Aespa, “Drama,” chorus

From Drama (2023)

Scores: PDF, Image, MuseScore, Image (melody & chords only)
Audio: YouTube (0:57–1:13)

I - II (“Lydian Shuttle”)

1) New Kids on the Block, “You Got It (The Right Stuff),” chorus

From Hangin' Tough (1988), written by Maurice Starr

Audio: YouTube (0:37–0:55)

A♭ B♭ A♭ B♭

You got the right stuff, baby

A♭ B♭ A♭ B♭

Love the way you turn me on

A♭ B♭ A♭ B♭

You got the right stuff, baby

A♭ B♭ A♭ B♭

You're the reason why I sing this song

2) "Epic I,” verse

From Hadestown, written by Anaïs Mitchell

Audio: YouTube (0:45–1:37)
What do you think the tonic is here and why?
Listen past the excerpt to the repeated "la la las." What feels like the tonic there?
Is there something significant about using this shuttle in a song about the Underworld?

B♭sus2

King of shadows

C(add4)

King of shades

B♭sus2

Hades was king of the

C(add4)

Underworld

B♭sus2

But he fell in love with a

C(add4)

beautiful lady

B♭sus2

Who walked up above in her

C(add4)

mother's green field

B♭sus2

He fell in love with

C(add4)

Persephone

B♭sus2

Who was gathering flowers in

C(add4)

the light of the sun

B♭sus2

And he took her home to

C(add4)

become his queen

B♭sus2

Where the sun never shone

C(add4)

On anyone

i - ii

1) NewJeans, “Super Shy,” chorus

From Get Up (2023), written by Erika de Casier, Frankie Scoca, Kristine Bogan

Scores: PDF, Image, MuseScore
Audio: YouTube (0:53–1:19)

2) Doja Cat, “Paint the Town Red,” verse

From Scarlet (2023), written by Burt Bacharach, Hal David, Isaac Earl, Bynum, Jean-Baptiste Kouame, Karl Rubin, Ryan Buendia

Audio: YouTube (0:42–1:03)
Instructor Note: |: i7 | ii 7 :| The entire song shuttles between i7 and ii7 (Gm7 and Am7)
Instructor Note 2: This contains explicit lyrics. It's not included in the student anthology.

Gm7

Yeah, bitch, I said what I said

Am7

I'd rather be famous instead (walk on by)

Gm7

I let all that get to my head

Am7

I don't care, I paint the town red (walk on by)

Gm7

Bitch, I said what I said

Am7

I'd rather be famous instead (walk on by)

Gm7

I let all that get to my head

Am7

I don't care, I paint the town red (walk on by)

i7

Yeah, bitch, I said what I said

ii7

I'd rather be famous instead (walk on by)

i7

I let all that get to my head

ii7

I don't care, I paint the town red (walk on by)

i7

Bitch, I said what I said

ii7

I'd rather be famous instead (walk on by)

i7

I let all that get to my head

ii7

I don't care, I paint the town red (walk on by)

i - ♭III

Backing Track: See the i - ♭III Chord Loops from Pop Repertoire here (Minor tab)

1) Ari Pulkkinen, “Angry Birds Theme,” mm. 1–11

From the video game Angry Birds (2012)

Scores: PDF, Image, MuseScore
Audio: YouTube (0:00–0:20)

i - IV (“Dorian Shuttle”)

1) Santana, “Evil Ways,” verse

From Santana (1969), written by Clarence “Sonny” Henry

Score: Image, MuseScore
Audio: YouTube (0:19–0:55)

Gm7 C Gm7 C

You've got to change your evil ways. . . ba-by,

Gm7 C Gm7 C

before I stop loving you.

C Gm7 C Gm7 C

You've go to change . . . ba-by.

Gm 7 C Gm7 C

And every word that I say, is true.

C Gm7 C

You've got me running and hiding,

Gm7 C

all over town.

C Gm7 C

You've got me sneaking and peeping,

Gm7 C

and running you down.

C D7

This can't go on . . .

Gm7 C Gm7

Lord knows you got to change . . . ba-by.

2) Aguilera, P!nk, Mya, Kim, “Lady Marmalade,” chorus

From the film Moulin Rouge (2001), written by Missy Elliott, Lil’ Kim, Kenny Nolan, Bob Crewe

Audio: YouTube (0:24–0:54)

Gm C

Gitchie, gitchie, ya ya da da (yeah-ey)

Gm C

Gitchie, gitchie, ya ya here (here)

Gm C

Mocha Chocolata ya ya (ooh yeah)

Gm C

Creole Lady Marmalade

Gm C

Voulez-vous coucher avec moi ce soir (ah, oh)

Gm C

Voulez vous coucher avec moi (Yeah yeah yeah yeah)

3) Santana, “Oye Como Va,” verse

From Abraxas (1970), written by Tito Puente

Audio: YouTube (0:19–0:55)
Note: The whole song repeats the same progression.

Am7 D7

Oye cómo va, Mi ritmo

Am7 D7

Bueno pa' gozar, Mulata

Am7 D7

Oye cómo va, Mi ritmo

Am7 D7

Bueno pa' gozar, Mulata

4) Dead or Alive, “You Spin Me Round (Like a Record),” intro and verse

From Youthquake (1985), written by Mike Percy, Tim Lever, Wayne Hussey, Steve Coy, and Pete Burns

Scores: PDF, Image, MuseScore
Audio: YouTube (0:18–0:34)

5) Stevie Wonder, “I Wish,” verse 1

From Songs in the Key of Life (1976), written by Stevie Wonder

Scores: PDF, Image, MuseScore, Braille
Audio: YouTube (0:16–0:36)

6) Gary Jules, “Mad World,” Prechorus

(2001) written by Ronald Orzabal; covered by Micharl Andrews and Gary Jules

Audio : YouTube (0:55–1:11)
Harmonic Rhythm:
| Fm | B♭ | Fm | B♭ | (x2)

Fm B♭ Fm

And I find it kinda funny, I find it kinda sad

B♭

The dreams in which I'm dying are the best

Fm

I've ever had

7) Brandi Carlile, “Raise Hell,” verse 1

From Bear Creek (2012) written by Tim Hanseroth & Brandi Carlile

Audio : YouTube (0:04–0:24)
Harmonic Rhythm (student):
|Am |Am | D| Am|
|Am |Am|Am| D| Am| (x2)

Am

I've been down with a broken heart

D Am

Since the day I learned to speak

Am

The devil gave me a crooked start

D Am

When he gave me crooked feet

Am

But Gabriel done came to me

D Am

And kissed me in my sleep

Am N.C.

And I'll be singing like an angel

Am

Until I'm six feet deep

8) Fanny, “Shade Me,” outro

From Fanny (1970), written by Nicky Barclay

Audio : YouTube (3:51–4:39)
Harmonic Rhythm (student):
|Cm7 | F | (x7)

Cm7

So come on (Shade me)

F

Oh, from the hurting

Cm7 F

Pain of love (I need you baby, come on come on now)

Cm7

(Shade me)

F

From the hurting

Cm7

Pain of love

F

No you've got to (Shade me)

Cm7

Oh no no you all got to (Shade me)

F

Oh no no no baby (Shade me)

Cm7

Oh you've got to shade me (Shade me)

F Cm7

Oh, b-baby (Shade me), Oh, b-baby (Shade me)

C'mon c'mon c'mon c'mon c'mon c'mon c'mon c'mon

F

(Shade me)

i - iv

1) Gang of Four, “Damaged Goods,” intro and verse

From Entertainment! (1979), written by Dave Allen, Hugo Burnham, Andy Gill and Jon King

Audio: YouTube (0:00–0:42)
Note: The entire song repeats the same progression.

Em Am/C

The change will do you good; I always knew it would

Em Am/C

Sometimes I'm thinking that I love you, but I know it's only lust

Em Am/C

Your kiss so sweet, your sweat so sour

2) Madonna, “She's Not Me,” verse 1

From Hard Candy (2008), written by Madonna and Pharrell Williams

Scores: PDF, Image, MuseScore
Audio: YouTube (0:17–0:41)

3) Brandy, “What About Us?,” verse 1

From Full Moon (2002), written by Brandy, Rodney Jerkins, LaShawn Daniels, Kenisha Pratt, and Nora Payne

Scores: PDF, Image, MuseScore
Audio: YouTube (0:08–0:29)

4) Hozier, “Take Me to Church,” mm. 1–8

From Hozier (2014), written by Hozier

Scores: PDF, Image, MuseScore
Audio: YouTube (0:00–0:23)

5) Kendrick Lamar, “Not Like Us,” verse 3

From Bravo: The Hits 2024 (2024), written by Kendrick Lamar, Mustard, Sounwave, Sean Momberger & Ray Charles

Audio: YouTube (0:49–0:58)
Harmonic Rhythm:| Bm . Em Bm | N.C.| (x4)

Bm Em Bm

They tell me Chubbs the only one that get your handmedowns

Bm Em Bm

And Party at the party playin' with his nose now

Bm Em Bm

And Baka got a weird case, why is he around?

Bm Em Bm

Certified Lover Boy?

6) Billie Eilish, “Lunch,” chorus

From Hit Me Hard and Soft (2024), written by Billie Eilish & FINNEAS

Scores: PDF, Image, MuseScore
Audio: YouTube (1:08–1:24)

7) Fiona Apple, “The First Taste,” chorus

From Tidal (1996), written by Fiona Apple

Audio: YouTube (1:10–2:03)
Harmonic Rhythm: | i7 | i7 | iv7 | iv7 | (x4)

D#m7 G#m7

Oh, your love give me a heart contusion

D#m7 G#m7

Adagio breezes fill my skin with sudden red

D#m7 G#m7

Your hungry flirt borders intrusion

D#m7 G#m7

And I'm building memories on things we have not said

i - v

1) Dave Brubeck Quartet, “Take Five”

From Time Out (1959), written by Paul Desmond

Score: Image
Audio: YouTube (0:19–0:49)

2) Nobuo Uematsu, “Terra,” mm. 1–4

From the video game Final Fantasy VI (1994)

Score: Image
Audio: YouTube (0:05–0:15)

3) Bill Withers, “Ain't No Sunshine,” verse

From Just As I Am (1971), written by Bill Withers

Scores: PDF, Image, MuseScore
Audio: YouTube (0:00–0:24)

I - v

1) Yasunori Mitsuda, “Guardia Millennial Fair,” mm. 9–16

From the video game Chrono Trigger. Transcription by DoubleMark from VGLeadSheets.

Scores: PDF, Image, MuseScore
Audio: YouTube (0:13–0:30)

i - ♭VI

Backing Track: See the i - ♭VI Chord Loops from Pop Repertoire here (Minor tab)

1) Bob Dylan, “All Along the Watchtower,” verse 1

From John Wesley Harding (1967), written by Bob Dylan

Scores: PDF, Image, MuseScore
Audio: YouTube (0:17–0:45)

2) Neil Young and Crazy Horse, “Change Your Mind,” mm. 7–14

From Sleeps with Angels (1994), written by Neil Young

Scores: Image, MuseScore
Audio: YouTube (0:18–0:40)

3) Elvis Costello, “Watching the Detectives,” verse 1

From My Aim Is True (1977), written by Elvis Costello

Scores: Image, MuseScore
Audio: YouTube (0:23–0:44)

4) Taylor Swift, “Guilty as Sin?,” verse 1

From The Tortured Poets Department (2024), written by Taylor Swift & Jack Antonoff

Scores: PDF, Image, MuseScore
Audio: YouTube (0:04–0:26)

I -♭VII (Mixolydian Shuttle)

1) Kinks, “Tired of Waiting for You,” verse

From Kinda Kinks (1965), written by Ray Davies

Audio: YouTube (0:09–0:29)

G F G F G F G

So tired, tired of waiting, tired of waiting for you

G F G F G F G

So tired, tired of waiting, tired of waiting for you

2) Stevie Wonder, “Uptight (Everything’s Alright),” chorus

From Up-Tight (1966), written by Henry Cosby, Sylvia Moy & Stevie Wonder

Audio: YouTube (0:21–0:37)
Note: The entire song repeats the same progression.

D C/D D C/D

Baby, ev'rything is all right, uptight; out of sight.

D C/D D C/D

Baby, ev'rything is all right, uptight; out of sight.

3) Steppenwolf, “Born to be Wild,” bridge

From Steppenwolf (1968), written by Mars Bonfire

Scores: PDF, Image, MuseScore
Audio: YouTube (2:48–3:03)

4) Fiona Apple, “Carrion,” chorus

From Tidal (1996), written by Fiona Apple

Audio: YouTube (3:32–4:02)

C B♭7

My feel for you, boy

C B♭7

Is decaying in front of me

C B♭7 C B♭7

Like the carrion of a murdered prey

C B♭7

And all I want

C B♭7

Is to save you, honey

C B♭7 C B♭7

Or the strength to walk away

5) Dexy's Midnight Runners, “Geno,” intro and verse

From Searching for the Young Soul Rebels (1980), written by Kevin Rowland and Kevin Archer

Audio: YouTube (0:12–0:42)

C♯ B C♯

Back in '68 in a sweaty club

B

Oh, Geno

C♯ B C♯

Before Jimmy's Machine and The Rocksteady Rub

B

Oh, Geno

6) Akito Nakatsuka, “Inside House”

From the video game Zelda II: The Adventure of Link (1987)

Scores: PDF, Image, MuseScore
Audio: YouTube (0:00–0:08)

7) The Beatles, “Norwegian Wood,” verse

From Rubber Soul (1965)

Scores: PDF, Image, MuseScore
Audio: YouTube (0:15–0:31)

8) Chappell Roan, “The Giver,” chorus

Single (2025), written by Chappell Roan and Dan Nigro

Scores: PDF, Image, MuseScore
Audio: YouTube (0:44–1:17)

9) Fanny, “Blind Alley,” verse 1

From Fanny Hill (1972), written by Alice de Buhr & Nickey Barclay

Audio: YouTube (0:42–0:57)
Harmonic Rhythm:
| G | G F . . | G | G F . . |
| G | G F . . | G | G |

G F G F

Take care of yourself, this is your story

G F

Your voice is shakin' the walls,

G

and they're crumbling down

10) Blur, “Advert,” verse

From Modern Life is Rubbish (1993), written by Dave Rowntree, Alex James, Graham Coxon, Damon Albarn

Audio: YouTube (0:28–0:57)
Harmonic Rhythm: | A G | (x16)

A G A G

It's six o'clock on the dot and

A G A G

I'm halfway home

A G A G

I feel foul-mouthed as I stand and wait

A G A G

for the Underground

A G A G

And a nervous disposition doesn't

A G A G

agree with this

A G A G

I need something to remind me that

A G A G

there is something else

i -♭VII (Subtonic Shuttle)

1) Tokuhiko Uwabo, “Secret Ways,” mm. 1–8

From the video game Phantasy Star II (1989)

Scores: PDF, Image, MuseScore
Audio: YouTube (0:00–0:14)

2) The Beatles, “Now and Then,” verse 1

From The Beatles 1967–1970 (2023 Edition) (2023), written by John Lennon, Paul McCartney & Lennon-McCartney

Scores: PDF, Image, MuseScore
Audio: YouTube (0:29–0:58)

3) Alex Warren, “Ordinary,” verse and pre-chorus

From AW2* (2025), written by Adam Yaron, Alex Warren, CAL & Mags Duval

Scores: PDF, Image, MuseScore, Braille
Audio: YouTube (0:07–0:35)

4) Luis R. Conriquez, Netón Vega, “Si No Quieres No,” chorus

From Si No Quieres No (2024), written by Netón Vega

Scores: PDF, Image, MuseScore, Braille
Audio: YouTube (0:48–1:04)

5) Fiona Apple, “On the Bound,” Verse 1

From When the Pawn Hits The Conflict... (1999), written by Fiona Apple

Audio: YouTube (0:20–0:52)
Harmonic Rhythm:
| Fm | Fm | E | E | (x4)

Fm E

All my life is on me now

Fm E

Hail the pages turning

Fm E

And the future's on the bound

Fm E

Hell don't know my fury

Other Shuttles

1) Bing Crosby, “Temptation,” mm. 1–8

From the film Going to Hollywood (1933), written by Nacio Herb Brown

Audio: YouTube (0:12–0:45)

2) Jefferson Airplane, “White Rabbit,” verse

From Surrealistic Pillow (1967), written by Grace Slick

Audio: YouTube (0:26–0:46)

F# G

One pill makes you larger and one pill makes you small

F# G

and the ones that mother gives you don't do anything at all

3) Portishead, “Mysterons,” verse
From Dummy (1994), written by Adrian Utley, Beth Gibbons & Geoff Barrow

Audio: mp3

B♭ C♭

Inside, you're pretending

B♭ C♭

Crimes have been swept aside

B♭ C♭

Somewhere

B♭ C♭

Where they can forget

4) Madness, “Night Boat to Cairo,” verse

From Madness (1979), written by Mike Barson & Graham McPherson

Audio: YouTube (1:00–1:27)

C B♭m

It's just gone noon, half past Monsoon,

C B♭m

On the banks of The River Nile.

C B♭m

Here comes the boat, only half-afloat,

C B♭m

Oarsman grins a toothless smile.

C B♭m

Only just one more, to this desolate shore,

C B♭m

Last boat along The River Nile.

C B♭m

Doesn't seem to care; no more wind in his hair,

C B♭m

As he reaches his last half mile.

5) Stone Temple Pilots, “Long Way Home,” verse

From Shangri-La Dee Da (2001), written by Scott Weiland & Dean DeLeo

Audio: YouTube (0:02–0:34)

G

Leave me out, get away, I've got to go

F#

Long way home, can't see through the trees

G

Leave me alone, get away, better run

F#

Fast as I can, from the man, the dirty man, the old man

6) America, “A Horse with No Name,” verse 1

From American (1971), music and lyrics by Dewey Bunnell

Audio: YouTube (1:32–2:04)

Em9 Dmaj9/F#
I've been through the desert on a horse with no name

Em9 Dmaj9/F#
It felt good to be out of the rain

Em9 Dmaj9/F#
In the desert you can remember your name

Em9 Dmaj9/F#
'Cause there ain't no one for to give you no pain

Em9 Dmaj9/F# Em9 Dmaj9/F#
La, la, la lala la la la, la, la, la, la, la.

7) The Doors, “Break on Through,” verse 1

From The Doors (1967), written by John Densmore, Robby Krieger, Ray Manzarek & Jim Morrison

Audio: YouTube (1:32–2:04)

Em D Em D Em D
You know the day destroys the night

Em D Em D Em
Night divides the day

D
Tried to run. Tried to hide

8) Nirvana, “Come As You Are,” verse

From Nevermind (1991), written by Kurt Cobain

Scores: PDF, Image, MuseScore
Audio: YouTube (0:16–0:48)

9) Fleetwood Mac, “Dreams,” verse

From Rumours (1977)

Audio: YouTube (0:16–1:11)

F G

Now here you go again

F G

You say you want your freedom

F G F G

Well, who am I to keep you down?

F G F G

It's only right that you should play the way you feel it

F G F

But listen carefully to the sound

G F G

Of your loneliness, like a heartbeat, drives you mad

F G F G

In the stillness of remembering what you had

F G

And what you lost

F G

And what you had

F G

And what you lost

10) The 5th Dimension, “Stoned Soul Picnic,” verse and chorus (phrases 1 and 2)

From Stoned Soul Picnic (1968), written by Laura Nyro

Scores: PDF, Image, MuseScore
Audio: YouTube (0:00–0:32)

11) Fiona Apple, “On the Bound,” chorus

From When the Pawn Hits The Conflict... (1999), written by Fiona Apple

Audio: YouTube (0:51–1:26)

Harmonic Rhythm:
| Fm | Fm | Dm | Dm | (x4)

Fm Dm

You're all I need, you're all I need

Fm Dm

You're all I need, you're all I need

Fm Dm

You're all I need, you're all I need

Fm

You're all I need

Dm

And maybe some faith would do me good

More Examples

The NYU Chord Progression spreadsheet includes additional examples of shuttles for aural ID. (See the tabs at the bottom of the spreadsheet).
Philip Tagg, Everyday Tonality: See the tables of examples in Chapter 12: Chord Shuttles on pp. 374, 376–77, 383–85, and 389.